Columbus City Schools welcomes back students to classroom for 1st time in nearly a year
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Tens of thousands of students in the state’s largest school district headed back to class Monday for the first time since last spring.
Despite some school districts canceling class due to snow this week, Columbus City Schools opened its doors for its first day of blended learning this school year.
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District leaders told ABC 6/FOX 28 On Your Side that it took eleven months to initiate their plan due to not having the ability to bus its typical 40,000 students per day.
With only one student allowed per seat on a CCS bus during the pandemic, elementary school students were called back first along with kids in the career tech programs and students with complex needs.
ABC 6/FOX 28 On Your Side spoke with one single mom who was dropping off her child at Ecole Kenwood Elementary School for their first day.
"It's a full-time job. That's why we like having teachers. It's important for them to be in school with professional teachers," said parent Anna Babel.
Inside look: Safety measures in place as Columbus City School prepare for blended learning
Other district mom Tricia Hess says her daughter fears she may not know how to interact.
"My younger one has even talked about going back to school and how it might be harder for her to make friends," said Hess.
26,000 students are part of the new back to school plan. However, most CCS middle and high school students must still stay home and continue remote learning.
