Garfield Re-2 News
June 5, 2020
We want to hear from YOU!
The greatest hope of everyone in the Garfield Re-2 School District is that we will return to a traditional school year beginning in August 2020. We are, however, planning for three options including in person instruction, virtual instruction and a hybrid opportunity.
Accordingly, Garfield Re-2 staff will be working through most of the summer and engaged in a variety of task forces to develop what instruction, safety, and personal protection, parent engagement and early childhood education will look like when we return to school.
We would like any and all parents that would like to be involved to participate in at least one town hall meeting during the week of June 8, 2020. These meetings will be with task force members, the Superintendent, Asst. Superintendent and Communication Director.
We have a variety of in person or virtual options to participate in. The options are listed below. Please use this form to RSVP so that we know approximate numbers to expect, and properly physical distance our rooms for in person meetings.
Sign up for a Parent Engagement Town Hall here:
Monday, June 8 -Parent Engagement Town Hall (virtual) at 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Monday, June 8 - IN PERSON Town Hall Parent Engagement New Castle, ECE 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Tuesday June 9 - Parent Engagement Town Hall (virtual) 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Wednesday June 10 IN PERSON Town Hall Parent Engagement Silt, CVE (Spanish interpretation provided) 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Thursday, June 11 - Parent Engagement Town Hall (virtual) 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Thursday, June 11, VIRTUAL Town Hall Parent Engagement DAC (Spanish interpretation provide at 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Thursday,, June 11 IN PERSON Town Hall-Parent Engagement Rifle RHS 6:45 PM to 7:45 PM
Friday, June 12 - Parent Engagement Town Hall Madres en Accion (Virtual) (Spanish interpretation provided) 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Friday, June 12 Town Hall Parent Engagement (virtual) 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM
2020-21 Budget Timeline
Here are some key dates to know as we try to get our school district budget complete:
June 2, 2020 DAC meeting to discuss School Finance June 4 & 5 School Board will work 1 x 1 or 2 x 2 with Supt and Finance Director on budget and budget priorities; June 6, 2020 School Board Meeting/Workshop on finances June 9, 2020 Regular School Board Meeting - with budget progress review June 16, 2020 Possible School Board Meeting/Workshop June 23, 2020 Regular School Board Meeting/Workshop with an anticipated second reading of budget; June 30, 2020 Possible special meeting for second reading of budget as last opportunity barring any special considerations from the State. The budget information that was presented at the May 26 School Board meeting can be found here. We are anticipating between a 5% and 20% increase to the negative factor which will result in a decrease in funding. The Board will continue to seek ways to maximize resources to schools and staff, while facing a potential multi-million dollar decrease in state funding. We are asking our stakeholders to complete a brief financial values survey to help guide the board, admin and potentially Collaborative Solutions as we all look at helping to shape the budget. (Here is the survey) We know there are questions about reasonable assurance and teacher contracts, however, we can not issue either until we have a budget to work from. More information to follow as quickly as we can get it to you.
Saturday School Board Finance Workshop
This is a workshop only. There will not be an opportunity for public comment or questions.
When: Jun 6, 2020 12:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Saturday Finance Workshop
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82540947065?pwd=QWYxTkRmT2hDYXFNakkwV1Y5azV6Zz09
Password: 212640
Or iPhone one-tap :
US: +13462487799,,82540947065#,,1#,212640# or +16699006833,,82540947065#,,1#,212640#
Or Telephone:
Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 346 248 7799 or +1 669 900 6833 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 929 436 2866 or +1 301 715 8592
Webinar ID: 825 4094 7065
Password: 212640
International numbers available: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kciyhCC6xB
Goodbye 2019-20; Hello 2020-21 - Task forces and Parent Focus Groups
We know that families, community, and staff want to know what the school year will look like for the 2020-21 school year. We do too. Our District administration must adhere to the guidance from the State of Colorado, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Garfield County Public Health, and Colorado High School Athletics and Activities Association. As their guidance changes - and it does quickly - we will be able to do more planning, preparing, and communicating about what the future looks like.
What we know is that we will be ready to teach students however that may look. We are exploring three different models for the 2020-21 school year including in-person, virtual, or a combination of the two. Our first priority is to keep our students and staff safe and we will provide the best education possible within the guidelines that are provided. We will keep you informed of decisions throughout the summer.
Our staff will be working through the summer on four different task forces:
- Instructional Task force
- Safety, Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) task force
- Parent engagement task force
- Early childhood task force
Task forces will officially convene the week of June 15 and conclude their work by June 30. Recommendations will be shared with Principals and Board of Education in July. There will be a lot of work taking place over the summer, and we are sure that the expectations around what school looks like in August will change dozens of times in the next six to eight weeks.
As their work product evolves into something more solid, we will be sure to provide that information to you.
If you would like to provide your feedback on how things went this year, we ask you to participate in one of our Parent Engagement Task Forces next week.
Summer building use and athletics not allowed
Per Garfield County Public Health guidance, all non-Garfield Re-2 related facilities use has been canceled through the summer. This includes, but is not limited to Boost Camp, Camp Invention, and Extended School Year.
We know there is growing anticipation for organized athletics to begin. Athletes and coaches alike want to begin preparing for their anticipated 2020-21 sports schedules and re-connect with their friends and colleagues.
As of today, the CDPHE guidelines for public schools state “No athletic or in-person co-curricular or extracurricular activities at this time.” Based upon current CDPHE guidelines, Garfield Re-2 is unable to begin organized athletic practices at this time. We will continue to actively monitor this ever-evolving situation and will update you as things progress. The current CDPHE guidelines also advise schools to “plan for extracurricular activities once they are allowed”. We believe the plans put together by our dedicated coaches and athletic directors will allow us to move forward quickly once CDPHE guidelines around organized school athletics are relaxed.
Congratulations to our retirees!
Pam Woolsey
Tamara Williams
Christy Walters
Congratulations to our Teachers and Staff of the Year
2020 Staff of the Year
Cactus Valley Elementary – Vania Rodriguez
Coal Ridge High School - Josie Estrada
Elk Creek Elementary – Karen Cardenas
Graham Mesa Elementary – Catherine Rossilli
Highland Elementary – Angela Robles
Kathryn Senor Elemenary - Jennifer Sirbu
Riverside Middle School - Dani Epperson
Rifle Middle School - Terri Arredondo
Rifle High School - Kathryn Nichols
Wamsley Elementary - Katya Lopez
District Office – Sharon Donohoue
Transportation – Norv Kochevar
Support Services - Izic Arnold
2020 Teacher of the Year
Cactus Valley Elementary - Trisha Rensberry
Coal Ridge High School – Joseph Luebbe
Elk Creek Elementary – Kristen Poland
Graham Mesa Elementary – Omar Bainum
Kathryn Senor Elementary – Victoria Miller
Highland Elementary – Shonna Scott
Riverside Middle School – Kim Murchison
Rifle Middle School – Amber Tharp
Rifle High School – David VanAlstyne
Wamsley Elementary – Sarah Harvey
Congratulations to these AWESOME staff members!!!
June 9, 2020 Garfield Re-2 School Board Meeting
The Jun 9, 2020 regular school board meeting will be provided virtually. Please provide your citizen's comments/questions by 4:30 p.m. on June 9 to publicaudience@garfieldre2.net
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87493129095?pwd=SXlGZ3YranFSaVI5UnRkVlQwZDB5QT09
Password: 939323
Or iPhone one-tap :
US: +12532158782,,87493129095#,,1#,939323# or +13462487799,,87493129095#,,1#,939323#
Or Telephone:
Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 669 900 6833 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 929 436 2866
Webinar ID: 874 9312 9095
Password: 939323
International numbers available: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kkU3NPhdr
Garfield Re-2 School District
Email: thamilton@garfieldre2.net
Website: www.garfieldre2.net
Location: 839 Whiteriver Avenue, Rifle, CO, USA
Phone: 970-665-7600
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Garfieldre2/
Twitter: @GarfieldRe2