ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. — It's back to the classroom on Monday for students in St. Lucie County.
The school year is bringing some new safety protocols and procedures because of the coronavirus pandemic.
WPTV was at the bus depot early Monday morning as drivers geared up for their routes. This year, they'll be wearing gloves, masks, and face shields. Drivers will also be disinfecting buses between each route.
Students are being asked to wear masks while waiting for the bus and while riding. They will also social distancing on the bus. However, students from the same household may sit together. Hand sanitizer will be available as students get on and off the bus.
Once on campus, students must wear face coverings unless given permission by a staff member to remove them because of social distancing.
Students have three options for instruction this year.
Superintendent Wayne Gent said about 46% of students are coming back to traditional in-classroom instruction, which is a lower number than expected. The rest are split between the Mosaic Digital Academy or online school, which is from home but structured to follow the student's typical day.
Gent said the online program is designed so students can transition seamlessly from in-person to distance learning if necessary.
To learn more about the new school year in St. Lucie County, click here.