Santa Maria high school freshmen make long-awaited campus arrival

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - More students in the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District returned to the classroom Tuesday with only a few weeks left in the school year.

Freshmen at Santa Maria High School were given the red-carpet, welcome-back treatment from faculty and staff.

All of the high schools in the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District are in the same reopening mode.

"Even if its five weeks of experience on campus, that means next fall we'll be that much more ready to hit the ground running when we come back in full swing," said Steve Campbell, Santa Maria High School's principal.

It's a hybrid model that allows students to come back to campus for a couple of days a week. Students that choose to remain at home with remote learning can continue to do so.

Donna Tromdetta is a freshman counselor at the high school.

"Students that are coming back will be that much comfortable and confident because when we talk about our freshmen, they haven't been on our campus at all this year," Tromdetta said.

COVID-19 safety protocols in the modified classroom set-ups remain in place with masks and social distancing.

Ninth-graders who chose to come back rather than stay at home and sit behind a computer spoke about their reasons to return to campus.

"It just feels super great to be back at school, to be able to finally have a day here on campus," said Abraham Carrillo.

"For me, to be back on campus, it's exciting, feels good to be back and not just be home looking at a screen," said Coline Cruz.

Sophomores and juniors In the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District can come back to campus starting next week. Seniors were welcomed back last month.

The Santa Maria Joint Union High School District says it is planning for outdoor cap and gown graduation ceremonies next month with COVID-19 safety protocols.