Allen ISD students return to in-person learning

ALLEN, Texas - Some students in Collin County are returning to the classroom Wednesday after several weeks of online learning.

Students in the Allen Independent School District spent the first three weeks learning remotely.

Nearly half of the student body, roughly 10,000 students, are back at 25 campuses.

Parents still have the option of online learning if they’re not ready for their child to return the classroom. Those that do will have to follow safety guidelines.

Students and staff are asked to screen themselves for symptoms of COVID-19 before arriving on campus each day.

Face masks are required for fourth grade and up. They’re highly encouraged for younger students.

At Norton Elementary School in Allen, students returned to the classroom for the first time since this past spring.

Ursula Chumley sent her son and daughter back to class.

“We're required to make a declaration at the beginning of each quarter,” she said. “I went back and forth for a while, but I really felt that the classroom and the structure that it offers was the best case scenario, so off they went.”

Other parents, like the president of the Allen Council of PTAs, opted to keep their kids at home.

“Allen ISD is allowing us to make a decision every nine weeks, so we're just going to take it a little at a time,” Rachel Mitchell said.

Parent Jennifer Warrington is keeping her 5th grade son at home as well.

“He's okay with the decision. Of course he misses the interaction and socialization. He's a really outgoing kid,” she said.

Face coverings must also be worn on buses.

Allen ISD said it will sanitize school buildings every night.

In October, parents have the opportunity to change which learning option they’ve selected.

Other Collin County school districts are gearing up for in-person learning too.

McKinney ISD students can return to the classroom Thursday, and many of them will be riding the school bus.

RELATED: McKinney ISD: Social distancing not possible on buses

The district sent out a memo to parents discussing new bus cleaning protocols.

Masks are required, but the district said social distancing will not be possible on buses due to the volume of riders.

The district added that parents with significant concerns should consider other transportation options.

Collin County parents say that no matter the school district, COVID-19 has presented administrators, who are tasked with keeping students and staff safe, with challenges.

“I do feel a little nervous. I don't envy the district. I know they're doing the best they can,” Chumley said.

“We're all in this together trying to figure it out,” Mitchell said.