The La Mesa-Spring Valley School District gave away the last of its stockpile of COVID home tests Monday. The drive-thru event at Sweetwater Springs Elementary School was the fourth giveaway in less than a week.
Like the San Diego Unified School District, La Mesa-Spring Valley was lucky enough to receive test kits from the California Department of Education before the two-week holiday break.
Angel Hardman usually subs in the district as an administration assistant. Monday she was a distribution coordinator, happy to give parents what they have desperately been seeking for their children.
“I think the parents are very ready to send them back to school but overall they’re just thankful to have a test to get, just thankful to get one,” she said.
Hardman said at one of the earlier giveaways, a parent was so appreciative he brought back lunch for distribution workers.
Jasmine Alvarado was in line Monday with her young daughter in the back seat. She told KPBS the family had traveled and been around relatives over the holidays.
“We’ve got omicron wild everywhere," she said. "We’ve all heard stories knowing somebody who’s getting it and it’s better to be safe before our kids get back into the loop of everything.”
While San Diego Unified and other districts started back Monday, La Mesa-Spring Valley schools will return Tuesday morning.
Superintendent David Feliciano is committed to turning the ongoing pandemic into a positive for his staff and students.
“I think it’s time for people to get excited and united behind the task of education. It needs to be about putting kids first,” he said.
