Community
WCCUSD New Superintendent Tours Schools as In-Person Instruction Returns
The West Contra Costa Unified School District welcomed back more than 27,000 students and 3,000 staff members for its first day of 100% in-person instruction in almost two years.
The West Contra Costa Unified School District welcomed back more than 27,000 students and 3,000 staff members for its first day of 100% in-person instruction in almost two years.
New Superintendent Dr. Kenneth Chris Hurst toured six of the district’s 54 schools on August 16, including its recently renamed middle school and its newest rebuilt school.
Hurst, who started on May 17, began the tour at Betty Reid Soskin Middle School, which was renamed after the famed Rosie the Riveter National Park Ranger and social activist on June 23. Hurst also planned to visit Helms Middle School, the district’s Virtual Academy School at Vista, Michelle Obama School, El Cerrito High School, and Lupine Hills Elementary School.
Michelle Obama School is the district’s newest rebuilt school and was also renamed before the 2020-2021 school year after the former first lady. Michelle Obama held a virtual grand opening celebration at the start of the 2020-2021 year but intended to welcome all students back to the rebuilt school on Monday.
“I am so excited to welcome back all students and staff for the district’s first day of 100% in-person instruction in almost two years,” Hurst said. “It has been an honor to work with the WCCUSD community to make this happen. We are excited to focus on students’ social-emotional well-being during our restorative start. The team has also worked extremely to ensure the proper mitigation strategies are in place to protect students and staff during this continued pandemic.”
WCCUSD spent the past three months working to reopen all of its 54 schools for 100% in-person instruction. The district released its reopening plan on July 19 and is following the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and Contra Costa County Health Services (CCCHS) guidance on reopening schools.
All students and staff are required to wear masks indoors and outdoors at all WCCUSD campuses and facilities. Additionally, the district requires staff members to either show proof of the COVID-19 vaccine or submit to weekly testing. WCCUSD is also following CCCHS recommendations and recommending all students get tested for Covid-19 weekly. The district is providing free weekly testing at all of its campuses.
The district has also implemented the following safety measures: improved ventilation to classrooms and areas that need it; urging all those eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine; following proper hand hygiene; telling students and staff to stay home if they are sick or feeling ill, and maintaining physical distancing where possible.
This report comes from the WCCCUSD Communications Department.
