‘Shocking’ and ‘disappointing’: Teachers union raises concern over photo of crowded students at Volusia County high school

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — A picture of students crowded inside a Volusia County high school after classrooms reopened for face-to-face education on Monday is gaining traction on social media.

It shows students at Spruce Creek High School in Port Orange in a scene that the teachers union referred to as “shocking” and “disappointing.”

The school district said the photo, which was taken inside the atrium at Spruce Creek High School, was just a snapshot in time and that the crowd quickly dispersed.

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But the union said the photo highlights what it is seeing with the inability to adhere to social distancing guidelines on campus.

“The students were not adhering to any CDC guidelines congregating in a large group some with masks on some with masks off but absolutely no social distancing in place,” Volusia United Educators President Elizabeth Albert said.

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The district said it has put protocols in place, such as requiring masks, adding extra lunch periods and having more people monitor the hallways, to help make sure people stay spread out and socially distance.

Video: Volusia County students return to school Volusia County students returned to school Monday.

Cox Media Group