Some students in Wisconsin's largest school district will start returning to the classroom on Monday.
Milwaukee Public Schools students with disabilities can begin in-person learning, returning to the classroom for the first time in nearly a year.
This phased reopening plan will impact 300 students.
- Resources You Can Use To Get Through The COVID-19 Pandemic
- We're Open: These Restaurants Are Offering Carryout, Delivery
- Resources For Getting Kids Safely Back to School
Starting Monday morning, students who have individualized education plans will start returning back to school at three school locations: WCLL, South Division, and Green Tree Prep.
According to the senior director of specialized services, these are students who have therapy or mandated services along with academics.
The school board approved the phased re-opening plan about two weeks ago. The plan also states that the rest of the students would begin in-person learning in mid-April. Pre-K through second grade would start in-person learning on April 12, third grade through eighth grade would start on April 19, and grades 9 through 12 would begin on April 26.
Now this plan is not supported by everyone, as some parents say they are not ready to return their children back to the classroom just yet.
A survey of MPS parents showed out, of nearly 24,000 responses, 39% reported they would prefer to continue with virtual learning, 29% said they return their children if public health guidance said it was safe while the remainder said they would either return their students as soon as possible or when a vaccine is available.
Now, MPS officials say they are getting ready for students to return through increased PPE, having isolation rooms, improving ventilation, and through contact tracing.
The school board will meet again in March to determine whether to fully re-open in April or postpone based on COVID-19 numbers and vaccination distribution.