On a recent Thursday, David Miyashiro, superintendent of Cajon Valley Union School District, stood outside of Chase Avenue Elementary in El Cajon waiting on a reporter (me, that is) so he could begin a tour. Miyashiro was dressed in a polo shirt with his district’s logo and long, baggy black shorts, reminiscent of ‘90s-era basketball. He had on black New Balances with white socks. Despite his casual appearance, he was anxious to get going, like a dad waiting on dithering kids at the zoo. Miyashiro had been trying to convince the county Health and Human Services Agency to send someone to see the work he’d been doing: namely, keeping his schools running over the summer at roughly 30 percent capacity. On this day, the department finally sent someone.
Miyashiro wanted to make it clear that schools can in fact be opened safely. He wanted the county representative to see this neatly ordered world he created, so that such a program might be brought to other schools districts across California. The tour took visitors through a day in the life of students and teachers in the middle of a pandemic. Parents can no longer get out of their vehicles when they drop students off. They must arrive during a pre-scheduled window. Before entering the school, students and visitors have their temperature checked with a forehead-scanning thermometer. A school worker standing near the entrance gate asks if they have had any symptoms or been in contact with someone with COVID-19.
“We saw a real impact to the youngest kids. They had been home with their families for so long in what can be a socially sterile environment. When they came back it took two or three days to start seeing the light in their eyes and their interests come back,” said Brian Handley, the school’s principal. “Some of our students live in two-bedroom apartments with siblings and their parents. … Imagine the emotional toll that takes on kids. They were hurting. This gives them a safe place where they can have fun. The fun part and being with their peers is where we’re seeing the sparkle come back in their eyes.”
Miyashiro made this plan work by using money from the CARES Act. The program serves mostly children of essential workers, who he gave priority in being able to access it. He had to bring back custodial workers, teaching assistants, principals and teachers. Only those who wanted to return were asked to come back. In all, Miyashiro brought back 900 staff members. They were paid with the CARES money, which totaled more than $10 million. Cajon Valley serves grades K-8 and has roughly 17,000 students. More than 6,000 students took part in the extended summer learning. For free.
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