TIPP CITY — Bethel Local Schools are back in session today.
“I have all kinds of emotions,” said Robin Maurer, as she sent her second and third grader, Bradley and Benjamin off to school. “To be honest, I’ve had a lot of anxiety about it all, but I truly feel like the kids need to be back in school.”
Maurer was faced with the decision to keep her boys at home for online learning.
An option, about 250 kids are taking.
Maurer, however, joined the majority in sending her boys back to school.
“I think its what’s best for our family,” Maurer said. “We’re a working family, we’re just going to do our best to keep our hands clean, keep the masks on and try to stay healthy and we’re all excited to get the kids back in school.”
“I did miss my friends and my teachers,” Benjamin Maurer added.
As students head back, there are some changes.
Masks are to be worn at all times on busses and in the hallways and in classrooms when social distancing is not possible.
The district has staggered class times, to allow for less students in the hallways in between periods.
The lunchroom has been expanded into the auditorium so students can have more space in between each person.
“I think kids are sometimes better at adjusting to change than adults are,” said Superintendent Justin Firks. “We’re going to take it slow from the get go, focus on building relationships with students and staff because they’ve been gone for so long.”
The district has created a Plan B.
If the Governor or Health Department deems schools unsafe for kids, all students are equipped to learn online.
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