When is the first day of school for Indian River School District? It depends on your child's grade

Is the first day back to school circled on your family's calendar? This fall may look a little different in Indian River School District.

The district announced Monday that it will stagger the start of school in September, so students who are entering a new school — like ninth graders entering high school or sixth graders going into middle school — start one day earlier than other students.

This is a calendar that many other school districts in Delaware use to help students get acclimated to their surroundings before the rest of the student population returns, said David Maull, spokesperson for the Indian River School District.

Excluding 2020, when the pandemic altered school calendars, Indian River typically starts the school year for all grades on the Tuesday after Labor Day. This is the first year that Indian River will have two "back to school" dates.

On Tuesday, Sept. 7, the district welcomes back students in kindergarten, Grade 6, Grade 9 and the Howard T. Ennis School (excluding preschool).

On Wednesday, Sept. 8, students in Grades 1-5, 7-8 and 10-12 will return to school.

Preschool programs, including Project VILLAGE, TOTS and Howard T. Ennis will begin on Monday, Sept. 13.

After those start dates, all students will return to a five-day in-person schedule. There are no plans to continue a hybrid, or partially remote and in-person, model, according to the district press release.

The district said it will inform parents of any COVID-19 protocols regarding face coverings and social distancing before the opening of school.

Emily Lytle covers Sussex County from the inland towns to the beaches. Got a story she should tell? Contact her at elytle@doverpost.com or 302-332-0370. Follow her on Twitter at @emily3lytle.