Students in the Paterson School District returned to the classroom for the first time in the new year Monday.
The school district was among those that went remote following winter break amid a surge in COVID-19 cases.
The school district was supposed to return last week, but it was pushed back as a precautionary measure.
Paterson School District Superintendent Eileen Shafer said everyone is thankful to be back.
"It's extremely important. We lost enough, we were remote long enough, and it's important that the teachers are in front of the children in the classroom," Shafer said. "Just talked to some of the children, they couldn't be happier to be back in school, and I couldn't be happier that they are back."
The district has COVID-19 precautions in place, including air purifiers and hand sanitizers in all the classrooms, as well as daily temperature checks and mask-wearing.