Benton Harbor schools will require masks

BENTON HARBOR, Ind. -- Benton Harbor Area Schools will require students and staff members to mask up when they return to in-person learning.

The school district’s superintendent, Dr. Andrae Townsel, says the plan is to follow CDC recommendations on masking and social distancing while school is in session.

Policies will include wearing a mask, keeping students at least three feet apart, making some stairwells one way and more.

Townsel does not worry about the potential learning loss from the previous school year.

"We're expecting young people to come back really engaged. We had great enrollment in summer school, over 550 kids enrolled in summer school. And the educators, major shout out to them. They committed to our young people and they were in these schools every single day educating our kids," said Townsel.

Benton Harbor Area Schools will also have a virtual learning option available for students who are not comfortable with returning to in-person learning quite yet.