“We have three different sites where they’re dropping off, site number one is for where they’re getting dropped off by car, site two is our front entrance and any student getting bussed will go there, then site 3 is by Seventh Street and those are our walkers,” School 3 Principal Angie Penhollow told the OBSERVER. “We have people at each station hand sanitizing, temperature taking and handing out masks if they need them.”

Teachers and aides clustered near entrances while still maintaining safe distances while escorting kids into the building at School 3. Walkers lined up 6 feet apart as did bussers. Drop-off was a little different.

“So the great thing is they’re in their cars, they’re safe, they’re with their parents and we’re not letting them out until it’s time to come in and so we’re going to take their temperature as they get out of the car. If their temperature is above 100 degree, then we just put them back in the car and let their parents know that their temperature is too high to come into school today,” Penhollow said.

The staff was “super excited” to see the children Monday.

OBSERVER Photo by Jo Ward Students returned for in-person learning Monday in the city of Dunkirk. At School 3 temperatures were taken and hands sanitized as grades kindergarten through second entered the building.

Parent Claritza Davila told the OBSERVER that she’s “good with it,” letting her son who is in second grade return to in person learning. “I came by myself before school started to fill out some paperwork and I like the way they have everything,” Davila said.

“I think it went very smoothly, lots of planning,” aide Nicole Baker said after the majority of the kids had been checked in. “They’re happy to be back, the teachers are happy to have them back.”

“They just need to talk a little louder and then it’ll be great,” added Krista Piglowski, another aide. “Their only issue is not knowing and not being able to hear them. They’re overwhelmed, but this is the first day. Now after today and all this week they’ll know where they’re going. It was smooth though.”

In-person learning will continue today and then Thursday and Friday. Wednesday is a remote day for the whole district. Third through fifth grade are set to resume next week with the middle and high school to be decided later.

OBSERVER Photo by Jo Ward This week Dunkirk’s elementary students will have in person class today, Thursday and Friday.