BUENA PARK, CA – Buena Park School District started the new school year with a series of lively drive-through welcoming events, where students were cheered onto campuses by teachers and received iPads, books and other materials to use during distance learning.

Each school was decorated with colorful banners to mark the start of the 2020-21 school year as teachers and administrators handed out supplies. Staff, students and their families wore masks and followed social distancing rules to maintain safety.

The District has started the school year with distance learning as part of its five-phase plan to mitigate COVID-19 illnesses. Distance learning will continue until the California Department of Public Health ensures that student and staff safety can be guaranteed in Orange County.

“Buena Park School District, specifically Emery School, did a phenomenal job of communicating with parents and families for the new school year,” said Anthony White, parent of Emery School first-grader Anthony White II. “The District did an amazing job anticipating the challenges of online learning and I’m grateful that our children are being safe while they’re being educated.”

Anthony White II said he’s excited to start first grade and is looking forward to excelling in math and English language arts. In fact, Anthony said he’s already started reading some of the books and materials he received during the distribution event.

Emery School Principal Julie Linnecke said the distribution events were important because it gave teachers and students the chance to meet face-to-face and build a rapport with a friendly hello.

“The Emery staff really wanted the opportunity to meet their students and provide them with the materials they would need at home,” Linnecke said. “It was heartwarming to see them begin to develop relationships even though it was from a social distance.”

Corey School Principal LaRonda Ortega said in addition to creating bonds with students, it is important to create working relationships with parents because parent-teacher communication is key to boosting student achievement.

“We were thrilled to see so many smiling students and parents during our distribution events, because it shows how strong our community is in the Buena Park School District,” Superintendent Dr. Ramon Miramontes said. “These are challenging times, but I know that our students, parents and staff are ready to continue igniting their passion for learning during another amazing school year.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

BUENAPARK_FIRSTDAY1: Emery School first-grader Anthony White II checks out his iPad at his homework space as he prepares for the first day of Buena Park School District’s 2020-21 school year.

BUENAPARK_FIRSTDAY2: Corey School kindergartener Olivia S. and mother Amy Gutierrez collected a basket of books and materials, an iPad and met her new teacher during a supply distribution event.