The first day of school always feels like a leap of faith, even in the best of circumstances.
In neighborhoods across the country, hundreds of children pour into buildings short on funding and long on need, looking to come out the other side better educated and ready to move on to bigger things.
So it's understandable that Wednesday morning felt like a hail mary.
Read MoreAs COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the days leading up to the first day of school for the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp., so do the number of families shifting to online learning.
EVSC spokesman Jason Woebkenberg said Tuesday more than 1,700 students are enrolled in the EVSC Virtual Academy, a program that normally has between 75-100 students each year. That's an increase of at least 1,600% or as much as 2,167%.
Read MoreRead Evansville is distributing books to ensure students are aware of the effects of COVID-19 as they prepare to return to school.
The 22-page story, "My Hero is You," follows the main character, Sara, as she travels across the world, teaching others the importance of washing their hands, social distancing and staying inside their homes.
Read MoreAmid a whirlwind of changes with the reopening of Warrick County School Corp. schools on Wednesday, Jamie Nunn said she's looking forward to a return to normalcy
As Nunn dropped off her daughter Alex Nunn, 10, at Newburgh Elementary School, she felt a sense of relief knowing the fifth-grade student will be learning in-person this school year.
Read MoreAlthough Indiana's top marching bands won't battle it out this year on the statewide level, the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp. will set the stage for local schools to perform this fall.
On Sept.12 at Central High School and Sept. 19 at North High School EVSC will hold showcases for the district's marching bands to put their routines on display.
Read MoreOn Wednesday, students from the Catholic Diocese of Evansville will be some of the first in Vanderburgh County to return to in-person instruction.
Despite other districts delaying their reopening dates due to COVID-19, the Diocese has stuck with its Aug. 5 start date. The district plans to go forward with traditional instruction, while working to safeguard students and staff.
Read MoreGiven a choice between in-person and virtual learning, most Signature School families have opted for face-to-face instruction. And while Principal Jean Hitchcock is excited for the students to return on Wednesday, she said their safety remains the school's top priority.
Along with rearranging desks and taping off instructional areas with measuring sticks, Hitchcock said Signature will live-stream classes for families opting to learn from home.
Read MoreSocial distancing hash marks and stickers now cover Newburgh Tumbling's floors, but owner Sarah Beegle says that hasn't slowed the program.
Even with risks surrounding COVID-19, as well as the continued rise of confirmed cases, Beegle said her two camps have sold out this summer.
Read MoreThe Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp. has purchased thousands of protective personal equipment (PPE) items for the upcoming school year, and while that is not enough to allay all families' fears, parent Hannah Reagan says it has provided a sense of reassurance.
Read MoreDuring a nearly two-hour long Facebook Live presentation Tuesday evening, Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp. Superintendent David Smith outlined more information about the district's new reopening plan.
Smith went through the expansive plan, which includes pages of updated safety measures, health guidelines and other information concerning the start of the school year.
Read Moreong before COVID-19 forced traditional schools to develop reopening plans for the fall, Leandra Arnold said online learning programs were always a viable option.
Last school year, Arnold decided to enroll her two sons Cage and Joseph Coffman into the Indiana Connections Academy (INCA). Arnold said the virtual learning program proved to benefit her children's academic experience.
Read MoreAs a concerned parent, Sloane Standley said more families should consider placing their children in virtual learning academies this school year.
After the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp. announced its reopening plans, calling for schools to welcome back all students for traditional instruction on Aug. 19, Standley decided to move her children, Leighton and Maddox Beasley, from their schools to an online-learning program.
Read MoreDuring a late Friday afternoon news conference, Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp. Superintendent David Smith announced EVSC schools will delay the start of the 2020-21 school year by two weeks.
The first day of school will now be Wednesday, Aug. 19.
Read MoreAs the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp. finalizes its reopening plan for the fall, schools will develop websites to inform families and students about school-specific procedures and protocols.
The district announced via its Facebook page Monday that all 40 schools will have websites to detail students' arrival, dismissal, class schedules, lunch periods and other daily happenings at each individual school.
Read MoreIvy Tech Community College Evansville is planning an event to make it easier for future and current students to enroll for fall classes.
Through Enroll ‘N Go, planned for July 29-30, students will be able to drive up and talk to educational professionals about the next steps for enrollment.
Read MoreAfter months of uncertainty and delayed announcements, families are doubtful school districts will be able to follow their reopening plans.
The Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp. and some other area corporations have announced schools will welcome back students in the fall, as early as Aug. 5.
Here's how four area families are feeling about the return to school:
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