Chico Unified School District to submit applications for in-person learning at several elementary sc

Butte County received ten Elementary school waivers that, if approved, could bring students back to the classroom.

Butte county received ten elementary school waivers that, if approved, could bring students back to the classroom.

Action news now reporter esteban reynoso is live outside shasta elementary, esteban, how do teachers and schools feel about bringing back in-person classes?

I spoke with the principal here at shasta elementary who tells me how the school feels about going back to in-person instruction.

The school board says this process will take time.

And parents have mixed reactions to sending their children back to the classroom.

"i definently miss my students, i definently miss the energy and the bustle of campus."

A chico unified teacher i spoke with says this school year -- things feel completely different.

"i mean when we walk on campus to start our day theres nobody here and it feels pretty lonely and i didn't get into teaching to have that feeling you know."

This fee waiver granted by the county is only for elementary schools, and those schools have to submit their own rubric on how to keep things safe.

"so when you're developing a plan they actually give you a very specific things you have to talk about, when this specific situation arises what are you going to do?

So there's a whole bunch of elements and they're all kind of safety related."

Now if the application is accepted that means we can start to see children back in the classrooms like these.

But being in a classroom during a pandemic means staying socially distant while wearing a mask.

Parents in chico have mixed reactions to possible in- person learning.

"kids need to be a part of socializing there, and getting the teachers help.

Parents have to work they don't get help they don't get the help the one on one attention."

"i'm thankful for the decision as a parent and as an employee.

I think safety should be a number one priority."

C-u-s-d says the parents play a big role in the application process.

"we're going to start sending some surveys out, and inviting them to some zoom type meetings just to kind of check in with them and get their thoughts."

And chico unified staff are ready for whatever is decided.

"i am on board with it if the staff anf the parents want to bring the kids back with the right safety protocols.

We're going to make it happen.

And if it's decided that they don't then we'll make the best of the situation that we are in now."

I spoke with other teachers off camera that were skeptical about returning to classrooms. when i visited i spoke with other teachers off camera that were skeptical about returning to classrooms. when i visited shasta behind me earlier, everyone had masks and wipes and hand sanitizer was accesible.

Live in chico, esteban reynoso for action news now, coverage you can count on.

There are a total of 12 elementary schools in chico unified.

All of them can submit an application to enter modified in- person learning with the butte county health department.