By Lily Altavena and Joshua Bowling | Arizona Republic
Some — but not all — students across metro Phoenix returned to the classroom Monday for the first time since March, despite state health benchmarks advising them to wait
Child care centers, shelters don’t have to report COVID-19.
The Queen Creek Unified School District reopened all of its schools for in-person classes, as did American Leadership Academy charter schools and Phoenix’s Balsz School District.
Some other small districts and charters also reopened across the state.
The vast majority of Arizona districts and charter schools started classes virtually this school year. Some have pledged to stay virtual until at least October.
The state health benchmarks, which use data to indicate whether there’s substantial spread of the virus, were announced in early August. But school leaders are not required to follow the state’s advice.