Temecula Valley USD Elementary Students Finally Return To Class

TEMECULA, CA — After a year of distance learning on computer screens, Temecula Valley Unified School District's elementary students got the opportunity to return to their classrooms Tuesday.

Students across all 16 TVUSD elementary campuses were finally transitioning to on-campus instruction after the county and state gave the district the green light.

The families of about 3,600 TVUSD TK-5 students opted to remain in an online learning mode, while about 7,400 learners in those grades returned to campus Tuesday, according to the district.

"I am excited to see students back on campus. It signals a significant step towards a return to traditional learning," said TVUSD Superintendent Dr. Jodi McClay. "I am equally as excited to continue to serve our online learners. The pandemic has created opportunities to expand TVUSD’slearning options for students and serve them beyond the classroom walls.”

According to McClay, the district's elementary administrators, teachers, and staff have worked tirelessly to implement the required protocols to support on-campus health and safety. These include the use of face coverings for all, social distancing, plexiglass, and cleaning and disinfecting.

“I am thrilled, amazed, awe-struck, and filled will gratitude to our TVUSD staff for the incredible work they have undertaken to get our sites safely ready while at the same time putting such heart and thought into creating innovative spaces to spark students excitement,” McClay said. “My goal is that our teachers give our students love, care, and create a genuine sense of connection for the remainder of the school year.”

For elementary students who returned to class Tuesday, it is a hybrid learning model. The students are attending classes in the morning or afternoon for 2.5 hours of learning. For the instructional time that the student is not with a teacher, students are learning remotely, the district said.

All students are getting the support they need, whether returning to campus or remaining online, according to the district.

“Providing options to best support each student is critical," McClay said. "This is the first of many transitions ahead as we look to not just return but to embrace and build on TVUSD’s future with added choices including a homeschool, virtual platforms, learning centers, and more.”

TVUSD students in grades 6-12 are scheduled to be back on campus April 5. The county moved into the red tier Tuesday, which means all schools may reopen.