Posted March 13, 2020
Dear DPS Families:
Today we have made the difficult decision to move to an extended spring break for all DPS schools, including charter schools. It is never easy to make a call like this, but we did so on the advice of medical experts to ensure that we are supporting the health and well-being of all of our students, staff and families. This extended spring break will start Monday, March 16, and continue until students return on Tuesday, April 7. This decision was made after detailed and thorough discussions with our Board of Education, the City of Denver, Denver Department of Public Health, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, and other organizations around the city and state in response to growing concerns about coronavirus (COVID-19).
Our schools will be open and operating on a regular schedule tomorrow, Friday, March 13, and we will use the day to help students and families transition to the extended spring break that starts on Monday, March 16. All before- and afterschool care, including Discovery Link camps, will be canceled March 16 until April 7 when students return to school. Please note, those schools that are already closed because of a related confirmed case of coronavirus (COVID-19) will remain closed to students March 13 through April 6.
All school buildings will be open on Monday, March 16 and Tuesday, March 17 with limited staff available. These days will not be used for instruction, but instead will give families more time to come into school buildings and get any items that they may need for the extra time off, such as picking up medications from the school nurse.
School buildings will then be closed for students from Wednesday, March 18 through Monday, April 6. During that time, essential personnel will do the important disinfecting that needs to be done to ensure the building is ready for staff to return April 6, and students to return April 7.
We are still monitoring what this will mean for the school year and are continuing to look into what this will look like moving ahead. We will share more information as soon as it’s available.
Thank you for your support in helping to keep our students healthy and safe.
Below are some resources you may find helpful in talking about virus with children:
Sincerely,
Susana Cordova
Superintendent