MIAMI BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - School district officials in Miami-Dade and Broward counties have cancelled upcoming field trips that involve air travel, as the state deals with a rising number of coronavirus cases.
Miami-Dade County Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho and Broward County Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie confirmed the cancellation of the trips during news conferences held Tuesday.
Before detailing an extensive plan, Carvalho stressed that no coronavirus cases have been reported in Miami-Dade.
“Let me begin by stating the obvious: there is not at this point a single confirmed case or presumptive case of COVID-19 impacting a student or an employee in the school system,” he said.
School officials hope to keep it that way, and that’s why concerns over coronavirus are cutting into travel plans for South Florida students and staff.
In Miami-Dade, all international trips sponsored by the school district have been cancelled, as well as air travel out of the state.
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Grad Bash and the many other popular in-state field trips, even those in the county, will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
“Spring break is an area and time period of concern,” said Runcie.
Broward Schools officials confirmed their district’s cancellations include any national trips.
“Going forward, we are not allowing any future district-sponsored or school-sponsored out-of-state field trips events to occur,” said Runcie.
District officials said they are also evaluating local and state school activities.
“All in-county, as well as in-state field trips — that includes athletic events and activities not requiring air travel, are being evaluated on a case-by-case basis,” said Carvalho.
“We’re considering looking at possible further restrictions within the state of Florida,” said Runcie.
Runcie added that they are ready to take any steps to ensure the safety of their students, staff and the community.
“Our staff here at the district literally has been working daily as the situation continues to develop,” he said.
While keeping COVID-19 at bay is district officials’ main concern, should the spread shut down schools at some point, both Broward and Miami-Dade school systems have remote digital learning plans ready to go into effect. There is even a plan in Miami-Dade to have meals delivered or ready for pickup.
“We have a pandemic plan that we put together on how we will respond, based on different scenarios,” said Runcie.
“I believe we have developed a comprehensive plan that addresses, if not all, all of the issues known to us at this point,” said Carvalho.
The superintendents’ announcements come a day after the principal of Miami Beach Senior High School said a staff member will be self-imposing a quarantine after staying at a hotel in Denver where another guest was diagnosed with the virus.
“I’m boxed in as far as some information is concerned because of privacy rights specific to health information or privacy rights of students and parents,” said Carvalho.
Both superintendents said they want families to know this is about being prepared and avoiding panic.
“We are utilizing the recently constituted Mental Heath Department, as well as schools’ counseling staff to provide needed assistance to students who may have a difficult time dealing with uncertainty or the evolving nature of this virus,” said Carvalho.
Miami-Dade school district custodians have received extra training to help keep the district clean. They have also ordered additional supplies, equipment and sanitizers.
Miami-Dade Public Schools have activated their command center. Starting Wednesday, there will be a hotline set up for questions and concerns. For more information, click here.
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