Zika Prevention Is Key As Kids Head Back To School
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) - Summer break is officially over as more than 355,000 students in Miami-Dade head back to class.
While it's a big day for the kids, some parents whose children attend schools in Wynwood and Miami Beach expressed their concern over the Zika virus.
"It's because of the Zika ... it's very important to wear mosquito repellant because they are here," said a student named Ludmila.
One woman just transferred her two kids to a Miami Beach school and is working seven days a week in the same zone and pregnant. She is terrified.
"Zika, that's making me really paranoid ... I work here and I'm also pregnant," said parent Leisly Rivera.
The Miami-Dade school district has been in contact with parents whose children attend school in the so-called 'Zika hot zones' - letting them know what they need to do and what precautions should be taken. They say prevention is key.
At some schools, parents were given information about how to protect their children and mosquito repellent.
"What I want to tell parents is yes, protect and prevent, but don't panic," said Miami-Dade Public Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho. "The best protection against the Zika threat is prevention and the best prevention is protection. So wear long-sleeved shirts, as far as the kids are concerned, and long pants. Spray insect repellent before they leave home. Not only on the skin, but also on their clothing."
Carvalho says they are doing even more for anyone who may be pregnant.
"If there's any pregnant staff, we are offering face-to-face counseling.... and explore the best options for those individuals," said Carvalho.
Some students were spotted wearing mosquito repellant bracelets, long sleeves, and long pants. They seemed uncomfortable but most understand it's necessary to stay safe.
"Give off fumes to keep mosquitos away," said a student named Niko.
"I took a bath....then I sprayed myself and then I got dressed," said another student.
Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine said mosquito control crews have worked very hard to remove threats. The city's hot zone runs from 8th Street to 28th Street, from the beach on the East to the bay on the West.
"We are doing everything we can for preventative measures. I want to reassure the parents that the city is here and we are here to answer any questions," said Levine.
Florida Governor Rick Scott stopped by Miami's Jose de Diego Middle School on Monday. After that, he took part in a Zika preparedness round-table at the De Hostos Senior Center at 2902 NW 2nd Avenue in Miami.
Ahead of the start of school Monday morning, Carvalho met with bus drivers in the district before they left for their assigned routes.
"You're carrying America's future. You're well trained. You're appreciated," he said.
A fleet of 1,170 buses is taking about 55-thousand students to and from school every day.
New this year in Miami-Dade are an additional 59 choice or magnet programs for students and an additional 35-thousand mobile devices in the new initiative "Digital Convergence." "Diploma Pathways" will motivate teens to strive for higher achievement by teaching them about special diploma designations while "Pathways to Bi-Literacy" will help ensure students get foreign language classes from K-12th grade so they can become bilingual and bi-literate.
This year the district's G.R.E.A.T. (gang and violence prevention) program is being expanded to reach double the amount of students.
So how did the Zika issue on top of the potentially stressful first day of school go?
"In the most impacted area of Zika, we are talking about Wynwood, Miami Beach, attendance was higher today than the first day of school last year. Which is interesting," said Carvalho.
Miami-Dade County Public Schools is the fourth-largest school district in the United States, comprised of nearly 400 schools and 40,000 employees.
