It was back to the grind Thursday for students at Naperville District 203 and Indian Prairie District 204, who started the fall semester in a manner that looked a lot like the start of a typical new year.
This time last year, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, the first day of class was held remotely via computer and no student allowed into a school building even on a part-time basis until March. Now they’ll be there five days a week, albeit with face masks for now.
While some parents have been critical of the state forcing students to continue wearing masks, Longwood Elementary School first-grader Cooper Draude took things in stride. When asked if he minded wearing a mask, he simply said, “Nah.”
His mother, Priscilla, said she was not one of those who pushed back on the mask mandate.
“I know it’s controversial but I think (wearing a mask) is the right thing to do,” she said. “We hope people take the best precautions so we can keep in-person learning.”
Marcos Vargas walked his daughter, Barbara, to her first day of class at Longwood, thankful she was going back.
“It’s the best we can do for the kids, sending them in person than going remote,” Vargas said in Spanish.
Indian Prairie Superintendent Adrian Talley welcomed families and staff Wednesday evening with a return-to-school message in which he promised D204 is “trying to be as pre-pandemic as possible.”
“I ask you to think about where we were last year and where we are this year. Our students will be in school, and they will be learning,” Talley said.
District 203 schools shared several photos and videos on the district’s social media pages Thursday, including one posted by Superintendent Dan Bridges of Naperville North High School seniors participating in the first-day tradition running through the school halls.
“We are ready Naperville 203 community! Get excited, because school is starting today!” a District 203 social media posts said.
raguerrero@tribpub.com
