Madison schools release schedule for return to in-person classes

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - Just two days after the Madison Metropolitan School District welcomed back Kindergartners as part of a plan to bring back 4K through second grade students, the district has unveiled a schedule for allowing all of its students an opportunity to return to the classroom - for at least part of the week.

“MMSD has continued to monitor COVID-19 metrics and receive guidance from public health experts. Recently, the district was advised that conditions were favorable for it to move forward with the next phase of its reopening plan,” the district said in a statement.

For many of the high grades the return to in-person instruction will be for only two days per week as the other two full days will be done virtually.

MMSD parents had mixed reactions to the news. Julie Jensen, who has four children in several different grades within the district, said she will only be sending her senior back in-person to finish out the year.

“I think we will feel a whole lot safer sending them back in the fall,” she said.

She said virtual learning has become routine, and they will wait until next school year to make adjustments.

However, Kathi Koppa, who has an eighth and ninth grader attending MMSD schools, said she is ready to send her students back. She said if the teachers feel safe and are vaccinated, she is behind it.

“It’s been really tough. They’ve been really lonely, and they are excited to see their friends again,” Koppa said.

The district did note that the return to in-person instruction will be optional for the students. It explained how, on Monday, families will receive a request from the district that they indicate whether or not their student or students will be returning to the classroom.

“We would love to have all of our children back, but we want to be sure more than anything that we are doing it safely, that we are using good masking and hand washing techniques and really adhering to appropriate social distancing,” MMSD Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning Lisa Kvistad said.

The last day of school is June 10.

Along with the return to the classroom, district officials laid out its plans for a return to the playing field. MMSD phase-in schedule is slated to start with small outdoor gatherings for sports that do not require sharing equipment and allow for proper social distancing. Additionally, students will only be allowed to participate in one co-curricular activity to avoid cross-contamination. See the full chart and schedule here

Return to Class Timeline

March 9th

● Kindergarten ( four full days of in-person instruction)

March 16th

● Grades 1-2 ( four full days of in-person instruction)

March 23rd

● 4K (two full days in-person, two full days virtual)

April 13th

● Grades 3 ( four full days of in-person instruction)

● 4K - 2 students who have switched their Returning Preference to in-person

April 20th

● Grades 4-5 ( four full days of in-person instruction)

● Grade 6 ( two full days in-person, two full days virtual)

● Grade 9 ( two days in-person, two full days virtual)

● Grade 12 ( two days in-person, two full days virtual)

April 27th

● Grades 7-8 ( two full days in-person, two full days virtual)

● Grades 10-11 ( two full days in-person, two full days virtual)

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