In-person classes resume for many KMC students

Students walk to school on Ramstein Air Base, Feb. 22. In-person classes resumed for many Department of Defense Education Activity students after a recent lockdown requiring remote learning. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Beatrice M. Brown)

Many Department of Defense Education Activity students in the Kaiserslautern Military Community attended class in person Monday, Feb. 22. This was the first day students were welcomed back to physical classrooms after remote learning was initiated to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

“I’m really excited the kids are going back to in-person learning,” said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Molly Jones, 86th Comptroller Squadron budget analyst and mother of two. “They were also very excited to get out of the house and be able to interact with their friends and teachers.”

Teachers, parents and students alike, see the benefit of in-person instruction versus solely remote learning, especially for elementary aged children.

“They get real, meaningful, social interaction with other people,” Jones said. “Things like body awareness and social manners can’t be effectively taught from home.”

Jones and her husband are not only excited their children get to attend in-person classes once again, but also emphasized they feel safe in doing so.

Raiden, son of Airman 1st Class Andrew Alvarado, 86th Airlift Wing public affairs journeyman, poses for a photo in front of Vogelweh Elementary School at Vogelweh Military Complex, Feb. 22. It was the first day students were welcomed back in the physical classrooms after remote learning was initiated to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Andrew Alvarado)

A COVID-19 pre-screening protocol checklist has been distributed to all parents, requesting daily completion to ensure children are healthy before heading to school. Face coverings and maintaining physical distance are also standard procedures upheld throughout DoDEA. Additionally, teachers are included in the current phase of Ramstein’s vaccine distribution.

“The health and safety of our students, staff and community is our top priority,” said Steven Sanchez, DoDEA Europe East superintendent, in a letter to families and staff members dated Feb. 11.