Dawn Lopez, Action News Achor

Talks about her kids going back to school and getting back to normal!

​Many kids in St Johns County are excited to be going back to school for the chance to see friends and classmates they haven't seen in over a year because of COVID.  Understandably, parents are both excited and cautiously optimistic. 

"Action News Jax This Morning" Anchor Dawn Lopez can relate to how parents may be feeling because she's going through it as well.  "We've shared news reports with our viewers on doctors warning about the mental and social toll the pandemic was having on families.  My family is no exception," reveals Dawn. "Even with the best efforts, my children fell behind in school. Between testy technology to virtual fatigue and cabin fever, there were lots of family meetings about keeping each other on the right track." 

It's been an unprecedented time dealing with the isolation that COVID has caused for parents and their children.  

"I spent a lot of time encouraging my kids to set time aside for video chats with friends so they could stay connected. My daughter was suffering but now there's light at the end of the tunnel! My twins are excited about learning in the classromm again and seeing their friends regularly."

While the Pandemic is far from over, there is a feeling of trying to get back to "normal" and Action News Jax is committed to providing the information needed to help communities get through it, safely. During back-to-school month, Dawn and her "Action News Jax This Morning" team will be covering many of the issues parents will need answers to.  Updates to the CDC Guidelines will be on-going.  Identifying the new safety measures in schools including food health safety and what St Johns County is requiring to keep COVID-19 out of the classrooms. And, if a student or staff member shows symptoms, what is the school's plan to deal with that?  Action News Jax will be looking into that for sure.

The new school year is here, and for now, it's all about getting back to normal.  
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My kids see it as a privilege now, to be in the classroom and have access to their teachers firsthand and having lunch with their friends every day. 2021-2022 look out, here we come!”

​In addition to coverage of back-to-school on "Action News Jax This Morning," look for their back-to-school special "Back to the Classroom," airing Thursday, August 5th at 7pm on CBS47 and Friday, August 6th at 7pm on FOX30.