A colorful way students are staying safe while returning to in-person learning

Bristol, Tenn. — While many schools in our region started either fully virtual or on a hybrid learning schedule, some Bristol, Tennessee students returned to the classroom Monday morning.

For the first time since the pandemic began, Anderson Elementary School students returned for in-person learning.

Students will be socially distanced in their classroom and everyone will get their own school supplies.

"They [Students] made history today. Students came back to school in the midst of a healing process from a pandemic. So we want them to remember and capture that moment," says Anderson Elementary School Principal, Ginger Christian.

Before students entered the school, they had their temperatures checked, and their hands sanitized.

All students are required to wear a face mask during the day and can only take it off during scheduled break times.

Students also have color-coordinated lanyards to make contact-tracing easier if necessary.

"We've given children four quadrants in ever homeroom. So red, blue, yellow and green. And they will stay with that particular group of students even during any transition during the day to better support safety," says Christian.

The city school board voted last week to have in-person learning for Pre-K through sixth grade. Students in seventh grade and up started on a hybrid schedule.

"Online school is, for a lot of us, pretty tough making yourself get on there to do it. So being back in and seeing all our friends and all of our teachers and just having that bit of normalcy is really nice," says Tennessee High Senior, Grayson Phipps.

Parents say they're excited for their kids to go back.

"They're willing to go the extra mile for the children's safety and that's clearly as a parent what I want. But on the other side as a parent, I really feel our children should be going to school because it's important for health and mental stability," says Scott Myers who has a daughter at Tennessee High.

"A little bit of fear, a little bit of excitement. With the virus this year in the summer, I've been able to protect her and she's been under my wing and now I'm getting her go on her own," says Lindsey Reimer who has a daughter in second grade. "They have all the precautions in place and I think it will be a good year."

Nearly 75 percent of students at Anderson Elementary returned to the classroom. The others chose online learning.

"We see one school here at Anderson Elementary, but behind the scenes, there's also Anderson Rams going to school at the very same time in their homes," says Christian.

City school board members will meet Tuesday night to discuss improved safety measures for students.

To learn more about Tuesdays board meeting, click here.