Classes were back at Poughkeepsie middle and high schools on Thursday after a two-day pause, but some students said they would rather just shift to remote learning to avoid the constant disruptions this school year.

Poughkeepsie High junior Ryan Ojeda figured though online instruction would not be ideal, it might be safer and he might accomplish more.

“With all the threats and everything, what’s happening with all the fights, and coronavirus and everything,” he said getting ready to shoot hoops at a city park, “it’s, like, way safer, less problems and everything, you know?”

Classes at the middle school and high school were canceled Tuesday and Wednesday, as were all extracurricular activities, in response to a threat of violence against students posted social media.

Superintendent Eric Rosser said Wednesday afternoon police found no evidence to support the threat, but this week’s disruption was the latest in a long line of stressful events in the Poughkeepsie school community.

Rosser said ahead of Thursday’s reopening the district is increasing police presence at schools and creating a new confidential tip system for people to easily report anything they might hear about possible plans to harm the schools.

“If I were a child in this day and age going to school — a student — it would be difficult for me, too,” William Artist, a construction manager for the nonprofit Youthbuild, said, suggesting more mentorship. “With the right people in place, you’re going to have a lot more success than they’re having right now.”

Rosser also requested in a note to students’ families that parents talk with their children about how to use social media and monitor their activity.