February 9, 2021 Cobre students will return to classrooms March 8 Written by Dean Thompson on February 9, 2021 After a lengthy discussion Monday night, the Cobre Schools Board of Education voted to announce a tentative date for moving classes in the district to the hybrid model — March 8 — and to approve the reopening of athletic practice pods beginning Monday, Feb. 15. Joyce Barela, the district’s school improvement coordinator, gave the board a rundown on school reentry from the Public Education Department. Barela said there were three options: remaining remote 100 percent and continuing small groups for special education; continuing in remote, but expanding small group sessions; or a move to hybrid instruction, with kids with last names beginning with A through L going to school Mondays and Tuesdays, and those with last names beginning with M through Z going Wednesdays and Thursdays, with their days away from classrooms including remote instruction.