SAN YSIDRO, Calif. (KGTV) — Monday was the first day back at school for thousands of San Ysidro students.
At Ocean View Hills Elementary School, Principal Erika Meza said she and her staff spent all summer preparing to welcome the students back.
"We've decorated with balloons, put up signs and banners in the grass, just to make sure parents can take photos of their kids' first day of school, especially if it's their first time coming to this school," Meza said.
The Student Safety Patrol Team made up of mighty little helpers, held signs Monday morning to ensure their schoolmates and families crossed the roads safely.
Aiden, heading into the fifth grade, is one of the helpers.
"It helps out the people who are trying to cross the road with the cars trying to get there to school. It's just really helpful for them," Aiden said.
Principal Meza said the school has what are called outreach consultants who help ensure the students can get to school. After our story aired, the district expanded on the responsibilities for that role.
"The school has what are called outreach consultants who support student success by communicating with parents, promoting positive student attendance, and by providing students with resources such as food, shoes, glasses, school uniforms, and referrals for temporary shelter vouchers and public bus passes, as needed," the district said.
School officials say getting to campus is the first step.
Meza said the school also has programs like Dolphin Den, where kids can meet with counselors if anything distracts them from their studies.
"We want to make sure we check in with them and talk to somebody about the problem before they're able to go back into the classroom and learn because if not, they're not focusing on their learning; they're focusing on whatever's bothering them," Meza said.
Meza said the school's focus for the new year is to build on its recent success, including winning an award with the California Honor Rolls for its English language arts and math curriculum.
Meza also said they have 300 new children joining their student body this year.
A SCHOOL DISTRICT WITHIN A BI-NATIONAL COMMUNITY
Ocean View Hills and the San Ysidro school district have a unique location near the U.S.-Mexico border. Students may have family living on both sides of the border.
While the San Ysidro School district is within a bi-national community, it has strict residency requirements.
District Superintendent Dr. Gina Potter sent ABC 10news the following statement:
"As mandated in California public schools, all students in the San Ysidro School District are required to verify their residency within our school district's geographical boundaries in order to attend our schools. The District requires all parents/guardians to submit proof of residency each year during the student school registration process."
Christina Inzunza is the Communication Specialist for the San Ysidro School District. As a young student, she had residency in both countries and knows what it's like to cross the border to get to class.
Although she attended private school in San Diego County, which has different residency requirements than public schools, she offered insight into what it's like living in a bi-national community.
"We all knew it was busy, so we had to get up very early, get ready, and get our uniforms on to cross the border," Inzunza said.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Based on information provided by a school principal, an earlier version of this story indicated its outreach consultants help facilitate students crossing the border to get to school. The district later clarified this, saying the consultants connect students with necessary resources, but don’t facilitate crossing the border.
