Students return today at Floyd County public schools, on schedule and on a normal day of classes and programs with one exception: They must wear masks under orders from the Commonwealth to follow recommendations of the national Centers for Disease Control because of an increase in cases from the delta variant of COVID-19.

Students also return to air-conditioned classrooms and cool in other public areas.

“Our schools are a cool place to be,” declared Superintendent John Wheeler to county supervisors in a report on Tuesday.

Student athletes are in practice for fall sports, including football and volleyball. The JV and Varsity volleyball Lady Buffaloes face Auburn Thursday at home and the Varsity Buffaloes football squad squares off against Cave Spring on Coach Beale Field in Floyd in a Friday scrimmage.

The new school year is underway.