WORCESTER, Mass. - Worcester Public School students have been learning remotely for close to a year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Posy Hebert is a kindergarten student at Midland Street School in Worcester. Her mom Sarah says virtual learning is stressful.

“This is supposed to be her real, you know, first structured school experience. And it's not been that, unfortunately. And I think that it has, it's been a struggle, it's 100%. It's difficult for a five year old to understand separation of home versus school," said Sarah Hebert. 

Martha Douty’s son, William, goes to Burncoat Prep. Douty says their experience has been positive, but it's not the same as being in school.

“All the teachers do, it's incredible the work and time and effort they put in. or me it was more of a challenge because my son has some special needs. The hard part is not being in school in person is a big piece that is missing with the socialization," said Martha Douty. 

The majority of schools in Massachusetts  have at least some in-person classes right now.The Worcester Public Schools are among the 20-percent of districts the state identifies as still being fully remote.

Worcester leaders say the earliest students would go back is in March. Hebert says it’s time to get back in the classroom.

“I want it to be done safely. Obviously, I think that it's important that teachers are vaccinated. I don't know why they haven't been yet. But I think that the kids needs to be back in school. I’ve been watching and seeing my friends, kids go back to school, and how safe it's been for them," said Hebert​

Governor Charlie Baker and Education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley said this week they want to phase out hybrid and remote learning in starting in April. Douty would like Worcester’s schools to go back in a hybrid form first, and has mixed feeling about her son going back.

“It’s hard to say. You know you as much as you want to see them, the importance, you know I still in some reservation, However we should move beyond where we are now, as well," said Douty. 

Meanwhile, some members of the Worcester Public School Committee says that Worcester Elementary schools don’t have enough space to send all of their students back into school buildings, like the state pushing for.