Manatee County Schools has announced its reopening plans for the 2020-21 school year and released a video about what teachers, students and staff can expect when classrooms reopen for students on Aug. 17. At a special meeting on July 14, the School Board of Manatee County approved three reopening options, including a five-day, on-campus plan for parents who want their students to return to campus full-time; a hybrid schedule in which students mix on-campus learning with e-learning; and an option for full-time e-learning. Parents need to contact schools by the end of day on Thursday, July 23, to pick a plan.

In a video released this week to show the public what this year's changes to bricks-and-mortar campuses will look like, the district adds that students, teachers and staff will be required to wear face masks or shield coverings in all school and district buildings; that students' temperatures will be taken randomly and that staff temperature checks will happen daily; that enhanced sanitation procedures will be in place, including daily sanitation of frequent touch points and weekly deep cleanings; that lunches will be prepackaged to minimize exposure; and that schools will adhere to social distancing protocols in all shared spaces, including classrooms, hallways and outdoor areas.