BUENA PARK, CA – Students in Buena Park School District’s Early Learning Programs gathered on campus for the return of in-person instruction, providing them with a renewed opportunity to meet new friends, build relationships with their teachers, and continue their educational growth.

The District’s phased reopening has begun with its youngest students in state preschool and special education early learning classrooms at Buena Park Learning Center, Gilbert, Pendleton and Whitaker schools. Students and staff continue to follow prescribed health and safety measures, including rigorous sanitizing routines, wearing masks and practicing social distancing.

“It is so awesome to have the children back at school because my daughter needs to have one-on-one communication with the teacher,” said Paul Carroll, father of a pre-schooler. “Zoom was okay for her but she had trouble focusing sometimes. It’s very important for her educational growth to be back.”

Lessons are taught in minimum day hybrid classes, providing a blend of in-person and distance learning. Starting March 1, the District will allow TK through eighth grade students to be back for in-person instruction. A minimum day schedule is planned for the foreseeable future.

Some district teachers, specialists and instructional assistants have started receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, aiding District efforts to promote the health and safety of students and staff.

“Our District has made a firm commitment to making sure that our schools are safe for everyone,” BP Learning Center Principal Mary Beckelheimer said. “We are so thrilled to have our students back in person.”

The District hosts monthly meetings for its COVID-19 task force and regular meetings for its safety committee to improve campus safety protocols by using data from the Centers for Disease Control, the Orange County Health Care Agency and California Department of Public Health.

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“We are so happy to be welcoming our students back onto campus because we know that in-person lessons are the building block for developing communication skills and boosting social-emotional growth,” Superintendent Dr. Ramon Miramontes said.

PHOTO CAPTION:

BUENAPARK_REOPENING1: Buena Park Learning Center pre-school students enjoy the first day of their return to in-person instruction. The District’s phased reopening has begun with early learning programs at Buena Park Learning Center, Gilbert, Pendleton and Whitaker schools.