Students in a dozen school districts went back to the classroom on Monday morning.

Monday is the first day of school for thousands of students in Atlanta Public Schools, Cobb, Cherokee, Fannin, Greene, Lumpkin, Madison, Morgan, Newton, Paulding, Pickens and Rockdale counties.

Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Lisa Herring says this year, they’re focusing on personalized learning and attendance. She says she also wants to focus on students’ mental health.

“I’m excited about what will be an extraordinary year for our scholars and one in which we’re not talking so much about mitigation, but about coming back and preparing them for the future,” she said.

If you’re heading to school in Rockdale County, make sure you grab a clear backpack. The school system is providing the required clear backpacks for students in 1st through 12th grades, but supply chain issues have delayed the shipment, so parents will need to pick one up.

In Cobb County, certain staff members will be allowed to carry guns on campuses in an effort to provide “enhanced security” in the schools. The district also hired a an assistant superintendent for school safety.

Cherokee County Schools are also focusing on safety by hiring more officers for their police department. They are also adding more badge readers and upping their systems to track visitors while they are in the building. Click here for more Cherokee first day of school details you may need.

Paulding County Schools say they have taken steps to enhance safety protocols. In a back to school letter to parents, Superintendent Steve Barnette wrote the district is in the process of hiring full-time trained security guard at every school to assist with SROs. The sheriff’s office announced in July that they are adding officers to school zones and areas where buses stop to make sure drivers aren’t putting your child at risk.

Pickens County will have a staggered start for the school year. Students who are in kindergarten, 1st, 5th, 7th and 9th grade will begin Monday. All students will report to class on August 2.

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