Cape Girardeau Public Schools return to session after extended summer

Ben Matthews

Monday, August 24, 2020

After emptying its halls in March due to the coronavirus, students returned to classrooms for the first time Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, as the Cape Girardeau Public School system begins its academic year with modified protocols to protect against COVID-19. This year, the school district provided families with the "Tigers@Home" online education program — a new, virtual learning option which allows students to work from home. The school district provides breakfast and lunch to all of its students, including 1,200 students in the school district who opted to enroll in the "Tigers@Home" program.

From left, Franklin Elementary School fourth graders Khloe Gonzales, Willie Henderson and Tyrell Banks listen as their teacher, Taylor Glueck, gives an overview of her classroom rules Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in Cape Girardeau. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)
Franklin Elementary School fourth grade teacher Taylor Glueck gives her students a tour of their new classroom Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in Cape Girardeau. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)
Franklin Elementary School kindergarten teacher Jamie Blattel shows her students how to "finger wave" at the school's therapy dog Teli on Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in Cape Girardeau. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)
Cape Girardeau public school district food service manager Dana McClard hands a set of student badges to Cheryl Cook, right, during lunch on the first day of school Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, at the Terry W. Kitchen Central Junior High School in Cape Girardeau. The school district provides breakfast and lunch to all its students for free, including about 1,200 remote-learners enrolled in the school district's online education program. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Central Middle School employee Martha Miller carries bagged lunches to vehicles Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, at the Terry W. Kitchen Central Junior High School in Cape Girardeau. The school district provides breakfast and lunch to all its students for free, including about 1,200 remote-learners enrolled in the school district's online education program. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)
Central Middle School employee Martha Miller helps direct traffic during lunch distributions on the first day of school Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, at the Terry W. Kitchen Central Junior High School in Cape Girardeau. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)
Terry W. Kitchen Central Junior High School assistant principal Alan Bruns helps direct traffic during lunch Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in Cape Girardeau. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)
Cars form a loop around assistant principal Alan Bruns while waiting in the Terry W. Kitchen Central Junior High School cafeteria parking lot Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, during meal distributions for participants in the Cape Girardeau public school district's "Tigers@Home" online education program. The school district provides breakfast and lunch to all its students for free. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)
A school crossing sign stands in front of the Terry W. Kitchen Central Junior High School as students play on the lawn Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in Cape Girardeau. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

A sign hangs on the door to the Franklin Elementary School main office Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, reminding students and staff to wear face masks. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)