TUCSON, Ariz. — Staff at Los Amigos Elementary taped up a sign that read 'Welcome back! We missed you.' to welcome Sunnyside students to hybrid learning Monday morning.
“I’ve been in the education field for 15 years and this was my topmost happiest moments, just seeing faces again [and] their smiles. You know, the confusion of I don’t know where my classes are but the simple ‘oh I’m going to get you there’ was so gratifying,” said Anisa Elias, teacher coach, and Sunnyside parent.
COVID-19 protocols were followed the moment students stepped out of their vehicles. Students with masks grabbed their breakfast and walked to their classrooms to meet their teachers in-person, for the first time.
It's a scenario Elias said she couldn't have ever imagined.
“If you would’ve asked me even in February, I was like, 'no this is never going to happen' and it did,” she exclaimed.
District spokeswoman Marisela Felix said a lot of work went into how students would be welcomed back -- giving parents choice since each family's situation is different.
“Parents had the option to choose between remaining in remote for quarter two or coming back for hybrid. We also worked with teachers who had different situations- on a case by case scenario,” said Felix.
53 percent of Sunnyside students chose the hybrid model and all students will be split into two cohorts — A and B.
At Los Amigos, no more than 15 students will be in each classroom, according to Elias.
“Cohort A is here on Monday and Thursday. Cohort b is on campus Tuesday and Friday. [This] means Wednesday all students are off-campus in remote learning. That will be the day that is assigned to deep cleaning,” explained Felix.
Felix added that cleaning measures will be in place throughout the day and after students leave the campuses.
