CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Wednesday marked the first day of school for students in Mecklenburg County.

After a year of remote, in-person and hybrid learning, education leaders are hoping this year may go a little smoother.

What You Need to Know 
  • CMS students head back to the classroom
  • Masks are required inside school buidings and on buses
  • CMS Superintendent Earnest Winston is urging eligible staff and students to get vaccinated
  • The school district plans on hosting vaccination events

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools officials say they have lots of hand sanitizer, PPE and cleaning wipes to begin the year. They are hoping everyone will work together to keep each other safe.

And for those who are eligible, staff and students will get the vaccine to keep kids in school all year long.

“Really this is a community effort,” says Superintendent Earnest Winston. “We all have to be brought into doing all we can to make sure our students and staff are safe, and that they remain in school for in-person learning.”

Masks are required for CMS students throughout the district, as delta variant cases continue to rise.

As for those who are eligible for the vaccine, the district plans on hosting a number of vaccine clinics for easy access.

Winston says another struggle the district is facing is a staffing issue. The school district is hiring for everything from HVAC workers to teachers, and people in human resources.