Back to School: 8 Central Florida districts head back to school today

ORLANDO, Fla. — Students, teachers and staff at eight different school districts in Central Florida head back to school Thursday. Read live updates below:

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8:30 a.m. update:

Breaking in Brevard County: Classes at Eau Gallie High School are canceled today due to a power outage, BPS officials announced on social media.

The district said that staff is on campus and will assist any students who need help returning home.

All after-school activities have also been canceled for today.

Officials said they expect Friday to be a normal school day.

Eyewitness News spoke to BPS Superintendent Dr. Mark Rendell earlier this morning.

Click below to hear his advice for the first day of school.

BPS Superintendent Dr. Mark Rendell offers advice on first day of new school year (WFTV)

8:15 a.m. update:

Channel 9′s Sam Martello will be there as OCPS’ superintendent welcomes back students at Dommerich Elementary in Maitland.

7:55 a.m. update:

In Lake County, district officials said a new school security system is ready to be fully implemented.

Superintendent Diane Kornegay said the infrastructure for the system was installed last year.

The system is equipped with panic buttons that will be worn by school staff members, to alert if health or safety issues arise.

Kornegay also said the district can notify law enforcement of larger-scale emergencies faster than making a 911 call.

New security system in place for schools in Lake County, district officials say (WFTV)

7:25 a.m. update:

SCPS just celebrated the kickoff of the 2023-24 school year with the ceremonial bell ringing at Crooms Academy of Information Technology in Sanford.

WATCH: Seminole County Public Schools ceremonial first-day bell ringing ceremony Seminole County Public Schools traditional bell ringing ceremony at Crooms Academy of Information Technology in Sanford (Charles Frazier, WFTV.com/WFTV)

6:45 a.m. update:

Brevard County heads back to school today.

Buses hit the roads before sunrise to begin picking up students.

Channel 9′s Mel Holt has been monitoring activity throughout the district and is currently in Palm Bay.

She’s expecting to catch up with Superintendent Mark Rendell shortly.

You can watch her LIVE updates all morning long on Eyewitness News.

6:20 a.m. update:

In Osceola County, the new school year begins with a brand new superintendent.

Dr. Mark Shanoff told Eyewitness News he’s excited to get started.

READ: Osceola County school year begins with new Superintendent in place

VIDEO: Osceola County school year begins with new Superintendent in place The new school year will begin with a brand new superintendent in Osceola County. (Charles Frazier, WFTV.com/WFTV)

Osceola County district officials are also reminding parents and students that it has deactivated its “Here Comes The Bus” app until Sept. 11.

5:40 a.m. update:

Seminole County Public Schools buses are starting to roll out.

Channel 9′s Q McCray has you covered in Seminole County and will continue to bring you live updates all morning long.

5:15 a.m. update:

Excessive heat warnings will remain in effect Thursday as most of Central Florida heads back to school.

Be sure to tune into Channel 9 and TV27 now to watch Brain Shields’ live updates on today’s dangerous heat and rain chances.

Morning forecast: Thursday, Aug. 10 Morning forecast: Thursday, Aug. 10 (Charles Frazier, WFTV.com/WFTV)

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4:45 a.m. update:

Orange County Public Schools said parents and students could experience delays in busing Thursday morning and for the first few weeks of school.

They are encouraging parents who can do so to drive their students to school. Read more here.

OCPS also is reminding families about its districtwide cell phone policy that is now in effect.

Read: Delays expected for first day of Orange County schools due to bus driver shortage, district says

School districts in Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Sumter counties will welcome back students, teachers and staff Thursday morning.

Channel 9 is committed to keeping you informed as you head back to school.

Watch Channel 9 Eyewitness News This Morning, beginning at 4:30 a.m., for school news you need to know, important traffic updates and your back-to-school forecast.

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

Read: How to avoid back to school scams that put your money & identity at risk

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Back to School (WFTV)

WATCH: Back to school: Preparing mentally, physically & financially for the year ahead Channel 9 has partnered with AdventHealth for Children to take a deeper dive into the emotional and physical challenges that students and families face. (WFTV)

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