Denver schools struggles with process to return in person learning

Denver Public Schools have again moved back a deadline for families to choose either in-person learning or online options for the remainder of the school year.

“In order to give families more support in making their enrollment decision as secondary schools share plans with their families, Denver Public Schools (DPS) is extending the deadline for middle school and high school families to select or change their enrollment for either in-person learning or the virtual program for the second quarter. The new deadline for students in grades 6-12 has been extended to the end of the day on Mon., Sept. 28 at 11:59 p.m.

“Families will hear more details from their schools on what in-person learning will look like at middle schools and high schools. DPS asks that families with students at charter schools please check with their individual school for deadlines, as these dates may vary.

“If district officials do not receive a student’s preference by the deadline, that student will be automatically enrolled in the virtual program. Families can make their preference within the Parent Portal on DPS’s website (https://myportal.dpsk12.org/). Families can also complete a PDF form and return it to their student’s school or call the front office of their student’s school and make their selection over the phone.

Current COVID-19 Conditions in Denver

We continue to monitor health data in partnership with the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment and Denver Health. Our COVID Conditions dashboard currently has two indicators in the red zone, so we want to share more information with you directly from our health partners. Please watch this video with Dr. Bill Burman, Director of Public Health for Denver Health and Medical Officer for the City and County of Denver.

Dr. Burman has shared that the increase in COVID in Denver is almost entirely attributable to increases at colleges and universities in Denver. Based on this, here is where we are with our return-to-school plans.

Elementary: Based on data from Denver Health that the rates of COVID continue to be very low for elementary-aged children, we will cautiously move forward with the following dates as planned, while continuing to monitor health conditions closely in consultation with Denver Health. Please check with your school for more details.

• Kindergarten students, some first-grade students, and primary special education center students will start to phase in the week of Sept. 28.
• All first-grade students will start to phase in the week of Oct. 5.
• Grades 2-5 students will start health and safety orientation days the week of Oct. 12.
• All elementary students (ECE-5th grade) will return to full in-person learning on Oct. 21, with the exception of students who have chosen a virtual program.

Secondary: We are closely monitoring the latest trends in the data for this age group, and again, we are cautiously continuing to plan for reopening secondary for in-person learning in the second quarter, although it will be in a hybrid approach as we have previously shared. Please check with your school for more details.

• Oct. 12-16: Health and safety orientations begin for students in grades 6-12.
• Oct. 21: Students in grades 6-12 return to a mix of in-person and remote learning.
• All middle and high schools will provide a minimum of 10 hours of in-person learning for students who have opted in, but the use of that time can vary by school:
• At some secondary schools, students may participate in a traditional, in-person class (like English 1) during in-person learning time. At other schools, they may continue remote classes and have a minimum of 10 hours of in-person time for academic/social-emotional support, academic advising, credit recovery, college advising or other options that address students’ needs.