Miami-Dade County Public Schools Will Reopen Monday

MIAMI, FL — Miami-Dade County public schools will reopen for classes on Monday, Sept. 18, officials announced Sunday afternoon. Broward County schools will also be reopening on Monday.

"Because teaching and learning are vital to our mission ... we will resume classes on Monday, September 18," the district said in a statement on Twitter. (For more information about the recovery from Hurricane Irma, subscribe for free to the Miami Patch and receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts. If you're outside of Miami, find your local Florida Patch. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

"Looking forward to welcoming back all students and staff," said Superintendent Alberto Carvalho.

Last week, officials had set Monday as their goal for reopening the county's schools. After Hurricane Irma, many of the buildings were left without power, had suffered storm damage and were inaccessible because of debris on the roads.

Working with the utility companies, recovery crews and school staff, Carvalho directed a massive effort to get the distrct up and running again. Now — whether they like it or not — the kids are scheduled to return to school Monday morning.

Only one school is not currently operational: Richmond Heights Middle School, Carvalho said. Richmond Heights students will attend Coral Reef Senior High for now. These students should report to Richmond Heights Middle School where school and district staff will escort them to Coral Reef Senior High. Students’ families will be contacted via Connect-ED message with additional information.

"Our schools remain safe and secure," Carvalho said on Twitter. "Power has been restored to most of our schools, but similar to what we’re seeing in homes, there are some service interruptions."

Buses may be delayed, he said, but the routes have all been tested. Any tardies or absences will be excused at this time as residents continue to recover from the storm.

All students will be provided free breakfast, and even all lunches will be free "for the foreseeable future," Carvalho said. Decisions about sports and extracurricular activities will be left up to the discretion of the principals.

"Because of power issues, not all areas in schools may have A/C," he said. "We will try to make it as comfortable as possible for students and staff."

He continued: "There may be delays, inconvenience, and a bit of discomfort. We ask for your patience as we transition back to school."

Parents should be aware of the following:

• Because of the issues with inoperable traffic lights and debris, school bus service may experience delays.
• All bus routes were tested on Sunday and despite some ongoing obstructions, access to schools is not expected to be impeded.
• Some school speed zones may not have working traffic signals, but they will be manned by local law enforcement officers and crossing guards. County and municipal leaders have also committed to placing stop signs or police officers to direct traffic wherever there are inoperable traffic lights.
• Because of debris across the county, we are encouraging parents of students who take the bus or walk to school to please walk their children either to the bus stop or to school.
• Some schools may not have the entire facility air-conditioned, or may have power fluctuations, but district staff is working to make the situation as comfortable as possible.
• Some classrooms may have to be consolidated.
• All student absences and late arrivals will be considered excused tomorrow.
• Athletic and extra-curricular activities will continue at the discretion of the school principals.
• After school care providers have been notified about the re-opening of schools and scheduled services are expected to resume.
• In addition to the free breakfast every child is entitled to every day of the year, the District will also offer students free lunch for the foreseeable future.
• Most importantly, all students returning to school will be safe, secure, educated, supervised, and fed.
• We are asking students and staff to have patience with delays and slight discomfort as we transition back to school.

Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images