MILWAUKEE — The biggest school district in Wisconsin is fully back in session starting Tuesday.
More than 100 schools with Milwaukee Public Schools are heading back for the traditional start of the year today, after nearly two years of changes and hybrid learning. Students like fifth grader Lauren Kinter say the big day couldn't come soon enough.
“I’m looking forward because all the teachers here are really nice and I have all my friends to look forward to meeting and just like playing with,” said Kinter.
Right now, MPS says masks are optional for the first week of classes. Throughout the summer, school board leaders reviewed the district's policies and say they are following the CDC's guidance for Covid-19 levels and will adjust their rules accordingly.
“We have gone through a number of different phases, and it’s been learning lessons throughout all of those phases. And right now, we are moving back to a sense of normalcy. So, trying to make sure that our students are in school every single day doing everything that we possibly can to keep the doors open,” said Superintendent Keith Posley.
With kids back in the classroom, MPS says it will provide free breakfast and lunch for every student in the district on school days regardless of financial situation.
Today's big day also means most MPS students are back hitting the books, after some students started a few weeks ago as part of the early start calendar back on Aug.15.
The school district said in a statement Tuesday that Gov. Tony Evers will be attending a "red carpet" event at the Academy of Accelerated Learning to mark the start of the school year. The governor will "weclome students and share remarks."
“MPS welcomes students on the traditional calendar to start the 2022–23 school year," Superintendent Dr. Keith P. Posley said in the statement. "Teachers have organized classrooms and prepared lessons as they eagerly wait for students to arrive. My hope is for all students to work hard, dream big, and have their best year of learning.”
