OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — After a two-week COVID-19 shutdown, students and parents said they were glad to be back at Harmony Middle School Monday.

Students and teachers returned to the classroom after several confirmed COVID-19 cases forced the school district to close the school for two weeks last month.

Parents said Monday morning that they want in-person learning for their children, even after 12 educators tested positive, prompting the school shutdown.

"They should have never shut the school down in the first place," parent Stephanie Branham said.

Four students tested positive for COVID-19 a week after the school shut its doors.

Camden Baker, 11, said Monday felt like any other school day.

"We got to try out and get our equipment and lockers for P.E. and stuff, so today was pretty cool," he said.

Online learning the past two weeks was touch and go, Branham said, and her son learns best in the classroom.

"Hopefully they stay in school and don't pull this nonsense again and they can continue on with the proper education that all the kids should receive, not just our son," Branham said.

Baker said a lot of the school day was dedicated to making sure students knew what was expected of them, now that the school had reopened.

"They just did a lot of talking about procedures and we have to have our mask on," he said. "Everyone had their mask on and were behaving, and then the teachers are always reminding everyone to have their mask on."

Baker's grandmother, Mary Bugner, who picked him up from school on Monday, said the need for him to be in school outweighed safety concerns.

"I'd rather them be in school than at home because they need to be around their friends," Bugner said. 

Parent Deana Taylor also wants her daughter back in school.

 "I think everybody needs to go somewhere every day," Taylor said.

During the two-week closure, the facilities were deep-cleaned, which includes:

• Disinfecting all areas used by those who contracted the virus
• Opening doors and windows and using fans to circulate air

According to the Osceola County's latest update from the week of September 7, Harmony Middle School has zero positive cases for students or personnel.

"I think they stepped it up and they're good," Taylor said. "And I trust them. If there's a problem, they'll let us know."

If families wants to change the learning option for their students, they have until September 18 at noon.​

After that, no changes can be made.