Page 7 - Mid Valley Times 9-24-20 E-edition

Thursday, September 24, 2020
Reedley schools plan a return to 'in-person' learning
The View From Here
It goes
without say-
ing that each
time we post
a story or an
update on
any of our
social media
platforms
having to
do with the
battle between Immanuel Schools and the Fresno County Health Department, a battle of almost equal pro- portion begins to unravel in the comments section.
There are strong opin- ions on both sides of the is- sue. Those in support of Im- manuel staying open say it’s time for students to return to school and they won’t stay quiet any longer.
Those in opposition of the return to in class instruc- tion claim that citizens need to listen to the health de- partment’s orders and stay home. Each side is loud. Each side is opinionated and each side is not budging on their stance.
Last week however, a couple of major announce- ments took the spotlight away from Immanuel and focused it elsewhere. The same announcements almost overruled the Immanuel vs. Health Department issue by default.
The details of the an- nouncements were about a waiver having to do with the state government’s School Reopening Plan. Both KCUSD and St. La Salle Catholic Schools applied for the waiver.
And, as of 2 p.m. on Sept. 22, we learned that St. La Salle's waiver was ap- proved. Students will return to school on Sept. 28.
There was no word on the status of KCUSD's waiver as of Sept. 22.
So what does this mean for Immanuel Schools? Worse yet, what does this mean for the contentious arguments happening in our comments section? All that time it took to write a ra- tionalization and then to re- spond with these courtroom worthy rebuttals.
I guess what I’m trying to get at, is we often wrap ourselves up in these online battles and let them trigger our emotions.
We allow these argu- ments to steal away our in- ner peace and why? Only to prove why our point is right. Yet when an announcement comes along and overrules each of our arguments our opinion filled balloons and argument deflate.
I'm hoping we as a soci- ety can learn to express our differences and continue to fight for what we believe is right. But always keep in mind that at any given mo- ment our arguments can be- come pointless.
class learning could be pos- sible in the coming weeks.
The first announcement, made just after 4 p.m. on Sept. 17 by the Kings Canyon Uni- fied School District advised parents that following a meet- ing with the Fresno Depart- ment of Public Health.
They applied for a waiver that upon approval would al- low students in grades TK through 6th to return to school on Oct. 15.
“In the request for the waiver, we will outline how our students will safely return in a hybrid model," said John Campbell, district superin- tendent, in the statement re- leased to parents.
“The Fresno County De- partment of Public Health further indicated that the re- turn of students in grades 7 - 12 is likely to soon follow if the current number of COVID
cases in the county continues to decline.”
The second waiver an- nouncement, made by St. La Salle Catholic School on Sept. 18 and approved by the health department on Sept. 22, ad- vised parents and staff that because of the approval they'd return to students to in person instruction on Monday, Sept. 28.
The Fresno County De- partment of Public Health released details about the waiver on Sept. 16. The de- partment explained that for those counties on the moni- toring list, they'd allow a dis- trict superintendent, private school, principal or head of school or executive director of a charter school to apply for a waiver from their local health office to open an ele- mentary school for in person
SEE WAIVER on page A8
Juanita Adame
File Photo
A time before COVID-19. Two students look for their names on a class roster during the first day of school in 2019.
By Juanita Adame
The Mid Valley Times
trict, and the other by St. La Salle Catholic School in Reed- ley— and both made in less
Two major announce- than a 24-hour period, left
ments— one by the Kings Canyon Unified School Dis-
KCUSD parents and students hopeful that a return to in
Dinuba Veterans make donations for Vietnam Memorial Wall
Contributed
The Vietnam Memorial Wall in Dinuba is undergoing some improvements as lo- cal Veterans and supporters are working together to build some permanent structures around the landmark.
The wall was recently taken down as crews worked to build a permanent cement base for it as well as a sidewalk, and landscape.
The Memorial Wall was ini- tially sponsored by The Amer- ican Legion Alta Post 19, and its president Joe T. Rivera and soon after a non profit for the wall was formed called The Western Regional Vietnam Memorial Wall Foundation.
For donation information or to volunteer, contact (408) 460-8708.
Contributed
American Legion Dinuba Alta Post-19 Commander Jacob Huerta and Adjutant Joe T. Rivera presented a check for $1,000 to Wall Director Moses Ibarra and Finance Officer Frank Nunez. They are surrounded by volunteers from Dinuba Post-19, Vietnam Veterans of American Chapter 646 are donating $5,000 to also help complete the project.
Sanger officer goes from patrolling streets to school hallways
Photo of the week
Sergio Arguello worked in pa- trol before making the move to school resource officer.
Contributed
A Sanger Police Officer recently made the move from patrolling the streets to patrol- ling the hallways of Washing- ton Academic Middle School or WAMS in Sanger.
“I have been working for the Sanger Police Department
for over four years as a Patrol Officer,” said Sergio Arguel- lo. “I was born and raised in Sanger and can relate to many issues teenagers and children can go through in school.”
Arguello added on the de- partment’s Facebook page that not only is the change different because its a new position, but also because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“As the School Resource Officer at WAMS, I will assist the staff with providing secu- rity, discipline, and counseling to students," he said. "I will also reach out to the elemen- tary schools in the district in order to secure the safety of the school and staff.”
Arguello said his goal is to reach out to all students and help them achieve success in school.
“I am always available to help and if parents/students have any questions, concerns, or just want to talk feel free to contact me at WAMS, or at the Sanger Police Department.”
Contributed
Making Reedley proud. Briana Renee Cortez proudly displayed her Grand Canyon University flag after graduating with a 4.0 grade point average and Summa Cum Laude. Have a photo you'd like featured? Email juanita@midvalleypublishing.com.