School Is Back in Session in Atlanta. Teachers and Families Are Wary.

As the Delta variant quickly spreads, only 18 percent of eligible public school students in the city are vaccinated against Covid-19.

ATLANTA — When the Atlanta Public Schools reopened on Thursday, students and teachers anticipated — finally — something like a return to normalcy. Schools, now open for in-person classes five days a week, greeted students with balloons. The kindergartners at Morningside Elementary wore brightly colored crowns to celebrate. But even on the first day, families and school employees were already bracing for the possibility of things going awry. The reopening comes amid a resurgence of coronavirus cases across the state. And while the district is requiring its staff and students to wear masks and to social distance, the rate of vaccinations among eligible students is just 18 percent, making disruptive outbreaks of illness a significant worry.