COLORADO SPRINGS — During a press conference Tuesday, Governor Jared Polis along with co-chairs of the back-to-school working group presenting a roadmap for in-person learning as school districts prepare for students to return from the holiday break.
"Prioritizing testing for schools, expanding contact tracing for schools, continued mask-wearing, regular symptom screening, effective cohorting, continued social distancing and effective ventilation," Governor Jared Polis.
The measures meant to ensure a safe learning environment for in-person learning.
"We know what's been occurring this semester just hasn't worked for too many kids, for too many teachers," said Polis.
Polis also announcing on-site rapid testing that will allow symptomatic students to be tested immediately and staff to determine any necessary quarantine periods.
Several districts such as Pueblo School District 60 not releasing any plans yet, but Pueblo School District 70 said students will return remotely through January 14.
Academy District 20 also planning to return remotely, but only for a short period. Elementary students will return to in-person learning five days a week on Jan. 11. Middle and high school students will return to a hybrid model on Tuesday, Jan. 19. Pre-school will start remote for two days on Jan. 7 and 8, and then return to in-person on Jan. 11.
The district says their plan is very similar to the roadmap the governor laid out.
"We're taking that hiatus, we're bringing students back hybrid as much as we can, we're using a layered approach to safety," said Allison Cortez, Academy School District 20.
Educators choosing this plan as a stepping stone.
"So we think if we can start back with hybrid at the secondary, bring our youngest back in-person. That will allow us to add back days we can bring everyone back in person," said Cortez.
The district said the plan was created considering constituent feedback, as well as guidance and recommendations from our local, state, and federal health agencies.
All schools will release further details in the coming days, the district said. If you have specific questions regarding your child’s school, you are asked to submit those questions to school leadership.
Meanwhile, Harrison School District 2 planning to tentatively return with a staggered timeline during the second semester, unless the family chooses e-learning. With not enough staff and scheduling issues, there won't be hybrid learning for middle or high school students.
