The moment the morning bell rang Thursday, kindergartners at Pasadena’s Willard Elementary School returned to class for the first time since the Eaton Fire roared through the area – fully aware of what the 5-year-old is doing best. was engaged in.
Four children hosted a dinner party, complete with plastic food and dolls. “Ice cream and tomatoes – yuck!” one girl said to her classmates. “Once I eat, I’m going to get some doo-doo.”
Pasadena Unified Schools officials are enjoying this small moment of levity, a respite from more than two weeks of tragedy and a massive cleaning effort to prepare the campus for reopening.
In all, 10 district schools and programs welcomed more than 3,400 students Thursday as part of the initial phase of openings. They included Hamilton Elementary School, Blair Middle School and Rose City High School.
“It feels great to see beautiful school buildings,” said Jennifer Hall Lee, president of the Pasadena Unified School Board. “Rebuilding and revitalization is essential. For everyone in PUSD and beyond.”
The district, which closed its 24 campuses on Jan. 8 (the day after the fire broke out), can bring back children only after tests show they are safe under state emergency services standards. The meticulous cleanup, which employs 1,500 workers, has continued for the past two weeks and has removed more than 100 tons of debris so far.
“If someone had told me I was going to rebuild the school district in 14 days, I would have told them it wasn’t possible,” said Supt. Elizabeth Blanco. “But…we have the right team of people…that love this district.”
Five district-owned school facilities were severely damaged or destroyed in the inferno, including the historic Elliott Arts Magnet. Three charter schools housed on the district’s site were among those lost.
The second phase of school reopening will see an additional 5,400 students return to classrooms. The third phase adds 5,000. The district aims to have all students back to in-person learning by the end of January.
Parents milled around the entrance as children streamed into Willard ahead of the 7:50 a.m. start of classes. One father, Arthur Sierra, said he was nervous about sending his 5-year-old daughter Alina to kindergarten, but was relieved to learn the district had implemented a major cleaning program. He said that Alina has asthma.
“We were worried just because of what was going on. The media was explaining the negative possibilities that could happen in terms of what we were breathing. “Sierra said. “[District personnel] We’ve done all our due diligence and it’s still a possibility. ”
Despite this, Sierra said she is excited to have her daughter back at school. He also felt a little relieved. “It’s kind of hard to provide the same level of stimulation as parents coming to school for eight hours,” he said.
As Sierra spoke, a crew of workers in neon yellow vests was nearby clearing brush.
“We just hope for the best,” he said. “You know, day by day.”
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