By Heart of Illinois ABC
BLOOMINGTON – Students in Bloomington School District 87 headed back to the classroom Tuesday, almost full time.
Students grabbed their backpacks and headed into Stevenson Elementary, now, four days a week. The principal, Lynn Shook, said her teachers prepared for weeks.
“I think the kids are eager to be back into the classroom, they’re eager to see their friends. I think the parents are excited to have them back in the classroom, so today was a great day,” said Shook.
Before, students were only allowed in the classroom two days a week. The district said COVID-19 cases had been low and they were ready to expand in-person learning.
Stevenson teacher, Latrice Galloway, said the first day went great. She added that a return to the classroom was just what she and her students needed.
“We were ready,” Galloway continued, “It was just a fact of seeing my students and the only thing I worried about was who will not show up? Who didn’t get my message? No worries, I needed my babies back and I have them back and I’m excited.”
One parent said her kids learned better in-person and she was itching to get them back into the school, longer.
“I don’t have any concerns at all. I do believe that a lot of the teachers have been vaccinated and also all the secure things that are being posed, social distancing and masking,” said Stevenson parent, Katty Bell.
“All the planning that we’ve done to prepare really does pay off,” said Shook.
Shook said the school was ready to adjust any plans to make sure they were able to continue this hybrid schedule for the rest of the year.
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