Check out the Englewood eLearning art gallery linked below.
Updates & Resources for Our Community
In this issue:

  • Update on Return to In-Person Learning
  • Governor's Roadmap to In-Person Learning
  • Deadline to Change Learning Environments
  • No Meals During Winter Break
  • Mental Health Matters
  • Family Activities for a COVID Holiday Season
  • Free and Low-Cost Events in December
  • Good News Stories

Update on Return to In-Person Learning
As we conclude our first semester in Englewood Schools and move into winter break, we continue to work with our local health department officials to understand the current impacts of COVID-19 in the community and the potential effects on in-person learning. Our Return Planning Committee continues to work on plans for a safe return in January along with refined metrics that will help us track how COVID cases are affecting individual schools as well as our community as a whole.

With that said, we have a tentative plan to bring ALL students who have chosen in-person learning back to school for in-person instruction beginning on Monday, January 11. This return date is subject to change based on COVID transmission in the community, but it is the goal we are working toward going into winter break, and it is our sincere hope that we can get students back on this date. The current plan is that Wednesday, January 6, which would have been the first day back for students, will be a learning transition day for teachers, with no student contact on that day. This will allow for a bit of additional time for teachers and school staff to ensure that classrooms, buildings and operational procedures are in place ready to welcome students back to buildings on January 11. January 7 and 8 will be remote learning days and all students will be expected to attend school virtually these two days. In addition to instruction, important updates as well as school and classroom expectations will be covered these days with the goal of making return to in-person as smooth as possible.

While it is our greatest hope we can welcome our in-person learners back to classrooms across the district on Monday, January 11, it is not a certainty as we must continue to see numbers with regard to COVID cases improve. The community can help us achieve our return goal by continuing to wear masks, washing hands and keeping distance from others not in the same household. We have seen the data improve over the past week or two, even after Thanksgiving, and we are hopeful that these trends mean that we can open our schools safely to in-person learning in January. 

In exploring new metrics to use for our specific schools, the Return Planning Committee has considered that data from our first semester show schools are relatively safe places for students and teachers, and that our safety protocols work to reduce the spread of COVID-19. We understand that in-person learning is important to our students and teachers and it is our goal to offer as much in-person learning as is possible during the next semester of school. Greater community spread increases the likelihood of someone bringing COVID into our schools, which causes learning disruptions as classes need to quarantine and transition to rolling remote learning. Please make sure that you are not sending your child to school if they aren’t feeling well or if anyone in your household or close contacts is not feeling well.

Please continue to monitor your child’s health during winter break and report any symptoms, positive tests or exposures of COVID-19 to your school’s health assistant. This will help us with a successful re-opening. We will continue to communicate any updates on our reopening plans as they become available.

In the meantime, we hope that everyone has a safe, happy and healthy holiday season!
Governor's Roadmap to In-Person Learning
Gov. Polis on Tuesday released a report from his Back-to-School Working Group to provide districts with a roadmap to getting back to safe in-person learning for the winter/spring semester. The state’s goal is to get back to safe, consistent in-person learning for the second half of the 2020-21 school year.

This report does not change many of the procedures we already have in place to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our schools such as symptom screening, mask wearing and hand washing. However, it does provide some additional resources such as increased testing and quarantine guidance that we did not have in the fall semester. Please see this cover letter for families.
Deadline to Change Learning Environments
Families will have until January 8 to change their decision about in-person or eLearning for second semester. After this date, we will discuss changes on a case by case basis. To request a switch, please talk to your school's secretary.

Elementary school students will also have an opportunity to change at mid-semester conferences.
No Meals During Winter Break
As a reminder, there will not be meals available during winter break. We plan to resume meal service on January 6, 2021. If you need assistance with food for your family, please see this list of food banks in Arapahoe County.
Mental Health Matters
During these challenging times, we know that parents and caregivers may need some extra mental health support. In this section, we will provide resources that families can access in order to support their mental wellbeing.

Parent Support Group
Parenting During the Holidays and a Pandemic
Open Zoom Discussion
Mondays 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Wednesdays 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Resources:
If speaking to someone would help, please reach out. AllHealth Network provides several supports.

  • To speak with someone in the Colorado Spirit Program about stress related to the pandemic, please call 720-707-6789 or visit the webpage at www.allhealthnetwork.org/Colorado-Spirit
  • If you are experiencing a mental health crisis and are in need of immediate assistance, please call the Colorado Crisis Hotline at 1-844-493-8255 (TALK) or text TALK to 38255.
Family Activities for a COVID Holiday Season
The CDC is discouraging multi-household feasts and gatherings to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Children especially may feel additional anxiety when missing the annual trip to Grandma’s house or that long-awaited, boisterous reunion with cousins. Unknowingly, they may act out feelings of anger, resentment and depression at home.

Parents can get ahead of these natural feelings before they rear themselves in the forms of defiance, aggression and self-isolation.

Respectful Ways, an innovative online youth program that teaches character building and social-emotional learning, offers a series of listen, play and learn activities to help families recognize and navigate through potential negative feelings, understand their origins, and help everyone cope with this unusual situation.
Free and Low-Cost Events for December
Check out these free and low-cost events held virtually and in our community this December.
Good News Stories
Englewood eLearning Art Gallery

Please enjoy this art gallery from our Englewood eLearning students! In addition to wonderful and creative art pieces, you can see or hear some students explain their artwork using Seesaw or Flipgrid. The gallery is updated often, so be sure to check back and see new creations!
Middle School Team's Spirit of Giving

This year for their secret gift exchange, the staff members at EMS and ELA purchased each other gifts that were favorites from their childhood in lieu of a regular gift exchange. The staff members then wrapped and donated the gifts to children in need in our district. 
eLearning Choir Performance

This semester, the eLearning students in 4th, 5th and 6th grade had the opportunity to join a choir club led by Ms. Abby Jayne. The students woke up early to sing before school and worked hard to create a digital "performance." They dedicated this first song to the teachers and staff on the Englewood eLearning team.
High Expectations ~ Accountability ~ Integrity ~ Respect ~ Community
4101 S. Bannock St.
Englewood, CO 80110
303-761-7050