click to enlarge File Photo Courtesy Of San Luis Coastal Unified School District REOPENING? Some elementary students could soon return to school for in-person classes as a result of new state and federal reopening guidelines. According to updated guidelines released by the California Department of Public Health in mid-January, elementary schools are allowed to reopen in counties where COVID-19 case rates are below 25 cases per 100,000 residents. On Feb. 19, SLO County had an adjusted case rate of 15.6 cases per 100,000 residents. That dropped to 9.4 per 100,000 by Feb. 23. "I would say as a parent, as a public health professional, I'm very excited by the opportunity for all students in this county to have in-person instruction if it meets their needs," Public Health Officer Penny Borenstein said at a press briefing on Feb. 17. "There are many for whom virtual instruction has been very problematic and really held back some students in their educational advancement. I have consistently said through this pandemic that should be our No. 1 priority, is getting students in schools."