Long Island students are getting ready to head back to class -- some virtually and others in person.
Brook Leighton's sons are headed back to their elementary school Wednesday. Jack, 7, is entering second grade in the Plainedge School District and her 5-year-old Jude is beginning kindergarten.
"One of the hard things with Jude starting kindergarten - he didn't have orientation, he couldn't meet his teacher," says Leighton.
Coupled with concerns about the coronavirus, Leighton also has to prepare her sons for going back to a school setting that has completely changed. She says with the infection rate so low, she felt it was the clear choice to send them back. But she's still concerned.
"Sending a little boy to a new school is concerning anyway, now I have to think about how is he going to do wearing a mask all day, how will he do washing his hands," she says.
Besides the usual back-to-school supplies, students will have to bring in several masks and hand sanitizer each day. They will also have to take a brief health survey each day in order to attend class.
Leighton says she has done everything possible to prepare her sons for the new way to attend school.
"I know my community is really positive about going back, making the best of it and making sure everyone is safe," she says.