Miami-Dade Schools Unlikely To Reopen This School Year

MIAMI, FL — Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho said Wednesday public schools are likely to remain closed for the rest of the school year amid the growing coronavirus crisis in Florida.

"A physical return to schools this year is not only unlikely but imprudent," Carvalho said on social media .

The nation's fourth largest school district has been closed since March but children have been receiving online instruction. School district officials handed out tens of thousands of electronic devices to students.

Carvalho noted the school year ends on June 3 for children in the district. High school graduations are set to begin on May 26.

A district spokesperson said no formal announcement regarding the end of in-school classroom instruction has been made.

But the superintendent said there are only 26 to 33 days of schooling left this school year.

Attendance for distance learning has been taken through sign-ins on the student portal. The district sends out attendance confirmation alerts.

District officials have said teachers must record a minimum of one grade per week, per subject in the official gradebook. Students wil be able to make up any missed assignments throughout the entire grading period.

Students, parents/caregivers and teachers can call the Distance Learning Helpline at 305-995-HELP from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. between Monday and Friday. The helpline is available in English, Spanish and Haitian-Creole.

Teacher planning days and legal holidays outlined in the 2019-2020 schools calendar will continue as planned. The calendar is available here.

Xfinity WiFi hotspots across the country are available for free as needed, including for non-Xfinity Internet subscribers. A map of available hotspots can be found here. Comcast has created new educational collections for all grade levels in partnership with Common Sense Media. Customers can say “education” into their X1 or Flex voice remotes.

AT&T is offering Internet access for limited income households at $10 a month through the Access from AT&T program. The company is offering two months of free service to qualifying students. Click here for more information.

Visit distancelearning.dadeschools.net/ for more information about connectivity.

Adult Education students can click here for more information. Career/Technical Education students can click here. You can also call 305-558-8000 .

The following are Miami-Dade telephone hotlines which are available between 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday:

• District Emergency Operations: 305-995-3000
• Instructional Continuity Plan: 305-995-HELP (4357)
• Adult and Career/Technical Education: 305-558-8000
• Mental Health Services for students/parents: 305-995-7100
• Employee Assistance Program: 305-995-7111

M-DCPS Online Resources:

• http://covid19.dadeschools.net/ — Provides continual updates on M-DCPS actions connected to the coronavirus outbreak.
• http://distancelearning.dadeschools.net/ — Includes information on free Comcast Internet as well as digital tools and tutorials for educators and students.
• http://icp.dadeschools.net/ — Provides the M-DCPS framework for distance learning for pre-K-12 students.
• www.careerinayear.com and www.adulteducationworks.com — Provides information on career/technical and adult distance learning options.