Back to School

A week of dangerous heat is taxing air conditioning systems in schools across the region, pushing district leaders to close buildings and dismiss early.

A dangerous heat wave is throwing off the first week of school in districts around the St. Louis region.

Regina Lewis spent more than 20 years as a substitute teacher but is now fully certified and entering her second year as a lead teacher in a north St. Louis school.

According to the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools’ educator shortage survey from the previous academic year, more than 30% of open teacher, support staff and special education positions went un- or underfilled — the highest percentage in the six years.

Despite enrollment at Albert Cassens Elementary falling, as it is at many schools across Illinois, spirits were high with Edwardsville families and teachers as a new school year kicked off Wednesday.

Missouri municipalities can no longer charge local taxes on the back-to-school tax holiday. Teachers and students say it will help them save money.

This is the first school year in which all ages will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, but so far uptake has been lower for younger age groups.

Jennings Superintendent Paula Knight shares how educators are rethinking back-to-school this year. Like others across the region, the district plans to proceed with in-person classes Monday through Friday, even with the threat of the delta variant.

Doctors are urging parents to get vaccinated against the coronavirus as kids head back to school. While previous strains of the coronavirus didn’t affect many young kids and teens, more are now getting sick as the more contagious delta variant circulates in the state.

A year after the pandemic first closed buildings, Ferguson-Florissant School District became one of the last districts to welcome students back.