Meet Avery Thornbury, who will start Grade 9 this fall. She's a special needs student. Her mom tells me she's works at the level of a Grade 2 student. She's been excited about going back to school for months.

Pics by @NewsManSpencer. How excited is she? Her backpack was been ready at the door since June.

But in the end, she'll continue learning online this year.

Her mom worries about safety at school for Avery. She says daughter loves to get close to people and isn't good at wearing a mask for long periods of time. The family still doesn't know the exact plan for special needs but has already made their decision.

Mom Lisa Thornbury will help Avery with online learning at home. She's talked to other families of special needs kids who are sending their kids back to school: "They're really nervous, they're afraid and they just don't see that they have any other option"