Dear School Leaders and School Nurses,
As we receive updates from the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) we want to continue to share guidance and resources to help inform your school’s response to the evolving COVID-19 situation.
General Updates and Resources
- Governor Jared Polis declared a state of emergency on March 10.
- CDE and CDPHE have developed new guidance for schools and childcare facilities that specifically addresses COVID-19.
- CDE is working with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to allow for additional flexibilities within emergency feeding options, such as waiving the requirement that meals are served in group settings. We will keep you posted on these flexibilities.
- CDE has developed a short Q&A to answer common questions they are receiving from school districts; they will continue to add to this list of questions and answers. Current topics include:
- flexibilities on instruction time requirements
- use of e-learning and remote learning
- continued operation of school food programs
- flexibilities on grant reimbursements
- ESEA flexibilities on Maintenance of Effort
- CDE connections to school nurses
- connecting with public health agencies
- Continue to monitor CDE’s COVID-19 Resources for Schools webpage for a collection of fact sheets and guidance, including resources for talking with children about COVID-19.
School-Based Action Steps
- Work directly with your local public health agency for planning and any needed responses for COVID-19. To help CDE ensure they are providing an accurate picture any school closures to the state Emergency Operations Center, they’ve created this form to gather any potential school closures. If a school closure occurs, please first notify CSI and CSI will fill out this form on your behalf.
- With spring break around the corner, schools may need to consider cancelling any field trips or staff/student travel for the foreseeable future. While family travel cannot be controlled, consider communicating with families on guidance upon their return. See here for an example communication from Boulder Valley School District.
- Continue implementing the same practices as you would during flu season to prevent the spread of infectious diseases:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water
- Cover coughs and sneezes
- Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects
- Stay home if you are sick
- Avoid close contact with other people (Keep a distance of at least 10 feet)
- Follow the “How Sick is Too Sick” guidelines from CDPHE for school communities
- Several CSI schools have inquired about creating emergency preparedness plans in response to the spread of COVID-19. Jefferson County School District has samples that may be helpful as you work with your teams to prepare.
- Jefferson County Public Schools – COVID-19 Communications
- Jefferson County Public Schools – Health Services Page Resources
- Jefferson County Public Schools – Emergency Preparedness Plan – Highly Infectious Disease Plan
- Work directly with your local public health agency to develop your plans.
- Continue to check the resources on CSI's School Health Updates page for more preparedness plan examples.
- CSI does not have a policy to advise your school on school closure due to a high rate of illnesses; the decision to close schools is made by school-based leadership. If you do close your school because of a high rate of illness/absences please notify CSI staff.
As CSI receives more information about the state’s response to this infectious disease we will share it with schools.
Click the button below for more information on coronavirus as well as cold & flu information.
