MADISON – Elementary campuses were the first to reopen to students in Madison yesterday since COVID-19 closed schools in March. Grades pre-k through 5th grade began the district phase-in of returning students to school on Tuesday. Middle schools will reopen in stages beginning Sept. 14 and high schools will start Sept. 21.

“There were lots of smiles detected behind the masks among both teachers and students,” Madison City Schools spokesperson John Peck said. “It was a smooth start overall.”

“All of our teachers, administrators and staffs have worked very hard on all the new procedures and protocols that must now be part of the school day,” Dr. Nichols said in a message to parents on Labor Day.

Even though Madison County’s COVID-19 risk level was elevated to high risk level on Friday, Dr. Nichols said it would not affect the current plan to reopen all of the campuses by the end of the month. “It is my understanding from Dr. Karen Landers, Madison County Health Officer, that this change was largely due to universal testing in our retirement home community,” Dr. Nichols explained.

Dr. Nichols also said school officials are monitoring the COVID-19 situation daily and will keep parents and the community updated on the information they receive from the ADPH.

Below are some fun scenes of Madison City Schools’ first day of school on Tuesday. Don’t miss The Madison Record’s Sept. 16 issue to see more photos.