NEW ALBANY, Miss. (WTVA) - The New Albany School District continued its back-to-school process on Friday.

District administrators implemented a staggered-return schedule for students to cut down on crowds and make it easier to maintain social distancing.

At New Albany High School only seniors and freshmen returned for in-person classes on Thursday. Juniors and sophomores returned to campus on Friday.

The same alternating was set for New Albany Middle and Elementary schools.

Superintendent Lance Evans said there are many benefits to this type of return schedule.

Evans said allowing younger students on campus first gives them more time to adjust to their new environment.

This plan also allows for better traffic conditions on each campus, he said.

It also makes it easier for teachers to go through new health procedures, like temperature checks and screening questions.

Starting Monday, students will return on a hybrid schedule.

Kids with last names A-K will attend in-person classes on Mondays and Thursdays.

Kids with last names L-Z hold in-person classes on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Everyone will be virtual on Wednesdays.

Full-time virtual students will report online on the same day their grade reports for in-person classes.