Some RCSD schools back to in-person learning Wednesday

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ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — Thousands of students in the Rochester City School District are returning to the classroom Wednesday after a short break.

Schools switched to remote learning due to staffing shortages and low student attendance as COVID-19 cases spiked during the holidays.

Superintendent Lesli Myers-Small said right now 32 out of the 54 schools in the district will welcome their students back Wednesday morning: One early childhood school, 18 elementary schools and seven secondary schools and programs will reopen for in-person classes.

Parents throughout the district have already been notified.

Effects of the omicron variant will keep the other 22 schools in the district closed until next Tuesday, Jan. 18.

Myers-Small said the district will continue to follow the plans set last week for those still taking their classes remotely thought Google Classroom or Seesaw.

Myers-Small said there was a lot of work that went into her team’s final decision.

"We reviewed certainly staff attendance data," Myers-Small said. "We reviewed student absenteeism data, and we looked at the infection rates in the county."

Myers-Small said 15 food sites will are still available to feed students in remote learning breakfast and lunch. Click here to see locations.