BUFFALO, N.Y. — Buffalo Public Schools on Saturday confirmed plans to bring back students to classrooms on Monday.
It will be the first time students return to the classroom since a ransomware attack on March 12 prompted the district to scramble its plans.
Students in the third, fourth, ninth, and 11th grades will be brought back to classrooms Monday as part of Phase II in the district's reopening plan.
"All staff and Phase I and II returning students will report to their schools. Buses will run on schedule. We ask that all motorists exercise extreme caution around bus stops and school zones. Principals will communicate with their staff and families accordingly," BPS said in a Saturday statement.
The investigation into the ransomware attack with local, state, and federal law enforcement is on-going.
"I'd like everyone to keep in mind that this is a marathon not a sprint. We still have a long way to go on this recovery and restoration journey," district chief information officer Myra Burden told 2 On Your Side earlier this week.
Wendy Mistretta, the president of the District Parent Coordinating Council, spoke with 2 On Your Side's Claudine Ewing about the decision. She says the students will be safe, but there are other concerns for parents.
"Who is coming back next? Even if we can't know when, because things happen, spike surges happen, cyberware attacks happen," she said. "I mean, these things that are out our control, but if at least we knew, OK, it's not going to happen in the next two weeks but these grades are coming back next, that would be so helpful, but that is overall the biggest challenge."
She says now parents want to know what the new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention physical distancing guidelines will mean. They are now recommending most students maintain at least three feet of distance.