La Crosse schools mark second phase of return to classrooms

The first week of having students back in classrooms in the La Crosse School District has been ‘awesome,’ according to Superintendent Aaron Engel. 

Engel tells the school board about visiting different buildings in the district, to see kids in school again after several months of remote learning, saying he saw “a lot of energy, a lot of excitement, also a little nervousness.”

“I’ve been incredibly impressed with the safety protocols, with our kids, with our teachers,” said Engel. Students wear masks in class, while teachers wear face shields, and ventilation in the rooms has been improved.

The phased-in return began last Wednesday with lower grades, and continues this week up through 5th grade.  Middle school students come back next Monday, with high school students back in class on February 8th.     

La Crosse school board members will have their first meeting together in months on February 1st. 

Instead of meeting around tables in the Hogan building auditorium, the board will move into the Hogan gymnasium.  But board members will still be allowed to attend virtually, if they need to, and some future meetings will go back to being on the internet when Hogan is used as an election polling place.