Coronavirus Updated: March 11, 2020

Coronavirus Update: March 11, 2020
Posted on 03/11/2020
Wash hands

March 11, 2020

Dear Douglas County Community,

With Spring Break quickly approaching, I want to provide a few additional updates about precautions the Douglas County School District (DCSD) has put into place to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our school district. I have a lot of information to share with you, so please take a few minutes to carefully read through this communication.

Yesterday, Governor Polis declared a state of emergency for Colorado. Per his press release, this declaration will help ensure resources are available to the state to combat COVID-19.

The safety and wellbeing of our students and staff is of utmost importance to DCSD. We continue to partner with Tri-County Health Department and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment when making preventative plans and decisions to protect our students, staff, families, and community.

Precautionary Measures

The following are a few additional preventative measures DCSD has put in place to help minimize the risk of contracting COVID-19 in our schools.

  • Our Highly Infectious Disease Response Plan has been updated to include COVID-19. 
  • We have ordered additional supplies of hand soap, hand sanitizer, and other necessary cleaning and sanitizing supplies and equipment for each building, classroom, and school bus.
    • This allows us to increase approved hand sanitizers and disinfectants at all schools, district facilities, and in all school buses.
  • Our classroom teachers and counselors are educating students on the importance of handwashing to prevent the spread of viruses. We have asked them to allow extra time for students to wash their hands before eating and when returning inside from recess.
  • We are reminding students and staff to wash hands regularly; use hand sanitizer; avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth; cover coughs and sneezes; and get a flu vaccination.
  • Our building staff are cleaning “high touch” areas with disinfectant solutions in schools and facilities on a weekly basis. Buses are also being cleaned and disinfected on a regular basis.

Spring Break Cleaning

Over Spring Break, we will be performing deep cleanings of all of our schools, facilities, and buses.

District-Sponsored Out-of-State and International Field Trips and Activities

As I shared with you previously, DCSD has canceled all district-sponsored out-of-state and international field trips and activities, as well as any out-of-state or international staff professional development trips. This decision was not an easy decision to make, and I understand it has been disappointing for many students and families. However, it was made in the best interest of our students, staff, families, and community. We encourage affected families to contact their school directly to inquire about any possible refunds or rescheduling possibilities.

Spring Break Travel

If you and your family have plans to travel over Spring Break, we encourage you to become familiar with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)’s Information for Travel. Should you travel to an area with widespread transmission of COVID-19, public health officials will guide you in quarantine requirements.

If you travel over the break, please be sure to wash your hands with soap and water often, and cover your mouth/nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing.

If you have any symptoms of COVID-19 such as fever, coughing, and/or shortness of breath,  please do not go to school or work, and call your healthcare provider.

Absences and Preparations for Remote Learning, Should it Become Necessary

We are asking our teachers to provide additional time and flexibility for students to make up work due to prolonged absences. We are also collaborating with our District Leadership Team and the Colorado Department of Education to develop plans should remote learning become necessaryYour school will be in touch to ask whether your family has technology equipment and internet access at home that would be needed in the event of remote learning. Please know we are not asking our families to purchase additional technology, we are simply assessing what our families currently have available, should remote learning become necessary.

Resources for Talking with Children about COVID-19

All of the media coverage and talk of COVID-19 can be stressful for not only adults but also for our children. If your child is showing signs of anxiety related to hearing about COVID-19, below are some resources that can help you in talking with them about COVID-19.

We appreciate your understanding and patience as we continue to monitor COVID-19. We will continue to post updates on our website at www.dcsdk12.org/coronavirus.

Sincerely,
Thomas S. Tucker, Ph.D.
Superintendent
Douglas County School District

Website by SchoolMessenger Presence. © 2024 SchoolMessenger Corporation. All rights reserved.

In compliance with Titles VI & VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, and Colorado law, the Douglas County School District RE-1 does not unlawfully discriminate against otherwise qualified students, employees, applicants for employment, or members of the public on the basis of disability, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, religion, ancestry, or need for special education services. Discrimination against employees and applicants for employment based on age, genetic information, and conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth is also prohibited in accordance with state and/or federal law. Complaint procedures have been established for students, parents, employees, and members of the public. The School District's Compliance Officer and Title IX Coordinator to address complaints alleging sexual harassment under Title IX is Aaron Henderson, 620 Wilcox Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, [email protected], 303-387-0127.

Outside Agencies

Complaints regarding violations of Title VI, (race, national origin), Title IX (sex, gender), Section 504/ADA (handicap or disability), may be filed directly with the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 1244 North Speer Blvd., Suite 310, Denver, CO 80204. Complaints regarding violations of Title VII (employment) and the ADEA (prohibiting age discrimination in employment) may be filed directly with the Federal Office of Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 303 E. 17th Ave., Suite 510, Denver, CO 80202, or the Colorado Civil Rights Commission, 1560 Broadway, Suite 1050, Denver, CO 80202.

NOTICE OF DESTRUCTION OF SPECIAL EDUCATION RECORDS

Special Education records which have been collected by Douglas County School District related to the identification, evaluation, educational placement, or the provision of special education in the district, must be maintained under state and federal laws for the period of five (5) years after special education services have ended for the student. Special education services end when the student is no longer eligible for services, graduates, or completes his/her educational program at age 21, or moves from the district. This notification is to inform parents/guardians and former students of Douglas County School District's intent to destroy the special education records of students who exited special education services as of June 30, 2016. These records will be destroyed in accordance with state law unless the parent/guardian or eligible (adult) student notifies the school district otherwise. After five years, the records are no longer useful to the district, but may be useful to the parent/guardian or former student in applying for social security benefits, rehabilitation services, college entrance, etc. The parent/guardian or eligible (adult) student may request a copy of the records by requesting the records at this link ( Douglas County School District Transcripts and Records Requests ).