This OC school has been back in classrooms for months. Here's how they're successfully navigating COVID

As a lot more kids are finally heading back to their classrooms, one Orange County school resumed in-person instruction months ago - and so far, they've found success.

John Gregory Image
Friday, February 26, 2021
OC school safely returns to classroom learning
School is in session at the Orange Unified School districts Jordan Academy; in fact it's been in session for months. And despite the ongoing pandemic, kids, teachers, and parents seem to be happy about it.

ORANGE, Calif. (KABC) -- School is in session at the Orange Unified School districts Jordan Academy. In fact, it's been in session for months. And despite the ongoing pandemic, kids, teachers and parents seem to be happy about it.



"It's better at school, we can learn a little more," said student Francis Santista.



"I was nervous at first, but their school has done a really good job," said parent Samantha Benno.



"When they came back to school, it was really nice because we had a piece of normalcy," said teacher Denise Fletthall.



Safety protocols mean plenty of social distancing, mask wearing and disinfecting. And many kids are still home learning online. And even with all the safety protocols, Jordan Academy has had its share of COVID cases.



RELATED | SoCal girl cries for joy when told she's returning to school


Reflecting an end to the anxiety that many students have experienced over the past year, a Redondo Beach fourth grader cried for joy when her mom told her she'd be going back to school soon.

"Everybody is notified of exposure, and from there, we take the proper precautions and the allotted time they're supposed to be off campus," said Principal Lorena Rubio.



The cases have been isolated, and there have been no outbreaks. One of the real surprises for educators is that the kids are really trying to do their part to be safe.



"They are really good about it. I think they wanted to be here as much as we want to be back in and teaching," said Fletthall.



Months into on-campus learning and the faculty and students at Jordan Academy have learned a lot. Most of all, being face to face beats online learning, even if it means wearing a mask.



RELATED | Outdoor classroom setup gives Watts students new learning option


A Watts Community school has become a make-shift oasis of learning and play. It's for children who may very well have been lost in the shuffle of online classes during the pandemic... in a neighborhood that was already struggling with poverty and a lack of resources.
Copyright © 2024 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.