Tupelo parents, students and teachers excited for new school year

Monday marked the first day of the 2020-2021 school year for the Tupelo Public School District.

Tupelo returned to the classroom for the first time since spring back during the last school year.

W-t-v-a's bronson woodruff was at joyner elementary where new rules over coronavirus welcomed students and staff.

Nat pop: "have a good day!"

Joyner elementary's hallways are no longer silent.

After months without students, the school is finally back in service.

Parent grant smallwood said he, his wife, and his daughter are all excited.

Today is his daughter's first day of kindergarten.

He and his wife have minor concerns over the unknowns.

"one of those deals where you just have to kind of tamper the expectations and just plow forward and go ahead."

He said they felt it was a necessary choice.

"we just decided that we needed her to be around other kids and wanted the experience of kindergarten."

Superintendent rob picou said this is a time when parents need to work together to make sure schools stay open.

He also said students and parents should all participate in learning in this unusual school year.

"i would advise parents and students to lean into the educational experience, whether they're at home, learning remotely, or in the classroom here at a school."

He added in the event coronavirus outbreaks happen in schools, school leaders and board of trustees members will make decisions on what to do going forward.

For now, energy is high as school is starting back for the 2020 academic year.

"we're just ready to get back to school."

Reporting in tupelo, i'm bronson woodruff for w-t-v-a 9 news.

Anchor outro: teachers are also wearing pins on their shirts with their faces on them so the kids will get to see what their teachers look like without face masks.

It's also the first day of school