NEW IBERIA — While some students won't return to school until next month, others are getting ready for their first day.
Catholic High School and St. Edward School, both in New Iberia, are starting Friday.
Students attended orientation Thursday with parents arriving to the schools around noon to pick them up.
Some say there is a little worry going into tomorrow; however, they're ready to be back.
"I'm very excited because I never came here before, and I'm excited to meet new people," said Catholic High seventh grader Rowen Beslin.
It's not only the students who are ready for the start of the school year.
"They need to go back, like desperately, I think, in some format," said Trey Haik, parent of a Catholic High freshman. "It sounds like Catholic High is organized, a relatively safe format."
Some students admit they will need time to adjust to all the changes on campus.
"I forgot, like, we were really close to each other, and they were telling us to back away from each other," said Catholic High seventh grader Mariah Thomas. "It felt really different."
Even with the new protocols put in place, some say they prefer their kids to learn on campus rather than virtually.
"When my son's in his bedroom, looking at a monitor with a school teacher on the monitor, it's not nearly the same," said Haik. "It's the best we could do but not nearly the same."
Students agree, too.
"I just like being in a classroom," said Rowen. "It's better than being by myself at home."
Some students say they're just taking it day by day.
"I'm a little bit worried to see how everybody's going to social distance, if we're going to wear masks, which we are," said Mariah. "I'm a little worried about that, but besides that, I'm fine."
Know before you go: Your student will need a mask at school. Reusable cloth or disposable masks are acceptable.
The administrators at Catholic High say since their campus is spacious, teachers will have the opportunity to schedule mask breaks if they're still following other safety protocols.
Other schools in the Diocese of Lafayette will head back about two weeks from now. Teurlings Catholic High School in Lafayette won't return until September 8.
According to the diocese, each school determines their first day.
