Every challenge is an opportunity to improve and move forward.  The new learning environment, whether it be online or on-campus, is an exciting, new adventure.

– Meet the new teacher. Find out his/her expectations.

– Tour the school if possible or help set up your student’s workstation

– Have your child connect with school friends before the first day of school if possible.

– Get the kids back into a regular bedtime routine

– Pack the backpacks with the needed school supplies, snacks, facemasks.

– Give the kids plenty of time to get ready for school in the morning. On the first day, take lots of pictures. 

– Understand that the days ahead will be draining on you and your children. Give them time to chill after school.

Each morning, Hug Your Children, Wish Them A Fantastic Day And Be Ready To Listen. After All, Aren’t Hugs, Unconditional Love, And A Few Minutes Of Uninterrupted Time Important to Everyone?

Drivers:  Leave home a few minutes earlier this week. Be aware of the increase in traffic and delays due to school buses, anxious parents, and preoccupied students.

Be Aware! – DON’T TEXT AND DRIVE! 

The post Happy Back To School! Wishing All The Best Year Ever. appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

Back to School Planning: How to protect your family and loved ones

For many families, back to school planning will look different this year than it has in previous years. Your school will have new policies in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19. You may also be starting the school year with at-home learning. Whatever the situation, these tips are intended to help parents, guardians and caregivers plan and prepare for the upcoming school year.

• Children should be advised to do the following:
  • Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
  • If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer comprised of at least 60% alcohol. Make sure you are using a safe product. FDA provides a list of hand sanitizers consumers should not use. Adults should monitor children while they use hand sanitizer.
  • Maintain a recommended physical distance from other people, including other students.
  • Avoid sharing objects with other students, including water bottles, devices, writing instruments and books.
  • Monitor how they feel and tell an adult if they are not feeling well.
• Develop daily routines before and after school—for example, things to pack for school in the morning (like hand sanitizer) and things to do when you return home (like washing hands immediately).
• Be familiar with your school’s plan for how they will communicate with families when a positive case or exposure to someone with COVID-19 is identified and ensure student privacy is upheld.

Older adults and people with certain underlying medical conditions are at increased risk for serious illness from COVID-19. If your household includes anyone who is at increased risk, then all family members should exercise the appropriate precautions.

People who live in multi-generational households may find it difficult to take precautions to protect themselves from COVID-19 or isolate those who are sick, especially if space is limited. It is important to understand potential risks and how to adopt different types of prevention measures to protect your family and to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. The CDC recently created guidance for multi-generational households. Although the guidance was developed as part of the CDC’s outreach to tribal communities, the information could be useful for all families, including those with both children and older adults in the same home. You can also contact your local health department for guidance.

Please call the DOH-Lake COVID-19 Hotline at (352) 742-4830 Monday- Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  For general information on COVID-19 in Florida, visit www.floridahealth.gov/covid-19, email covid-19@flhealth.gov or call (866) 779-6121.

The post Back To School Planning: How To Protect Your Family And Loved Ones appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

Here are a few tips which may help you and your children get through the first weeks of the school year.

– Meet the new teacher. Find out his/her expectations.

– Tour the school if possible or help set up your student’s work station

– Have your child connect with school friends before the first day of school

– Get the kids back into a regular bedtime routine

– Pack the backpacks with the needed school supplies, snack, facemasks.

– Give the kids plenty of time to get ready for school in the morning. On the first day, take lots of pictures. 

– Understand that the days ahead will be draining on you and your children. Give them time to chill.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, Hug Your Children, Wish Them A Fantastic Day And Be Ready To Listen. After All, Aren’t Hugs, Unconditional Love, And A Few Minutes Of Uninterrupted Time Important to Everyone?

Drivers:  Leave home a few minutes earlier next week. Be aware of the increase in traffic and delays due to school buses, anxious parents, and preoccupied students.

AND REMEMBER – DON’T TEXT AND DRIVE!

The post A Few Tips To Make Heading Back To School Less Stressful appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

The post Students Head Back to School In Spite Of COVID And With The Anticipation Of A Bright Year appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

Parents were asked to submit the forms by midnight on Wednesday, July 29. Of the 39,331 responses counted the afternoon of Thursday, July 30, about 42 percent or 16,708 said they want their children to return to brick-and-mortar school buildings for traditional, face-to-face, full-time instruction.

About 26 percent, or 10,108, chose the Lake Live option, which provides structural virtual learning that mirrors the traditional daily school schedule.  Students stay enrolled in their home school and are taught by teachers from their enrolled school when possible based upon enrollment and teacher availability.

About 24 percent, or 9,584, said they will enroll full-time in Lake County Virtual School, which offers flexible daily virtual learning with teachers available through the day and during evening hours. Instruction includes two to three teacher-led live lessons weekly.

The smallest group — about 7 percent, or 2,878 — chose the Modified Day option, which offers students traditional in-school learning for English Language Arts and Math while allowing them to take other courses virtually through Lake County Virtual School.

District staff will filter the responses, understanding that some parents may have selected one option then later changed their minds and selected a different option. The most recent option submitted from each parent will be used for planning as district leaders prepare for students to resume instruction on August 24.

Schools have been shuttered since March in response to the COVID-19 coronavirus.

The post 42% Of Lake Parents Say Their Children Will Return To School Buildings Full Time (August 24) appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

Here are a few tips which may help you and your children get through the first weeks of the school year.

– Meet the new teacher 

– Tour the school

– Have your child connect with school friends before the first day of school

– Get the kids back into a regular bedtime routine

– Pack the backpacks with the needed school supplies and snack

– Give the kids plenty of time to get ready for school in the morning. On the first day, take lots of pictures (Place BIG smiles on our faces. First day of school pictures can be sent to news@SLTablet.com for our readers to enjoy.)

– Understand that the days ahead will be draining on you and your children. Give them time to chill.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, Hug Your Children, Wish Them A Fantastic Day And Be Ready To Listen When They Return Home. After All, Aren’t Hugs, Unconditional Love, And A Few Minutes Of Uninterrupted Time Important to Everyone?

Visit Teach HUB for more tips on how parents can prepare for Back to School Time

Drivers:  Leave home a few minutes earlier next week. Be aware of the increase in traffic and delays due to school buses, anxious parents, and enthusiastic and, at times, preoccupied students. DON’T TEXT AND DRIVE!

Visit Lake County Schools for up to date information on your school system.

The post Back to School Anxiety – Prepare For The First Day Of School Now appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

“I believe that every kid should start the school year off right,” said Groveland Mayor Evelyn Wilson. “The partnership that we’ve put together with Hope International to host this event, is a positive community engagement that is a win for everyone involved…anything to help our children in the community.” 

Groveland’s Park and Recreation Director Mike Walker and Hope International Church’s Senior Pastor Dr. Tony McCoy, along with members of the South Lake Pastor’s Huddle, teamed together to ease the financial burden on families requiring back to school supplies for their children. “It’s something special when you can partner with your city to help impact the lives of young boys and girls within your community,” said Senior Pastor, Dr. Tony McCoy. “We are assisting them to achieve the necessary tools in their quest for education. I’m excited about the future possibilities of working with the City to bring hope to our surrounding areas, by servicing the families of Groveland.” 

Local vendors and businesses have also teamed with the City for the outreach event. Confirmed vendors include but aren’t limited to, the YMCA, Center State Bank, Be Free Lake, the Department of Health in Lake County and more. Select health screening tables will also be available for families who chose to receive informational material on the importance of long term wellbeing. Groveland’s very own Police and Fire Department will also be in attendance, showcasing their cars and fire trucks for the children. 

The “City with Natural Charm” believes in the importance of investing in children’s future. This event will allow the City to stand with the community and bring needed educational resources to its local families. 

The post Groveland Teams With Local Community To Provide Free School Supplies (August 3) appeared first on South Lake Tablet.