PCPS:
Dear families,
Our team continues to work diligently to prepare PCPS schools to reopen for our students and staff.
However, our schools must remain closed on Monday, Oct. 14, and Tuesday, Oct. 15. We expect to reopen our campuses to students on Wednesday, Oct. 16.
Three factors are impacting our ability to safely reopen our schools: We must have adequate power, food and staffing.
Our utility partners are doing an amazing job and working around the clock to restore power. But total or partial outages persist at more than 30 school sites.
Our facilities staff have been tirelessly working to prepare our campuses. But we need more time to finish necessary repairs and cleanup work. School kitchens must be fully operational and able to accept delivery of new food items.
We are also learning that some of our school-based staff are unable to return Monday due to their own difficult storm-related circumstances.
Again, students will NOT return to school on Monday and Tuesday. We expect to reopen our campuses to students on Wednesday, Oct. 16.
Even though schools will be closed Monday and Tuesday, PCPS staff will be mobilizing and working to reopen campuses.
All available district employees will return on Monday, Oct. 14, to their district offices and work sites. There offices and work sites have power and been cleared to resume operations.
All available PCPS school-based staff, including teachers, will return to their school sites on Tuesday, Oct. 15, to help complete final preparations for reopening.
Any staff members facing major challenges after the storm should speak with their supervisors regarding their return to work.
When schools reopen, we anticipate being short-staffed on some essential personnel, including bus drivers. We ask for your patience.
We understand that school closures raise concerns regarding the loss of instructional time, and the possibility of makeup days. We remain in contact with the Florida Department of Education on our status and the challenging circumstances facing our community. We will keep you informed on any plans regarding potential makeup days.
Thanks for your understanding as we strive to return to normal operations. We appreciate your support and look forward to our students and staff returning to school.
