Many Wake County elementary students return to in-person learning Monday

Tens of thousands of Wake County elementary school students returned to in-person learning for the first time since the pandemic shut down schools in March on Monday.

Six-year-old Sam Hershey couldn't wait to go to school today at Douglas Magnet Elementary in Raleigh and meet his entire class in person for the first time.

"They've been outstanding with communication," his dad Samuel said of the process. "The teachers have always gotten back to us. So even with the circumstances, it's made everything a lot easier, a lot more comforting for us."

Hershey says they had no reservations about in-person classes. They even consulted with their pediatrician about safety.

"They feel pretty good about elementary kids being back in school," he said. "They haven't seen any super-spreader event."

In some smaller schools, a six-foot distance between every student at all angles won't be possible, but students will not be seated within three feet of one another.

School Board Chairman Keith Sutton says even if some of the social distancing requirements are decreased he believes other protocols like mask-wearing and hand-washing make the schools safe.

"Our teachers, our staff and students have done an excellent job in being compliant with the rules and protocols," he said.

With so many children still enrolled in the county's virtual academy, classrooms will not be at full capacity.