More than a year after abruptly shuttering campuses in response to the coronavirus pandemic, the nation’s second-largest school district is embarking on a new chapter by reopening its first schools on Tuesday, April 13.
Sixty-one elementary schools and 11 early education centers will welcome some of Los Angeles Unified’s youngest learners to campus this morning. For some, it has been more than 400 days since they last stepped foot in a school building. For others, this will be their first time in a classroom.
Family are peeking through the fence to wave to the little ones as they go off into their in-person classroom. pic.twitter.com/gBjlYoS0XS
— Elizabeth Chou (@reporterliz) April 13, 2021
Emry Mendez, 5, is ready for her first day of kindergarten at Crestwood #LAUSD in Rancho Palos Verdes pic.twitter.com/oHG5DaLURy
— Donna Littlejohn (@donnalittlejohn) April 13, 2021
Either way, this day has been a long time in coming, and one can expect a few tears to be shed — and not just by the students.
At Crestwood Steam Magnet in Rancho Palos Verdes Verdes, “Yay! Yay! Yay” shouted one 5-year-old wearing a ‘Goodbye Zoom’ mask as her mom snapped a photo in front of the campus.
Superintendent Austin Beutner buzzed about the campus at Heliotrope Elementary in Maywood, hovering nearby as staff took temperatures of students, urged children to wash their hands and reminded about safety precautions.
Kindergartners are back inside the classroom in LAUSD. Heliotrope Ave Elementary in Maywood. pic.twitter.com/8gTx3Uem2j
— Brittany Murray (@BrittanyMMurray) April 13, 2021
“Our teachers haven’t seen each other in so long, it almost feels like a class reunion,” said Principal Suzanne Zopatti of Catskill Elementary in Carson. “Everyone is excited to have our kids back in the classroom.”
Catskill parent Brandi Brown said though distance learning wasn’t ideal for her child, she said it “allowed us to spend more time together.” Either way, she was “excited and scared” to have the campus reopen.
“I’m very relieved,” said Catskill parent Robert Ramsey. Distance learning, Ramsey said, was “horrible.” “My son missed being with his friends,” he added. “Once they took the tape at the park down we finally were able to visit with friends.”
Arriving at Catskill, parent Lucy Nguyen said that she’s happy each school is offering their own coronavirus testing on campus. “It would’ve been hard to have to go to a different site for testing,” she said.
They’re welcoming pre-kinder, kindergarteners and 1st graders today, 2nd and 3rd tomorrow, and 4th and 5th Thursday, Brainard principal Victor Yzaguirre says. Having kids on campus is the thing he misses the most. “It’s just been empty without them,” he said. pic.twitter.com/CNAbxeZwXC
— Elizabeth Chou (@reporterliz) April 13, 2021
At Brainard Avenue Elementary in Lake View Terrace, Principal Victor Yzaguirre bubbled with enthusiasm. “With the COVID rates going down, I am thrilled and excited to be a pioneer and come out to open our schools back up for our elementary school children,” he said.
Yzaguirre said having kids on campus was the thing he missed the most. “When I became an educator, it was always about the kids. It’s just been empty without them,” he said.
School board member Scott M. Schmerelson tweeted a checklist for parents who may have gotten out of the habit of packing kids up for school. He reminded parents to check in on such things as taking any necessary medicine to nurses on campus, checking up on new school protocols and schedules and packing school supplies, bottled water and a new item this time, face masks.
I hope this is helpful this morning! pic.twitter.com/zOaEyY51tB
— Scott M. Schmerelson (@ScottAtLAUSD) April 13, 2021
Bathroom passes will remain a reality on campus, but teachers also now schedule appointed times for the whole class to take turns going to the restroom, socially distanced. At Brainerd, however, one student at the back of the line, sounding impatient, bellowed: “But I want to go now!”
The district plans to phase in its school reopenings over the next three weeks. To kick things off, students in preschool through the first grade will return at the 72 select sites this week, with second and third graders returning Wednesday, followed by fourth and fifth graders on Thursday.
An additional 508 elementary and early education sites will also reopen on a staggered schedule next week, followed by a similar rollout for 262 middle and high schools the week of April 26.
“We’ll take an important step on the path to recovery this week when we welcome students back to school,” Superintendent Austin Beutner said during his weekly community update on Monday.
“The past 404 days will be remembered as a time of sacrifice and determination,” he added.
The superintendent is scheduled to appear at five school sites today to welcome students to campus.
Check back regularly as our team of reporters track how things are going on the first day back at school.
Getting ready to welcome students back to classrooms. A big step on the path to recovery for students and their families. @lausdLDE @lausdbd5 @Jackie4LAkids @CoS_South_Gate #MadisonElementary pic.twitter.com/njV58v1hlt
— Austin Beutner (@AustinLASchools) April 12, 2021