In-person learning for some to start April 21 at San Jose Unified Schools
SAN JOSE, Calif. - It is the news some parents have been waiting almost a year to hear, as more Bay Area school districts are moving towards resuming in-person classes.
San Jose Unified School District announced to parents Friday evening that its schools will be reopening to some students in April.
Grades Pre-K through 12th grade will be allowed back starting April 21.
The district says about a third of students indicated a desire to return in-person when they were surveyed in November.
Parents will be allowed to change their choice, and the district says it can accommodate about 50% of students in each class because of physical distancing requirements.
"We do have some schools with much higher percentages where we may not be able to accommodate everyone who wants in-person, so we still have those details to work through," said Jennifer Maddox, San Jose Unified School District's Public Information Officer.
The announcement comes one day after Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District board decided to bring back all students who choose to return in-person starting March 22.
"I was ecstatic. I've been waiting for this moment since March 13 when we shut down," said Kristin Lendzion, a parent of a Livermore kindergartner.
Livermore Valley Joint Unified's Superintendent Kelly Bowers says flowers are now showing up at her work and home.
"I think it's been a long time coming and..there's been some disappointments throughout the year when we went to..red and purple tier so there's this feeling that...it's actually happening," said Bowers.
But people at some high school districts are upset it's not happening for them.
"All my friends, all we talk about is fantasizing about going back to school," said Los Gatos High School freshman Allison Black.
In front of her high school Friday evening, more than 40 people held signs to urge leaders to resume in-person classes for Los Gatos and Saratoga High Schools.
"They're telling us even when we do start, we're only going to get one hour a week for the kids which is just totally unacceptable," said parent Suzanne Nestor.
In San Jose Friday evening, a similar rally was held at Leigh High School where families also rallied to resume in-person learning.
"Every time I hear (about) a school opening, I'm just thrilled. It only bums me out a little that they're not going to open until April," said parent Gina Ashe.
San Jose Unified's spokeswoman says the reason it settled on April 21 is based on four weeks needed to fully vaccinate teachers and staff, along with the desire to start on a Wednesday and avoid starting too close to the planned Spring Break.
You can find more on the district's in-person learning plans here.
Vaccines for teachers set aside, but how long until they're all vaccinated?