Catoosa Schools Return To Class With New Procedures In Place

Wednesday, Catoosa parents picked up their kids from the first day of school. Like many other schools, parents were given the option to choose class, virtual learning, or both. 

There may be changes this year, but the thrill of the first day of school is still in the air. 

“She’s excited and I’m excited," said Kevin Hobbs. "Most of my friends are in my grade so they might be in my class,” said Hailey Spears.

Hailey is eager to start the third grade and her grandfather, Kevin Hobbs, is one of many folks who got their students enrolled Wednesday. 

“I think enrollment this year has just kind of dragged on. We had the enrollment the ones that knew what they were doing they got in here we got things done. The other thing that’s new is we did online enrollment," said Alicia O'Donnell, Catoosa Superintendent. 

Catoosa schools sent parents a survey during the summer asking if they preferred in person classes or distance learning. Superintendent O'Donnell said about 20 percent chose virtual learning. 

“It’s scary there are so many unknowns we don’t know exactly how things are going to go, but we basically gave our parents the choice if they’re worried about things they could do virtual," said O'Donnell.

"For those kids attending class in person, they're seeing a lot of changes. Our classrooms have CDC approved disinfectant so we can make sure our desks stay clean, we have janitors that are working around the clock making sure that daily we’re getting those touch points," said O'Donnell. 

Desks are disinfected after each period and masks are required in class. O'Donnell said there is an iPad or laptop for every student who is learning from home and those families can fill out an application to get one of the school's wireless hot spots.