NEW YORK (AP) — Steven Spielberg, a filmmaker synonymous with big-screen enchantment, has set a new deal with Netflix in which his production company, Amblin Partners, will make multiple feature films per year for the streaming giant.

The partnership, one long courted by Ted Sarandos, Netflix chief content officer, is a major get for the company that, amid increasing competition, brings perhaps the most beloved film director more officially into the streaming fold.

The deal announced Monday doesn’t specifically include any movies to be directed by Spielberg. This December, he will release “West Side Story” theatrically with Disney’s 20th Century Studios. Amblin has a separate deal with Universal Pictures for theatrical releases.

“At Amblin, storytelling will forever be at the center of everything we do, and from the minute Ted and I started discussing a partnership, it was abundantly clear that we had an amazing opportunity to tell new stories together and reach audiences in new ways,” Spielberg said in a statement. “This new avenue for our films, alongside the stories we continue to tell with our longtime family at Universal and our other partners, will be incredibly fulfilling for me personally since we get to embark on it together with Ted, and I can’t wait to get started with him, Scott, and the entire Netflix team.”

Amblin, which takes its name from a 1968 short by Spielberg, has helped produce a wide variety of films outside of those made my Spielberg, including “1917” and “Green Book.” The two companies have previously worked together on TV series and the Aaron Sorkin movie “The Trial of the Chicago 7,” a film co-produced by Amblin that was sold by Paramount Pictures to Netflix during the pandemic.

Spielberg has sometimes been seen as against a streaming future for movies. A Deadline Hollywood headline on Monday’s announcement wondered: “Hell Freezes Over?”

But Spielberg in 2019 argued against the anti-streaming impression associated with him. Reports around then circulated that Spielberg believed streaming releases — which he compared to made-for-TV movies — should vie for Emmys, not Oscars. “I’m a firm believer that movie theaters need to be around forever,” Spielberg said that year.

He clarified that big screen or small screen, “what really matters to me is a great story and everyone should have access to great stories.”

“However, I feel people need to have the opportunity to leave the safe and familiar of their lives and go to a place where they can sit in the company of others and have a shared experience — cry together, laugh together, be afraid together — so that when it’s over they might feel a little less like strangers,” Spielberg wrote in an email to the New York Times. “I want to see the survival of movie theaters. I want the theatrical experience to remain relevant in our culture.”

The lines have also blurred since then. While Netflix has given exclusive theatrical runs of a week or more to some of its most prominent releases, traditional studios like Disney and Warner Bros. have embraced more hybrid release models that send movies simultaneously to streaming services.

“Steven is a creative visionary and leader and, like so many others around the world, my growing up was shaped by his memorable characters and stories that have been enduring, inspiring and awakening,” said Sarandos. “We cannot wait to get to work with the Amblin team and we are honored and thrilled to be part of this chapter of Steven’s cinematic history.”

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Ten students who spent their first year in Jr. Preschool were Ignacio Alcala, Marla Bigsby, Ava’vash Briones, Violet Chacon, Gabriel Herrera, Penny Jo Hunter, Angelo Martinez, Koda Medina, Nova Mendoza and Clover Swan.

Preschoolers moving up are Penelope Alcala, Aaron Arenas, Joseph Bentiste, Maylene Briones, Xwáyish Briones, Demi Cervantes, Jena Davis, Michelle Deluna, Kuumaish Garcia, Manalice Garcia, Zeppelin Godinez, Liam Grant, Charlie Mae Hunter, Nikolas Lara, Koba Lindsey-Gallardo, Luciano Marquez, Adrian Rodriguez, J.D. Rodriguez, Notoómo Salgado, Journey Silvas and Kenai Silvas.

Pre-K students who have been promoted to kindergarten are Jesslynn Alvarez, Aso’samal Arviso, Lamonte Bigsby, Mayla Briones, Shawn Briones, Zoey Briones, Charlie Brittian, Joseph Burton, Aria Godinez, Anaya Grant, Qawiyalwut Hampton, Tónla Hurtado-Laurenzana, Malia Kashersky, Daniel Mazza, Mona Medina, Tony Mendoza, Rheya Miranda, Tillie Ortega, Isaiah Peralta, Eli Pineda, Shay Razon, Makayla Trujillo, Yawaywish Vega and Thomas Velazquez.

June 11 was set aside for an in-person, but socially distanced, promotion ceremony for 21 kindergarten students who completed all the necessary requirements to enter first grade in the upcoming school year. The multi-purpose room was decorated in a combination theme of rainforest sloths and bees. Kindergarten teacher Cindy Lee explained that at the beginning of the school year, due to COVID-19 restrictions allowing distance learning only, the students divided their time between Lee (sloths) and teacher’s aide Antonia Briones-Venegas (bees). “This year has challenged us as a school, as a community and as families,” guests were told. “We want to thank all of our parents and guardians for embracing the change and working through the many challenges that we have faced. Although it ended differently than a normal school year, we have many memories of the happy times we shared with each other.”

Each graduate was welcomed to the campus with a congratulatory yard sign that had their name and photo. There was a photo booth set up in the hallway and each was given individual attention as they entered the preschool with family members who preceded them into the MPR. The students marched in along a balloon-laden path to the strains of “Pomp and Circumstance” before being greeted by Lee and presented with their diploma. They were then awarded specific certificates for outstanding accomplishments.

Francis Begay, a big fan of Disney’s “The Mandalorian,” received a Perfect Attendance award, only the second time Lee has given that honor to a student in the 13 years she has been at the school. Francis was presented with a special medallion from preschool director Donovan Post.

“He was a star student and earned a Perfect Homework award,” Lee told the audience. “He also gets a Super Reader award as he’s reading at a second-grade level.”

Lee said teachers and staff also considered what each student contributed to the entire class throughout the year and Francis was given an award for “Best all-around student for academics and citizenship.”

Francis, the youngest of seven children, was applauded by about 10 family members and his mom said the past school year had been hard for him because he missed his friends. His dad, Glen, said that when the school day was over, Francis would go back on the computer and re-watch some of the videos because he missed being in class. The six-year-old is headed to Hemet Quest for first grade.

“The school made it as easy as they could and were very flexible, so he was able to adjust to everything,” his mom, Maxine Begay, said. “We worked with him over the summer and prepped him, knowing it would be a virtual setting this year.”

Lee said she had four students who were reading at a first- or second-grade level and about 10 who learned how to read during the school year, which she said was amazing since they had to learn it without in-person teaching in a classroom setting.

“We have some very good parents, that’s for sure,” she said.

Aiden Bentiste, who is also a super reader and had perfect homework completion, was excited to receive some new books from his teachers.

“Distance learning was a process but not too hard; not being able to see his friends was the hardest part,” his dad, Joseph Bentiste, said. “We plan to take him out to eat and spend the whole day with him to celebrate his graduation.”

$uwo$wush Resvaloso, 6, earned a Perfect Homework award and Super Attendance for missing less than 10 days of class “no matter where he was connecting from.” Because of his love for math and Legos, he also was given the STEM Award for his interest in all things that revolved around science, technology, engineering and math. Lee said although he is more of a visual, hands-on learner, he did very well throughout the school year. “He’s definitely grown a lot,” his dad, Gabriel Salinas, said. “The lack of socialization was definitely the hardest part because he missed his peers. But we just went with the flow online; at first it was a little difficult but then he buckled down and got the hang of it.”

Clementine Swan received an award for being the “Most Enthusiastic” student and when asked how she felt about the ceremony she said, “Happy!” with a big smile. She also earned a Perfect Homework award. “It was a lot of work getting them up every day, getting them ready and keeping them on task,” her mom, Carrie Garcia, whose other daughter Clover was in the preschool class at the same time. The busy mom also has a younger son, Cygnus.

Each student received a bucket of crafts and games, a packet of projects they had completed from their daily homework packets, a huge balloon arrangement and cupcakes.

And students weren’t the only ones that received accolades during the event. Parents, mostly moms, were presented with a certificate of appreciation and a Starbuck’s gift card to thank them a “latte” for “hanging in there and being there for your kindergartner” and helping their child succeed during this unprecedented year. Kindergartners who are prepared to enter first grade are Francis Begay, Aiden Bentiste, Raylene Bigsby, Yawaywish Cardenas, Dean Cervantes, Maximus Guacheno, Betsy Lou Hunter, Jasper Lara, Romeo Ledezma, Dylan Medina, Annalissa Mendoza, $u’la Moreno-Vallanueva, Taw’val Morreo, Oóvish Ortiz, $uwo$wush Resvaloso, $uvoowut Rhodes, Aaliyah Rodriguez, Steeler Rodriguez, Náanat Silvas, Clementine Swan and Kalaeya Vega.

Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians • Contributed

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SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — California, the first state in America to put in place a coronavirus lockdown, has turned a page on the pandemic.

The nation’s most populated state lifted most of its restrictions Tuesday, meaning no more state rules on social distancing or capacity limits at restaurants, bars, supermarkets, gyms, stadiums or anywhere else.

And masks — one of the most fraught symbols of the pandemic — are no longer mandated for vaccinated people in most settings, though businesses and counties can still require them.

Gov. Gavin Newsom celebrated the milestone by hosting a lottery-style selection of 10 winners who will get $1.5 million each simply for being vaccinated. It was the grand finale to the nation’s largest vaccine incentive — $116 million in COVID-19 lottery jackpots and cash card giveaways.

“Finally we are here, June 15th, to turn the page,” Newsom declared from a stage at Universal Studios Hollywood during festivities to mark what he called the “full reopening” of the state’s economy.

The Democratic governor pointed to the more than 40 million doses of vaccine administered and the resulting plunge in cases as the reason for the reopening.

“Foundationally, that’s why we’re here today,” Newsom said.

Just in time for summer, California wants to send the message that life is getting much closer to normal. The economy is fully reopen for the first time in 15 months and people can largely return to pre-pandemic lifestyles.

Fans can cheer maskless at Dodgers and Giants baseball games. Disneyland is opening to all tourists after allowing just California residents since April. People can pack indoor bars and nightclubs from the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles to the Castro in San Francisco.

Tourism was among the hardest hit industries during the pandemic and now wants to make up for lost time.

“In terms of our incredible cities, our iconic attractions, the industry is ready to roll out the red carpet to visitors in California, around the nation and even the world,” said Caroline Beteta, president and CEO of Visit California.

Pandemic highs and lows saw California go from being a success story to the U.S. epicenter of the virus. As the first in the country to impose a statewide lockdown in March 2020, California’s businesses were just starting to reopen last June when cases started rising and restrictions were imposed again.

By summer’s end, a darker reality set in as California hurtled toward a deadly winter surge. Shutdowns, curfews and harrowing images from overwhelmed hospitals became the norm as the state set records almost daily for infections and deaths.

More people tested positive for the virus in California (3.8 million and counting) and more people died (63,000 plus) than anywhere else in the country, although the nation’s most populous state had a lower per capita death rate than most others.

California now has one of the lowest rates of infection in the country, below 1%. That dramatic drop in infections combined with an increasing number of vaccinated residents — over 70% of adults have had at least one dose — led Newsom to announce in April that most COVID-19 restrictions would be lifted June 15.

The reopening doesn’t necessarily mean people will immediately flock to places and events they once packed or that businesses will opt to return to full capacity immediately. But a palpable feeling of anticipation has replaced the anxiety, frustration and sadness that ushered in summer 2020.

For Angie Barragan, who was born in Los Angeles and visited last week from Las Vegas, so many things that were once normal feel new, awkward and amazing: strolling in public without a mask, socializing for the first time in ages.

“It’s kind of learning how to be a human again,” she said as she shopped and strolled on LA’s historic Olvera Street, a restored Mexican marketplace once clogged with tourists. “But it’s great to be among people.”

The reopening doesn’t mean the pandemic is over, Newsom has repeatedly stressed as an explanation for retaining his statewide emergency declaration.

Some public health measures will stay for “megaevents.” People attending indoor concerts, sporting events or other large gatherings of more than 5,000 people will have to show proof that they are vaccinated or have a recent negative COVID-19 test. Those going to outdoor events with more than 10,000 people are “strongly encouraged” to do the same.

While fully vaccinated people will no longer be required to wear masks in most places, those who are unvaccinated are expected to, but it won’t be enforced. Businesses have three choices: operate on an honor system, require customers to show proof of vaccination or require everyone to cover their face.

Many question if the honor system will work, including the California Nurses Association, which said the new rules essentially call on businesses and essential workers to be the vaccination police.

“This is not a sound public health strategy,” said Sandy Rending, a president of the association, which is calling on people to keep masks on indoors and in crowds.

For now, masks are still required in places like public transit, airports, health care settings and indoor school classes.

While applauding the reopening, some business owners said ever-shifting mask rules are confounding.

“We’re excited — and a little confused,” said Tom La Torre, owner of Sabella & La Torre Restaurant at Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco, a tourist haven that transformed into a ghost town during the pandemic.

Until now, his restaurant was limited to 50% capacity.

“That will be nice to fill the place up. However, we are still confused about the mask mandate,” La Torre said.

It’s also unclear if people will come.

For Rita Torres, a retired university administrator in Oakland, the last 15 months were “mindboggling.” She has missed dancing at live concerts and hugging her girlfriends at weekly happy hours. But for her, the reopening is just another day.

“Deep down, I want to rejoice,” Torres said, but she’s going to take it slow. “Because it’s kind of like, is it too soon? Will we be sorry?”

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