Returning To The Classroom During The Pandemic

Madison City Schools is still confident in its, as well as other local districts', decision, to bring students back to the classroom.

New information... you're taking a live look outside columbia elementary school in madison.

Starting tomorrow -- some elementary students at madison city schools will be allowed in the classroom for the first time this school year.

When the district announced its re-entry plan -- it said a big factor in the decision making was the risk indicator map created by the alabama department of public health.

As you can see right now -- madison county is at a very high risk.

Waay31's megan reyna is live after learning why the district is still confident in its decision to bring students back to the classroom, megan?

Students will fill up this school behind me despite the county being at high risk.

Actually when madison city schools made the decision to return to in-person instruction... the area was at low risk.

But the district said today it is still moving forward with its phased plan.

Superintendent ed nichols sent out a message to all parents -- stating he has spoken with dr karen landers with the alabama health department.

He said after speaking with landers -- she said the change in risk factor is due to universal testing in retirement home community.

Now students still had the option to remain fully virtual for the remainder of this semester.

For this week -- students will be divided up into two groups by last name.

Each group will go to class in person twice a week.

After two weeks -- the plan is to have everyone in the classroom five days a week.

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