South Bend students returned to school Wednesday

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- More than 17,000 students in South Bend returned to in-person learning on Wednesday with a mandatory mask mandate in place to begin the school year.

Darden Elementary welcomed back 538 students to in-person learning with a handful of policies in place to keep the school safe and students healthy amid the pandemic.

“We just know that our students are ready and our faculty has been training all year and so we’re excited,” said Patty Karven, Principal of Darden Elementary.

The South Bend Community School Corporation will still provide students a virtual learning option for those who are not yet comfortable with returning to school.