VCS 4th Quarter Plans
February 25, 2021
4th Quarter Plans
Dear Vanguard Classical School Families:
We hope that you are continuing to have a safe and healthy winter!
In our most recent February 10th letter, we explained that our next communication regarding 4th quarter learning would be no later than March 1st. This is that communication.
Your Vanguard Classical School Leadership Team and VCS COVID Response Team are excited to be planning for a return to Hybrid (A and B Cohort) in-person learning starting in the 4th quarter. This will begin for Cohort A students on March 22nd, and Cohort B students on March 23rd. On Wed, March 24th and all subsequent Fridays, instruction for all Cohort A and B students will be fully remote.
Remote learning for the remainder of the school year will also remain as an option for any VCS family that is uncomfortable with returning to in-person Hybrid instruction.
VCS uniforms will not be required for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year. Hair color restrictions will also be relaxed for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year. Dress of Choice rules will apply as clothing and hair must still be deemed appropriate and non-distracting.
To limit cross-cohort exposure, before and after school childcare will be postponed until Fall 2021.
We are pleased to see that COVID safety trends have improved in our state; namely the weekly test positivity metric along with the 14-day cumulative cases per 100,000 persons metric. We were waiting for the first metric to fall to less than 5% positivity, and the second metric to fall to less than 250 cases, which they have. Considering the safety measures we have been planning for, we can re-open our classrooms to students after spring break. However, COVID exposure still remains a risk factor in Colorado, and across our country and world. We reserve the right to postpone or alter this decision at any time if current trends/metrics change.
Based on Centers for Disease Control (CDC) social distancing guidelines, 5-day in-person instruction is not currently possible at VCS due to the high percentage of families (responding to our recent survey) indicating their desire to have their students return to school. We cannot place that many students back in our buildings and still maintain social distancing guidelines. However, if enough students remain remote, we will reconsider the 5-day in-person option, assuming all safety criteria can be met. For now, 4th quarter will resume with A and B cohorts.
While our “COVID Preparedness” is a source of VCS pride, it is also a reflection of our current reality due to the worldwide pandemic. “Normal School” will look quite a bit different for some time. Click on the VCS 2020-2021 4th Quarter Plans file below for more details.
Students who are ill, experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, have been recently exposed to COVID-19, or have members of their household with any of the previously mentioned conditions will not be allowed to enter the building unless the student and/or family member has a negative Covid-19 result.
Students and staff will wear masks at all times except lunch, where careful social distancing will be maintained.
Students and staff will start every day at “non-touch” temperature stations in each building.
VCS will concentrate on keeping students safely in their cohorts.
Wherever possible, students will not switch classes; instead, teachers will.
Meals will only take place in classrooms or outside, weather permitting.
Bathroom visits will be closely coordinated.
Entrance and exit from VCS will be carefully distanced and monitored.
Extra deep cleanings have been scheduled and classrooms and common spaces will receive additional deep cleanings between cohort groups.
VCS has purchased and installed HEPA filters within our HVAC system at both campuses, and we have also purchased and installed secondary HEPA-grade air purifiers for every classroom, office, and common space.
It is important to note that even with the detailed safety precautions we are taking, the pandemic is still not behind us. Unfortunately, many schools in our state that have reopened in 2021 have already had to quarantine numerous groups of students and staff. This is still a possibility for VCS, and something that we anticipate could happen at either or both of our VCS campuses. We have taken extraordinary measures to consider and account for numerous safety scenarios, and will continue to follow CDC guidelines which includes planning for potential exposure(s).
We appreciate all of the support that our VCS community has displayed throughout the past 11 months. We truly care about our students, staff and families. Please continue to do everything you can do to remain safe and healthy. Every safety precaution you practice is beneficial to all.
We are so excited to soon have VCS students and VCS staff back in VCS buildings!
Sincerely,
Jay Cerny – VCS Executive Director
Danielle Tomwing – VCS Board Chair
Emily Van Luit – VCS East Principal
Keria McCafferty – VCS West Principal
Dennis Steele – VCS Business and Operations Director
Katie Buckman – VCS East Nurse
Alisha Porter – VCS West Nurse
Important Details
Cohorts
PikMyKid
4th Quarter Materials Pick-Up for Remote Learners
Thursday, Mar 25, 2021, 08:00 AM
VCS East & West
Vanguard Classical School
Email: info@vanguardclassical.org
Website: https://www.vanguardclassical.org
Phone: 0000000000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vanguardclassical/