Santa Clarita Valley’s William S. Hart Union High School District schools reopened for in-person learning this week, with students returning to campuses for the first time in over a year.
The Hart District, which encompasses most junior and senior high schools in the Santa Clarita Valley, began optional in-person instruction Monday, with students attending school on campuses two days of the week.
“I’m proud to say that the Hart District was among the first to actually start with online learning when the crisis began, and we’re among the first school districts to actually bring students back,” said Mike Kuhlman, superintendent of the Hart District.
At Hart High School, around 500 students have attended in-person classes during the first few days of the school’s reopening, according to Jason d’Autremont, principal of Hart High.
According to Kuhlman, between 50 and 70 percent of students at each Hart District school intend to return to in-person schooling.
The school district is taking precautions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Along with following masking and physical distancing protocols and taking student temperatures, Kuhlman says the district is using the “Crisis Go” app to speed up screening procedures.
Students answer screening questions on the “Crisis Go” app. The app then produces a QR code which is scanned by a member of the school’s staff to allow the student entry to the school based on their answers.
Those who do not use the “Crisis Go” app are asked screening questions before entering campus in the district, which is a longer process.
Additionally, through a partnership with Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital, the Hart District has been able to provide vaccinations to every educator who is interested in inoculation against COVID-19.
Those who opt out of in-person learning are able to attend class virtually alongside students who are physically in the classroom.
“It’s really kind of a unique and interesting format,” commented Kuhlman. “What you might see in a classroom is, you have a classroom of eight to 15 kids. Then you have a large screen, and on that screen are the pixels of the students who are at home.”
Kuhlman said whether they are learning in-person or on campus, the students are able to speak to one another through an amplification system set up in classrooms.
The superintendent added that the district is planning ahead to potentially increase the number of days students can attend school on campus.
However, although the district may change its setup before the end of the semester, Kuhlman stressed that officials are taking things slow and working step-by-step before moving to the next stage of reopening.
Parents and students have been vocal about their excitement regarding campuses reopening.
“Across the board it was a wonderful two days to welcome students back,” commented Kuhlman. “We had a lot of positive feedback from parents saying that their students have been feeling a renewed sense of purpose.”
“I think most of us get into this profession to be around kids in a classroom and teaching in-person,” concluded d’Autremont. ”Ultimately, hopefully we can get there soon.”
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