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March 29, 2024 1:07 am
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Long walk back to class: VV Kids Return To School

By BOBBIE GREEN

The Progress

Crossing guard Wes Boger offers a fist bump to a young students as he helps him and his family across the street on a busy first day of school in front of Virgin Valley Elementary School on Monday morning. PHOTO BY BOBBIE GREEN/The Progress

Mesquite schools opened on Monday, August 8 and both students and teachers streamed back into the classroom for another year. The kids and teachers are even more excited for the fact that COVID restriction have been reduced and everyone can see one another again, no masks.

It was a busy morning at the Virgin Valley Elementary School (VVES) where the first day of school was a family affair. Parentsm younger siblings and nanas escorted their jubilant or sometimes bashful students back to school.

VVES principal Mathew Bennett said that he is happy how the new school team has come together to prepare for the school year. The school has hired several new teachers keeping their class sizes down to an average of about 24 students per teacher.
“We will have the school garden this year and we will be implementing a new science curriculum called Amplify Science,” Bennett said.

The VVettes Drill Team give their first performance of the school year to a packed house at a morning assembly at Virgin Valley High School on Monday. PHOTO BY AMY DAVIS/The Progress

Bennett invites parents to volunteer to participate and watch out for upcoming PTO-sponsored School Organizational Team (SOT) elections where parent representatives are elected for to serve on the SOT.
“That is the team that helps us make important decisions about the school budget, school performance and funds we receive,” Bennett said..

Bennett also reminded that, while the mask mandate has lifted, some children will still arrive at school wearing masks. The regulations require anyone returning after an exposure to a COVID-19 positive person, after testing positive for COVID-19, or after returning to work or school without testing, due to symptoms will still be required to wear a mask for five days upon their return.

Virgin Valley High School principal Riley Frei, said, that he and his team are looking forward to another school year.
“We have added new staff and we have new energy!” Frei said.

Local students pause for a moment for a photo out in front of Virgin Valley Elementary School on Monday’s first day back to school. PHOTO BY BOBBIE GREEN/The Progress

VVHS has expanded its Intervention Program in Math and English. The program gives special help to those students that have gotten behind in their math and english skills when reaching high school.
Ms. Cyndee Lanctot is serving as the interim Vice Principal. Meanwhile the school is in the process of recruiting a permanent administrator for that position.

Frei was happy about some new upgrades that have been made at the high school. He added that a new shade structure would be coming soon.

Hughes Middle School Principal Maury Perkins is excited to have school back in session. He has five new teachers enabling them to reduce the number of students per class.
“We have an accelerated Math curriculum coordinating with the elementary school fifth graders getting them prepared,” Perkins said. “We are also looking forward to a full year of learning.”

Siblings Jaxon and Logan Linge make the first-day trudge back to school on Monday morning. PHOTO BY BOBBIE GREEN/The Progress

J.L. Bowler Elementary School Principal Chris Jenkins also expressed enthusiasm about the new beginning.
“We are excited and thrilled to welcome back the students and grateful not to be under the effects of COVID regulations,” Jenkins said.

Jenkins explained that his school uses the Franklin Covey method: Seven- Habits of Highly Effective Leadership. The school has utilized this platform for the past 5 years and found it has been very successful in helping the children learn leadership qualities, Jenkins said.

The incoming class of VVHS freshman are escorted into the morning assembly parade style by the band on Monday, the first day of school. PHOTO BY AMY DAVIS/The Progress

“The smaller class sizes at our school, with the largest being at 21 students per teacher and lower than that, will help the kids recover from the COVID shutdown,” Jenkins added.

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