Orange County moves up school start date, all students to begin virtual learning

Orange County students to begin virtual learning August 10

Orange County Public Schools has announced that August 10 will mark the start of virtual learning for all students in the district, whether they chose a different learning option or not.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. - The Orange County School Board has made some last-minute changes to start off the school year. Now, all students will be learning virtually at first.

Not only that, but board members have moved up the start date by 11 days. Orange County students will begin learning on August 10th. They were supposed to start August 21st.

FOX 35 News spoke with some parents who say they were caught off guard by the change.

"People have made vacation plans. They have camps set up for kids because they work," said parent Allison Taliaferro.

Administrators say families who chose in-person learning and OCPSLaunchED@Home will both start online. Those who chose face-to-face learning are to report to campus Aug. 21.

The district says “the nine days will provide opportunities for all staff and students to become comfortable with the launched platform, as it will be our default should we need to pivot from face-to-face during the pandemic.”

Parent Lucas Chiddister says that makes sense.

"If we have to not be face-to-face for a while, I think that’s a great way to iron out the kinks."

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