School districts across the Santa Clarita Valley endured an ever-changing school year that included sudden classroom-setting changes, cancelation of events and now a significant decrease in student enrollment which has led to some teachers receiving notices about potential layoffs if the funding situation doesn’t improve.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reduced physical distancing guidelines from 6 feet to 3 feet in a classroom setting, but local school districts cannot make changes until the state and county’s guidance aligns.
Los Angeles County Public Health officials on Friday confirmed 60 new deaths and 756 new cases of COVID-19 countywide, with 26,944 total cases in the Santa Clarita Valley. In addition, nearly 3,235,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered to people across Los Angeles County.
Family members of 17-year-old Pedro Roman announced Monday the Valencia High School student died, following a recent relapse of his cancer.
Pedro was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2019. Since his diagnosis, support and love has poured in for Pedro and his family.
Football teammates shaved their heads in support of him undergoing chemotherapy, and the student section at Valencia High School honored him with banners and T-shirts showing his name during one of their football games. On Saturday, dozens showed up at a community blood drive in honor of their classmate.
In remembrance of Pedro, a community candlelight vigil has been organized. The event is set to take place at Central Park at 8:00 p.m. Thursday.