Kids in Springboro return to class with new guidelines regarding COVID

SPRINGBORO, Ohio — Most Springboro students returned to class Tuesday morning and while most of the protocols are the same as last year because of COVID-19, some changed in an effort to keep more kids in class.

District Communications Coordinator Scott Marshall said, “I think there’s excitement again. We went through a very difficult and challenging year last year like every school district. This year has a little more sense of normalcy.”

Marshall said students and staff will continue to see social distancing, cleaning, disinfecting, but quarantining procedures are a little bit different.

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With the vaccine coming into play this year, it could keep those who are fully vaccinated in the classroom. Marshall said the district is unsure of how many students over the age of 11 have receive the COVID vaccine. However, 70% of teachers are fully vaccinated.

Similar to many other Miami Valley districts, masks are not required at Springboro Local Schools.

“However, with regards to quarantining, if you’re wearing a mask and you’re vaccinated, you’re not going to have to quarantine. So, that’s going to be a big help keeping kids in person,” Marshall said.

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At the start of last year, 18% of students were virtual. By the end of last year, that number dropped to 12%. This year, there’s no virtual option for students.

Marshall said the district hopes more kids are able to learn in the classroom under the new quarantine policy instead of having to back and forth between virtual and in-person learning like they did in 2020.

“There just wasn’t a set routine and I think that was difficult for everyone. It was taxing on our teachers and on the kids, who were trying to get into a groove of learning,” Marshall said.

Just grades first through 12 started classes on Tuesday under the new guidelines. Preschool and Kindergarten students return to class later this week and next week.