NEW ULM — As of Monday, New Ulm Elementary schools are back to in-person learning, with the Middle School and High School returning with hybrid learning.

“It is great to see the energy level with the kids back at the elementary building,” Superintendent Jeff Bertrang said. “It is the same at the middle school and high school, but with 50% capacity.”

The pre-Kindergarten through 4th grade students have all returned to in-person learning. The 5th grade through 12 grade students are half in person and half distance. On Monday and Tuesday, Middle School and High School students with family names A-K will attend in person. Wednesday and Thursday Middle School and High School students with family names L-Z will attend in-person. Friday will serve as a student support day for all students who need it.

The hybrid learning at the Middle School and High School is only for a week. All schools will return to in-person learning on Monday, January 11.

New Ulm Public began the 2020/2021 school year with in-person learning, but switched to distance learning Monday, Nov. 30.

Bertrang said the reason the school went to distance learning was due to limited staffing. He said COVID-19 transmission in the schools was not an issue, but too many teachers were under quarantine, making it impossible to maintain in-person learning. Over a month later, enough teachers and long-term substitutes are available to reopen in in-person.

The school buildings are returning to similar COVID-19 guidelines used at the start of the school year. Students are still required to wear a mask and social distance.

“The kids are overjoyed to be back,” Bertrang said. “Some are simply excited to see friends and teachers.”