Pandemic School Year Anxieties: In Chelsea, Counselors Navigate Rise In Mental Health Needs

After more than a year of remote learning, Chelsea Public Schools reopened its buildings to all students full-time last month. The move was a big transition for everyone, and many, including staff, said they remember feeling nervous.

"It definitely felt like a first day of school," recalled Kim Huffer, the district's administrator of social work and social and emotional learning. "There's that anxiety of 'how are things going to go? Are people going to wear their masks?' "

But, she said, the anxiety for many of the adults quickly dissipated as soon as students walked in the doors.

"As soon as the students walked back in the building — not that you could see smiles behind masks — but faces lit up," said Huffer. "And students were like, 'Miss! It's nice to see you!'