They don't have to lug books around like we did. All the kids have laptops, or in the case of smaller kids, iPads.
Posters here have mentioned crazy heavy backpacks. I pick up a niece a few times a week who is a sophomore and her backpack is huge with books...and a laptop.
For the younger crowd, it may not be books, but snowgear needs to go somewhere. This may be a regional issue, but its for sure a consideration for planning when it comes to where does all that stuff get stored at school.
Separation will be a challenge, yes.I've seen suggestions here that some kids will physically go to school MWF, others TT, and all will have online classes.
The problem is - how do you keep young kids separated? Part of going to school is a social experience as well as learning from books.
The biggest issue I can see though is how IEPs are handled. That's federally mandated in person help that can't be in person when distance learning is used.
Along this line of thinking, its why right now only review information should be taught remotely- you can't teach new information when part of the population doesn't have reliable access to the information(internet/wifi) and another part of the population has an IEP that isn't being followed.
The potential education gap caused by these issues not being adequately resolved is extremely concerning.
...and then there is the issue of parents needing to work from home if kids are home 2-3 days a week. A 2nd grader can't be expected to be at home alone for the school day and handle learning, troubleshooting technology issues, snacks/lunch, and time management for lessons.
Hell, many middle schoolers can't handle that on their own.