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June 25, 2020

Earlier this month we shared that we were preparing for four phases of learning options , from the most restrictive—distance Learning continuing—to the least restrictive “Phase 4”—a return to normal operations in which all students are back in school. Our hope is that students and staff will spend much (if not all) of the year in Phase 4, in as close to a traditional/normal schedule as possible. Our intent and plan is for all students to return to school, in-person this fall (in a Phase 4 environment), unless local or state guidelines prevent it. 

Like districts across the country, we are spending time developing contingency plans for a scenario in which local or state guidelines restrict the number of students we can have in a classroom or school building. Even though we hope it will not be necessary, we have spent a significant amount of time planning for a Phase 3 environment due to the tremendous complexities around its execution. As a reminder, in Phase 3 students participate in both in-person instruction and distance learning.

This month, each of our schools convened a Return to School Committee made up of parents and teachers to review the data collected through the parent and staff surveys and to specifically discuss Phase 3 of the four phases of learning options. The committee weighed parent and staff preferences with what is best for our students and will meet their developmental, academic, and social emotional needs in the year ahead. The committee at the high school also discussed schedule accommodations necessary to ensure high school students will continue to have the opportunity to participate in Colorado Mountain College courses. We thank these committees for their time on this important issue.

Today, we want to provide insight into what Phase 3 might look like if it is required. Details around transportation, food service plans, and enhanced health and safety precautions for the fall will be shared the first week in August. We will certainly notify you sooner if there is new information to report. Thank you in advance for your patience. Please know that if you email us in the next 3-4 weeks, we will receive your message, however responses may be delayed due to summer schedules.

The information below reflects our best thinking right now. However, in an evolving situation, our plans may change. It is important to know that the remote component of Phase 3 will be asynchronous (i.e., not live). While half of the class will be learning in the classroom with the teacher, the other half will be engaged remotely in assignments that reinforce the lessons taught at school. As a reminder, our intent and plan is for all students to return to school, in-person this fall (in a Phase 4 environment), unless local or state guidelines prevent it.

Early Childhood Center: In Phase 3, the Early Childhood Center will likely be able to run on a traditional schedule with all students in school, given the small student population. 

Soda Creek Elementary School & Strawberry Park Elementary School: In Phase 3, elementary school students will be at school every day for at least a half-day in order to accommodate all students with capacity restrictions in place. When students are not present for in-person learning, they will have practice material and/or assignments to reinforce the lessons taught at school.

Steamboat Springs Middle School & Steamboat Springs High School: In Phase 3, middle and high school students will be placed in an “A” or “B” cohort group and will be at school with their cohort 2-days a week, every week with a rotating third day at school, every other week. Days when students are not at school, asynchronous (i.e., not live) remote learning is in place. 

Yampa Valley High School: It is likely that all students will be able to attend school during Phase 3 due to the small student population. However, if additional restrictions are required, staff will work with individual students to develop a weekly schedule.

We will be offering a 100% online asynchronous (i.e., not live) distance learning option. For staffing purposes, we ask that families who choose this option commit to it for the entire 2020-2021 school year, however we will consider changes at the semester (January 2021) if necessary.

If you are interested in the online program, please click here by August 3, 2020 and we will share more information with you as soon as it’s available.

We will follow all protocols mandated by the Center for Disease Control, the State of Colorado, the Colorado Department of Education, and Routt County Public Health. Phase 3 and Phase 4 plans will be reviewed with Routt County Public Health for their approval.  

As a district, we are stocking up on personal protective equipment including disposable and reusable masks, hand sanitizer, disinfectant machines, face shields, gowns, thermometers, gloves, air filters, and plexiglass shields. We will share more information in July and early August regarding health checks, cleaning protocols, logistics around recess for elementary students, and other health and safety measures (e.g., use of masks, temperature readings, hand washing, and social distancing) that will be in place.