Many New Jersey students returned to school on Tuesday. While most attended class virtually, some buildings reopened for a very different first day of school.

There were temperature checks at the door, mandatory masking and a host of new rules plastered along hallways warning kids to keep their distance from one another and reminding them to disinfect their hands at newly-installed sanitizing stations.

At Central Jersey College Prep Charter School in Somerset, buses ran at half-capacity, dropping off masked students to start the new academic year. Teachers lined up as a nurse took their temperature before allowing them indoors. Most parents remained in their cars and were not allowed inside. They kissed their children goodbye at the door — before reminding them to keep their masks on. 

"I know it's nerve wracking for every parent, just like for me as well," Meha Patel said as she dropped off her 5-year-old for his first day of kindergarten. "I wish I was able to walk up to the class, but I think the teacher is able to take care of him."

Esra Sercan, 9, is a fourth-grader and said she was scared to go back at first.

"I was kinda nervous in the car, I was like, 'What if I have all boys in my class because there's such small classes this year because of COVID?'" she said. 

New Jersey gave districts and charter schools the option to teach virtually, in person or both. More than half opted for a hybrid model and another third chose to start the year remotely. Most schools will reopen this week but many classrooms in hybrid districts staying empty for now. National shortages are delaying shipments for desk shields and sanitizing wipes, as well as much-needed Chromebook laptops.

Central Jersey College Prep Charter School, a K-12 school, reopened with a mix of remote and in-person learning after only 40 percent of parents opted to send their kids back to the classroom. The school enrolls 1,100 and less than 500 are attending in-person classes.

In the classroom, individual desk shields protect elementary and middle school students. Their desks are kept six feet apart. At the high school, desks are wiped clean between classes. The school is dismissing students early to allow more time to clean the campus. 

Shared spaces like cubbies, lockers and the cafeteria are not being used to minimize unnecessary congregations. Lunch will be provided to go. Back to school night and teacher conferences will be virtual this year, too. 

"We're very excited about seeing the kids back," school leader Namik Sercan, Esra's father, said as he greeted students from a distance on Tuesday. 

He said usually the students come up and hug him, but not this year.

"Everything is so different," Sercan said.