St. Anthony’s Catholic School in Manteca begins the process today of returning some youngsters to campus.

In this case, kindergarten through third graders will be the first to return under the reopening in-person instructions.

“We are very excited about the opportunity to have students back on campus for instruction following the (COVID-19) safety protocol,” said Principal Susie Dickert in her recent letter to parents.

St. Anthony’s along with Ripon Christian Schools were among 12 private schools in San Joaquin County to be granted waivers by the county health officer Dr. Maggie Park.

Add Ripon Unified – in particular, Colony Oak, Park View, Ripon Elementary, Ripona and Weston – to the mix.

Superintendent Ziggy Robeson made that announcement at Monday’s RUSD board meeting. “Our teachers and support staff should be commended for their efforts,” she said of the waiver that applies for TK through sixth grade students.

“Unfortunately, there’s no (waiver) info for seventh- through- 12th grades,” Robeson added.

TK thru third graders at the five RUSD schools are scheduled to return on Sept. 28. After that, RUSD indicated that grades fourth, fifth and sixth will be phased in.

At RC, the younger students were given the green light to go back this week, with in-person instructions kicking off on Tuesday.

K-3 students at St. Anthony’s will be the lone students on campus through Thursday – they’ll be released for the day at noon.

“To keep our campus safe and within county and state guidelines, parents will not be allowed on campus at this time. Students will need to be dropped off and picked up in the designated parking areas school parking lot on Sutter Street,” Dickert noted.

Families wishing to keep their students on the distance learning option can do so but must provide their teacher with the necessary information along with their daily schedule.

All told, 17 schools from SJC were granted waivers by Park, who is known for thoroughness in reviewing each of the applicants.

The five elementary campuses of RUSD were the only public schools on that list. Others included Annunciation, St. George's, St. Luke's, Presentation, St. Anne's, Bella Vista Academy, First Baptist Christian, Lodi Christian, Lodi Seventh-day Adventist, and Montessori Elementary.