Guntersville Students Have First Day Of School

Sophia Borrelli shows how the first day at Guntersville High School went.

The student.

Those changes came less than 24 hours before the first day of school for one north alabama district.

In marshall county - the principal at guntersville high school told us they didn't have to make any new changes to comply with the updated guidelines.

She said school nurses have been preparing all summer - and were ready for the first day of class today.

Waay 31's sophia borrelli shows us how the first day went.

Emma chinchar, guntersville hs senior: "it's not your typical first day but i've loved it.

I love to be back."

This school year - will not be the same - but senior emma chinchar says she expected that.

The principal here at guntersville high school told me - the school is operating on a hybrid schedule so students with the last name a-k are in school monday and tuesday.

Wednesday is a virtual day for all students then those with the last name l-z are in school the rest of the week.

Roseanne mabrey, guntersville hs principal: "we opted to go with a hybrid schedule because with our 600 students, and small classrooms, many of our classrooms were going to have 25 or more students in each so in order to maintain the social distance, we had to some way minimize the number so the hybrid schedule allows us to do that."

At the high school there are also other safety precautions put in place like markers in the hallways directing students where to walk.

Emma chinchar, guntersville hs senior: "you have to walk a certain way which is awesome.

I'm glad that they're doing these precautions to keep us safe."

Sophia standup: "students are social distancing in all of the classrooms and sometimes even when you walk into a classroom like this one you can see x's on chairs where students are not supposed to sit."

Sherry brown, government and economics teacher: "as students come in, everything has been sanitized.

There's hand sanitizer as they walk in the door for them to sanitize their hands.

And then students are of course wearing their masks even though they are socially distanced, just as an added precaution."

Roseanne mabrey, guntersville hs principal: "make sure that we maintain a clean environment.

Sanitizing the high traffic areas throughout the day."

Seniors like chinchar say they hope fellow classmates will follow the guidelines - so they can stay in school during this pandemic.

Emma chinchar, guntersville hs senior: "i've missed it.

I've missed my friends.

I've missed my teachers and i'm just glad to be back in the atmosphere."

In guntersville - sophia borrelli waay 31 news.

The principal said school nurses are busy - but at this point they're able to manage the contact tracing responsibilities outlined in the department of