VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - Virginia Beach City Public Schools have officially welcomed back select students and grades to in-person instruction.
Last week, officials say 1,200 students in special education groups returned to in-person learning.
On Tuesday, VBCPS welcomed back some students in Pre-K, Kindergarten, and grades 1 and 2.
With the return of more students on Tuesday, VBCPS officials say they are expecting a total of 9,162 students and 452 buses on the road. They say Tuesday marks the "first real test" of how in-person learning is going.
Before student's return, News 3 got an exclusive look behind the scenes of how the school district plans to reopen safely.
Signage is now up everywhere to encourage mask wearing, hand washing as well as markers in all hallways for safe distancing practices.
School buses have also been outfitted for safety. Children have to wear a mask before riding, and they will be assigned seats through the entire school year. Capacity has also been lowered with no more than 44 kids on a bus at any given time.
Grades 3 to 5 are expected to return on October 6 for in-person learning and grades 6 and 9 on October 8.
Students returning to in-person learning for grades 7 and 8 and grades 10 through 12 is still to be determined.
