MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. — Elementary school students in the second largest school district in North Carolina will be returning to the classroom on Monday.

Students have not been learning in their school buildings for six months due to the pandemic.

In North Carolina, districts have the option of having elementary school students back in the classroom full-time.

However, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools chose to provide two days of in-person learning for students and three days of remote learning. The students will be split into two groups.

According to the district, nearly 40,000 K-5 students will return to the classroom next week. 23,550 will keep learning at home as part of the full remote academy.

On Friday, Elizabeth Lane Elementary School Principal Crystal Lail said around 700 students total will be returning to her school.

“I’m incredibly excited of getting our students back at school. We’ve missed having them in person,” Lail said.

She said some of the precautions in place at her school will include temperature checks and COVID-19 screenings before they enter the school building.

In addition, desks will be more spaced out for social distancing.

“Each student has a certain area taped off so that they have the chair beside of their desk. That’s where they can put their backpack, lunchbox so they won’t be crossing over at the classroom cubbies,” Lail explained.

According to Deputy Superintendent of Academics Dr. Matt Hayes, the number of children per classroom varies per school.

He said while many of the elementary schools will be able to keep six feet of distance among students, it may be more challenging for other schools that have more students returning for in-person instruction.  

“They may not be able to continuously have a six-foot distancing but they will be striving for as close to that as possible as the space allows,” Dr. Hayes said.

Masks will be required for staff and students.

"We want to make sure we are very clear on our statement that our expectation that anyone who enters our buildings will have a mask and will maintain that mask, unless they are outside, eating,” Dr. Hayes said.

There are exemptions to being required to wear a mask for medical, behavioral, developmental and mental health reasons. Documentation must be provided to receive exemption.

Students will have mask breaks. Outside of those times, teachers will remind students about the importance of keeping them on and social distancing.

“We can lead our kids by example and they can respond in a positive way to almost everything. They are resilient,” Lail said.

Nearly 800 CMS teachers were approved to work remotely because they have health conditions that would make contracting COVID-19 more severe.

If a student or staff member has a fever of 100.4 °F or higher, chills, new cough, shortness of breath, or new loss of taste or smell upon arrival to school, they will be sent home. They will be able to return to the classroom after following certain protocols.