More Fresno County elementary students to return to campus

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Class will be back in session in person next week for thousands of Fresno County elementary school students after health officials determined county COVID case rates and healthcare system capacity are improving.

"It means you're going to be in a classroom 6 feet apart wearing masks, social distancing in place," said Fresno County Superintendent of Schools Jim Yovino.

The announcement impacts schools which were already in the process of phasing students back to in-person learning prior to winter break.

"This does not change anything for those who have never brought any students back," said Yovino.

In late December, the county health department told districts to put a pause on phasing students back to in-person learning because of rising case rates and scarce ICU capacity.

But a letter from Dr. Rais Vohra on Wednesday evening said those K-6 school sites with previously approved re-opening plans could bring the remaining students back next week.

At Clovis Unified, about 2,300 remaining elementary school students get to go back to class next week.

Meanwhile, students across the county in grades 7-12 are continuing to wait for the go-ahead to return.

That's why over 30 Clovis Unified students and parents voiced their grievances to the school board, while a crowd of dozens more waited outside.

"The kids are suffering. The ones that don't have parents at home and the ones that do have them are suffering," said one parent, Kirsten Greenlaw.

Another parent, Haley McCauley, said, "Those that want their kids back and can see the damage being done to their kids should be able to send their kids back."

Clovis Unified said it will reach out to parents by the end of the week to provide more details on its return to campus plan.

Meanwhile, Fresno County health officials said they'll soon provide the health criteria for middle and high schoolers to return to in-person instruction.