MANATEE COUNTY -The COVID-19 positivity rate is up in Manatee County and is once again interfering with school activities for some, but not for all.
The COVID-19 positivity rate is currently over 30 percent in Manatee County, which is the highest rate registered since the beginning of the pandemic.
“We are having to employ additional mitigation measures to keep the number of positive cases in our schools and our district sites, down,” said Director of Communications for The Manatee County School District, Michael Barber.
After three months of rehearsals, students from Parrish Community High School found out day-of, that their Winter One Acts show was canceled due to COVID, but other sports activities like basketball we’re still on schedule to play.
“We’ve written emails, after emails, to the board, saying here’s what we can do, we’ve done shows with COVID regulations, we can space the house, wear facial coverings, we’ve given them many options and they’ve given us absolutely zero to work with,” said Parish Community High School Student, Mars Wolfel.
In response, the School District says they are “reviewing all extra-curricular and co-curricular events in our schools for possible re-scheduling until a time when the Manatee County positivity rate returns to a reasonable level.”
While any cancellations or postponement of sports activities fall under the Florida High School Athletics Association, as it impacts more than one school and district.
“It’s a little bit more complicated, but we are reviewing that,” said Barber.
“A lot of my high school career has been messed up because of COVID, and for unforeseeable reasons of course, but this shocked me,” said Parish Community High School Student, India Rawana-McKelbey.
The Manatee County District says their overall goal is to keep schools open, and children learning through another COVID surge.
“We’re going to work with our parents, and students and employees in the community to get through this one, just like we have all the previous ones,” said Barber.
The Manatee County School District says they plan to re-schedule all extra-curricular and co-curricular events, and continue monitoring updates from the FHSAA.
