Stay-at-Home Order - What it means for school families

As we all know things change quickly and many families are asking about the governor’s stay at home order and public health order (attached). We wanted to provide some clarity. Please know that education is considered essential. Additionally, the order states that traveling for the purpose of “...receiving materials for distance learning, for receiving meals, and any other related services from educational institutions…” is an approved purpose.

Update on Remote Learning for Special Education Families

We hope that this finds you all well. We understand that you likely are working through a number of challenges at this time. We want to communicate with you about your child’s special education services during changes in school closures and distance learning situations. During this unexpected and unprecedented time, our partnership between home and school becomes increasingly crucial when it comes to our children. That will include staying in close communication in the coming days and weeks.

Good afternoon 9-R Families,

It has been great to see the collaboration and creativity of staff as they work remotely to identify ways to support students remotely. We are excited and anxious about our first day back at school tomorrow with our new remote learning environment, and truly look forward to welcoming kids back to school. Parents should expect more information from their child(ren)’s teachers on the work being assigned. Several documents are available here. These will provide you helpful information on what to expect and how best to support your student.

Update from Superintendent Dan Snowberger

Dear 9-R Families, We have been busy standing up new services and preparing for a new way for students and teachers to support academic growth and success from home. We know this will be a critical partnership with parents as we all work together to support your child at home. We will continue to share more information that will support your home learning environments, including daily schedule idea and ways you can prepare your child for success. We truly appreciate your support and grace as we all work to navigate these new waters.

Good evening 9-R community,

I hope you have been able to enjoy this Spring Break and spend some quality time with your families. Such family time is important during uncertain times. Like us, our children feel stress in times like this. This is a great opportunity for game time, watching movies together, reading a book, or playing outside. Lowering tension in our homes and engaging in fun, family time will help lower anxiety and keep our kids in a positive space.

9-R Closure Extended through April 17

Dear 9-R community, To help mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus in Colorado, on Wednesday, March 18, 2020, Colorado Governor Jared Polis ordered that all public and private schools across the state suspend in-person learning from March 23 to April 17. The Governor made this order via press release yesterday afternoon.

Extension of School Cancellation though Friday, March 27

Based on feedback from local health officials and community leaders, Durango School District 9-R is extending its current cancellation for students through Friday, March 27. The district will continue to monitor the situation in our community and make decisions regarding further extension of the cancelation by Wednesday of each week. This will remain our practice for each week moving forward as needed until a decision to resume school is made.

9-R Rolls Out Remote Meal Services to Support Families

The school district will provide access to breakfast and lunch in take-home packages at central pickup sites for all families in Durango as a continued support for families during school closures. This food option begins on Wednesday, March 25, 2020. These sites include remote bus stops as well as in-town locations and pick up will be on a daily basis. Any child from age 0-18 years will be eligible to pick up breakfast and lunch at these established locations at designated times for pick up. The child must be present to pick up a meal.

Important Update from Superintendent Dan Snowberger

We recognize that school closing is a major decision and challenges many of our families with a lack of childcare or supervision while parents are engaged in their careers and work. We don’t take this decision lightly, but will always take the best interest of our community to heart as we evaluate the situation. Currently, our schools are closed until Wednesday, March 25. Our district will evaluate conditions and circumstances each week and determine if extension of the closure is needed. Those decisions can be expected on Wednesday of each week. As this is a rapidly changing situation, we will decide one week at a time to limit the unnecessary impact on our community as a whole.

Important Update Regarding Spring Break and Cancellations

Durango School District 9-R, in partnership with local and state public health agencies, is closely monitoring the global outbreak of COVID-19, otherwise known as novel coronavirus. At this point we have cancelled after-school activities for the remainder of this week, and we are adjusting our spring break schedule.