Kent students return to classrooms

Kent students were physically back in classrooms Thursday. The district is one of the first to return to school buildings in the Puget Sound area.

The Kent School District was mostly on remote learning last school year, and many students haven’t even been in the building for well over a year.

“I just came out for the senior sunrise, but there wasn’t a sunrise and it rained, so everybody just kind of gave up,” Kentridge High School student Lily said.

Lily said at least she saw her fellow seniors.

“It’s kind of hard keeping in touch. You can try, but after a while it kind of stops, so it’s nice seeing everybody again,” Lily said.

Now they are back and on the first day, there was an air of celebration Thursday morning as hundreds of students streamed into Kentridge High School.

“It feels great, you know, after quarantine and all. It feels amazing,” student Jon Ahmocr said.

“The wearing masks is going to be a struggle for some of the students,” student Brianna Mcneilly said.

McNeilly said she’ll be heading to higher level college classes through the Running Start program.

“It’s going to be a little nerve-wracking, but it’s also a mix of anticipation and excitement,” she said.

Israel Vela, interim superintendent of Kent schools, was with his students Thursday morning. He said a lot of work has allowed students to return to classrooms.

“We were able to get in there and take a look at our filtration system, HVAC system. We were able to get in there and begin to look at a hybrid situation, where we can move some desks around, cleaning, protocols,” said Vela.

Vela said a shortage of bus drivers is a concern.

“If you’re listening, we’re hiring,” Vela said.

District officials said they are working to make diagnostic testing available to symptomatic students soon, and any student who feels sick is encouraged to stay home.

Despite that, the first day felt like a pre-pandemic first day of school, though COVID-19 still looms.

“It’s weird to say the least,” Lily said.