COVID-19 Updates

At the Professional Educators Network of Florida, we are here for you. Below are useful links to inform and equip you with the necessary resources to make this unprecedented time as successful as possible.

If you have specific employment-related questions or concerns related to the COVID-19 Crisis, please do not hesitate to reach out to us via our dedicated email: info@penfl.org.

For up-to-date news and quality content on all things education, be sure to like the Professional Educators Network of Florida on Facebook. We are continuously posting COVID-19 and Florida Education News to keep you as informed as possible.

As always, we are grateful for your trust and support as a PEN of Florida member. Stay safe and healthy!

General Information

Florida Department of Health COVID-19

CDC COVID-19 Updates

National Institutes of Health COVID-19 Information

Florida Department of Education COVID-19 Information

State University System of Florida COVID-19 Updates

Florida Department of Education Communication

FTCE Examination Waiver

Understood – great online learning platforms and tools that are free right now

Canva – now offering its services free of charge to assist teachers in their online learning transition. Through Canva, educators can Create presentations, infographics, websites, reports, worksheets, posters, flyers, and signage.

April 1: DOE Guidance to Direct Support Organizations

March 31 Press Release: Florida Extends School Campus Closures Through May 1

March 26 Superintendents Call: Supporting English Language Learners

March 24 Superintendents Call: Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services (BEESS)

Educator Resources

Model Teaching: Online Professional Development FREE for PEN Members

10 Ways Schools Can Prepare for COVID-19

Florida Department of Education’s Free Online Resources for Teachers and Parents: An enormous list of resources, all in one place.

Share My Lesson: A community of educators that share resources and information.

Florida Virtual School to Offer 100 Free Digital Courses to all Florida Students

Storyline Online: Books read by actors.

Tips for Homeschooling During Coronavirus: NPR

Learning Without Tears: Free Digital Resources for Handwriting and Reading

Home Learning Strategies and Resources Created by the National Network for State Teachers of the Year (NNSTOY)

Eduscape.com: Free resources and webinars on remote learning, along with a host of other topics

Mystery Science – Free, easy science for remote learning

Brainpop.com Great resource to include in lessons. Free for everyone during school closures.

Virtual Field Trips to zoos, Yellowstone, and even Mars!

Common Sense Media: Coronavirus Support from the Experts in Digital Citizenship

LEGO #letsbuildtogether: Daily Building Challenges and Resources for Easy Hands-On Activities

Scholastic

Tech&Learning: Resources for Online Learning—Coronavirus Updates and Resources

History Morsels – Small bites of History for children of all ages

Reading Eggs and Math Seeds Free Downloadable Resources

“I called PEN and within a few hours, I was speaking with an attorney…”

"I never thought I would need PEN’s legal services. I had been teaching for 34 years and been nominated several times as Teacher of the Year. But in my 34th year of my teaching career, one of my ESE student’s parents requested that I let her son take a test as many times as it took for him to pass the test. When I explained to her that I could not do that, she began calling the school and sending emails to DOE telling them things that were not true about what I was doing to her son. I called PEN and within a few hours, I was speaking with an attorney and he listened to my situation and advised me on how to proceed. He stayed in contact with me until the issue was resolved. I am so thankful I filled out that PEN brochure that was in my school mailbox." - Polk County Educator

“It would have been a really scary time if I had not had an attorney advising me…”

"I believed one of my students was being abused by a guardian. I called the PEN representative and she told me that I was obligated to report this to the district. I was interviewed by the district, the DCF and the sheriff’s department. The PEN attorney advised me of the laws, helped me prepare my statement and advised me on the process. It all turned out fine in the end, but it would have been a really scary time if I had not had an attorney advising me." - Palm Beach County Educator

“It was a relief to have PEN speak out for me and make sure that my rights were not violated…”

"Due to an injury, my doctor prescribed that I would need to adjust several of my job-related activities. PEN helped me with getting the district to make accommodations so I could keep on working. It was a relief to have PEN speak out for me and make sure that my rights were not violated." - Miami-Dade Educator

General Information

Florida Department of Education Communication

Educator Resources

“I called PEN and within a few hours, I was speaking with an attorney…”

“It would have been a really scary time if I had not had an attorney advising me…”

“It was a relief to have PEN speak out for me and make sure that my rights were not violated…”

Thank you is such a small word to show my appreciation

Having a lawyer made all the difference

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General Information

Florida Department of Education Communication

Educator Resources

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