CPS 6th through 8th grade students return to in-person learning Monday
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Thousands of 6th through 8th grade Chicago Public school students returned to the classroom Monday.
This comes after kindergarten through 5th graders returned to in-person learning last Monday morning, and now CPS has its sights on getting high schoolers back, too.
CPS CEO Janice Jackson, along with teachers and staff, welcomed some students back to Richardson Middle School on Chicago's Southwest Side.
WATCH | CPS CEO welcomes middle school students back to classroom
"All elementary grade students that want an option for in-person instruction have an option for in-person instruction, which is good," Jackson said.
Of the 1,083 students at this school, 185 are coming back. The majority of the students are sticking with remote learning. Eighth graders like Alexander Ceja are on a hybrid program.
"I think it's a lot better being in person than online," Ceja said. "It's a lot harder going on line than in person"
Kindergarten through 5th graders returned to in-person learning last Monday morning. And soon, families of high school students will have to decide whether they want to return to in-person learning this school year.
CPS officials will begin discussions with the teachers union this week about coming back.
They are also continuing to vaccinate more staff.
"President Biden made a declaration or proclamation earlier this month that we want to make good on, which is ensuring that our teachers have at least that first round of vaccine before the end of this month," Jackson said.
Starting Monday, CPS is offering a two-week window so parents can choose between in-person classes or remote learning for the remainder of the year.
