Students in the Milan Special School District return to class

Schools are beginning to reopen here in west Tennessee after five months of being out. The Milan Special School District is one of the first to reopen in the area.

With school supplies and lunch in hand and masks on their face these students walked into school for the first time since March.

Some came to school in person and others virtually.

“We’ll have two sets of kids this year. We’ll have virtual kids and then we’ll have our face to face kids in the classroom. So, we’ve had to be very strategic in planning and very creative in the way that we developed our plan", says teacher Gina Dycus.

Seventh grade English/ Language Arts teacher at Milan Middle School, Gina Dycus, has taught for over 20 years.

Dycus says this first day is a little different.

“We’re going into a year that no one really ever expected. So, we have to make the students feel comfortable and let them know we’re here for them and then i think once they feel that welcoming atmosphere then they will be ready to learn", Dycus adds.

To make sure students stay healthy the school is taking different precautions like taking temperatures, keeping students six feet apart, and providing each student a mask in case they do not have one.

“And so the school has provided a mask for each student and then we as teachers if we have extras we can help them as well, because we want everyone to be safe that is our main goal", says Dycus.

This year in person students will leave school at 1:50 pm instead of 3:00 pm to give teachers a chance to speak with virtual students about lessons. Virtual students will also be able to message teachers throughout the day with questions.

Other districts plan to reopen throughout the rest of August and September. Imani Williams for 39 News, in Milan.