Garfield RE-2 School District
8-12-25, 6:06 p.m. – We are excited to confirm that the Garfield Re-2 School District will open school tomorrow, Wednesday, August 13.
Thank you to our technology and facilities teams for working diligently on our school-level communication issues created by the Lee and Elk RBX fires.
The change in weather conditions has improved the air quality for our staff, and we will have adequate staff for operations and schools to function safely.
Some important notes:
- Please be sure that you have updated your child’s information in PowerSchool. This is for two reasons: first so we have good contact information for you in the event of an emergency, and second, to ensure that your child’s health clerk knows if your child has a chronic condition or respiratory issue that may be impacted if the air quality deteriorates;
- Understand that conditions may change day to day based on fire behavior, so please be patient with our Principals, coaches, and athletic directors.
- If your child does have a chronic condition or respiratory issue, be sure that the health clerk has all appropriate medications for your child;
- All of our schools have filtered HVAC systems. We will monitor outdoor air quality closely and adjust our outside air intake accordingly;
- Each traditional classroom is equipped with a HEPA air purifier. The air purifiers have new filters. These filters do remove smoke, odors, and other particulates;
- All schools will have both regular and N95 masks available for any student or staff member if they so choose;
- If your child eats school lunch, the school lunch menu has been updated.
- Principals and Athletic Directors will be closely monitoring the air quality. They will be using the air quality feature through Watch Duty and Garfield County Air Quality – Rifle.
Here are some resources to help keep you informed about the changing situation with the Lee and Elk fires:
Alerts from Garfield County
Garfield County Emergency Communications
Official Evacuation Maps
Elk & Lee Fire Inciweb Site
We understand this is an anxious time for many families. If your household is directly impacted by the Elk RBX or Lee fires, please take the time you need to care for your loved ones and your safety. We look forward to welcoming your children back as soon as conditions allow.
We appreciate your patience, understanding, and flexibility during this challenging time. We are deeply grateful to all of the firefighters and emergency personnel working tirelessly to protect our communities.
Thank you, and we look forward to welcoming your child to school tomorrow, Wednesday, August 13.
Garfield Re-2 Administration
8-10-25, 7:17 p.m. – As a precautionary measure, the Garfield Re-2 School District will delay the start of the school year.
The Elk RBX and Lee fires have affected communications at several schools, and poor air quality has left us without enough staff to safely open.
There will be no school on Monday, August 11, or Tuesday, August 12. We are working to restore communications, ensure adequate staffing, and monitor conditions closely. We plan to open on Wednesday, August 13, if conditions allow. We will update you no later than 5 p.m. on Tuesday to confirm.
All athletic practices are also canceled for Monday and Tuesday.
We understand this is an anxious time for many families. If your household is directly impacted by the Elk RBX or Lee fires, please take the time you need to care for your loved ones and your safety. We look forward to welcoming your children back as soon as conditions allow.
We appreciate your patience, understanding, and flexibility during this challenging time. We are deeply grateful to the local, state, and federal emergency responders and firefighters working tirelessly to protect our communities.
If you have any additional questions, please contact the Garfield Re-2 District Office at 970-665-7600.
Thank you,
Garfield Re-2 School District Administration
https://www.facebook.com/Garfieldre2/
