In Mrs. Kuhn's Chenango Bridge Elementary School classroom, final preparations are underway for the new school year. Fifth grade students will be welcomed by the colorful decorations and, of course, a teacher who can't wait to have her kids back in class. 

"I'm really excited, I know all the kids are really excited to be back with their friends and everything and it's just going to be nice to have a normal school year with everybody back in person," says Emily Kuhn. 

Chenango Valley elementary schools offered full in-person learning last year, but some students were still remote for various reasons. That remote option is still available this year in certain cases. For students returning to in-person after being remote in 2020, the start of school next week will be their first time back in classrooms in over a year. 

Kuhn, who previously taught 6th grade English, says she's been preparing her classroom library for the 5th graders this year. She says she's looking forward to a productive year of learning and helping kids return to a bit of normalcy after an eventful year and a half. 

The first day of school for Chenango Valley schools is next Thursday, September 9th.