DE PERE (NBC 26) -- Tuesday was the first day of school for over 3,000 students in the De Pere Unified School District, and there were plenty of changes.
The middle and high schools are staggering their days so only half of the students are returning at any one time. The emphasis is on social distancing and wearing masks indoors.
Leaders were anxious to get the new school year underway.
"Every school year brings a lot of enthusiasm, a lot of hopes and expectations. Our staff warmly welcomed our students, our parents were anxious to have their students back in school. They were very good about all the new changes coming in," said Ben Villarruel, Superintendent of Unified School District of De Pere.
About 15 percent of the district's students opted to enroll in the virtual academy instead of in-person classes.
