AURORA | With COVID-19 cases spreading rapidly due to the omicron variant, local school districts are cautioning that while they are committed to keeping students in the classroom as much as possible, there may be temporary returns to remote learning due to staffing shortages or outbreaks.
“Families should be prepared for possible disruptions to school during the coming weeks, including temporary classroom or whole school closures resulting from staffing and substitute shortages and potential outbreaks of cases in a classroom, grade or school,” Cherry Creek schools Superintendent Chris Smith said in a Sunday message.
Smith cautions that bus transportation and meal services may be disrupted due to staff shortages in both areas. Bus routes may be cancelled or significantly delayed, and students might be served bagged lunches if not enough nutrition staff can prepare hot meals.
The Tri-County Health Department formally extended its mask mandate through January, so all students and staff are still required to wear masks inside school buildings. The message also said that the district will now be following the new CDC quarantine guidelines, which says that people can return to school or work while wearing a mask five days after a positive COVID-19 test if they are asymptomatic or have significantly improved symptoms.
A letter to families from Aurora Public Schools Superintendent Rico Munn did not mention any changes to quarantine guidelines, but asked families to keep kids home if they are sick.
Much like Cherry Creek, Munn said APS will have to be flexible as cases rise.
“Due to increased community transmission, we need to be prepared to adjust quickly and face potential staffing shortages,” Munn said. “With the likelihood of more staff members testing positive for COVID-19 and needing to isolate at home, we may need to transition certain classrooms or schools to remote learning. In addition, we ask for your patience if bus routes are delayed or cancelled. Please know that we are committed to providing as much in-person learning as possible.”
The letter asks that students bring their laptops or other technology devices home from school with them every day in case schools need to suddenly transition to remote learning.
Along with schools across the nation, both districts have been struggling this school year with staffing shortages, particularly of bus drivers and substitute teachers, that will make it more difficult for them to operate if a significant number of employees are out with COVID-19.
Cases in the region have risen significantly over the past several weeks. According to Tri-County, Arapahoe County currently has a 7-day incidence rate of 1,047 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents and 27% positivity rate for COVID-19 tests. In Adams County, the 7-day incidence rate is 818 and the positivity rate 28%. Both counties are considered to have high transmission of the virus according to CDC metrics.