Page 11 - Mid Valley Times 10-1-20 E-edition

Thursday, October 1, 2020
On campus learning starts for Reedley school
The View From Here
I would first like to say thank you to Dan- ny Jimenez.
Danny told me he had an ex- tra mask he wanted to get rid of.
Juanita Adame
By Juanita Adame
Mid Valley Times
Students at St. La Salle Catholic School in Reedley celebrated their first day back to “on campus instruc- tion” on Monday Sept. 28.
And, aside from all the excitement and nervous- ness that first days bring- students were first required to pass a health screening before stepping onto the campus.
“The health screening and check in process will happen every single day,” said Sister Lucy Cassarino, principal at St. La Salle. “This means as far as taking their temperatures, keeping their distance, the sanitizing areas, those are the gospel rules.”
SEE ST. LA SALLE on page B10
He stopped in by our Reedley office on the after- noon of Sept. 30.
Danny was dressed in his Reedley High School attire, like the longtime proud Pirate he is.
He grabbed the mask [which was in a plastic bag] from his pocket. “It’s burn- ing a hole in my hand,” he said with a laugh. “Here, please take it.”
Danny pulled out a Sanger High School Apache’s mask and set it on the counter. For those who don’t know, the Sanger High School - Reedley High School rivalry has been on- going for years.
As far back as I can re- member Sanger High and Reedley High have been at war. I just happen to be a Sanger High graduate and work in Reedley, so I get teased quite often.
The rivalry, however, has taken a back seat this year due to COVID-19.
Hopefully as cases drop and life resumes back to normal we can once again be on the football field bat- tling it out for bragging rights and treasure chests.
This last week of Sep- tember marked a big mile- stone in the city of Reedley and Fresno County.
On Monday, Sept. 28, St. La Salle began their first day of on campus instruc- tion. Students were lined up in front of the school, up bright, early and eager to fi- nally put distance learning behind them.
At the gate, Sister Lu- cy Cassarino, the school’s principal welcomed her students back with smiles and socially distant words of encouragement.
The school is one of the first in this area to be ap- proved to begin on campus instruction.
We learned last week that several schools and districts in Fresno County have applied for a waiver that, if approved, will allow students in grades TK-6 to return back to class.
The Kings Canyon Uni- fied School District also announced last week that they too had applied for the waiver and area currently awaiting a decision.
The decline in COVID-19 cases gives us all hope that we are doing what it takes as a society to bring the numbers down. This is al- lowing for us to return to
SEE COLUMN on page B10
Juanita Adame / Mid Valley Times
Students were required to pass a health screening before stepping onto the campus, once cleared the student was told to walk to their class and wait in line standing six feet from other students.
'Plant Swap' gaining traction in London
By George M. Villagrana
Mid Valley Times
Hodge’s Community Center is now the site of a weekly plant swap thanks in part to Dinuba High senior Angel Hernandez and Connie Huerta, community resource liaison for the center.
Hernandez, who is involved in the school’s student council as publicity chairman and as a Link Crew leader, said the Lon- don Plant Swap came to reality after teaming with Huerta.
“I came up with the idea by brainstorming with Connie on how to engage the community during the pandemic, and in a way that we can socially dis- tance and wear a mask,” Her- nandez said.
The only rule is to bring a plant from home and trade it for one on a shelf, according to Hernandez.
“All are welcome”, Her- nandez added. The plant swap
started on Sept. 11 and will continue as long as the weather permits, according to Hernan- dez. “The feedback has been really good,” Hernandez said. “People of all ages have been coming out to trade plants and the smile on their face is very rewarding.”
Hernandez admits that he is not really into planting, but likes the way the plants beau- tifies homes and brings joy to people’s lives. “I thought it would be a great addition to our community,” he said.
The plant swap is every Fri- dayfrom3p.m.-5p.m.atthe community center located at 5750 Ave. 378 in Dinuba. Masks are required. Hernandez is al- so seeking plant donations and contributions for the project. For additional information, contact Huerta at 559-595-0723.
It's Christmas in September for Church of Christ in Orosi
Photo Contributed
The Church of Christ in Orosi celebrated Christmas on Sept. 24 to Sept. 25.
Contributed
Max Lopez, resident of Dinuba, held up two of his plants. He came to support the community project on Sept. 25.
Photo of the week
By George M. Villagrana
Mid Valley Times
Crusaders of the Divine Church of Christ in Orosi, located at 12240 Avenue 416, held a Christmas Celebration and Program on Thursday and Friday, Sept. 24-25.
On Thursday night there was a Christmas program and on Friday there was a flag ceremony and a program. Crusaders of the Divine
Church of Christ, celebrates Christmas September 25 and have different members all over the world.
The church in Orosi is the first church that is estab- lished overseas. There are also churches in Honolulu and Maui Hawaii, and have members from Europe, Lon- don, Belgium, Saudi Arabia, United Arabe of Emirates, and Malaysia.
Contributed
Sara Scroggins, a coach at Gnardog Crossfit in Reedley demon- strated her weight lifting abilities as others looked on. Have a photoyou'dlikefeatured? Emailjuanita@midvalleypublishing. com.