Students in New Town returned to in-person classes this week for the first time in months.

“I think everybody is in agreement that the face to face learning is a better situation in most cases,” said new Superintendent Beth Zietz, who had formerly been the superintendent at Parshall.

Like some other districts in the state, New Town had opted for distance learning due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

About 60 to 70 percent of the district’s 960 K-12 students are back in the classroom this week, while parents of other students chose to continue using distance learning.

Zietz said some teachers with greater health concerns are teaching students who are in distance learning.

Zietz said precautions are in place including required masks and social distancing. She said students are happy to be back in school and have been good about complying with conditions. Sports and other winter activities have also started.

New Town superintendent Marc Bluestone, who is retiring after serving as superintendent at New Town for 33 years, has been honored by the tribe and his colleagues.

Zietz said Bluestone left an outstanding legacy with his dedication to children and to equity in education that she hopes to build on in her new role.