Montgomery County students in kindergarten through third grade returned to classrooms Monday for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic started last spring.
The Monday return is part of the county’s phased reentry plan in which all county students will have the option to come back to in-person learning in a few weeks, WTOP reported. Presently, Wednesdays will remain the virtual learning day for all county students.
Parents and guardians retain the choice to opt out of the phased reentry program and have the children continue remote learning throughout the week.
Students enrolled in special education, career and technical and alternative programs returned on March 1, two weeks ahead of the general student body, WTOP reported.
While students’ schedules will differ depending on the individual school, students could participate in in-person instruction and have some type of virtual teaching on the grounds.
Meals will be served in classrooms and buses will operate at half-capacity. Students will be required to complete health questionnaires before boarding buses or coming into school facilities.
School officials say the goal is to have small classrooms that practice social distancing, WTOP reported.