Welcome Back – Now Let’s Check Your Temperature

There is hope that the return to school for area students may go smoothly after all.

At least that’s the message after the first day at Sacred Heart Catholic School in La Grange, one of the first area schools to open it’s doors for fall classes.

“There were more smiles than tears,” said LaDonna Voelkel, principal at the school, describing Thursday’s first day. “I was surprised at how smooth it went.”

The school was asking par ents to pre-screen students for COVID symptoms, and then staff and students were temperature checked before entering the school.

No one had to be sent home for having a fever.

“The kids were happy and excited to see their friends and be back together,” Voelkel said. “I think it was harder on the parents than the kids, but the parents can be happy in the knowledge that their kids are safe and well cared for. “

Throughout the day the school cleaned and sanitized areas and there was lots of hand washing, Voelkel said.

Students in 1st through 6th grades were asked to wear masks and/or face shields and the students did well wearing their newest school attire, Voelkel said.

So there is hope that the other schools in Fayette County (five of which will open over the next couple of weeks, including La Grange which starts Thursday) can have the same kind of re-opening Sacred Heart did?

“Absolutely,” Voelkel said. “But it takes cooperation between the school and the parents to make it happen.”