GREENWOOD VILLAGE | The Cherry Creek School District has lifted its mask requirement for almost all summer programs and is “hopeful” that masks will be optional for the fall school year, according to a message superintendent Christ Smith sent to district families on Friday.
Now that the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has let its mask mandate for schools expire, the district is not requiring masks in any summer programs except the Extended School Year, which has a higher number of immunocompromised students.
Anyone who is not yet fully vaccinated is still “strongly encouraged” to wear a mask indoors, the message said.
The district will have a phased-in start to the upcoming school year the week of August 16-20. Grades 3-6 and 9 will return on Monday, Aug. 16, grades 1, 2, 7 and 8 will return on Tuesday, Aug. 17 and all other grades will return on Wednesday, Aug. 18.
This goal is “to allow students to have time with their teachers in smaller settings and a more supportive start to the year,” Smith said.
The Tri-County Health Department will be in charge of contact tracing any coronavirus cases in the district during the school year. In his letter, Smith said the district expects for masks to be optional during the year.
“We are planning for that likelihood but will continue monitoring state and local guidance before making a definitive decision,” he said. “Even if masks are optional when we return, anyone who is not fully vaccinated will be strongly encouraged to wear a mask while indoors.”
I’d like to know what the district thinks it’s role is in strongly encouraging anyone not fully vaccinated to wear a mask. Especially those 11 and under who aren’t even eligible for the vaccine. Really dismayed by this total lack of regard for younger students.