Centauri School plans

LA JARA — The North Conejos School District is examining possibilities for a safe return to school this fall. As such Superintendant Curt Wilson penned a letter to parents and students about the direction for the school this coming season. Changing directives and recommendations from national and state health agencies surrounding the specifics of returning to school this fall certainly heightens anxiety and increases the demand for definitive answers.

This letter is to address, to the best of our ability, to convey the details of our return to school plan based upon current status, are subject to change based on directives from authorities, but are conveyed in the attempt to assist parents and students with the answers we can provide as of this date. A directive from our governor or health officials may cause slight or substantial changes, as school begins for students on August 19, and information changes daily.

We want to allow time for your decisions to be made given the options below’, and on July 20, 2020, we will send a parent survey to elicit parent choices so we can plan for the coming school year. The NCSD looks forward with anticipation and joy to announce its decision to return to 100% Monday through Thursday in-person instruction for the 2020-21 school year.

As of this date, we have the support of the Conejos County public health team and physician approval for the safety protocols outlined in the NCSD Re-Opening plan, a general scope of which is listed below. As of today, the following has been approved as best practices:

•Recognize the health, safety and welfare of students and staff as a top priority.

•Acquisition and utilization of industrial air diffusers with products to combat/destroy virus and bacteria to be employed in each school

•Cleaning routines employed reflecting best practices directed and encouraged by CDC, CDPHE and local health officials.

•Encouraging routines that teach interval hand washing and/or use of readily available hand sanitizers during the school day 

•Practicing social distancing in all phases of the school day to the extent possible given building limitations. Examples include, but not limited to staggered lunch times, use of grab and go lunches with outside eating when weather permits, recess in cohort groups, classroom transitions staggered, classroom seating that maximizes space available, cohorts staying together when all possible, all to the extent possible, and other practices as feasible.

•Temperature checks, non-invasive manner: first, at home by parents; second, by bus drivers; and checks upon entrance for all students/staff and visitors

•Asking parents to keep kids home who are ill or demonstrate symptoms

•School staff and students encouraged to wear masks

•Following CDC guidelines when/if an outbreak occurs in conjunction with local health official’s recommendations

•Providing students the option of enrolling in the NCSD online program Oddysseware versus in person instruction, and utilization of Google Classrooms for on-site students affected by COVID or other serious health issues.

*Based on current information and guidelines. Procedures and protocols updated contingent upon updated information, and any confirmed cases warranting other procedures. Please monitor the district website, Facebook page, and messages via School Messenger for forthcoming information . (transportation, fall scheduling, other protocols) NCSD is excited for a return to school, and with eagerness welcomes all students back for inperson instruction, and the privilege, the honor it is to work with our students!

Superintendent Curt Wilson