As we begin reopening our schools with our youngest children being prioritized first, we will leverage our substitute resources, as well as additional staffing including team members from the central office, to ensure that we can cover classrooms as needed. We are working to incorporate improved procedures to prevent our system from being overwhelmed with staffing shortages as it was on November 10 when schools closed.  The plan below outlines specific dates when services will begin, with an understanding that we will continue to communicate regularly if this timeline requires modifications based on resource issues:

• Elementary schools will resume in-person learning for students previously enrolled in those models on Monday, January 11, which will gradually be increased to a four day week as follows:
  • Week of January 11 - In-person learning will occur on Monday & Tuesday (January 11 & 12)
  • Week of January 18 - (Monday is MLK Day Holiday) - In-person learning will occur on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday (January 19, 21 and 22).
  • Week of January 25 - In-person learning will take place on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday (January 25, 26, 28, 29).  The original teacher work day on January 25 will be moved to Wednesday, January 27, which is already a remote day for students.
  • Elementary children will attend in-person school Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from this point forward.
    • Wednesdays will be a remote day for students allowing cleaning and sanitization of our spaces and assisting with resource allocation needs and contact tracing challenges.  Five day/week in-person services will resume once the community attains the Blue Level on the state's dial.
• Middle schools will resume in-person learning for students on Monday, February 1, and will also operate on a Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday four-day week.  
  • Wednesdays will be a remote day for students allowing cleaning and sanitization of our spaces and assisting with resource allocation needs and contact tracing challenges. Five day/week in-person services will resume once the community attains the Blue Level of transmission.
• Durango High School will resume half-day, in-person instruction beginning Monday, February 1, on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.  Extended services will continue at a full-day mark for students who face additional learning challenges or require additional supports.
  • Wednesdays will be a remote day for students allowing cleaning and sanitization of our spaces and assisting with resource allocation needs and contact tracing challenges.  Five day/week in-person services will resume once the community attains the Blue level of transmission.
• Big Picture High School will resume their regular three days per week in-person schedule on Wednesday, January 20, and will be in school on Mondays, Wednesday, and Fridays with internships taking place on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

I know that this change will be met with a variety of reactions and I hope that you recognize the importance we are placing on getting our children back to school while doing so in a way that prevents having to turn back to school closures and full remote learning.  Again, once students are phased back into in-person learning it is our commitment to continue providing that level through the remainder of the year.  

A video will be released in the coming days with more information and explanation, but I wanted to get this information out as soon as possible so that you can begin planning accordingly.  Please do feel free to reach out to me should you have questions or wish additional clarification.

Sincerely,

Dan Snowberger

Superintendent

**Please watch for updated Matrix and a dial comparison document forthcoming

Reunión de familias de habla hispana

Por favor, haga clic aquí para ver un video grabado con Zoom de la presentación en español y la sesión de preguntas y respuestas en la vuelta a las actualizaciones en persona.