Wake County schools prepare for students to return to the classroom

The Wake County Public School System is preparing to have more students inside the classroom than it did since the start of the pandemic a year and a half ago.

Nearly a fourth of all COVID-19 cases reported in the first week of August were among children, state data shows. The majority of those case are among those from 5 to 14 years old.

Students in year-round schools, who are already back in the classroom, will be implementing new COVID-19 protocols.

But one protocol that classrooms are dropping this year is social distancing. The state is not requiring students to stay 3 feet apart this year.

Jerry Price, science teacher at the new Willow Spring High School, said he's missed doing hands-on lab activities with his students.

Majority of Wake County schools COVID cases reported so far this summer are among students, data shows

He will have 34 students in his classroom. It's the first time in a year and a half that they'll all be inside for in-person learning.

"Last year, I was really teaching to icons on the screen. So, I never really felt I was teaching the human being," Price said.

But Price is prepared for the worst. He's putting lesson plans and lectures online in case a COVID-19 exposure forces students into quarantine.

"We’re thinking we need to have things recorded for students in case they get sick, they’re out for two weeks," he said.

Masks are required across Wake County Public Schools, and classrooms are stocked with hand sanitizers and disinfecting wipes.

Signs and stickers around campus remind students to socially distance.

"I think a lot of them are still understanding of the scenario and working well within the confines we can give them," said art teacher Aaron Steel.

He said that teachers are designing a learning atmosphere that serves "all learners, home, away, in a blended setting."

Steele tells says he feels safe to start the new school year with COVID-19 precautions in place.

"It’s still exciting to have them back, and I think a lot of them do miss that normalcy of it," Steele said.

Education officials said most schools will group students for when they move from the classroom to the cafeteria for lunch. They'll also assign seating to try to limit the number of kids who would have to quarantine if exposed to a classmate with COVID.