Elementary students return to campus in Capistrano Unified

Students joyfully returned to campus for in-person learning for the first time in the 2020-21 school year starting on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020.

The Capistrano Unified School District is phasing in the return to campus for its 47,000 students and 5,000 staff members, subject to the county’s tier in the state reopening criteria. Families will be able to switch to a 100 percent online option at any time.

Students returned first to the special education programs and self-contained services, such as related speech and occupational therapy.

Pre-K, transitional kindergarten, kindergarten and first grade reopened next, on Tuesday, Sept. 29, followed by second and third grade on Thursday, Oct. 1.  Fourth and fifth grade are slated to reopen on Monday, Oct. 5, with sixth through eighth grades returning to campuses on Tuesday, Oct. 6. High schoolers in grades nine through 12 will return to campuses on Tuesday, Oct. 13.

See photos below of the return to school at Bathgate Elementary, Carl Hankey K-8, and Palisades Elementary.

Principal Dana Aguilera pitches in with kindergarten children’s hand washing at Carl Hankey K-8 in Capistrano Unified.
Photo by Steven Georges/Cornerstone Communications
Principal Dana Aguilera pitches in with kindergarten children’s hand washing at Carl Hankey K-8.  Photo by Spencer Grant, Contributing Photographer
With Carl Hankey only open for preschool, kindergarten and first grade, Angela Cantacessi sits in an empty classroom and conducts distance learning for second graders.  Photo by Spencer Grant, Contributing Photographer
With Carl Hankey only open for preschool, kindergarten and first grade, Angela Cantacessi sits in an empty classroom and conducts distance learning for second graders. In anticipation of their in-person return, each desk is pre-equipped with learning materials for students.  Photo by Spencer Grant, Contributing Photographer
One of Susie Moothart’s masked kindergarten students seem to have gotten the hang of the letter P at Carl Hankey K-8.  Photo by Spencer Grant, Contributing Photographer 
One of Susie Moothart’s masked kindergarten students seem to have gotten the hang of the letter P at Carl Hankey K-8.  Photo by Spencer Grant, Contributing Photographer 
Teacher Beth Gierstorfer encourages her first graders to enjoy recess at Carl Hankey K-8.  Photo by Spencer Grant, Contributing Photographer 
Wearing her mask, Principal Dana Aguilera confers with Signa Ishii in front of a welcoming red balloon playground display at Carl Hankey K-8.  Photo by Spencer Grant, Contributing Photographer 
First grader Amaya Zollo has second thoughts about a lunchtime banana at Carl Hankey K-8.  Photo by Spencer Grant, Contributing Photographer 
“You can take your masks off to eat!” demonstrates Carl Hankey K-8 Principal Dana Aguilera…but she replaced her own mask immediately. Photo by Spencer Grant, Contributing Photographer 
In the playground, Carl Hankey K-8 Principal Dana Aguilera leads first-graders to lunch. Photo by Spencer Grant, Contributing Photographer 
Carl Hankey K-8 Principal Dana Aguilera gives first-graders a thumb’s-up — “It’s time for lunch!”
Photo by Spencer Grant, Contributing Photographer 
Beth Gierstorfer’s first grade students start to color a palm tree at Carl Hankey K-8.
Photo by Spencer Grant, Contributing Photographer 
Beth Gierstorfer’s first grade students start to color a palm tree at Carl Hankey K-8.
Photo by Spencer Grant, Contributing Photographer 
Beth Gierstorfer’s first grade students start to color a palm tree at Carl Hankey K-8.
Photo by Spencer Grant, Contributing Photographer 
First grade teacher Beth Gierstorfer presides at her in-person class at Carl Hankey K-8.
Photo by Spencer Grant, Contributing Photographer 
Ella and Shanelle get started coloring a palm tree in first grade teacher Beth Gierstorfer’s class at Carl Hankey K-8.
Photo by Spencer Grant, Contributing Photographer 
Behind the face shield on her desk, first grade teacher Beth Gierstorfer had a teacher’s traditional apple welcome as well as a display of horticultural highlights at her side at Carl Hankey K-8.
Photo by Spencer Grant, Contributing Photographer 
Behind the face shield on her desk, first grade teacher Beth Gierstorfer had a teacher’s traditional apple welcome at Carl Hankey K-8.
Photo by Spencer Grant, Contributing Photographer 
Amelie Brix raises a question about Elena Grillas’ Extended Learning first grade October handwriting practice at Carl Hankey K-8.
Photo by Spencer Grant, Contributing Photographer 
Elena Grillas’ Extended Learning first graders were socially distanced and masked at Carl Hankey K-8.
Photo by Spencer Grant, Contributing Photographer 
Using a digital opaque projector, Elena Grillas prepares her Extended Learning first graders for October handwriting practice at Carl Hankey K-8.
Photo by Spencer Grant, Contributing Photographer 
A digital thermometer, vinyl gloves, hand sanitizer and an attendance list are all on the table in Elenea Grillas’ Extended Learning class at Carl Hankey K-8 in Capistrano Unified.
Photo by Spencer Grant, Contributing Photographer
When it comes to pizza, every first grader has an opinion at Carl Hankey K-8 in Capistrano Unified.
Photo by Spencer Grant, Contributing Photographer
First graders have a new journal to start on the first day of in-person school at Carl Hankey K-8 in Capistrano Unified.
Photo by Spencer Grant, Contributing Photographer
Educational goals are spelled out and classified in Beth Petersen’s first grade class at Carl Hankey K-8 in Capistrano Unified.
Photo by Spencer Grant, Contributing Photographer
Virtues are enumerated on a kindergarten class wall at Carl Hankey K-8 in Capistrano Unified.
Photo by Spencer Grant, Contributing Photographer
Principal Dana Aguilera pitches in with a socially distanced first grader at Carl Hankey K-8 in Capistrano Unified on the first day back in the classroom.
Photo by Spencer Grant, Contributing Photographer
Beth Petersen’s first graders get out their pencil boxes on their first day back on campus in the 2020-21 school year at Carl Hankey K-8 in Capistrano Unified.
Photo by Spencer Grant, Contributing Photographer
Beth Petersen’s first grade students were appropriately spaced on their first in-person day of school at Carl Hankey K-8 in Capistrano Unified.
Photo by Spencer Grant, Contributing Photographer
Holding up a visual prompt, Beth Petersen asks her first-graders to acknowledge the class rules at Carl Hankey K-8 in Capistrano Unified.
Photo by Spencer Grant, Contributing Photographer
“You’ll need these three folders,” Beth Petersen reminds her first-graders on their first day of in-person school at Carl Hankey K-8 in Capistrano Unified.
Photo by Spencer Grant, Contributing Photographer
Beth Petersen’s teaching style uses appropriate dramatization at Carl Hankey K-8 in Capistrano Unified.
Photo by Spencer Grant, Contributing Photographer
First graders count out the numbers of the class rules in Beth Petersen’s class on the first in-person day back on campus at Carl Hankey K-8 in Capistrano Unified.
Photo by Spencer Grant, Contributing Photographer
First graders count out the numbers of the class rules in Beth Petersen’s class at Carl Hankey K-8 in Capistrano Unified.
Photo by Spencer Grant, Contributing Photographer
First graders count out the numbers of the class rules in Beth Petersen’s class at Carl Hankey K-8 in Capistrano Unified.
Photo by Spencer Grant, Contributing Photographer
Beth Petersen enumerates the classroom rules for her first-graders at Carl Hankey K-8 in Capistrano Unified.
Photo by Spencer Grant, Contributing Photographer
A student knows the answer in Beth Petersen’s first grade class at Carl Hankey K-8 in Capistrano Unified.
Photo by Spencer Grant, Contributing Photographer
Big plans for for Beth Petersen’s first-graders on the first day of reopening at Carl Hankey K-8 in Capistrano Unified.
Photo by Spencer Grant, Contributing Photographer
The school office was ready with masks, hand sanitizer and wrapped books at Carl Hankey K-8 in Capistrano Unified.
Photo by Spencer Grant, Contributing Photographer
With only preschool, kindergarten and first grade reopening, the usual traffic control signs didn’t get used on the first day back on campus at Carl Hankey K-8 in Capistrano Unified.
Photo by Spencer Grant, Contributing Photographer
At safe distance on the sidewalk, masked preschooler moms watch their children in the school playground at Carl Hankey K-8 in Capistrano Unified.
Photo by Spencer Grant, Contributing Photographer
Preschoolers and parents arrive at Carl Hankey K-8 in Capistrano Unified for the first day back on campus in the 2020-21 school year.
Photo by Spencer Grant, Contributing Photographer
Preschoolers and their parents wait for school to open at Carl Hankey K-8 in Capistrano Unified.
Photo by Spencer Grant, Contributing Photographer
A student in Tiffany Gilstrap’s kindergarten class sits, listening quietly, with her mask on, during the first day of school at Bathgate Elementary in Mission Viejo on Tuesday, September 29, 2020.
Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer
Bathgate Elementary kindergarten teacher Tiffany Gilstrap talks to her students about the importance of staying at their own desks during the first day of school on Tuesday, September 29, 2020.
Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer
One student in Jennifer Henchel’s kindergarten class wears a mask as she works at her desk on the first day of school at Bathgate Elementary on Tuesday, September 29, 2020.
Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer
Jennifer Henchel, a kindergarten teacher at Bathgate Elementary School in Mission Viejo, welcomes her students to the first day of on-campus school on Tuesday, September 29, 2020.
Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer
One student in Jennifer Henchel’s kindergarten class wears a mask as she works at her desk on the first day of on-campus school at Bathgate Elementary.
Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer
One Bathgate Elementary first grader uses outstretched arms to practice social distancing while touring the campus with her classmates.
Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer
Bathgate Elementary first grade teacher Sue Hann gives each of her students a pump of hand sanitizer before they enter their classroom on the first day of on-campus school.
Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer
Bathgate Elementary teacher Jennifer Henchel looks on while one of her kindergarten students works at her desk.
Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer
Bathgate Elementary first grade teacher Sue Hann takes her class on a socially distant tour of campus, teaching them about the new COVID-19 inspired safety protocols and procedures.
Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer
Bathgate Elementary first grade teacher Sue Hann takes her class on a socially distant tour of campus, teaching them about the new COVID-19 inspired safety protocols and procedures.
Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer
One student in Jennifer Henchel’s kindergarten class wears a mask as he works at his desk on the first day back on campus at Bathgate Elementary on Tuesday, September 29, 2020.
Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer
Bathgate Elementary first grade teacher Laura Grigals leads her class across campus on the first day of in-person school on Tuesday, September 29, 2020.
Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer
Students in Sue Hann’s first grade class wear protective masks and face shields as they tour the campus on Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at Bathgate Elementary School.
Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer
Students in Sue Hann’s first grade class wear protective masks and face shields as they tour the campus on Tuesday, September 29, 2020, the first day of on-campus learning this school year at Bathgate Elementary School.
Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer
Jennifer Henchel, a kindergarten teacher at Bathgate Elementary School in Mission Viejo, welcomes her students on Tuesday, September 29, 2020.
Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer
Bathgate Elementary first grade teacher Laura Grigals allows one student at a time to enter the classroom and take their seats on Tuesday, September 29, 2020.
Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer
Students in Sue Hann’s first grade class wear protective masks and face shields as they tour the campus on Tuesday, September 29, 2020, the first day of on-campus learning this school year at Bathgate Elementary School.
Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer
Bathgate Elementary first grade teacher Sue Hann takes her class on a socially distant tour of campus, teaching them about the new COVID-19 inspired safety protocols and procedures.
Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer
Bathgate Elementary first grade teacher Sue Hann gives each of her students a pump of hand sanitizer before they enter their classroom.
Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer
Jennifer Henchel, a kindergarten teacher at Bathgate Elementary School in Mission Viejo, welcomes her students to school on Tuesday, September 29, 2020.
Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer
Socially distanced kindergarten students run through lessons on the first day of school at Palisades Elementary in Capistrano Beach.
Photo by Steven Georges/Cornerstone Communications
Kindergarten teacher Kimberly Van Dix Horn introduces her students to the classroom on the first day of class at at Palisades Elementary in Capistrano Beach.
Photo by Steven Georges/Cornerstone Communications
Kindergarten students learn the importance of face mask wearing on the first day of school at Palisades Elementary in Capistrano Beach.
Photo by Steven Georges/Cornerstone Communications
Ellen Elstiste teaches her TK (transitional kindergarten) students social distancing on the first day of school at Palisades Elementary in Capistrano Beach.
Photo by Steven Georges/Cornerstone Communications
Socially distanced kindergarten students run through lessons on the first day of school at Palisades Elementary in Capistrano Beach.
Photo by Steven Georges/Cornerstone Communications
Kimberly Van Dix Horn works with her kindergarten students on the first day of class at at Palisades Elementary in Capistrano Beach.
Photo by Steven Georges/Cornerstone Communications
Kindergarten students are introduced to the items in their school basket on the first day of school at Palisades Elementary in Capistrano Beach.
Photo by Steven Georges/Cornerstone Communications
Transitional kindergarten students line-up on the first day of school at Palisades Elementary in Capistrano Beach.
Photo by Steven Georges/Cornerstone Communications
A masked mom and son arrive at Hankey K-8 in Capistrano Unified.
Photo by Spencer Grant, Contributing Photographer
Kelli Mihalich greets arriving masked students with a spritz of hand sanitizer at Hankey K-8 in Capistrano Unified.
Photo by Spencer Grant, Contributing Photographer
Kelli Mihalich greets arriving masked students with a spritz of hand sanitizer at Hankey K-8 in Capistrano Unified.
Photo by Spencer Grant, Contributing Photographer
Kelli Mihalich greets arriving masked students with a spritz of hand sanitizer at Hankey K-8 in Capistrano Unified.
Photo by Spencer Grant, Contributing Photographer
Kelli Mihalich greets an arriving masked student with a spritz of hand sanitizer as dad says goodbye at Hankey K-8 in Capistrano Unified.
Photo by Spencer Grant, Contributing Photographer
Kelli Mihalich greets an arriving masked student as a mom hustles her daughter into class at Hankey K-8 in Capistrano Unified.
Photo by Spencer Grant, Contributing Photographer
Teresa O’Connell checks students’ temperatures as they arrive for class at Hankey K-8 in Capistrano Unified.
Photo by Spencer Grant, Contributing Photographer
Teresa O’Connell checks students’ temperatures as they arrive for class at Hankey K-8 in Capistrano Unified.
Photo by Spencer Grant, Contributing Photographer
Teresa O’Connell checks students’ temperatures as they arrive for classat Hankey K-8 in Capistrano Unified.
Photo by Spencer Grant, Contributing Photographer
Susie Moothart checks students’ temperatures as they arrive for class at Hankey K-8 in Capistrano Unified.
Photo by Spencer Grant, Contributing Photographer
Susie Moothart checks students’ temperatures as they arrive for class at Hankey K-8 in Capistrano Unified.
Photo by Spencer Grant, Contributing Photographer
In the long morning shadows, Susie Moothart checks students’ temperatures as they arrive for class at Hankey K-8 in Capistrano Unified.
Photo by Spencer Grant, Contributing Photographer

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