This week, Governor Polis released the Roadmap to In-Person Learning and hosted a call with superintendents around the state. The report reiterates the state’s assessment of schools as a “low-risk environment” for the spread of COVID-19—something that our local health officials in Steamboat have confirmed. It also affirms the importance of giving students access to a hybrid or fully in-person learning model. Moreover, the report identifies virus testing strategies as a key priority. While it doesn’t offer solutions to staffing shortages in districts, it does recognize staffing as a major challenge in sustaining in-person learning for most schools. Given that staffing shortages are the primary reason we had to close schools this week and may have to close schools in the future, we look forward to an update on this topic from the state in the new year.

Governor Polis consistently reinforces the Routt County Community Engagement Team’s constant reminder that the fight against the virus is a marathon, not a sprint. As he personally signed for the first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines, he acknowledges that they will likely not have a major impact on the spring semester for schools, given that full vaccination requires two doses with a 25-day interval. He said, “The vaccine isn’t the end of the pandemic, but it is the light at the end of the tunnel.” It has certainly been uplifting to see photos and videos of the first frontline workers getting the vaccine. It is a significant step forward.

As we look ahead to January, SSSD schools will return to the hybrid Phase 3 learning model, with guidelines and protocols around cleaning, social distancing, and masks still in place. We will continue to work closely with Routt County Public Health on following the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s quarantine guidelines and adjusting our learning model as circumstances around the virus change. We hope to start to phase in fully in-person learning in early 2021, for some or all of our students, if consistent with public health advice.

Even as we look toward 2021, I think it’s important to pause and acknowledge the good things that happened in 2020: the “can do” attitude of our students and families; our incredible SSSD staff and all that they are doing to educate and care for our students while supporting each other; the wonderful community we live in, which is full of caring people; the environment that surrounds us, which offers endless opportunities for socially distanced adventures.

I hope everyone spends some time at the end of this very difficult year to appreciate all the good things we have in our lives. Happy holidays!