Fort McMurray schools are officially reopened after being closed for nearly six months.

They’ve been closed since mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Fort McMurray Public School Division and Fort McMurray Catholic School District are moving forward with a staggered re-entry for the first week to allow students a chance to learn all the new COVID-19 measures in a stress-free environment.

These measures including wearing masks in all common areas, following all posted signage in hallways, and knowing where all sanitization areas have been set up.

Grades 1 and 7 are back on Monday, followed by grades 2, 8, and 9 on Tuesday, grades 3, 4, 10, and 11 on Wednesday, and grades 5, 6, and 12 on Thursday.

Students will only be in school for their assigned day and will be off for the rest of the week.

There won’t be any changes for kids in kindergarten and early learning programs as, traditionally, they start the year with a staggered approach. Teachers were told to reach out to families about their first day before August 27.

The first official day when all grades are back at the same time is September 8.