School doesn’t follow governor’s recommendation, opens with in-person classes

Danville Christian Academy opened on Wednesday with in-person instruction, just two days after Governor Andy Beshear recommended all schools delay the start of in-person instruction until late September due to the surging coronavirus.

C1 3 day of school at danville christian academy..

Despite governor andy beshear's recommendation that in-person classes be delayed until late september,..

As abc 36's alex king explains... parents were both nervous and excited for their kids to start the new school year.

Alex:"students are officially back at school in person here at danville christian academy... but it doesn't look like your typical first day of school."

Jodi:"i think every parent would say this... that they would die for their child and i would mine."

Jodi holsclaw, mom of 4-year-old ava, a kindergartner at danville christian academy... felt what every parent has felt during the coronavirus pandemic... fear.

She says the school's staff helped her feel prepared in every way for the start of her daughter's school year.

Jodi:"i think it means to me the fact that i am so worrisome and i care about my child so much for me to send her off to school and break that connection we've had for four months, i think that says a lot about dca."

It helped that the school has taken steps to protect students.

Headmaster jim ward says the school has 215 students and the largest class only has 20 kids so there is space for social distancing.

Other precautions include... plxiglass where needed, a hand washing schedule for everyone, and eight hand sanitizing stations... jim:"when they come through in the morning there's a kiosk in there and they can actually look at the kiosk and the kiosk recognizes their face, they put their hand up it gives them a temperature check and it reminds them wear your mask.

So we've got two of those, they're portable, so we're going to move those between not only the main building but also the gymnasium."

Jerica shannon's 3- year-old son jackson is starting pre-k.

She says it has been a whirlwind of emotions but because of the safety steps, she feels confident sending jackson to school... jerica:"we do not fear it, we're not going to live in fear but definitely respect and there is a way to approach life every day with respect of the coronavirus."

Being small is an advantage...shannon says although starting in person works well for dca... it may not work well for larger schools.

Students at danville christian academy also still have the option of starting the school year online... reporting in danville, alex king, abc 36 news.

Also reopening