It was a warm welcome for a small group of Fairfax County kindergartners on Tuesday, their first day of in-person classes.
One by one, with backpacks in tow, a handful of kids were helped off mostly empty school buses before patiently waiting in line to head to their classrooms at Graham Road Elementary.
In all, 24 little ones began school Tuesday on a rotating schedule.
鈥淲e鈥檙e going to do everything we can to keep them safe. Twelve will be in person, and 12 will be at home,鈥� said Principal Lauren Badini.
While at school, they鈥檒l stay with their group all day and follow social distancing guidelines.
鈥淓veryone on any grounds, any bus, has to wear a mask, and we also try to maintain 6 feet of social distance, which is all the time here,鈥� Badini added.
Staff will also be monitoring their own health daily, she said. The goal is to make students feel welcome in their new learning environment by bringing in the youngest learners first.
鈥淲e really have an opportunity to get things right with them and make them feel comfortable. While we鈥檙e not quite there to normal yet, this is a step in the right direction,鈥� Badini said.
Students across the county will continue returning to classrooms in groups now through March 16.
