LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — A limited number of students returned to the classroom Monday afternoon as Fayette County Public Schools began to offer targeted services to kids.
Over 1,700 students throughout the district participated in the first day of targeted services, according to the district, which includes small-group instruction for students who may be struggling with virtual learning.
Schools are required to limit class sizes to 15 or less, with only 15 percent of the building capacity allowed in the building at one time. Targeted services can be offered for a period of two hours, according to the district.
At Brenda Cowan Elementary School, where students were able to participate in targeted services from 2-4 p.m. Monday, seeing children walk through the doors again gave the building life, Principal Joshua Williams said.
"Even though they had their mask on, you could see the smiles through their eyes," he said.
Students are required to wear masks and have temperature checks when they arrive, he said. They also have assigned seating in classrooms.
"This is an opportunity to really target students and make sure that we're providing services to the kids that really need it the most," Williams said.
In late September, the FCPS School Board voted to allow targeted services to begin Monday but refrained from setting a date for all students to return to in-person instruction, as the county fell into the state's "red zone" designation for COVID-19 cases.
The board is expected to discuss a potential November start for hybrid instruction at their meeting Oct. 26.
