ARVIN, Calif. — The new school year begins for most districts around the county two weeks from today. And we understand many of you are agonizing over the upcoming year and we want to help you and your family go safely back to school.
For one small school district in the shadow of Bear Mountain, the challenges to make sure every student is "connected" this fall stretches far beyond its borders just northeast of Arvin.
The Di Giorgio School District and offices sit quietly near the end of Buena Vista Blvd. A student body of just over 200 students who are truly learning from a distance.
Terry Hallum is the principal and the superintendent. He's spending his days trying to make sure all his students are connected this fall.
Hallum said students in 2nd through 8th grade will have Chromebooks. But the biggest challenge comes in staying connected with families.
The challenge doesn't end with technology as 98% of the student body receives free or reduced lunches. Last spring the school was also a meal delivery service and that will continue this fall.
The campus remains closed for now but Hallum is already planning for when kids return to make up for lost learning.
Whatever it takes to keep his school moving forward.
