PITT COUNTY, NC (WITN) – Pitt County schools will resume classes Monday.

Javier Granjeno, a sophomore at Pitt County Schools, says, “I’m excited about the new classes I’ll be taking and learning even more. I’m most excited about learning a new language. It’s just French.”

Although the fun summer is coming to an end, teachers in Pitt County like Ben Rollins have been hard at work preparing for the upcoming school year.

“Preparing the classroom. Attending district meetings and school meetings just to make sure our goals for the year are aligned,” Rollins told WITN.

There are some challenges ahead for both teachers and students.

Granjeno says, “I’ll probably get straight A’s and try to keep my grade point average the same or even improve it.”

Rollins also says the pandemic has taken its toll on students. “The biggest challenge we’ve been working with for several years is the learning gap created by the pandemic.”

This year, Ayden-Grifton High School is offering “Recharge,” a 30-minute period where students can work with teachers in areas where more help is needed to combat the learning gap.

Rollins says there are more ways to support students outside of the classroom. “You have to be able to show them that their teacher is human, too, and build a connection with them that way. Go and support them at sporting events or other events in their lives. Remember that every day is an opportunity to learn and grow, support each other and embrace the challenge, because in the long run, it will pay off.”

DPI says the best thing parents can do for their children’s success is to read to them every night and encourage them to be present in class so they get the education they need.

Last September, the DPI reported that testing results in North Carolina were still below pre-pandemic levels.

All rights reserved.