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Fort Dale Academy is ready to welcome back students for the first day of school today, Wednesday, Aug. 19.

The school held a teacher work day for faculty on Tuesday to discuss safety measures for students and to prepare for the first day.

Headmaster David Sikes is excited to welcome students back to campus after a long break.

“I’m just looking forward to seeing the kids again,” Sikes said. “I’m excited to be here with great faculty, kids and staff. Hopefully, we can stay in and do what we need to do.”

Fort Dale is offering both traditional and virtual learning options for students. Unlike most schools, the academy will livestream classes so students will be able to communicate with teachers when they have questions.

“We have a virtual option in place,” Sikes said. “One thing we’re doing is a livestream of the classroom so the kids are able to actually interact with the teacher and see what’s happening in the classroom. Also, the livestream is recorded and uploaded that day so that if kids didn’t get something in class, they have the option to go back and look at it.”

The school is taking extra steps to ensure the safety of its students by requiring masks, checking students’ temperatures and placing clear shields called “sneeze guards”  around elementary students’ desks.