A Message from Dr. Brad Meeks |
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October 2020
This month, Routt County got the green light to step down to the first level of the Safer at Home plan. However, with case counts now on the rise, mitigation strategies are being developed. Public health has warned that we have about 3-4 weeks to get case counts down. Everyone must do their part. Limit your social interactions, wear a mask, stay six feet apart from others, stay home if you are sick, and get tested if you have symptoms.
Dr. Brian Harrington recently said, "The greatest risk to our schools comes from our greater county population, not from within the schools. Our current numbers though, especially if they continue to rise, may preclude further expansion of in-person education in our county schools."
If, as a county, we can get COVID cases back under control, our hope is to plan for a transition to Phase 4 (see our Phases graphic) for students in grades K–2, January 19, 2021 and for students in grades 3-5 on January 29, 2021. Families with students in grades K–5 have completed a survey and more than 80% support a return to full-time, in-person learning.
While Colorado Department of Education guidelines for the current phase of the Safer at Home plan allow elementary schools to function at full capacity, as guided by Routt County Public Health's current advice, we will only consider a return to school in January 2021 if Routt County has:
- 19 or fewer new cases in a two-week period
- Under 5% positivity
- Stable or declining hospitalizations for a two-week rolling period
As Dr. Harrington mentioned, it's all about the numbers. Rising numbers would likely preclude expansion of in-person education. Which takes us to where we are right now. While we have not experienced an outbreak in our district, we have had several quarantines. We would like to take this opportunity to provide insight into how we are responding to COVID-19 cases affecting our district. As a reminder, CDPHE criteria for school closures is available on our website.
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Routt County Public Health is the lead agency when it comes to COVID-19 cases in our county. They are the medical experts guiding our planning, response, and communication regarding COVID cases affecting our schools.
You will hear from public health when: your child or you as a staff member were potentially exposed to the virus at a school or on a bus. They will provide instructions to quarantine and recommendations on testing. For further insight on testing, you are encouraged to consult with your primary care doctor.
You will hear from SSSD to: follow-up communication to those in quarantine confirming that: (1) we are aware they are in quarantine; (2) they will be learning and/or working remotely; and (3) communicating when they are expected to return to school in-person.
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Here is a detailed explanation of how public health and district officials work together on contact tracing and communications.
- Typically, we are first notified of positive tests affecting our district by Routt County Public Health.
- Based on the identity of the individual who tested positive, we then work with the Public Health Department to aid them in their contact tracing efforts. This often takes time as we assess all of the points of contact (including the school, school bus, and even Boys and Girls Club) and the last date the individual may have been in close contact to the person who tested positive (this often varies especially if it is a bus-related exposure).
- As affected students and staff are identified, school principals and department directors are notified and lead our support communication efforts.
- District students and employees who are identified as “close contacts” and must quarantine are notified by the health department directly.
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We typically send a follow-up message directly to staff members as well as families of students required to quarantine. We then send schoolwide messages to those not impacted by quarantine. We also send a message districtwide to notify all families of the current situation. It’s important to know that we are sharing limited information, as advised by Routt County Public Health, to protect the privacy of students and staff.
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We are grateful for Routt County Public Health’s partnership in keeping our community safe and informed. We will continue to work with them as positive cases affect our schools.
In regular conversations with Public Health Medical Officer Dr. Harrington and Public Health Director Roberta Smith, we are discussing cold and flu season, as well as holiday plans and travel, which may affect our quarantine numbers. However, an outbreak of the virus is not the only thing that affects our ability to keep schools open. A dwindling substitute teacher pool is becoming problematic, especially given the number of staff who can be impacted by a quarantine. We may, at some point, find ourselves in a situation where we do not have enough staff to operate a school for those in cohorts not quarantined.
We are actively seeking substitutes. Please visit the Colorado Department of Education site to learn about applying for a substitute teaching certificate in Colorado. Alternatively, if you are interested in a substitute paraprofessional position, contact Deb Ginesta at 970-871-3193 or Katie Jacobs at 970-871-3197 for more information.
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National Principals Month
In the month of October, we celebrate the hard work and dedication of our SSSD principals during National Principals Month. #ThankAPrincipal
Parent Teacher Conferences
With the pandemic affecting all aspects of the school district, parent-teacher conferences are no exception. Principals have developed new approaches to PT-conferences this year to reflect the ongoing need to adapt and be flexible. Look for more information on this topic to come from your school in the weeks ahead.
Become a Substitute for SSSD
Join other community-minded neighbors and apply to add your name to the pool of on-call substitute teachers for the 2020-2021 school year. Once hired, you will be ready to step up to help as the need arises and it suits your schedule. Learn more
Free Meals Extended
In alignment with the Federal government's announcement, SSSD will continue free meals to students through June 30, 2021.
First Impressions Survey
First Impressions wants to know how it can better support families during hard times. Take the survey today. English, Español
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In the News
Steamboat Springs School District hits pause button on plans to further reopen schools. Read more
The Building Futures event focused on introducing high school students to careers in construction. Read more
The approach of supporting students in their native language has been transformed during the past few years. Read more
A task force has been working to address a wide scope of efforts to improve policy and culture across the District. Read more
District begins process to create boundaries for new school, provides COVID-19 update. Read more
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Bond Project Construction Photos |
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Steamboat Springs Middle School |
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Soda Creek Elementary School |
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Strawberry Park Elementary School |
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