With record-high covid cases looming overhead, Arkansas students and teachers return to classrooms SPRINGDALE, Ark. (KFSM) — Students and teachers across Arkansas headed back to in-person classes Monday (Jan. 4) following the holiday break. The return to classrooms comes off the heels of Arkansas passing a record-breaking number of covid-19 cases. With Springdale Schools being the largest school district in the state, school leaders say they are always practicing safety precautions, especially after the surge of cases during the holidays. Springdale Schools told 5NEWS they are looking forward to having students back in the classrooms after a 16-day break. On Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, the Arkansas Department of Health reported over 4,000 new covid-19 cases over a single day in Arkansas. This left some parents wondering how safe the return to school would be.