By Lanae Bays , Public Information Officer , Morgan Hill Unified School District

California Governor Gavin Newsom ordered that most schools buildings remain closed in the fall due to the surge in COVID-19 cases . After a seemingly endless “ COVID summer ” of cancelled vacations and social distancing , the school year started off in August with students learning remotely on Zoom with teachers instructing remotely either from home or their classrooms on campus . The new , robust distance learning plan promised to be a vast improvement from the distance learning plan of Spring 2020 . Our school buildings were open once again , but only for staff and teachers , with strict health and safety protocols developed and put in place by a specified task force .

In September , Santa Clara County was placed in the “ Red Tier ” or Tier 2 , which allowed schools to open up for in-person instruction . While this caused a flurry of both excitement and uncertainty , the Morgan Hill Unified Board of Education recommended that the schools remain closed until January 4 . Meanwhile the district ’ s Health and Safety Task Force continued to diligently address protocols for the eventual return of students . Superintendent Steve Betando received many emails and phone calls from parents , thanking the district for putting the safety of the children and staff first . But we could not ignore feedback from parents of students who were struggling with distance learning . Their kids needed to be back in school , they said . There were also many teachers who could see their students struggling and longed to teach them in-person in the classroom . And then , in early October , Santa Clara County things were looking up when a Revised Risk Reduction Order from Public Health put us in the Orange Tier .

On November 4 , the district launched the Early Return Pilot Program with six elementary classes in the first phase of the Pilot . This program utilizes a solution implemented by our technology department , enabling teachers to teach students in the classroom concurrently with students at home for a portion of the instructional day . The Early Return Lead Pilot Teachers are : Traci Golubock and Danielle Dunio from El Toro Elementary , Jamiliee Lefevre and Garner Green from Nordstrom Elementary , Emily O ’ Brien from San Martin / Gwinn Environmental Science Academy , and Nicki Malek from Barrett Elementary . So far , the pilot has had a successful start .

“... One of the hardest things about virtual learning is that as teachers we have been working twice as hard without any reassurance that what we are doing is working . In just a few days of teaching in the Pilot , I have seen students have those ‘ Ah-HA ’ moments that make teaching so sweet . I love having

my students back in the classroom with me ,” says O ’ Brien of her 5th grade class .

Golubock , who is also teaching 5th grade , observed , “ Seeing the kiddos in person reminds me of why I love teaching — their smiles , seeing them persevere , ask questions , not give up , work together , and be silly ... until we experienced these COVID changes , I didn ’ t even realize the full extent of the huge positive , empowering impact school has on kids .”

Enthusiastic , happy children arrive on campus for a health screen check , all wearing face coverings , and ready to begin their school days . Adherence to health and safety protocols is a must , to ensure this Pilot will not only continue , but expand .

“ These teachers are leading the way for all of the teachers to bring students back into the classroom . They are showing that it can be done ,” said Superintendent Betando .

GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN WINTER 2021 gmhtoday . com

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