More than 130,000 students are getting ready for the start of school Thursday in Duval County, Florida.
Some will learn from home, but others will learn in-person.
One look at Shannon Russell-Hinds and you’d think she’s a nurse, but she’s actually an English teacher at Sandalwood High School.
Scrubs are what she wears to class now. “No, we don’t feel particularly safe,” said Russell-Hinds.
Behind the mask, is a great deal of apprehension and anxiety. Russell-Hinds said Sandalwood has about 3,000 students.
Some of those students have chosen to learn from home but despite that, there are challenges.
“We try to accommodate the social distancing in our classrooms but that’s proven to be probably one of our biggest challenges right now,” said Russell-Hinds.
On Wednesday, Superintendent Dr. Diana Greene revealed new details about a $1.5 million initiative to offer free COVID-19 rapid testing to teachers and staff. “It is a drive-through so the teacher never gets out of their car,” said Greene.
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The testing sites will be at the following seven high schools with results available within 24 hours:
- Atlantic Coast High School
- Ed White High School
- Frank H. Peterson High School
- Terry Parker High School
- Duncan Fletcher High School
- Englewood High School
- Jean Ribault High School
- Parent Resource Center (Team B)
“For our schools this means that we will have 25 additional nurses. Some of those nurses will be dedicated to rapid testing,” said Greene.
Dr. Greene said the district has provided each school with personal protective equipment.
“We have outfitted all of our schools with the necessary hand sanitizer gloves facial coverings,” said Greene.
The supplies are being given out in phases. According to Dr. Greene, the district will re-stock schools throughout the year.
“We have a monthly sort of timeline that we go back in and replenish schools as they need,” said Greene.
Russell-Hinds said they’ll do the best they can to limit the spread but there’s only so much they could do.
“It’s not a matter of if we have COVID cases, it’s going to be when,” said Russell-Hinds.
Russell-Hinds said she doesn’t blame her principal or the school administration itself for her apprehension and concerns. She said her issue is with state and even federal leaders.
Cox Media Group
