CVUSD Superintendent Mark McLaughlin sent out an e–mail on April 13 announcing that the school district plans to return to “full–day, on–campus learning schedules” for the 2021–2022 school year.

“Over the summer, each and every CVUSD classroom configuration and all master schedules will be set–up with adherence to health and safety requirements put forth by the state,” said McLaughlin in the e–mail. “The safety of our students, teachers, staff and the greater Conejo community continues to be of the utmost importance in all of our decision–making processes.”

All current remote and in–person students will return back to in–person school as it was before the COVID–19 pandemic started back in March of 2020. As of now, California aims to fully reopen by June 15, meaning that the district will most likely be able to go through with their plan of bringing back the pre-COVID school schedules.

“I’m looking forward to some of the fun [events] that students held, and I’m missing everyone being [at school],” said Marcus Bost ‘23. “My only concern is if they try to go back to the [old] schedule and the guidelines are the same or a tad less. If we’re still social distancing [by then], then [returning] probably wouldn’t be a good idea.”

In addition to the announcing of schools opening up, on April 15, the state announced that the Pfizer and BioNTech COVID–19 vaccines are now open to all Californians ages 16 and up. This means that a large number of CVUSD students can now get vaccinated as CVUSD plans to fully reopen schools next year.

“Today’s vaccine eligibility expansion is a major milestone in our state’s fight against the pandemic and another step on the path to reopening fully in the coming months,” said Governor Gavin Newsom in an announcement. “Vaccinating all of those who are eligible will take time, but our statewide providers are ready to meet the increased demand and we are excited to get this vaccine into the arms of all Californians who want them, especially those in the hardest hit communities.”

In his e–mail, McLaughlin also included that CVUSD plans to have this year’s high school graduation ceremonies on school campuses. This is important news for seniors, as it was unsure before what the district had officially decided they were going to do in the way of senior graduation.

“We especially look forward to celebrating our Class of 2021 high school graduates with the return of traditional high school graduation ceremonies at their school sites,” said McLaughlin. “Though these celebrations may be modified to adhere to health and safety guidelines, we cannot wait to watch our graduates walk across the stage to receive their diplomas.”

Things are looking up both in terms of school and the COVID–19 pandemic, and, by August, this pause in time should finally be over, and students should be able to enjoy their high school experience for what it should be again.
“[Students] have done an absolutely phenomenal job [this year],” said Principal Jason Branham. “I don’t think people will realize how great of a job everyone has done until we’re back to some sort of normal.”