Page 11 - Mid Valley Times 10-8-20 E-dition

Thursday, October 8, 2020
Hillcrest Pumpkin Patch opens to public
The View From Here
It was late in the evening, on Oct. 2 when I received a text from Renee Del- port.
For those
who don’t
know, Renee
is the public information of- ficer at Kings Canyon Uni- fied School District. She was texting me to let me know they’d received some great news.
Renee told me they’d been given the green light by the California Department of Public Health to return their TK-6 students back to on campus learning. I replied, “That’s great news Renee!”
As adults, we imagine that taking a break from school for students is probably a dream come true.
I learned however that through this entire COV- ID-19 situation many of the students are not too fond of distance learning and would rather be inside a classroom.
And, believe it or not, this includes middle school stu- dents. “I just don’t like being home anymore,” one student said. “I miss having a sched- ule, being in school.”
I feel that this entire pan- demic has taught us a les- son, maybe our routines, the ones we sometimes grudg- ingly make it through each day, aren’t so bad after all. I wish all the schools the best of luck.
Last week another dis- trict, the Sanger Unified School District announced they’d also applied for the waiver but a return to class- es was not likely to happen anytime soon.
“When considering re- opening, we must be diligent about logistics and strict adherence to our existing safety culture,” wrote Adela Jones, SUSD superintendent. “Consequently a reopening in October will not occur, in- stead we will use this time for logistic planning.”
We posted the announce- ment onto our Facebook page and most Sanger parents were not too thrilled about the delay.
I can’t blame these par- ents for their frustration.
However, I also feel that Superintendent Jones knows what’s best for her faculty and staff. I have faith that Sanger will also be back to “the norm” in no time.
Each one of us have re- sponded differently to the pandemic. Some have taken it seriously and with great caution. Others have taken regulations lightly.
In the end though, what matters is that we do what we feel is right, and follow some of the rules to ensure the safety of those around us.
Hours of Operation
Open only on weekends from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Oct. 10 & Oct. 11 Oct. 17 & Oct. 18 Oct. 24 & 25 Oct. 31 & Nov. 1
By Juanita Adame
Mid Valley Times
Plenty of visitors made their way to Hillcrest Pump- kin Patch in Reedley for their debut weekend on Oct. 3&4.
“This is opening week- end, and it’s been super busy in the morning and really calm in the afternoon,” said Melissa Bautista, owner at
Hillcrest.
“We plan to stay open un-
til November 1 if everything goes as planned.”
Bautista said this will be unlike any other year they've been open due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
And added that they’ve modified the farm and have trained their employees to stay in line with safety pre- cautions.
“We are recommending and trying to require all our guests to wear masks and follow the six feet distanc-
ing rule,” she said.
“For the most part people
are following the rules, we see about 95 percent of our visitors wearing their masks, visitors are also really good about keeping their distanc- es when waiting in line with other families.”
For more information, times and prices at Hillcrest visit, hillcrestreedley.com, or contact, (559) 638-2762.
Juanita Adame
Photos by Juanita Adame / Mid Valley Times
Families enjoyed the opening weekend at Hillcrest Pumpkin Patch in Reedley. Melissa Bautista, owner, said they ask guests to follow all COVID-19 guidelines while visiting the location.
KCUSD waiver approved for in person instruction
By Juanita Adame
Mid Valley Times
The Kings Canyon Unified School District announced on Oct. 2 that a waiver allowing their students in grades TK- 6 to return to on campus in- struction was approved.
“Yesterday, we received great news!” wrote John Campbell, the district superin- tendent in a memo to parents and faculty.
“As we move forward with our plans to begin in-person instruction, I am confident that the measures we are im- plementing will allow students and staff members to return safely.”
The news from the district came in just days after an- other the approval for a local school was announced.
St. La Salle Catholic School announced on Sept. 22 that the California Department of Public Health approved their
waiver and their students in grades TK-6 returned to class- es at St. La Salle on Sept. 28.
“KCUSD is following all guidance provided by local and state health officials to ensure we are making every effort to provide a safe envi- ronment,” wrote Campbell.
“As you know, there have been frequent changes to safety practices since March. In addition to the measures outlined on our website, we have recently been informed that all students and staff members will be required to self-certify every day before coming to campus.”
Campbell also included in the memo the information per- taining to potential start days for students.
“Please refer to the let- ter to see if your child’s first day of in-person instruction is Thursday, October 15 or Fri-
SEE WAIVER on page B8
Contributed
The Kings Canyon Unified School District announced late last week that a waiver to return to on campus instruction had been approved for students in grades TK- 6.
Photo of the week
Dinuba 'Paint Night' Friday, Oct. 23
Contributed
Participants can contact the Dinuba Chamber of Commerce for more information.
Mid Valley Times
The Dinuba Chamber of Commerce will be hosting Dia de los Muertos Paint Night Celebrating Life on Friday, Oct. 23 at the Alta District His- torical Society located at 289 South K Street.
Come join the celebration of life affirming joy with spir-
its, food, raffle, art, music and fun. Gates open at 6 p.m. and the painting party is from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. The event is for 21 and over and tickets must be purchased.
No entry tickets will be sold. For additional informa- tion and ticket prices, please contact the Dinuba Chamber of Commerce at 559-591-2707.
Contributed
When life gives you lemons. Reedley 4H Club's "Lemonade" themed decorated window is now on display at Sam's Shoe Store in downtown Reedley. Photo sent in by Tonya Pennebaker. Have a photo you'd like featured? Email juanita@midvalleypub- lishing.com.