Frequently Asked Questions

BVSD has returned to in-person learning:

• Preschool is in Phase 3 – Hybrid Learning, with two days of in-person learning a week. On February 2 they will move to Phase 4 - In-Person Learning  with four days of in-person learning a week

• Elementary students are in Phase 4 – In-Person Learning with four days of in-person learning a week.

• Middle school students are in Phase 3 - Hybrid Learning, with two days of in-person learning a week

• High school students are in Phase 3 - Hybrid Learning, with two days of in-person learning a week
  Exceptions: Boulder TEC and Arapahoe Ridge High School will operate in Phase 4 – In-Person Learning four days of in-person learning a week.

We will continually to monitor the data alongside our partners in Public Health. Our community has continued to follow safety precautions and we did not see the anticipate spike after Thanksgiving.

We know that many people will want to celebrate the start of a new year, but our public health agencies are most worried about a potential spike following New Years. In order for us to successfully return students to school, it is crucial that we all put a priority on school, by continuing to do our parts by: 

• Wearing face coverings

• Keeping our distance

• Avoiding travel and gatherings with those outside of your immediate household 

• Adding Colorado’s Exposure Notifications App on your phone

Yes, childcare will continue to be offered when schools reopen. See childcare.bvsd.org for the most up-to-date information.

Food bag distribution will continue as is on Mondays. Visit food.bvsd.org for complete details. 

Holiday Closures: Mondays, Jan. 18 and  Feb. 15. No food distribution will occur on these days. Double food will be provided the week before each Holiday.

Yes, free breakfast and lunches will be provided through the end of the school year. 

CovidCheck Colorado, in partnership with the CDPHE, is offering free tests for students, staff and families. To schedule a test, visit the CovidCheck Colorado website. Testing location site choices are given as you go through the registration process. NEW LOCATION: Centaurus High School, now open.

You can also visit the county website here for more testing sites

Mobile sites will also be opening over the next couple of weeks. Schedules will be posted once they are available.

View additional testing FAQs.

We know that many students struggled social-emotionally during our previous stretches of Home Learning. We are incredibly concerned for the mental health of our students. It will take all of us working together to support them during this time. Please know that our school counselors, social workers and psychologists are here to support you. If you don’t know who to speak to, reach out to your principal.

If you or someone you know is struggling right now, encourage them to call Colorado Crisis Services at 1-844-493-TALK (8255). The line is open to everyone – children and adults.

Additionally, our partners with Mental Health Partners are offering the following virtual events:

Thursday, November 19, 11:30am-12:30pm
Navigating Parenting During COVID-19
The reality of COVID-19’s impact on services and supports for families

Tuesday, December 1, 6-7pm
Navigating School and Nurturing Kids’ Friendships During COVID-19
For parents of elementary ages kids and teen-agers

Tuesday, December 15, 12-1pm
Navigating the Holidays for Yourself and Kids During COVID-19

Register for the above events by emailing Jane Seymour, jseymour@mhpcolorado.org

Monday, November 23, 6-8pm or Thursday, December 17, 6-8pm
Basic Coping Skills for Stress Management

Register by emailing Bruce Renz, brenz@mhpcolorado.org 

For additional support information, visit the Family Learning Hub for academic and social support resources.

We strongly encourage our families and staff not to travel or gather in groups outside their household over the break. If they do we encourage them to follow safety precautions (ie mask wearing, physical distancing) and well as getting tested 5-7 days after travel.

In consultation with our partners in public health, we have differentiated our secondary students, because research has shown that they are more at risk for serious complications from COVID-19 and spread the disease more like adults. By keeping middle and high school students in a hybrid model, we are able to keep classroom sizes at less than 50 percent, allowing us to provide more social distancing, a key health precaution which has been recommended by public health for this age group. We know additional days in school would no doubt be beneficial for our older students, but it is simply not possible until cases come down more. When they do, we will.

Our plan to return students is based on the recommendation from the Working Advisory group which was to bring back our youngest learners first and then proceed with middle and high school. This allows us time to make sure we have all the systems in place and work through any issues that arise gradually. 

For this January return, our operations team was dispatched to install air purifiers in all classrooms and cafeterias across the district which was a huge feat. They worked over the break to install them in elementary schools and will take the next couple of weeks to install them in secondary schools. In addition, our team has been working to hire and train the new positions of Classroom Monitors and Health Monitors that will support our capacity to keep schools opened and staffed. We don't want to just get kids in school, we want to be sure we have systems in place to keep them in school.

Please note: Students are expected to engage in independent learning activities each Monday. Prior to Monday, teachers will provide resources, assignments and tasks for students to complete during their Independent learning time. 

Monday Launch Day is important because:

• Teachers will have the opportunity to participate in professional learning and plan time for the week 

  • Note: Typically, teachers have plan time throughout the week, but in this phase Monday is the only plan time they will have.

• Teachers will have time to collaborate with their colleagues (virtually or in-person) to create more engaging online content & lessons

• Parents and students will know what is expected of them for the remainder of the week and how to receive additional support if needed

• Teachers will have uploaded their class content into the Learning Management System (PK-3: Seesaw | 4-12: Schoology) for the week. 

  • Throughout the course of the year, this will be beneficial to families as it allows students to access their content anytime, even as we move into in-person learning opportunities. 

We have actively been recruiting for the new Classroom Monitor position as well as substitute teachers so that we have the necessary backup staff to cover classrooms, lunch periods, recess, etc.

• Our intensive programs at all levels, including ICAN, ILC and Newcomers programs, will be returning to in-person learning four days a week, corresponding with the school level dates, as listed above.
  
  Amongst these programs will be the Aspen Creek Pre-K ILC – the district’s only intensive program of preschoolers which will be returning to 4 days of in person learning on January 5th.

Yes, those who have been learning remotely can continue to do so.

If you want to now choose to opt out you can as well. Just let your school know.

Please work with your school if you would like to opt back in to in-person learning.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has the most up-to-date information about the virus. Contact them through CO Help at 1-877-462-2911 or https://cdphe.colorado.gov/co-help

We are working with public health to get vaccinations as soon as possible. We must follow the State's vaccination schedule with high-risk health care workers and individuals in Phase 1A and educators in Phase 1B. Plan details: https://covid19.colorado.gov/for-coloradans/vaccine/vaccine-for-coloradans

We currently have a team looking at logistics for next year. We are hopeful that we can have a sense of normalcy in the fall. 

CHSAA (Colorado High School Activities Association) has designated  the start of season B sports as Jan. 18 for the first practice, and Jan. 25 for when the first game can be scheduled.

Only high school sports are covered in the Governor's approval of CHSAA's variance application. So middle school would not start until students are back in person 4 days a week.