Pick up meals, Chromebooks and free AP review

Marathon High School served about 100 lunches in one day this past week. Chromebooks will be available for pickup weekdays March 26-31. BARRY GAUKEL/Keys Weekly

On March 16, the Florida Department of Education announced that all public and private K-12 schools would be closed through April 15. With school out for now, the Monroe County School District has implemented plans for pickup of school meals to Chromebook pickups to free AP review courses, which began March 25. As for the College of the Florida Keys, classes are 100% online through May 1, the last day of the spring semester. 

CHROMEBOOK DISTRIBUTION

Chromebooks will be available for drive-up check-out to high school students at the front high school entrance during the following dates and times (A parent must be present): 

KEY WEST HIGH SCHOOL 

• Thursday, March 26, 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m.

• Friday, March 27, 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m.

• Monday, March 30, 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m.

• Tuesday, March 31, 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m.

• Wednesday, April 1, 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m.

MARATHON HIGH SCHOOL

• Thursday, March 26, 12:30-3 p.m.

• Friday, March 27, 7:30-10:30 a.m.

• Monday, March 30, 7:15 to 10:45 a.m.

• Tuesday, March 31, 12:30-3 p.m.

CORAL SHORES HIGH SCHOOL

• Thursday, March 26, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

• Friday, March 27, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Monday, March 30, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Tuesday, March 31, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Students who already have a working iPad, computer, and/or Chromebook are not required to pick up a Chromebook. The school district can allow only two devices per household for families with multiple children. Parents will need to sign a contract that explains the expectations for use and that all property must be returned when school reopens. 

Students will have access to virtual courses beginning on March 30. Virtual instruction will begin on April 1. Visit the district’s Emergency Instructional Continuity Plan for more information. Students may choose to access Supplemental Content now.

Comcast is making internet access available free for those in need. 

The school’s technology support hotline is 305-289-2480 Ext. 55314.

FREE AP REVIEW CLASSES

Beginning March 25, students can attend free, live AP review courses, delivered by AP teachers from across the country. These courses:

• Are optional, mobile-friendly, and can be used alongside any work your teacher may give you.

• Will be available on-demand, so you can access them any time.

• Will focus on reviewing the skills and concepts from the first 75% of the course. There will also be some supplementary lessons including topics from the final 25% of the course.

To access the live classes and recordings, visit the AP YouTube channel.

FREE AND REDUCED-PRICE SCHOOL MEALS

Free and reduced-price school meals are being distributed on a drive-through basis. Daily meals are handed out from 11 a.m. to noon Monday to Friday at the following locations listed below. Parents must bring all eligible children with them. Meals will not be given to parents without children. Meals will be distributed at the following locations: 

• Coral Shores High School

• Marathon High School

• Sugarloaf School

• Key Largo School

• Gerald Adams Elementary

• Horace O’Bryant School

• Key West High School

COLLEGE OF THE FLORIDA KEYS

The College of the Florida Keys (CFK) is conducting all business remotely and will continue classes online through May 1, the last day of the spring semester, to prevent the potential spread of coronavirus.  The college’s physical locations, the Key West campus, Upper Keys Center and Middle Keys Center are closed to the public. Only students who are currently in the residence hall and employees with CFK ID are permitted on the Key West campus.  Students, parents and community members are able to receive service through telephone, email and other technology during normal business hours.

CFK’s leadership team, in consultation with leadership from the college’s Faculty Council and Student Government Association, has cancelled the spring commencement ceremony and student awards banquet. Students who meet the requirements to graduate this spring will still earn their credentials and are encouraged to participate in the fall commencement in December. 

Through the CFK Foundation, students were issued laptops and additional resources are available from the Keys Hope Emergency Grants.  Current students can receive more information about applying for a Keys Hope Emergency Grant by emailing foundation@fkcc.edu.

For employees, the college has increased the number of VPN and Go-To-Meeting licenses and provided faculty with additional instructional resources to aid in transitioning coursework online. 

CFK’s nursing program donated medical supplies to Key West Advanced Urgent Care and Mariners Hospital.

More information is at https://www.fkcc.edu/covid-19/. 

Jim McCarthy is one of the many Western New Yorkers who escaped the snow and frigid temperatures for warm living by the water. A former crime & court reporter and city editor for two Western New York newspapers, Jim has been honing his craft since he graduated from St. Bonaventure University in 2014. In his 4-plus years in the Keys, Jim has enjoyed connecting with the community. “One of my college professors would always preach to be curious,” he said. “Behind every person is a story that’s unique to them, and one worth telling. As writers, we are the ones who paint the pictures in the readers minds of the emotions, the struggles and the triumphs.” Jim is past president of the Key Largo Sunset Rotary Club, which is composed of energetic members who serve the community’s youth and older populations. Jim is a sports fanatic who loves to watch football, hockey, mixed martial arts and golf. He also enjoys time with family and his new baby boy, Lucas, who arrived Oct. 4, 2022.