Dear Thompson Community:
As the summer moves along, district staff are continuing to finalize plans for the return of students for the 2020-2021 school year. In our previous communication last month, we announced that staff members were working closely with local health officials to develop a plan that would allow for a full return to in-person instruction this fall. We are pleased to report that the process is progressing quickly and effectively. Several of our plans have already received approval and we continue to work with officials on other key items that will help ensure safety for students and staff. Here is an update on what has been finalized so far, as well as what we are still working on.
What to Expect at Schools and District Buildings
Academics
- Families will have the option to select from a full in-person or a full online instructional model for students. A survey will be sent to families by July 17 asking for their plans for in-person or online instruction.
- Courses and content for both in-person and online instruction will provide students with the knowledge and skills to meet grade-level content standards, expectations and graduation requirements. Students will receive grades and feedback on progress toward meeting the class expectations in both in-person and online.
- We are currently evaluating school and classroom schedules to adhere to physical distancing guidelines and other safety considerations. More information will be provided in our next update this month.
Physical Safety
- There will be requirements in place regarding the use of face coverings for staff and students. The extent of these requirements are still being developed by the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment. We will share the department’s guidance once it has been established.
- A symptom-checking process will be in place for both students and staff. We are currently evaluating the protocol and will have more information later this month.
- Daily disinfection of high-use areas throughout the building will occur, including multiple daily restroom disinfections.
- We are partnering with county officials on a process for contact-tracing as needed.
- Physical distancing will be in place in corridors and common areas. Schools will use one-way traffic patterns and markers to identify proper social distancing where applicable.
- Additional handwashing and sanitation stations will be placed in schools as needed to promote handwashing and sanitation.
- To help minimize the number of people on campus, school volunteers will not be allowed to work in district buildings.
- Students will go directly into the building after drop-off, eliminating the need for parking and walking a student inside.
- Students will be encouraged to bring their own water bottles, as drinking fountains will be shut off per county orders.
Classrooms
- Desks will be placed as far apart as possible and oriented so that they are all facing the front of the room.
- Disinfection supplies will be provided in each room.
- The sharing of supplies is not encouraged. If supplies (such as laptop computers) are shared, disinfection will need to take place between use.
- Personal items will remain at the desk with the student. Phones and other personal devices will not be allowed to be shared.
- Furniture in the classrooms (such as soft fabrics) that cannot be disinfected will be removed.
Outdoor Guidelines
- Recess will be limited to outdoor activities within the same school cohorts.
- Due to safety precautions, the use of playground equipment will not be accessible at the beginning of the school year.
Breakfast and Lunch
Breakfast and lunch meals will be available. Although cafeterias will be closed, items will be available to eat outside or in the classrooms.
Transportation
- A survey was sent out to families who utilized transportation services to schools this past year. If you received this survey, please complete it so that we can get an accurate count of what our ridership numbers will be. Depending on our number of riders and the strict orders from our county and state health agency partners, we may not be able to accommodate transportation for all eligible riders.
- Space-available riders will not be granted access until all eligible riders are accounted for.
- Face coverings will be required for all riders.
- All busses will undergo a daily disinfection process.
Social-Emotional Behavior Support
- The district is utilizing federal CARES Act resources to provide additional staff to support students and staff in the transition back to school.
- Staff will receive training prior to the start of the school year on safety protocols as well as social, emotional, and behavioral supports.
- If you are having problems arranging reliable access to the internet, please call the district’s ITS Help Desk for consultation. The Help Desk is open to all families and staff for technical support. If you need assistance, please call 970-613-7777. Staff members are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.
For the latest information on the upcoming reopening of schools, please visit thompsonschools.org/covid-19. Details will continue to be posted on that website as they are finalized.
Our next update on the process will be shared on July 23. At that time, we expect that we will be able to communicate finalized plans to you on what you will experience on our campuses at the beginning of the school year. An on-line community forum is also being scheduled for Thursday, July 30, which will provide an opportunity for families and community members to receive additional information and get answers to questions that they may have. Additional details will be announced soon.
Thank you as always for your continued support. We hope you are having an enjoyable summer.
Regards,
Thompson School District