EPES Returns to In Person Learning
2020-2021
Thank you for your support and hard work during first quarter Cloud School! We are so proud of our students’ ongoing effort and family partnerships that have made Cloud School a success!
We have been working closely with and receiving continued guidance from Larimer County Department of Health and Environment (LCDHE) and Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE), Colorado Department of Education (CDE), and our teachers to develop our plan for returning to in-person learning. Changes in guidelines can come at any time and recommendations for best health and safety precautions continue to be developed. Should anything in our plan change, we are committed to timely updates for all.
We continue to keep the priorities we have heard from families at the heart of our decisions:
Minimizing health risks
Consistency for student engagement in learning
Ensuring students are able to connect with peers in person
School Start and End Time
In order to make these adjustments that allow for smaller class sizes and keep our students with their cohort groups throughout the school day, we have to adjust our school start and end time because of the staffing adjustments that were necessary. The school day will be 8:10 to 2:00.
Phased Re-entry Schedule
We plan to slowly bring back students two grade levels at a time starting with our Kindergartners and 1st graders. This slow phased approach will allow for students to learn new health and safety procedures and for us to make any necessary adjustments along the way to ensure a safe return to school. Your teacher will contact you to let you know whether your child is in Group A or B.
Classes and Class Sizes
Face Coverings and Physical Distancing
Face coverings and physical distancing are the two primary ways to prevent and mitigate viral transmission. All students and staff are expected to wear tight fitting face coverings that cover the nose and mouth. When students are outside at recess or another break time and physically distanced by 6 ft., they will be allowed to remove their mask. Students who refuse to wear a mask and who do not have a valid and approved exception will not be able to attend in-person classes.
Staff and students will practice physical distancing by separating from each other 6 ft apart to the greatest extent possible. In the classroom students will have assigned seats spaced 3 to 6 ft. apart, and shared supplies will be minimized.
Student and Staff Health
In accordance with LCDHE, students and staff should not be at school with any symptoms of COVID-19, even mild ones. All parents must conduct daily health checks and home screenings for their students before they get on a bus or arrive at school. This includes a temperature check and answering a list of screening questions to ensure students don’t have any signs or symptoms of COVID-19. Any student who arrives at school with any symptoms of COVID-19 will be sent home.
COVID-19 Symptoms:
Fever over 100.4
Cough
Sore throat
Shortness of breath
Fatigue
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Runny nose
- Body/muscle aches
This is an essential virus mitigation effort we are taking to ensure we keep everyone healthy and safe at school. Any student or staff exhibiting symptoms will be moved to a medical safe room where they will be screened and while waiting for an immediate parent pick up. It is imperative that the school has up-to-date contact information for parents as well as local emergency contacts. If you have a change, please contact the school office and update your information.
Handwashing and Sanitizing
We will increase hand washing and sanitizing throughout the day for all students. A classroom handwashing schedule will be developed in every grade level, and handwashing will be required at regularly scheduled times during the school day. Hand sanitizer is placed throughout the school in the hallways. Bathrooms will be cleaned and sanitized a minimum of four times per day. School classrooms and common areas will be cleaned regularly.
Breakfast & Lunch
Recess
Arrival and Dismissal
Drinking Fountains
School Supplies
Quarantining & Building Closures
Can I visit or volunteer?
Thank You!
We are looking forward to a great transition to in person learning. Thank you again for your partnership as we work together to make this the best school year possible!
Erin Miller and John Bryant
Estes Park Elementary School
Email: kristen_berg@estesschools.org
Website: www.estesschools.org
Location: 1505 Brodie Avenue, Estes Park, CO, USA
Phone: (970) 586-7406