UPDATE October 3, 2017 
The District resumed operations of all schools and administrative sites on Monday, September 18, 2017.  It is important to remember the efforts of the entire community to fully recover from Hurricane Irma will be ongoing.  We want our students to resume learning in our innovative schools.  Additionally, the District recognizes its role and responsibility to assist in restoring our community to a sense of normalcy. Reopening schools to our more than 272,000 students is a step in that direction.   

There will be a period of time before everything is as it was before Hurricane Irma.  The FAQs below is intended to provide information on many of the questions that community members and employees have in order to facilitate the return to normal operations. 

CALENDARS 
UPDATE: When or how will the District have hurricane makeup days? 

On Tuesday, October 3, 2017, The School Board of Broward County, Florida, unanimously approved utilizing two previously scheduled early release days – October 19, 2017, and December 22, 2017 – as makeup days for Hurricane Irma. There are no changes to winter break, spring break or the last day of school.
 
The School Board’s approval follows the recommendation presented by Superintendent Robert W. Runcie during the September 26, 2017, School Board meeting. The makeup days were selected in consideration of students, families and staff commitments for vacation and holidays scheduled around the school year calendar. The Hurricane Irma makeup days also reflect input from employee group representatives, including the Broward Teachers Union and other community stakeholders.
 
In addition to the makeup days, the School Board approved amending the school calendar to shift the start of the second quarter from Monday, October 23, 2017, to Monday, October 30, 2017, and the start of the third quarter from Tuesday, January 9, 2018, to Tuesday, January 16, 2018.
 
District schools were closed for seven days in preparation for and cleanup following Hurricane Irma. Florida Education Commissioner Pam Stewart announced school districts could waive two of the closure days.  By extending the two early release (October 19 and December 22) days to full instructional days, the District remains in compliance with the state’s requirements for instructional hours for the school year without the need for additional makeup days.  
 
To view the amended 2017/18 school year calendar, visit browardschools.com/calendars.

UPDATE: How will the School Board meeting schedule be impacted?   
The School Board meeting previously advertised for September 19, 2017 will be rescheduled for Tuesday, September 26, 2017.  View Meeting Calendar   

STUDENT SERVICES
UPDATE: What support services are available to my child(ren) and family?
The BCPS Student Support Services department provides a wide range of support to students and families which includes:

• Student Services Post Hurricane Contacts
• Attendance FAQ Post Hurricane
• Resources Post Hurricane

For further information call 754-321-1550 or visit: http://browardstudentservices.com/about-us/
 

SCHOOL OPERATIONS 
UPDATE: How is the District accommodating Food Services for students? 

The District always offers free breakfast for all students. Due to hurricane Irma, the District is providing free lunch to all students during the next few weeks.

Who do I call with questions about Transportation?  
Contact the Transportation Call Center in your area: 

• North Transportation (routes 1000-1999): (954) 321-4000
• Central Transportation (routes 2000-2999):  (954) 321-4480
• South Transportation (routes 3000-3999):  (954) 321-4100
• ​Central West Transportation (routes 4000-4999):  (754) 321-4150
• South West Transportation (routes 5000-5999):  (954) 321-8025
• FACILITIES 
  
  Will all debris and fallen trees be cleared from sidewalks and pathways where students will be accessing schools? 
  Yes. Employees from two tree-removal companies, approximately 130 staff from Physical Plant Operations, and site-based staff from every school are cutting and stacking trees, branches, and vegetative debris, out of the way so that students, teachers, and school staff have safe, unimpeded access to every school.   
  
  How were schools used as shelters sanitized before classes resumed?
  The District brought in internal staff and outside vendors to clean, disinfect and sanitize those schools that were used as shelters. Following this work, District custodians also cleaned schools. Student have returned to safe and healthy learning environments.  

DRIVERS EDUCATION
UPDATE: What is the new schedule for Driver’s Education?
The Driver's Education schedule has been revised. The courses have been revised from September 9 through November 18, 2017, to September 23 through December 9, 2017.  http://www.broward.k12.fl.us/k12programs/driverseducation/upcomingclasses.htm

ACADEMICS 
How will my child’s academics be impacted? 
Your child will resume where they left off. The District is making adjustments to the standards based scope and sequences within each grade level and content area.  We will work to prepare students for promotion and that they are prepared for any type of local or state assessments. 

When will Interim reports be distributed? 
Interim reports will not be issued on Tuesday, September 19, 2017, per the advertised calendar. A new date will be published in the near future for interim reports. 
 
Student Distance Learning programs for ELA and Math were scheduled to begin on Monday, September 18, 2017.  Will they start then? 
No. Student Distance Learning programs for ELA and Math will not start on Monday, September 18, 2017. These programs will begin on Monday, September 25, 2017, per the previously communicated schedule. 
 
What signs should I look for in my child/or student to make sure they’re emotionally okay after the storm? 
Understandably, a hurricane can be frightening for adults and children. The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) recognizes that the length of recovery will depend in part upon how frightening the hurricane was, whether evacuation from home was necessary, and the extent of the damage and loss.
 
Children often turn to adults for information, comfort and help. Children do best when parents and teachers appear calm, answer children’s questions honestly, and respond as best as they can to requests. NCTSN explains some common reactions you may notice in your child/student after the storm and what you can do to help: Parent Guidelines for Helping Children after a Hurricane. http://www.nctsn.org/content/help-kids-cope 

Schools will also have school counselors and school psychologists available for students who would like to talk about their Hurricane Irma experience and feelings. 

My family is still dealing with storm-related issues and we’re not ready for school. How can we best cope? 
A regular school schedule provides a sense of normalcy and routine for children. When they return to school, let your child’s school know what your family is experiencing so that the school can support your child as he or she transitions back to school. 
 

BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL CHILD CARE
Is before and after school child care available starting Monday, September 18, 2017, at the school sites?  
All before and after school child care, already running and housed on Broward County Public Schools campuses, will be available at the regular times beginning on Monday, September 18, 2017. 

Will the after care programs that are run by off campus/not in the schools, private providers/companies be picking up my child after school?  
Parents will need to call the off-school campus after care company that the parent has contracted with to see if they are still running the pick-up busses/vans and off-campus programs on Monday, September 18, 2017.  

If my off campus program is not providing child care for Monday, can the school District help me at the school site? 
Parents that use an off-campus child care site will be provided child care through Friday, September 22, 2017, if their private provider/program is not available. Beginning Monday, September 25, 2017, if the private provider is still unable to provide the service, the parent will need to register each child in the school-based aftercare program and work with the school-based after care supervisor to work out a payment schedule.  

There was professional development scheduled for aftercare program staff during the hurricane closure. Will this be rescheduled? 
Professional development that was scheduled during the closure timeframe will be rescheduled and all staff that were signed up will be contacted with the new dates.   

There is professional development scheduled for aftercare program staff for Saturday, September 23, 2017. Will that still be happening? 
The training scheduled for Saturday, September 23, 2017 will not occur and will be rescheduled.  

Will aftercare payments for children be refunded or credited for the time the programs were closed?  
Payments for the days the programs were closed will be credited to the next payment due from the families for Broward County Public Schools Aftercare Program.  
NOTE: If your child attends a charter school after care program, please contact the charter school for each specific program. 

Will aftercare workers/supervisors be paid for the time the schools/programs were closed? 
Per the Before and After School Child Care Staff Handbook, part-time staff are not compensated for days not worked.  

What should a family do about payments that were due during the Hurricane closure?  
Any payment deadlines that were due during the Hurricane closure have been extended until September 23, 2017. 

SPORTS, ATHLETICS AND CLUB ACTIVITIES 
UPDATE: When can football practice outdoors resume? 
All public high schools, along with Coral Springs and Pembroke Pines charter schools, passed their Fall sports athletic facilities inspections and resumed practices on Monday, September 18, 2017. 

UPDATE: When can other fall sports in gymnasiums or other school campus spaces resume?  
All public high schools, along with Coral Springs and Pembroke Pines charter schools, passed their gymnasium inspections and resumed practices on Monday, September 18, 2017.  Games started to resume on Tuesday, September 19, 2017.

Can our football team practice at a county park? 
No. All practices must be conducted on school based inspected properties. 

With the loss in practice time, will we be allowed to hold any sports practice (i.e. football) on Thursday, September 21, 2017? 
No. All schools and District Offices are closed. Therefore, no practice, games, or other activities are permitted. 

Note: All football games from weeks 3 and 4 are being made up on various dates and times starting Monday, September 25, 2017 through Thursday, November 9, 2017. As we secure the dates and times, they will be announced through the individual schools and the BCAA website (bcaasports.com).

UPDATE: When will cross country and golf resume?
Cross Country practices resumed Monday, September 18, 2017. Scheduled meets will resume Monday, September 25, 2017. At most schools, golf practices and matches resumed Tuesday, September 19, 2017. A few schools are still waiting for their home course to reopen. We expect all schools to be back at practice and resuming matches by Monday, September 25, 2017.

UPDATE: When will volleyball practice and games resume?
District volleyball matches are being made-up on various dates and times starting Tuesday, September 19, 2017. As we secure the make-up dates and times, they will be announced through the individual schools and the BCAA website (bcaasports.com).

UPDATE: When will middle school soccer resume?
The following soccer games were played on Tuesday, September 19, 2017:

• Falcon Cove vs. Silver Trail
• Franklin Sunrise vs Central Charter
• Glades vs Pioneer
• Margate vs Beachside
• Renaissance University vs Hollywood Academy
• Tequesta Trace vs Bair
• Imagine Broward vs Ren. Coral Springs
• Imagine Weston vs North Broward Academy

No games are scheduled for Wednesday & Thursday (due to holiday observation) or Friday of this week. Regular season and regional make-up games will begin to be played starting Monday, September 25, 2017

UPDATE: When will clubs and other activities resume?
All activities and clubs resumed Tuesday, September 19, 2017.

Will we be paid for work days we missed?
Yes. BCPS maintained payroll systems to ensure pay will be issued on the standard calendar. Individuals may have to work with their payroll technician in the coming weeks to reconcile leave balances due to scheduled leave which will need to be adjusted.

Will employees be required to use vacation time to cover days off due to Hurricane Irma?
No.

How will planned vacation time off next week and or during the hurricane be affected by School and District closures?
Employees will not be charged for vacation or personal leave that had scheduled for days on which the SBBC was closed due to Hurricane Irma. Payroll specialists will be reconciling payroll over the next two cycles.

Can employees expect to receive their paycheck this Friday?
Yes

Should new hires that were supposed to start work on Monday, September 18, 2017, come in?
Yes.

Will the District provide employees with information on available resources to assist with financial assistance provided by federal and local agencies?
The District will work through Human Resources & Equity (HRE) to keep employees and collective bargaining units aware of external resources that are available for assistance. All employees are reminded of the BCPS Employee Assistance Program (EAP) available at http://www.broward.k12.fl.us/benefits/eap.html.

What if my home conditions resulting from Hurricane Irma remain a hardship for me to go to work?
The District begins normal operations on Monday, September 18, 2017. Unless instructed otherwise by their supervisors, employees should report to work at their normal work locations and at normal start times. If you are unable to report to work, you must follow the appropriate standard protocol for reporting your absence.

If displaced or no power at home, will teachers need to use sick/personal time if they do not report to work?
All staff, including teachers, will need to use a standard and appropriate leave balance if they are requesting leave on Monday, September 18, 2017, and beyond.

Can staff bring their children to work on Monday, September 18, 2017?
Unfortunately, no. The same rules and protocols apply on Monday as on any other work day.

If I cannot return to work (due to storm issues), how do I call in for a substitute?
All staff, including teachers, should follow standard procedures for reporting absences and requesting substitutes.

Is there a new date to submit a Basic and Advanced Incentive Awards application?
The District has made arrangements to extend the date to submit application for Basic & Advanced Incentive Awards. The final deadline to submit is Friday, October 13, 2017. Please note that the original deadline of Friday, September 1, 2017, for completing all coursework remains unchanged.

Is there a new deadline for submitting the acknowledgement form on ESS for the Teacher Supply Assistance Program (LEAD)?
The deadline for teachers submitting their acknowledgement form on ESS will be extended to Friday, October 13, 2017. Submissions prior to October 13, will be processed for payment in the next possible payroll cycle.

Will the district be holding New Teacher Onboarding Appointments?
The District cancelled the New Teacher Onboarding appoints for September 7, September 11, September 14, and September 18, 2017. Individuals have been notified by email and these appointments will be rescheduled.

Will the District be holding Substitute Teacher Orientation for New Substitutes?
Yes. The next Substitute Teacher Orientation scheduled for September 22, 2017, will be held. Impacted candidates will be sent an email.

Will the District be holding the Teacher Interview Day on September 18, 2017?
No. This will be rescheduled on a date to be determined. Candidates have been notified by email.

When will the district hold the next Applitrack Training?
The District cancelled the training that was scheduled for September 13. The Registered attendees were emailed and rescheduled. The training scheduled for October 10, 2017, will be held as advertised.