STUDENTS HEAD BACK TO SCHOOL

Districts resume virus protocols amid first day welcoming

STAMFORD — The rumble of school buses once again filled the neighborhoods of Stamford, Darien and New Canaan as students headed back to school.

Pandemic protocols were still in place; students and staff were masked, handwashing stations were available and some districts were planning to offer on-site COVID-19 testing.

Monday was a full in-person experience for nearly all students and staff, with administrators keeping an eye on the numbers of new COVID-19 delta cases being reported statewide.

By the end of the school day, administrators said things went as smoothly as could be expected.

Tyler Sizemore / Hearst Connecticut Media New Principal Sharon Longo greets students on the first day of school at Newfield Elementary School in Stamford on Monday. Pandemic protocols were still in place as students and staff were masked, handwashing stations were available, and some sites were planning to offer on-site COVID-19 testing.