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MURRAY — Students in Murray are heading back to the classroom for their first day of school.
The district is the smallest in the Salt Lake Valley with 10 schools and approximately 6,300 students.
Doug Perry, public information officer for the Murray School District, said schools are ready to go – and they’re prepared for the changes that have been made to help keep students, faculty and staff safe.
“It’s going to be a very different day for sure,” he said.” This is a very different year.”
He noted that educators are especially excited to have students back in the classrooms, and students will be happy to be able to socialize again.
As far as social distancing is concerned, Perry said there could be some difficulty in making sure the students are following new guidelines.
“They love to be around each other,” he said. “They love to be close to each other, and that’s going to be something that will be a challenge, for sure.”
To help ease them into this new normal, the first two weeks of school will be half-days only. These reduced days will also help the teachers prepare and make appropriate adjustments for the school year ahead.
Monday is also the first day back at school for the Wasatch County School District.
Students will be back in the classroom every day like normal unless a parent chooses an online or hybrid option. Officials have precautions in place for those students who will be returning for in-person learning.
Those riding the bus, for example, won’t be allowed on unless they have masks. Hand sanitizer will be available for those getting on and off, and markings on the floor will help students socially distance as they go to their seats. Each student will have an assigned seat, and the back seats will be filled first so students aren’t walking past each other.
Drivers will be disinfecting buses between each ride.
Utah Catholic Schools will also be back in the classroom Monday.
That impacts 16 schools in Salt Lake, Davis, Weber and Tooele counties.
The Washington County School District was the first to reopen classrooms on Aug. 13.
