A lot of Cochrane parents are feeling a little excited as well as a little nervous today.

Yesterday, Premier Jason Kenney announced that schools will be reopening again for students and staff in about six weeks.

Matthew Butler says he's pleased with the province's decision and is eager to get his kids back in the classroom.

"I'm really happy that our kids are going back to school in the fall. My son is going into grade 9, starting high school, my daughter is going into grade 12, finishing high school. It's a critical time in their life that they get the education they need and get the best skills that they can for the future."

He says "We can't stop life because of a pandemic that's worldwide. We must push forward, we must make the best future for the future generations coming, for our kids, for our grand kids and that starts by us in this generation, taking risks and not letting things that look unsafe or things that might cost us in this generation from stopping us from moving forward."   

Jennifer Spackman has some concerns about how the whole plan behind creating co-horts will work.

"The co-horts at school, so how are they going to manage that when there's kids that take the bus everyday, there's kids of all ages on the bus. So how are they going to prevent the spread on the bus. Do they have masks mandatory on the bus, are they choosing seating properly on the bus?"

Spackman says in addition to that, she has some big concerns about how kids will physically distance and how teachers will manage all of the changes.

"It's kind of unbelievable that they won't make masks mandatory when COVID-10 is spread through droplets. They think that washing hands is going to be sufficient and it's a lot of pressure on teachers. They already have an incredibly limited budget and a huge workload from missing so much last year and now they have to have this on top of it, and if you've ever hung out with kids, good luck getting them to stay six feet apart."

Katherine Savage says she's looking forward to getting her family into a routine again.

"I think kids need routine and I think they need proper education and I feel that I can't offer my kids proper education, especially working full time. So my son is going to be going to Kindergarten three full days, and I think he's going to do really well and excel."

Savage says the stepped up sanitization practices in schools will help to combat the virus.

"I think they're going to do the best they can and honestly kids are filthy already. I think it builds a stronger immune system. As long as they're washing their hands before meals and after playing at the playground, I'm not worried."

Speaking from a student's perspective, grade 11 Bow Valley High band student, Tanner Gerhardi is happy to be going back.

" I prefer working in the classroom so I can have someone there to help me out if I need it and to keep me focused. I'm looking forward to getting back to a routine." 

Tanner is a band student and did share concerns about that program.

"In the band program they're not going to have any wind instruments at all so it's going to be pretty weird."

Schools across the province will implement a list of public health measures which includes increased cleaning on surfaces and placing hand sanitizers at school entrances and classrooms. 

The health protocols may be adjusted as rules and regulations around COVID-19 change. 

Students, staff, parents and school visitors will be expected to use a self-screening questionnaire daily to determine whether they can enter the school.