+1 The Mankato and St. Peter school districts are among those preparing to welcome elementary students back to buildings in mid-January. The timing of a return for secondary students is less certain. Mankato Area Public School officials tentatively hope to bring back elementary students full time on Jan. 19. A potential date for Mankato secondary students has not been announced. St. Peter elementary students likely will return part time Jan. 6 and return to full time Jan. 19. St. Peter secondary students could return to a hybrid model as soon as Jan. 11 if local COVID-19 case rates continue to decline. All the prospective return dates also are contingent on no new coronavirus outbreaks among students or school staff.