At long last, Ventura Unified's secondary students return to campus

On Monday, Ventura Unified School District's secondary students arrived on campus for the start of their hybrid learning program.

Superintendent Roger Rice said the district is excited to bring students back for in-person instruction.

"Our teachers, site leaders and support staff have all done a tremendous job so far, and I am confident that excellent work will continue," he said in a statement. "I have received a great many emails from parents who are equally excited that their children are able to return now and full time, every day in the fall."

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This week marks the first time that students at all grade levels have returned to in-person learning in Ventura Unified since schools shut down March last year. Most students are doing hybrid learning – part of the time and in person and the rest at home. 

As of Monday, about 4,600 students — or two-thirds of the elementary student body — are committed to full-time in-person learning, according to Marieanne Quiroz, the district's communications coordinator. 

Among the approximate 3,600 middle schoolers in the district, one-third attend in-person classes on Mondays and Tuesdays. Another third is set to attend Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Similarly, among the approximate 5,300 high school students, about one-third attend in-person classes on Mondays and Tuesdays, and another third is set to attend Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Quiroz said secondary students in the current two-day hybrid model will attend class on campus every day starting April 26.

Shivani Patel covers education for The Star as a Report for America corps member. Reach her at shivani.patel@vcstar.com or 805-603-6573. She is also on Twitter at @shivaaanip.