OPEN FORUM: VV Children Return To School With Both Cheers And Tears

By BRYNLIN THORNLEY

Looking back at the meeting our community had with CCSD Superintendent Jesus Jara on August 26, 2020 it is easy to recall the desperation that everyone felt to get back to school. Parents, students and teachers alike all pleaded with Jara to let our kids go safely back to in-person learning.

They told stories of their excruciating experiences navigating the world of online learning: parents wrangling their children to keep them in front of a computer for hours on end; young students sitting in utter isolation with peer interaction or teachers; and teachers catering to all their students learning styles but being forced into one way of teaching. All felt so helpless but trying to make the most of this awful situation.

One of the most powerful and impactful testimonies at this meeting was from 6-year-old, VVES student Elaina Whipple. She said, “I just want to go to school, I don’t care if I have to wear a mask, I just care about seeing my friends and my teachers.”

It was evident how important this was to Elaina and other young students like her in this community. I don’t know about you, but I would not have had the bravery at six years old to go up and talk to a council unless it was something this important.

Now fast forward to March 1, 2021, when the long-awaited day came. Elementary school students in Virgin Valley were finally able to return to the classroom at VVES and J.L. Bowler.

The anticipation and excitement were palpable as the students waited to follow their teachers into the school. After almost a year of interacting only through a computer screen, the kids finally were getting to see their teachers face to face again!

The student’s exhilaration was contagious. There was cheering and tears from parents, students and teachers as the school doors swung open and the students followed their teachers into the classrooms.

The cheering was because they were getting a social reprieve and the crying was because the grueling year of online learning and isolation was finally over.

The students were so excited to get back to some semblance of normalcy. Finally, be able to interact with their peers in person and not be so isolated.

JL Bowler teacher Jennifer Woods said it was a triumphant day. “Although there were many obstacles that we had to overcome last week, students and teachers were equally excited to be back together in our school building again!” Woods said

I for one, can only imagine how magical those the hallways must have felt to the students after all this time away.

I think Brooke Whipple said it best when she stated “let [the children] tell you how they feel”. Aside from all the politics that ensued, the most important part was the children’s voices being heard. The most important part was their happiness, mental health, and their education. You are not really living if you are stuck in isolation and these kids needed to start living their lives again.

I also think that a big thank you is in order for the teachers, admin and support staff at the schools. These heroes have all graciously dealt with the challenges that have been thrown at them through all the changes that have been made.

Each time a decision has been made at the district level the teachers have worked overtime and taught themselves a new way of teaching students. Thank you so much, you guys have been awesome!

Now, let’s keep up the effort and fight for our students until we are back full time.