Feb. 25, 2022
Important Updates to DPS COVID Guidance
Dear Team DPS,

As we continue to work closely with our trusted health partners and navigate the changing health landscape, we wanted to share some reminders and updates about our COVID guidelines. 
 
To start, while today is the last day DPS requires mask-wearing in DPS buildings, masks are still highly encouraged for students, staff and others in our buildings. As a reminder, those using DPS transportation will still be required to wear a mask, per federal guidelines. 
 
Additionally, as we look ahead to the next phase of the pandemic, DPS will move to a disease-control model for COVID-19. These guidelines more closely align our COVID-19 efforts with the public health response strategies used for other infectious diseases in schools, such as the flu. They will go into effect Monday, Feb. 28 (unless otherwise noted). 
 
All updates listed below will be reflected in the Health, Safety, and Operational Guidance for Schools and Central as of Feb. 28 and updated on an ongoing basis as future changes occur. (This document should continue to be the “source of truth” for COVID guidance.) In the meantime, please review the below for more information about these adjustments.

Guidance for School Events, Visitors and Operations 
  • Visitors, volunteers, and families are permitted at schools and in school buildings. 

  • Athletic events, student performances, competitions and school events (such as graduation and school dances) can operate at full capacity, as permitted by the size of the venue, and without further health-related restrictions.
  • When planning events in your school community, leverage the DPS COVID Dashboard to monitor the number of cases in your community. 

  • Student meal times can resume normal operations.

  • All in-person meetings can return to full capacity, and virtual platforms can continue to be used for meetings as appropriate.

Transportation
In alignment with federal law, masks are required while aboard public transportation, which includes school buses and other district-provided transportation to and from school or events. Transportation retains a supply of disposable masks so that no student will be turned away.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
DPS will continue to fund PPE through spring semester 2022. Please reach out to your school if you would like to access these resources, such as masks, hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes. 

COVID Positive Cases and Reporting 
  • If a student or staff member tests positive for COVID, they are required to report their case by letting their school or supervisor know.

  • The positive individual is required to stay home and isolate for 5 days past the first day of symptoms (or 5 days past the testing date if they are asymptomatic). They may return on day 6 as long as they are fever-free and feeling mostly better. We ask this individual to continue wearing a mask while indoors during days 6-10 after the first day of symptoms or testing date. 
  • If a household member tests positive, individuals who are not vaccinated or up-to-date on the vaccine should quarantine for 5 days following the last day of exposure. 

  • All reported cases will appear as active on the DPS COVID Dashboard for 5 days, per CDC guidance.
 
COVID Contact Tracing and Quarantines
  • Contact tracing and school-dictated quarantines for COVID will no longer be required by DPS. DPS will follow CDPHE’s guidance and defer to the local health department if quarantines are needed.

  • Per CDPHE, if a school experiences an outbreak of COVID, the public health department may implement strategies such as universal masking indoors, physical distancing, testing, contact tracing, and quarantine for close contacts.

  • Those returning to a DPS school or building after being COVID positive are asked to follow CDC and CDPHE guidelines to properly wear a mask for the 6-10 days after an infection.

COVID Vaccinations and Boosters
  • Beginning March 5, the city's public health order will have ended, COVID vaccines will not be mandated in DPS for visitors and students, and they will no longer be mandated for staff. At that time, new hires will not be required to show proof of vaccination, and boosters will not be required.

  • We strongly encourage all staff, students and families to access COVID vaccines and boosters, including through our Denver Health School-Based Health Centers in schools across the district. Call 303-602-8958 to make an appointment.
 
COVID Leave 
For questions related to leave because of being sick with COVID, having a dependent sick with COVID, or for information on requesting an ADA accommodation, see more information on The Commons

Strategies to Stay Healthy
To support these new guidelines while continuing to prioritize each other’s health and safety, we’ve updated our DPS 5. This revised guidance includes: 
  • Self-monitor for symptoms of illness, and stay home if you are sick.
  • Masks are still strongly encouraged. 
  • Maintain physical distance when possible. 
  • Be thoughtful when planning meetings and events. 
  • Practice good hygiene. 

We understand these steps toward “normal” may come with emotions and questions for many of our families. Please review this FAQ for more answers to questions you may have. 
As throughout the pandemic, we will continue to monitor the health landscape and work closely with our health partners to make adjustments as needed. As a DPS community, we will work toward a “new normal” together.

Catch up with Superintendent Dr. Alex Marrero by following him on Instagram and Twitter, both @DrAlexMarrero!

DPS School Counselors of the Year Announced
DPS School Counselors of the Year were announced earlier this month in honor of Counselor Appreciation Week. We received over 20 nominations for counselors across DPS!

The 2021-22 Counselors of the Year are: 
Laeren Yates, Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy 
Elementary School Counselor
Chelsea Ammons, Bryant Webster Dual Language
Middle School Counselor
Kelly Bravo, Summit Academy
High School Counselor
Check out the bi-weekly counselor newsletter to learn more about each of the winners and nominees. Congratulations, Laeren, Chelsea and Kelly!
Utilizing Additional Investments to Support Our Schools
This year, our schools have received $16 million in federal COVID-relief (ESSER) funds, and $3 million during 2021-22 fall adjustment to prevent layoffs due to enrollment decline. Next school year, schools will receive $10.5 million in ESSER funds, along with around $6.5 million to help keep schools fully staffed. DPS is committed to using these funds to address staffing shortages that continue to impact our ability to fill a variety of positions such as nurses, bus drivers, food service workers, paraprofessionals, teachers and substitute teachers.

In addition to the ESSER funds, DPS Central Office staff members have played a key role in keeping schools open during the staffing crisis with more than 400 Central Office team members supporting in schools one day a week. Thanks to these efforts combined, schools across DPS have been able to keep their doors open for in-person learning during the spike of Omicron cases in Denver.

“We will continue to look for ways to support our students, families and educators,” DPS Superintendent Dr. Alex Marrero said, “so that all members of Team DPS can continue to work together to lift up our scholars.”
Reminder: Join Community Feedback Gatherings on Proposed 'Executive Limitations'
As we shared last week, the Board of Education will be hosting two Community Feedback Gatherings on March 1 and March 3 on a proposal made by the Board that would “(p)rovide the rights and protections of the DCTA collective bargaining agreement (as a floor) to all licensed teachers, regardless of whether they work at an innovation or non-innovation school.” Currently, DPS innovation schools have the ability -- with a majority vote of the school’s educators -- to opt out of some parts of the collective bargaining agreement between the teachers’ union (DCTA) and the school district.

Join Community Feedback Gatherings via Zoom at the following times:

  • Tuesday, March 1, from 6-7:30 p.m. for families and community members who live in Board Districts 2 and 4. 
  • Thursday, March 3, from 6-7:30 p.m. for families and community members who live in Board Districts 1, 3 and 5.

Please check the Board of Education’s website, board.dpsk12.org, for updates on the Community Feedback Gatherings and more detailed information on how to participate.
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