While the virtual school year has already started for Henderson County Schools, for some students, Tuesday, Sept. 8th was their first day of physically being in a classroom.

Fifteen percent of Henderson County Students are returning to the classroom for extra hands on learning with their teachers. Students in transitional grades like kindergarten and sixth were invited back to their respective school buildings on Tuesday for an hour to an hour and a half learning sessions in groups of ten maximum.

"We invited all of our kindergarteners and our first graders because we felt like they were priority as emerging readers and learners to be back in school with their teachers,” said Erika Odom, principal at East Heights Elementary School.

Students were also given some extra mental health help.

"That's really important because we all know that kids crave being around other students and other people and they've been limited in this time,” Odom said. “So, we hope to provide this opportunity just to be here and support them in that way."

Students lacking good access to virtual classrooms were also invited back.

"If they don't have good internet service, then we can bring those students in and do that check and connect with them to see where, they're at,” said Superintendent Morganna Stanley. “We're just really excited that throughout our district, kids are coming back into our buildings."

As of now, Henderson County Schools are scheduled to transition into their hybrid model of learning on Sept. 28th, which will include students rotating between in person instruction and digital learning. The summer meal program has also been extended, with students being able to pick up meals Monday, Wednesday and Friday.