Bridgeport officials say they have no choice but to transition to a hybrid model even earlier than previously planned due to rising coronavirus cases.

It comes after the city made headlines by being one of the only school systems to offer full-time learning for elementary school students.

Starting Nov. 9, all students with last names staring with A-L will attend school Monday and Tuesday. Everyone will be remote Wednesday and the students with last names M-Z will be in classroom Thursday and Friday.

Students were supposed to go to a hybrid model after Thanksgiving, but due to staffing shortages caused by COVID-19, it will need to begin earlier.

Superintendent Michael Testani said as cases have been rising in the city, more staff members have had to call out – making it hard to continue in-person learning every day.

Several elementary schools have already had to go remote.

Some parents who spoke with News 12 Friday night said it's going to be a struggle to find child care. Testani says they hope community agencies will be able to accommodate working parents. The plan is to return to full-time in-person learning in 2021.