93.9 The Eagle – The News and Talk of Columbia, MO
Mid-Missouri’s largest school district is ready to welcome back about 19,000 students and 3,000 employees for the new school year.
Monday is “Jumpstart Day” for students in grades six and nine at Columbia Public Schools (CPS). CPS spokeswoman Michelle Baumstark tells the Eagle that today will be a half-day for sixth and ninth graders, for orientation and building tours.
Tuesday is the first day of school for CPS students from grades 1 through 12. Kindergarten students start on Thursday.
Citing high community transmission of the COVID Delta variant, CPS will begin the new school year this week with a mask requirement for students and staff. They will be required to wear masks when indoors at school and on buses, regardless of vaccination status.
CPS officials say wearing a mask indoors is one mitigation strategy that will provide an additional layer of protection to keep all students and staff safe and in school.
