Lakeland’s back to school guide for the 2021-2022 school year

Today marks the first day of school for Polk County Public School (PCPS) students. All schools will be returning to an in-person format, with classrooms, sporting events + other school activities taking place in full capacity in most cases.

Health + safety precautions for PCPS

• Schools + classrooms — Face coverings are optional but highly recommended at this time.
• Transportation — Students will be bussed at full capacity and facial coverings are strongly encouraged.
• Cafeterias — High-touch surfaces will be frequently sanitized and no self-serve areas will be available.
• Athletics — Indoor sporting events will be limited to 75% capacity, but outdoor events will be opened to full capacity.
• COVID-19 exposure — Unvaccinated staff and students who come in contact with an individual with COVID-19 will be asked to quarantine — vaccinated asymptomatic individuals will not.
• Fine Arts — Indoor performances will be limited to 75% capacity, but outdoor performances will be opened to full capacity. Facial coverings are strongly recommended while singing and sharing of instruments + equipment will be limited.
• Volunteers + visitors — Campus guests relay their movements on campus and are strongly encouraged to wear a facial covering.
• Field trips — Large-scale field trips will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
• Clinics — Isolation areas will be determined for symptomatic individuals in the clinic.

Many area private schools also return to in-person learning this month. You can find school calendars, COVID-19 guidelines, and other information on each school’s website.

First day of classes for colleges + universities

• Polk State College | Aug. 16 — Facial coverings + social distancing are strongly recommended indoors, regardless of vaccination status.
• Florida Polytechnic University | Aug. 24. — Facial coverings are strongly recommended for unvaccinated students and staff.
• Southeastern University | Aug. 25. — Facial coverings will be required in classrooms.
• Florida Southern College | Aug. 31 — Students are encouraged to participate in the Mocs Take a Shot Incentive program and wear masks indoors.

And with that, we wish you a fabulous school year, Lakeland.