HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — More than 9,000 students returned to Hays CISD campuses Monday.

It was the first day everyone — 46% — who opted for in-person learning could do so.

The rest — 54% — are continuing virtually. That means many teachers are navigating split classrooms.

“I teach floral design, and then interior design and principles of architecture,” explains Tiffany Stratton of Johnson High School.

It’s her first year teaching teens.

“Last year, I actually taught kindergarten, so it’s a little different,” Stratton said.

The original back-to-campus plan for Hays CISD called for seven periods a day for about 50 minutes each.

But Stratton is glad the school board decided last week to keep a block schedule, which has been utilized for the first three weeks of virtual learning.