EVSC Prepares for Day One

Students in the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation will head back to class for the first time since March.

County.

And tonight --- we're turning the page on e-v- s-c- phased reopening plan - the first day of school now --- just a few hours away.

44news reporter erran huber --- has everything parents can expect -- from what will certainly be a unique first day.

"students have not been in school with us with since last march, so that makes this a very unique start."

A start--this wednesday morning.

The beginning of the new school year--closer than ever.

Back to the classroom for many evansville vanderburgh school corporation students.

In a school year-- unlike any other-- a split start-- based on last name-- that will also have students taking lessons at home -- on certain days.

It's going to give us about half of the number of students in the building to really help them to have more time, to have more space, to learn the safety protocols, to start building that relationship with their teachers.

Then everyone will return a week from thursday.

Everyone--that is--except for those pursing other options.

Like evsc's virtual academy-- which parents like liz garcia-- see as the best choice for their families.

Normally 80 students a year are in the online program.

Now-- over two thousand have chosen it.

"i have had my kids home since march, it feels like an eternity.

And it is going to be very difficult, but i feel like it's important for those couple reasons.

Keeping all the kids safe, lessening the burden on the school district as much as i can.

I feel like i should do what i'm able to do to help out."

But regardless of whether the first day of school for students starts in front of the board or in front of screens-- students, staff and parents--are keeping watch over -- the outbreaks other communities have already dealt with.

And not just here in the tri- state--where wabash county illinois schools kept their doors open for less than a week before going online only amid rising cases in and around mount carmel-- but across the nation.

Unc chapel hill, they've already pulled the plug and went back to virtual.

I think it's just probably a matter of time before that happens, and i just want to keep that consistency with my kids, so they don't have to go back and forth.

And we'll already be in the groove.

But as for here in vanderburgh county-- evsc officials have spent months putting plans in place--working to keep the possibility of outbreak low.

They're adopting a localized tracing approach if infections pop up--but as of now--only time will tell as to its effectiveness.

School officials continue to watch infection rates across the vanderburgh county communities-- having already seen student athletes test positive--before they even start school.

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