For the first time in 2021, thousands of middle school teachers and more than 60,000 students will be returning to classrooms for in-person learning. 

In-person learning will be available for those who had opted for in-person learning at the start of the school year. 

While most students will remain fully remote, Mayor Bill de Blasio says this will be a big step in the process to fully reopen schools. 

Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza says half of the middle schools will be in person five days a week, while the remainder will be hybrid learning. 

COVID-19 precautions will be in place inside the classrooms, according to Carranza. 

Carranza says that around 30,000 employees in the city have received at least one dose of the vaccine and more are in the process. 

The mayor says an announcement on the reopening of high schools will be made in the upcoming weeks.