Richmond students head back to class today

RICHMOND, IN — Students and parents in Richmond, Indiana woke up Wednesday morning for the first day of school after being off since March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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“I took their temperatures, made sure everyone was well,” Amy Roark of Richmond said.

Roark and her three children, Allison, Ben and Emma Roark, had to add a few more steps to their morning routine before the first day of class.

“Everyone’s a little nervous for the changes,” said Roark.

Roark’s children were equipped with the usual backpacks and lunchboxes, but they also had their masks and a bottle of water since the water fountains are no longer able to be used.

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Each student is required to have two masks that they will wear while on the bus, in the lunch line, in the hallways and in the classroom where social distancing is not possible.

Richmond High School, Test Middle School and Dennis Middle school are operating on a hybrid schedule for the first six weeks this school year.

Student’s schedules will be split between virtual and in-person learning throughout the week.

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“It’s been a little nerve-racking over the past couple of weeks with everyone deciding to be in school or virtual,” Roark said. “But we decided to go back to school. They needed to go back to school.”

The Roark kids said they weren’t excited about wearing masks, but they are finding ways to appreciate them.

The Richmond School District will be on early release until September 1.

Cox Media Group