BACK AT IT

Delano high schoolers return to campuses

Delano high school students returned on Monday, April 26, for a combination of virtual and live classes for the remainder of the school year.

We spoke to principals at each school about how they feel to have at least a portion of their student body back as the COVID-19 pandemic gets a little better, at least locally.

CESAR CHAVEZ HIGH SCHOOL BY URIEL ROBLES, PRINCIPAL

Cesar Chavez High School welcomed back students to campus on April 26.

Students walking the halls, classroom bells ringing, teachers in their classrooms, music blasting during lunch time, parents cheering. What a wonderful feeling it is to finally see more students and staff back on the Cesar Chavez High campus.

The campus is thriving once again with close to 300 students throughout the week returning to in-person instruction and nearly 130 students participating in spring sports activities.

Teachers and staff worked tirelessly weeks before to set up classrooms and prepare for hybrid instruction, which involves students attending class both in person and digitally. It is great to have life back on campus.

Although not a traditional spring semester, it is refreshing to see things getting back to normal. We can’t wait to have more students back on campus as the Titans quickly get back into action.

DELANO HIGH SCHOOL BY RENE AYON, PRINCIPAL

Delano High School excitedly welcomed students back to campus for Phase 1-4 of reopening on April 26.

With about 160 in attendance each day, students attend classes in a socially distanced environment and follow all California Department of Public Health and Kern County Department of Public Health guidelines, including use of masks, partitions and sanitation stations.

Students attending in-person instruction follow a blue and/or gold schedule to determine the days they attend in-person instruction. Teachers continue to provide hybrid instruction to our at-home learners.

As always, our Delano Joint Union High School District Board of Trustees, district staff and Delano Tiger family remains committed to keeping staff and students safe while providing high-quality academic instruction and social-emotional support.

Thank you to our outstanding Tiger parents for your support and partnership as we navigate this school year. We look forward to the day when we are able to welcome all students back onto campus.

ROBERT F. KENNEDY HIGH BY DOLORES RODRIGUEZ, PRINCIPAL

In anticipation of seniors and all subgroups returning for in-person instruction on a hybrid schedule, a series of meetings were held with Robert F. Kennedy High School staff and students and their families.

Students entering Phase

4 of the district’s COVID-19 Reopening Plan were provided with a hybrid calendar indicating Group A (gold days) and Group B (teal days) for a smooth transition to learning two days virtually and two days in-person on rotation. All subgroups attend daily.

About 100 student athletes joined spring sports; with football and cheer conditioning, the number rises to almost 150 participants! A total of 358 Thunderbirds opted to return for in-person instruction. Group A and daily students total 257 students during GOLD days. Group B and daily students total 247 students.

While the pandemic has been challenging for all stakeholders, it has granted our school community immeasurable opportunities to work in unity toward one common goal — to support all Thunderbirds to meet their full potential and achieve academic success.

As reopening day approached, the RFK high school administration team learned very quickly that many of the students were eager to return to campus. The Kennedy staff was just as eager to have them back. All classified staff returned to campus full time on April 16 and teachers shortly after on April 21 for classroom preparation. The Thunderbirds were ready for reopening day!

As of Monday, April 26, many students have been back on campus eager to learn. While it is not the traditional campus, many students have shared with me that they are excited to reunite with their peers and teachers, some of whom they have not seen in person since March 2020. Some students shared that they felt a sense of normalcy coming to school.

Student and staff safety continues to be a top priority. The campus is equipped with oneto-one laptops, so students never have to share equipment or materials. Classrooms are arranged to meet social distancing guidelines according to CDPH and KCDPH. Classrooms contain hand sanitizer, tissue and disinfecting wipes. All students were provided with a divider that can be placed on their desk for added safety precautions.

RFK support staff and faculty NEVER wavered in their commitment and dedication to do what is best for the school community. Many thanks to the parents and community for their continued support and patience during these challenging times.