Safe Return to Schools Plan

Adams 12 Five Star Schools is committed to maintaining learning environments as normal as possible this school year.  Adams 12 in conjunction with local public health will review and make adjustments to guidance as needed based on:

• Current COVID 19 data

• Risk of transmission and levels of community spread

• Implementation and compliance of mitigation and prevention strategies 

• Other information related to the health and safety of students, staff and the community.

**The following health and safety protocols have been updated as of Aug. 31, 2021, Nov. 30, 2021,  Feb. 8, 2022, May 31, 2022 and last revision date of 10/3/2023. The plan will be reviewed every 6 months and updated if needed.**

Academic/Classroom Guidance

• Families may enroll their child in the Five Star Online program in lieu of in person learning for the 2023-2024 school year. 

• Classroom instruction should return to pre-COVID practices as much as possible.

• Schools should encourage social distancing when possible.

• Currently, there are no building capacity limitations, however all staff, students and families should practice physical distancing when possible.

• Assemblies and field trips are permitted. 

• Visitors are welcome in all district buildings.

Social/Emotional/Mental Health

A strong emphasis continues to be placed on supporting students social and emotional wellness upon returning to in person learning in the educational setting through the integration of the following: 

• Building Healthy Communities-The Building Healthy Communities is an ongoing educational event series that provides families with information and skills to help navigate the unique pathways of youth development with confidence. 

• Panorama Student Survey-A Survey instrument that elevates student voice on school climate, teaching and learning, relationships, and sense of belonging.

• Regular tier one weekly SEL instruction in all elementary buildings

• Integrated SEL practices that intentionally and explicitly help build a habit of practices through which students and adults enhance their SEL skills

• Increase in staffing of Social Emotional Learning Specialists, School Counselors and School Psychologists and Social Workers

• New or continued implementation of SEL initiatives building wide (Sources of Strength, Second Step, SOS, …)

• Regular data analysis by the district SEL/Mental Health team of trends and patterns of behavior and mental health needs in order to further support buildings on an ongoing basis 

Common Areas/Food Service/Water Systems

• Common areas, water fountains and concession stands are open.

• No capacity limits, however, staff are encouraged to hold large events outdoors when possible.

• Signs will encourage frequent hand washing/sanitizing.

Nutrition Services

• Cafeterias will be open.

• Serving lines and grab and go stations are utilized as applicable across the district.

• Food is protected by shields, covers or wraps.

• Utensils and surfaces are cleaned routinely following all health department guidelines.

Transportation Services

• All bus riders including the driver masks are optional.

• Buses will return to full capacity for students.

Health and Safety Protocols

Face Coverings (Masks)

• Masks are optional in all district schools and buildings.

• Masks are optional for everyone on district buses.

The district will honor personal and parent choice with regard to mask-wearing. Some staff or students will choose not to wear a mask while others will continue wearing one. As always, we ask that everyone respect the individual choices of others. Our schools and classrooms will continue to provide a safe and welcoming environment for all. 

Vaccinations

COVID vaccinations are encouraged but are not required for anyone 12 years and older. Families may visit this website for vaccine information. 

Quarantines/Contact Tracing

In alignment with state and local public health guidance, Adams 12 Five Star Schools is following the new isolation and quarantine period, which has been shortened from 10 days to 5 days. The Five Star District will seek guidance from local public health to determine next steps when there is a suspected outbreak. 

If a classroom or grade level is required to quarantine due to an outbreak, remote learning opportunities may be provided in accordance with district procedures. 

Quarantine exemptions will be determined by local Public health. 

BPH COVID-19 Data

Shift to Remote Learning due to Staffing Shortages

Staffing shortages as well as employees needing to stay home due to illness has the potential to require a classroom, core or grade level to shift to remote learning for a limited period of time in accordance with district procedures. 

Quarantine Processes

Preschool Students

• Continued learning opportunities for quarantined preschool classes will be shared with families in the event of a quarantine. These opportunities will include a blend of synchronous and asynchronous learning.

• Preschool leadership will work with special education teams to identify multiple instructional pathways for students with disabilities.

Elementary and Secondary Schools 

• During an outbreak in a classroom, core or grade level, public health may require that students and staff who do not meet the quarantine exemption guidelines must quarantine.

• Quarantined students could engage in independent learning for all of their non-quarantined classes. This includes logging into their class’s learning management system (Schoology or Google Classroom) to check for resources and assignments, and completing assigned work. 

Other Protocols

The district will continue to implement layered prevention strategies including, but not limited to:

• Increased ventilation to include 6 air exchanges per hour

• Portable HEPA (high efficiency particulate air [filter]) air purifiers in all classrooms and common areas, meeting rooms, and offices

• Frequent Hand Washing and sanitizing  

• Enhanced cleaning and disinfecting protocols

• Reinforcing the importance of staying home when sick  

• Encouraging social distancing when possible

COVID -19 Testing

The CDC recommends that anyone with any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 get tested, regardless of vaccination status or prior infection.  

External Resources

During Colorado’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, children and staff who have been exposed to a positive case or who have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 listed below, must follow the Guidance for Cases and Outbreaks in Child Care and Schools. Testing for COVID-19 is strongly recommended for anyone with symptoms or a known exposure. When the guidance for COVID-19 instructs children and staff to follow their regular return to school illness policy, this guidance may be used to determine when children and staff may return to school or child care.

What to do if your child is sick information for families and students can be found at: https://www.adams12.org/resources/health-services/what-to-do-if-your-child-is-sick