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Christensen Middle School yearbook students sit socially distanced, using laptops to access their classwork on their first day back on campus Monday. (Photo courtesy of LVJUSD) -
Back on campus are Smith Elementary students Nicholas Cardinale, Alyssa Cardinale, Shayna Kandel, and Reid and James McCarthy. (Photo courtesy of LVJUSD) -
Livermore middle and high school teachers are instructing students online and in person simultaneously as part of the district’s hybrid learning model. (Photo courtesy of LVJUSD) -
“Welcome Back” sign greets Christensen Middle School students as they return to campus after more than a year of distance learning. (Photo courtesy of LVJUSD)
About 7,800 Livermore students at all grade levels returned to school on Monday for in-person instruction after more than a year of remote-only learning.
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Brothers Reid and James McCarthy prepare to bike home after attending class in person at Emma C. Smith Elementary School for the first time during the pandemic. (Photo courtesy of LVJUSD) -
Smith Elementary teacher Tracy Karter and two of her third-grade students pose during snack time. (Photo courtesy of LVJUSD)
Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District (LVJUSD) administrators from Christensen Middle School and Altamont Creek and Emma C. Smith elementary schools reflected on the reopenings at their campuses, each saying the first day went off without a hitch for students and teachers alike.
“It’s a bit of a euphoric experience for us in that we would have never believed that we were going to be out of school for this long when we were given the information on March 13, 2020,” Smith principal Joe Meunier told the Weekly. “I remember feeling like we’ll be back by spring break,” he continued, adding that he feels the superintendent and district staff have done an amazing job of being flexible and creative to get through the challenges of the pandemic.
Principal Pat Avilla of Christensen Middle School echoed similar sentiments, saying the first day back to campus was “wonderful.”
Although students are still required to wear face masks covering their mouths and noses, Avilla said she could tell many were smiling through the excitement in their eyes. “It seemed like a normal day — as much as it can be,” she said.
LVJUSD is currently offering a hybrid learning model that allows students to continue taking their classes completely online. For students who have chosen to return to campus, in-person learning is offered four days each week, with Wednesday remaining a day of online classes with early dismissal to allow time for professional development for teachers.
Prior to reopening, schools sent families information about the bell schedule, pickup and dropoff procedures and behavioral expectations, among other guidelines to help prepare for students’ return. Schools throughout the district also held orientation sessions to help students who were new at the start of the school year get acclimated to their respective campuses.
Meunier said that Smith students are encouraged to practice social distancing at school through their “PAWS” positive behavioral intervention system that promotes practicing kindness, acting responsibly, working hard and staying safe.
“I would say that at this point, students are very happy to comply with the expectations,” Meunier said, adding that staff members throughout the campus are available to help remind students to keep their distance. The school has a reward system in place for students who demonstrate leadership in the expected behaviors, which Meunier said has also helped to inspire peer modeling.
Fifth-grade teacher Terry Linney said that she has been impressed with how well students have been following directions and how supportive parents have been during this transition process. However, she said her students still miss being able to work together in groups in class as well as having a traditional recess where they can play with their friends from other classrooms and grade levels.
Elementary school students are currently having staggered recess times by grade level and are required to stay in areas of the playground with only their own classmates.
Altamont Creek students have been practicing air hugs, according to principal Tara Aderman. She said all of the campus yard supervisors are also carrying fanny packs with masks for students who forget or lose them.
“Our district office has done a phenomenal job supporting all of our sites, from maintenance to technology to communication — special education, child nutrition — everybody has just worked so hard for reopening and I couldn’t be more proud to work for our district,” Aderman said.
Eleven days ahead of reopening, LVJUSD along with the Livermore Area Recreation and Park District and the city of Livermore, in partnership with Walgreens, brought the COVID-19 vaccine to 475 individuals in a one-day clinic held at the Robert Livermore Community Center.
Walgreens provided the Janssen (Johnson and Johnson) vaccine, which further simplified the process by offering a one-dose protection against COVID-19, LVJUSD officials said in a statement.
“The clinic was an amazing example of a community coming together to take care of one another,” LVJUSD Superintendent Kelly Bowers said, adding, “everyone we served came away with renewed hope and health.”
Livermore was the final Tri-Valley public school district to reopen campuses to students, following Pleasanton and Dublin earlier this month and San Ramon Valley last month.
