In a press conference yesterday afternoon, the Clark County School District announced a timeline to get students back on campus along with timelines for spring and fall sports and what activities performing art programs can do.
“I have said all along, no one thought that schools would be closed forever,” principal Tam Larnerd said. “We all knew the day would come to bring students and teachers back.  I am very excited that it is sooner rather than later.  ”

Superintendent Jesus Jara stated that Governor Steven Sisolak’s loosening of COVID-19 protocols was a key factor in the district’s decision to get students back to campus.

“I think [the governor’s announcement] had a big effect on [the district’s decision],” senior wide receiver Connor Beathe said. “It’s the governor of our state, he kind of stuff. And so, when you get approval from someone like him, it kind of matters.”

As already established, students in Pre-Kindergarten to 3rd grade will be allowed to begin campus learning under the hybrid model starting at the beginning of next month. According to Jara, students in grades six, nine, and 12 will be allowed to return to campus learning under hybrid starting on March 22. 

“Honestly, I think that it’s great [we] will be going back to school and try to have a normal life,” senior Daniel Gonzalez said. “We’re still going to have our protocols and stuff like that, but at least we can actually start to go back to what life was before COVID. Where we can actually go back to school and communicate with people.”

Then, all other grades in middle and high school, grades seven, eight, 10, and 11, can follow their peers after spring break on April 6. On the same date, all elementary school students will return to five day, face-to-face instruction.

“This is a huge step in the right direction to make sure next fall is normal,” athletic director William Hemberger said. “Kids need to be back in school. We need to make sure that happens effectively. ”

Jara also said that the spring sports season may be conducted in the fourth quarter. Practices for track and field, swim and dive, baseball, softball, men’s golf, and men’s volleyball may begin practices starting April 3, with competition set to begin starting on April 16.

“Super excited for those athletes who missed out on last spring season,” Hemberger said. “Can’t wait to watch them play! I also take on a new challenge as the JV vball coach so I’ll be out of my comfort zone for sure!”

The fall sports will also be able to compete in the fourth quarter in their own intramural season. Football will have its own season, starting on April 5 and ending on May 1. The rest of the sports (cross country, tennis, soccer, and women’s volleyball) are set to begin May 3 and end on May 22. However, all CCSD events will not allow any fans to attend.

“I’m just happy I’m getting a season,” Beathe said. “It might not be a full season, it might not even be called a season….I don’t care. We’re going to be playing football. When you’re a senior and this is what you do and love and it gets ripped away from you, it’s the most painful thing ever. The fact that I’m getting it back….I’m just ecstatic.”

Another item of note was in the email put out by CCSD regarding performing arts. The district has allowed performing arts programs to have live instruction and traditional rehearsals. Out of class activities that programs such as marching band, theater, and others have also been permitted.

“It’s nice that [the district] thought about clubs, sports, and performing arts programs in the new school reopening plan,” junior Trinity Booth said, “and the idea of smaller groups rather than a whole school meeting is a little better to me. I look forward to the opportunities some students and I will have before the end of the school year, But as always, I just want people to stay safe.”

Live, in-person performances, however, have not been permitted by the district. Instead, CCSD has allowed programs to conduct ‘streamed concerts’ until it is deemed safe to have in person crowds at school.

“Online shows or ‘zoom shows’ were always an option and were a reality fun experience,” Booth said. “The idea of being able to work for my theatre department again is really exciting! There are definitely ways we can figure out having a streamed show, and if we decide to, I’m sure we can figure it out and offer some new entertainment and have fun at the same time. It’ll definitely be an experience having to do a show under these new conditions, but what we have is what we make of it, and I’m thankful for what I have.”