Mendota Elementary students excited to return in-person learning

Mendota Elementary District Superintendent Kristen School said she saw many happy students Monday.

After being fully remote since Nov. 10, the district returned to in-person learning.

“Oh my goodness, I witnessed firsthand the excitement,” School said. “I happened to be at Blackstone, so kindergarten and first grade. The students were leaping from the cars and busses. It was almost like the first day of school all over again.

“The students and staff were super excited to be back in the building together.”

The district is on a hybrid schedule because of an increase in the number of students wanting in-person learning, compared to first trimester when students attended daily.

“In the beginning of the year, with the numbers we had, we were able to come in person every day,” School said. “That changed once we had an increase in numbers wanting to come in person. We had to balance that with the safety of social distancing, including everything from lunch to being in the hallways and the classroom.”

Now, students in second through eighth grade are split in two groups, with one attending Mondays and Wednesdays and the second group attending Tuesdays and Thursdays. Both groups are doing blended learning on Fridays.

Kindergarten and first-grade students attended four days a week, while preschoolers attend in person every day.

“It’s going well,” School said.

The district will remain in this schedule until the end of the second trimester Feb. 26.

School said the district’s transition team will meet next week to put together a recommendation for the final trimester.

“The plan is to send another survey to our families at the end of the trimester,” School said. “We’ll enter into the last trimester with whatever the [attendance] numbers end up dictating at that point. It’s my hope, of course, we can get as many kids as possible safely in person learning, because we know that’s best.”

School commended the teachers and parents in the district for how they’ve handled the changing schedules this school year.

“I am very, very thankful and appreciative of the hard work our teachers have put in this year trying to balance in-person and remote [instruction],” School said. “They’re trying to provide for everybody’s needs. They’ve really worked hard at trying to find a balance and educating themselves too in this whole new world.

“I want to say thanks to our parents as well, because this is a whole new world for everyone, and we appreciate the support and all that parents are doing at home.”