First day of school unlike any other for 30K MPS students in 'Early Start' program

Monday marked the first day of school for 30,000 Milwaukee students at 52 schools, who are a part of the ‘Early Start’ program.

This year they kicked off the year virtually due to COVID-19 concerns.

TODAY'S THE FIRST DAY OFSCHOOL FOR THOUSANDS OFMILWAUKEE PUBLIC SCHOOLSSTUDENTS..

THE DISTRICT ISBEGINNING THE YEAR VIRTUALLYDUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.LAUREN LINDER TALKED WITHTEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORSABOUT THE CHANGES."There's nothing quite likethe first day of school - butthis one was unlike any otherfor Milwaukee Public Schools.There were no parents droppingkids off and no bells ringingthe hallways.

Instead kidsstarted their day right fromtheir homes." 30-THOUSANDSTUDENTS AT 52 SCHOOLS MAY NOTBE BACK IN THE CLASSROOMPHYSICALLY BUT THEY AREVIRTUALLY..

- AS MILWAUKEE'SEARLY START PROGRAM KICKSOFF..

THEY'RE STARTING OFF THEYEAR ATTENDING CLASS THROUGHCHROMEBOOKS..

- WITH THEIRTEACHERS WORKING EITHER FROM ACLASSROOM OR FROM HOME..TEACHER JAMES SMITH SAYS HESPENT THE SUMMER FINDING WAYSTO MOTIVATE HIS STUDENTSTHROUGH REMOTE INSTRUCTION..this year I've been able to bemore deliberative.I've beenable to contemplate you knowhow to make the virtual andthe real work together so thatthe students get the greatestexperience possible.SUPERINTENDENT KEITH POSLEYSAYS THEY'RE WORKING HARD TOMAKE SURE SOME OF THE PROBLEMSIN THE SPRING WITH ONLINELEARNING AREN'T REPEATED INTHE FALL.

M-P-S IS REACHINGOUT TO ALL STUDENTS TO ENSURETHEY HAVE THE CONNECTIVITYTHEY NEED TO ATTEND CLASSES..

(We are going to do our 110percent due diligence to makesure that we are able tolocate and get each one of ourstudents actively engaged inthe education process.

"Thesuperintendent says they'realso taking extra steps toassist parents - they have ahelp desk and are holdingspecial engagement sessions togive them tips about thetechnology their kids areusing.

In Milwaukee, LaurenLinder, TMJ4 News."