VV Kids Flock Back To Class

By AMY DAVIS

The Progress

Kids from all over Mesquite strapped on their backpacks bright and early on Monday, Aug. 9, and headed back to school. They faced full-day in-person learning after almost an entire year of online education for many.

Children and parents flocked to school adorned with masks and mixed emotions. But at least, students were able to greet their teachers and peers, face to face. And that was a cause to celebrate!

“The best thing I saw today was a packed house,” says VVHS Principal Riley Frei. “Every classroom was full. That means the parents and students are excited to be back here in school and we are so excited to have them here. Our enrollment is the highest it has ever been; we have 30-plus new students.”

Out of the three schools in Mesquite, VVHS is the only school that has an enrollment higher than usual.
“I absolutely want to thank the parents about the obvious challenges of social distancing and wearing masks,” Frei added. “We don’t want to do it either. We don’t like it. But it is a reality for us and sometimes we have to do hard things.”

Frei said that the attitudes were good from both parents and students. Everybody seemed happy to be back.

“Right now, there is no talk about shutting down,” Frei said. “We are not talking about going online for a time. We are talking about pressing forward and that is the good news.”

Parents and students can access https://vvhsdawgs.org/ for any needed information including bell schedule, teacher and staff contact info and green and white day schedules.

Hughes Middle School principal Maurie Perkins expressed excitement to have the kids back to school. “We saw a lot of smiling faces from students and parents, and we are just ecstatic as a school staff to have them on our campus,” Perkins said. “We are looking forward to a great year. Our teachers are ready and excited to be teaching and we look forward to having the kids working hard in the classroom this year.”

Virgin Valley Elementary School Matt Bennett expressed similar enthusiasm about opening the doors to school this year.

Bennett had a few to parents of VVES students. “Remember to send your child with a mask and a water bottle; Back to School night is August 24; and please get Chromebook parent permission signed and returned ASAP,” he said.

Parents were pleased to have full in-person learning back this year.
“I am so glad that the kids are back in the buildings,” said Amy Marshal, parent of two high school students. “I am so sad that they have to wear masks, though. We should have a little autonomy out here in the rural areas. If our (infection) numbers are down, we should have some wiggle room.”

“As a parent you want the best for your kids,” said parent Jodi Johnson. “You want them to have access to all the opportunities and experiences that make high school so memorable. As the mom of a senior, I honestly pray we keep pressing forward for these kids. We want them to enjoy a full year of education, extracurricular activities, camaraderie and so much more.”

“It is definitely so much better to be back to school in person,” said VVHS freshman, Mark Davis.
Sophomore Kiana Davis says, “Can you really be excited to go back to school? I feel like I am going to get lost going to class.”

To that VVHS senior Madison Marshall, replied, “Getting lost is half the fun! Being back in school is so much better than online. Culinary and Theater are just things you can’t do over the internet.”