SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. — After Sarasota County Schools announced the temporary extension of the suspension of field trips and nonessential visitors and volunteers on Sept. 10, the school district announced they will be lifting this measure on Oct. 4.
Schools will now be able to schedule "educationally relevant" field trips and all visitors and volunteers are welcome back on campuses, school leaders said in a news release.
This change in suspension was done based on the latest COVID-19 Community Spread percentages, according to the release.
All visitors and volunteers still need to check-in at the front office with their photo ID or driver's license, Sarasota County School reminds the public. Before arriving at a school, parents and guests should refer to their individual school's visitor and volunteering guidelines and procedures.
All volunteers must have their information up-to-date and activated with the school district's Community Relations team before they can start volunteering, the school district says.
"We encourage everyone to continue to practice good health habits to help minimize the spread of COVID-19 in our schools and the community-at-large," Sarasota County schools wrote.
"We will closely monitor the transmission rate of COVID-19 and will share additional updates or changes, as needed."
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Sarasota County Schools has extended its temporary suspension of field trips and nonessential visitors and volunteers to the campuses during school day hours.
The schools initially put a pause to field trips and visiting abilities for 30 days on Aug. 10 to help limit the spread of COVID-19 in the community.
As of right now, this extension has no end date.
School leaders said in an email, they believe this temporary measure will "help minimize the quarantining of students and staff, enabling us to maintain a stable, high-quality learning and working environment for our students and employees."
They are planning to keep an eye on the transmission rate of COVID-19 in schools and worksites, along with regularly reviewing the suspension.
"We are very hopeful that soon, we will have all our visitors and volunteers back in schools – you are a dynamic part of our success," officials said in the email.
"We appreciate your continued patience, understanding, and support as we work together for the health and wellbeing of our school communities."