Due to a steady increase in COVID-19 cases throughout Brevard County and an uptick in teacher and student quarantine cases, the Homecoming dance, originally scheduled for Sept. 25, has been canceled along with Homecoming dances at all Brevard Public Schools.

“I know this may come as a shock to many in our community as we were all trying so hard to return to the many observances and traditions that make [attending] school the enriching experience that it is supposed to be,” Principal Rick Fleming said in a statement. “However, the inherent risks associated with large indoor gatherings, especially those where dancing and close contact are unavoidable are too great at this time. We will be working with our newly elected class officers in the near future to plan some alternatives.”

Fleming said only the dance has been canceled, leaving the rest of the fall celebration intact.

“The good news is that we will continue as planned with our annual Spirit Week beginning on Sept. 20 highlighted by our ever-popular Powder Puff football game set to kick off at 4 p.m. on Sept. 24. We will be recognizing our high school Homecoming Court and crowning our Homecoming king and queen during the event and tickets will be available pre-sale during Power Hour the week of Sept. 20. and at the gate for $5. The event is a fund-raiser for our Junior and Senior classes and is a special traditional event for our school community.”

In addition, the school district also has canceled field trips — except for sports — until at least the end of September.

“As I processed how to communicate with you today, I thought of an old adage my grandfather used to say in that in a perfect world, everything would be perfect,” he said. “As you know, we live in an imperfect world and if I’ve learned anything as of late it would most certainly be that things change very quickly in our COVID world. Thank you in advance for your ongoing support and patience as we all navigate this global crisis together.”