DSUSD middle & high school students officially to return to in-person learning

Another wave of students will be heading back to the classroom in just under 2 weeks. On Tuesday night the Desert Sands Unified School District Board voted to bring back middle and high school students in an approved in-person hybrid learning approach by March 29.

Tuesday also marked a milestone for Riverside County as it was determined that the region met state metrics, allowing it to transition to the less restrictive red tier.

Although planning had already been in the works, under the tier change "schools [could] reopen fully for in-person instruction. Local school officials will decide whether and when that will occur.

"With that movement into the red tier we’re now poised to bring back middle school and high school students in the hybrid model," said DSUSD Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, Kelly May-Vollmar, Ed.D.

DSUSD's students in the 6th grade through 12th grade will follow similar modifications that the elementary students followed to return to school on Monday.

"Our hybrid works with cohorts, so we have an A cohort and a B cohort. What that means is that some of the students come in-person on Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday is a fully distanced day for all students and then Thursday and Friday the B cohort comes in person," said May-Vollmar.

For families who are not ready yet, students will have the option to continue 5-day a week virtual learning.

"I was pretty excited to hear that we’re going to be able to go back because then hopefully by my senior year, that means we’ll be able to have a normal school experience," said Victoria Bouffard, Palm Desert High School Junior.

"Very, very excited. Its been more than a year and I’m very eager to go back," said La Quinta High School Freshman, Aiden Herrera.

Students weren't the only ones excited to learn they would be back in the classroom.

"When I heard the news I actually rushed down to my classroom today. I teach from home. I have 3 daughters and they’re also doing distance learning and so I was able to get someone to be with them and I rushed to my classroom and I started getting everything set up today. I just want to do the best I can to be prepared for my students," said La Quinta High School teacher, Christina Endres.

Despite a difficult year, Endres said it has been one of immense learning for students and her colleagues.

"I just want to say that I have been so proud of the educators that I work with throughout this time. I have seen such tremendous resiliency across the board," Endres said.

At their request, some teachers have been granted the option to teach remotely while substitute teachers will be in their classroom to help students.

"What’s interesting about our hybrid model is that even though some kids are in person and some kids are distanced, the same teacher is teaching those students all at the same time," said May-Vollmer.

Meanwhile, Desert Sands Teachers Association President Trina Gonzales-Alesi said the district has done a "a great job of providing the personal protective equipment," but it's not time to let up to ease up on following safety protocols.

"I think something that’s important that we need to realize is that as we congregate in person, in the same place, that everyone needs to still be conscious of the safety protocols. Now is not the time to relax those safety protocols just because we’ve moved from one restrictive tier to a less restrictive tier," said Gonzales-Alesi.

As for parents, many have showed immense relief knowing their kids will return in-person.

"I want them to go back because there’s a lot in school that you don’t get through a zoom screen. There’s a lot of socialization, there’s a lot of personal interaction with the teachers and the other kids that you can’t get and I feel like it’s pretty safe," said DSUSD parent, Suzanne Potter.

On the other hand, some parents remain skeptical that it is too soon.

"I think it is really too soon to open schools, even if it is open 2 days out of the week. There’s still a pandemic going on, I think they’re rushing into it and, take a little more time," said DSUSD parent, April Sanchez.