After 11 weeks of schools largely shut down because of the COVID-19 pandemic, students were back in Richmond school district classrooms on Monday, but in greatly reduced numbers.
About 1,550 elementary students were in school on Tuesday while the district was expecting about 1,800 based on a survey that went out to parents last week. This was up from Monday by about 100 students.
In secondary schools across the district, there were about 350 students on Tuesday, down from an expected number of 550.
June 1 was a great day as we welcomed grads and students back in the school! #stayingsafe #GoColts ❤️ pic.twitter.com/b2rpUlr40L
— Richmond Secondary School (@RichmondColts) June 2, 2020
There were fewer students on Tuesday than Monday, but the school district expects the numbers to fluctuate from day to day depending on which class tutorials are being held, according to district spokesperson David Sadler.
“Overall, things seem to be going very smoothly so far,” he said.
Welcome Back Wildcats! A lovely chalk wildcat to welcome our students, created by a crew of dedicated teachers. #WildcatPride @RichmondSD38 https://t.co/9mpBdIDP52 pic.twitter.com/LGMfSYcXbb
— RA McMath (@RAMcMath) June 1, 2020
Elementary students – whose parents choose to send them back to school – are attending two days a week, while secondary students are attending one day a week.
A survey to parents last week indicated 36 per cent of families intended to send their children back to school in June.
Some parents sent their kids to school on Tuesday after waiting to see how things went on Monday, Sadler explained, and, after speaking with other parents, felt comfortable to let their kids attend as well.
About 700 children of essential workers and vulnerable students have been attending school during the shutdown.
There are about 20,000 students in the Richmond School District.
