GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — It's been nearly a year since Grand Rapids Public School students were in the classroom but that's about to change.
Starting Tuesday, Jan. 19, GRPS will switch to hybrid learning with 50 percent of students in person on Mondays and Tuesday and the other 50 percent on Thursday's and Friday's leaving Wednesday available for deep cleaning.
The principal at Sibley Elementary School on the west side of Grand Rapids was excited to welcome students back into the classroom Tuesday.
"It feels like the first day of school in the Fall," said Roselyn Charles-Maher, the principal, "There was this buzz this morning. Teacher were, even with our masks, you could tell they were smiling."
The district has spent the past six months getting schools ready including upgrading ventilation and establishing social distancing and supplying masks and hand sanitizer for students.
Charles-Maher said at Sibley, preparations included upgrades to ventilation, making sure the classrooms have enough space and few enough students to distance, and figuring out how the younger students would eat in the lunchroom.
"The pandemic is still here," said Charles-Maher, "So, making sure students are wearing masks and socially distant. Parents need that security and I hope we gave them that security when they came in."
Also, classrooms have been set up for social distancing with assigned seating and desks six feet apart.
GRPS will also have their breakfast programs and their grab and go program available for students.
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