GRANDVILLE, Mich. — It's a big day for many districts around West Michigan as they welcome students and teachers back for a new school year.
Along with the usual first-day excitement, there are new procedures to get used to.
Watch: Grandville Public Schools explain Hallway expectations for students
Grandville Public Schools is one district that will reopen its doors to students Monday.
"Our teachers are excited," Adam Lancto, principal of Grandville High School. "They have put so much time and energy into making this school year as positive as possible for our students. The thing I keep hearing from teachers -- but, you know, even the other staff around here -- is once they get to interact with kids and once they see the students again, it just kind of eases everyone back down and reminds us why we do what we do."
Students and staff at Grandville High School will notice divided hallways and one-way stairways that resemble highways and roundabouts as they move around the building.
Watch: GPS explains how students should use bathroom in schools
Masks are required, and the gym and lobby will become additional lunchrooms for students to space out.
Watch: What lunch will look like for GPS students
The district says it is also working very closely with the health department should any student or staff member get sick, but the superintendent says safety really starts at home. "This is a time where we all have to be very understanding and do what's best for the child, do what's best for everybody at school, and the parents' role in that is huge in ensuring that," said Superintendent Roger Bearup.
The superintendent estimates 80-percent of students decided to go back to in-person learning this year.