A student or staff member at Carbondale Middle School tested positive for COVID-19 resulting in the quarantine of almost all of the 5th grade class because the entire grade and its teachers are considered a cohort. 

CMS parents and students received notice that 5th graders would transition to distance learning before school started on Friday, January 22. This cohort will quarantine through January 31 and return to in-person learning on February 1. 

A student or staff member at Carbondale Middle School tested positive for COVID-19 resulting in the quarantine of almost all of the 6th grade class because the entire grade and its teachers are considered a cohort. 

CMS parents and students received notice that 6th graders would transition to distance learning on Wednesday, January 13. This cohort will quarantine through January 16 and return to in-person learning on Tuesday, January 19. There is no school on Monday, January 18, because of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

Roaring Fork High School sent out communication earlier today announcing that in-person school would be canceled Tuesday, January 12 after four students exhibited concerning symptoms at school, including nausea, headaches, and vomiting, within a short period of time. 

The announcement stated: “Out of an abundance of caution, we are canceling in-person school at RFHS on Tuesday, January 12. Athletic practices are canceled today January 11 and tomorrow January 12.” 

The students were immediately sent to the health tent for evaluation and then sent home and encouraged to seek medical attention and get a Covid test as these are all possible Covid-19 symptoms. 

However, because this situation does not present as a typical Covid-19 outbreak, the school immediately contacted the fire department to check the environment and were given the all-clear. The school closed off the areas of the building where the students presented symptoms and had windows open in all rooms. Tomorrow will be an opportunity for school staff to deep clean and make sure the environment is safe. 

Teachers for in-person classes will be in touch with students tomorrow with asynchronous learning opportunities. The school plans to resume in-person learning on Wednesday, January 13. 

Effective immediately, the Roaring Fork Schools will implement a shortened quarantine period for those exposed to a confirmed case of Covid. Students will now quarantine for 10 days, shortening the previous quarantine period by four days. Staff will now quarantine for 10 days without a negative Covid test or for seven days if they get a negative Covid test five to seven days after the exposure. 

This shortened quarantine comes from Garfield County Public Health, which revised its quarantine protocols to better align with the new guidelines issued by the CDC in December that shortened the recommended quarantine period. Although the Roaring Fork Schools have schools in Garfield, Eagle, and Pitkin Counties, going forward, the district will implement Garfield County Public Health’s quarantine protocols in all schools to ensure consistency and prevent confusion. The district remains committed partners with all three counties.

“We know that quarantines cause disruption for everyone in our schools. Our hope is that this shortened window will provide some relief,” said Superintendent Rob Stein. “But it’s still critical that everyone continue to do their part to keep Covid out of our schools to minimize quarantines as much as possible.”

Due to diminished staff capacity, Basalt, Roaring Fork, and Bridges High Schools will transition to distance learning through the remainder of this week. BRHS announced this transition on Sunday, December 14, while BHS and RFHS announced this transition on Monday, December 14. Glenwood Springs High School remains learning in-person at this time. 

While each of the high schools have had confirmed cases of Covid-19 resulting in student and staff quarantines over the past week, the decision to transition to distance learning is based on each school’s inability to to meaningfully deliver the academic program and provide sufficient supervision given how many staff are either quarantining, at home with children who are quarantining, at home in isolation due to Covid-like symptoms, or who are out due to planned absences.  

“We know that quarantines, isolations, and transitions between in-person and distance learning cause great disruption for students, staff, and families,” said Superintendent Rob Stein. “At the same time, we know the enormous benefits of in-person learning.” 

Winter break begins Friday, December 18. All Roaring Fork Schools plan to resume in-person learning after winter break.

Roaring Fork High School transitioned one cohort with 38 students and one teacher to distance learning today because of a positive case of Covid-19. All students who have been exposed have been contacted directly and will quarantine through Wednesday, December 23. The students quarantining will resume school after winter break. 

Glenwood Springs Middle School transitioned one cohort with 25 students to distance learning today because of a positive case of Covid-19. All students who have been exposed have been contacted directly and will quarantine through Wednesday, December 23. The students quarantining will resume school after winter break. 

Basalt Middle School transitioned one cohort with 83 and six teachers students to distance learning today because of a positive case of Covid-19. All students who have been exposed have been contacted directly and will quarantine through Wednesday, December 23. The students quarantining will resume school after winter break. 

If students are quarantined at home and not symptomatic, they will engage in distance learning during that time period through electronic means where possible or through asynchronous learning. The affected areas in the schools will be deep cleaned and disinfected prior to the return of non-impacted students and staff.

Rob Stein
Superintendent
Roaring Fork Schools

Two staff members at the Basalt Elementary Early Childhood Center tested positive with Covid over the weekend, and another staff member is exhibiting Covid symptoms. Because of this situation, the Basalt Elementary Early Childhood Center will be short-staffed and will temporarily close until September 28 during the 14-day quarantine period.

“We understand this closure puts families in a difficult situation, and we apologize for the inconvenience,” said Early Childhood Director Cindy Gray. 

The Roaring Fork Schools are working closely with Public Health and have contacted all students and staff who had close contact with those individuals. The district cannot divulge names to protect patient confidentiality.

The Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) announced that boys golf, softball, boys tennis, and cross country have been given approval from the state’s COVID-19 Response team within the governor’s office to begin play this fall. Following CHSAA’s direction, the Roaring Fork Schools developed a plan that mirrors the safety regulations issued at the state level. This plan was reviewed by Garfield, Pitkin, and Eagle County Public Health Departments, and these team sports will now resume.

“While the decision to allow our athletes to participate in these CHSAA approved sports may feel inconsistent with our more cautious approach to opening the school year with distance learning, both decisions are based on the guidance of the respective governing authorities,” said Superintendent Rob Stein. “We are eager to give our kids opportunities to resume normal activities safely such as playing outdoor sports with minimal contact and many safety protocols in place, and we hope that these early opportunities will pave the way to more in-person interaction with our students as the fall unfolds.”

The safety regulations include a daily COVID-19 screening, social distancing during practices and contests when possible, masks are required except during active play, and no locker room use. Additionally, any student that chooses to participate in RFSD athletic activities must complete a CHSAA waiver. See the full plan details here.

On August 4, CHSAA announced a revised athletics and activities calendar for the 2020-21 school year that splits sports into four seasons and moves all contact sports, including football and volleyball, later in the calendar.  

“The board was excited to hear CHSAA’s COVID plan that provides access for student athletes in this unpredictable environment,” said Roaring Fork Schools Board President Jen Rupert. “While we all agree that a return to normal activity would be ideal, the rearranging and shortening of seasons to be able to offer sports in a safe way provides a really important opportunity for our students at a time when so many options are limited.”

PARA PUBLICACIÓN INMEDIATA

6 de august 2020

Las Escuelas Roaring Fork anuncian planes deportivos para el otoño

La Asociación de Actividades de Escuelas Preparatorias de Colorado (CHSAA por sus siglas en inglés) anunció que el golf para varones, softbol, tenis para varones y el cross country han recibido la aprobación del equipo de Respuesta COVID-19 del estado dentro de la oficina del Gobernador para comenzar a jugar este otoño. Siguiendo la dirección de la CHSAA, las Escuelas Roaring Fork desarrollaron un plan que refleja las regulaciones de seguridad emitidas a nivel estatal. Este plan fue revisado por los departamentos de salud pública de los condados de Garfield, Pitkin y Eagle, y ahora se reanudará.

“Aunque la decisión de permitir que nuestros atletas participen en estos deportes aprobados por CHSAA puede parecer inconsistente con nuestro enfoque más cauteloso de abrir el año escolar con la educación a distancia, ambas decisiones se basan en la orientación de las respectivas autoridades gubernamentales”, dijo el superintendente Rob Stein. “Estamos ansiosos por dar a nuestros jóvenes oportunidades de reanudar las actividades normales de manera segura, como la práctica de deportes al aire libre con mínimo contacto y aplicando varios protocolos de seguridad, y esperamos que con estas oportunidades iniciales se abra el camino a una mayor interacción en persona con nuestros estudiantes a medida que se desarrolle el otoño”.

Las normas de seguridad incluyen una prueba de COVID-19 diariamente, distanciamiento social durante las prácticas y competencias cuando sea posible, uso de mascarillas excepto durante el juego activo, y no usar los vestuarios. Además, cualquier estudiante que elija participar en las actividades deportivas de RFSD debe completar el formulario de exención de CHSAA. Para ver los detalles del plan completo, haga clic aquí.

El 4 de agosto, CHSAA anunció un calendario revisado de deportes y actividades para el año escolar 2020-21 que divide los deportes en cuatro temporadas y mueve todos los deportes de contacto, incluyendo el fútbol y el voleibol, más adelante en el calendario. 

“La Junta Educativa se entusiasmó al escuchar el plan de COVID de CHSAA que provee acceso a los estudiantes atletas en este ambiente impredecible”, dijo la Presidenta de la Junta Educativa de las Escuelas Roaring Fork, Jen Rupert. “Aunque todos estamos de acuerdo en que el regreso a la actividad normal sería ideal, la reorganización y el acortamiento de las temporadas para poder ofrecer los deportes de manera segura proporciona una oportunidad realmente importante para nuestros estudiantes en un momento en que tantas opciones son limitadas.”

Effective June 15, 2020, the Roaring Fork Schools are reopening its outdoor spaces, including playgrounds, fields, courts, etc., in line with the specific restrictions and requirements for each municipality’s outdoor spaces. At this time, the Roaring Fork Schools are opening these outdoor spaces for public use only and are not renting these spaces. Rentals to businesses deemed critical by a Colorado Public Health Order (CPHO) will be considered.

“We know access to our fields, playgrounds, and outdoor courts is important to the well-being of our communities. We hope to continue a cautious reopening approach by allowing the public to use these facilities and amenities in a way that aligns to the recommendations of public health,” said Chief Operating Officer Jeff Gatlin.  

All use of district outdoor spaces and amenities must adhere to local requirements. Signage is posted at all playgrounds to “use at your own risk” because the district cannot clean playground equipment frequently or at all. See the following summary of what this means in each community, including a list of fields closed this summer because of routine maintenance. Please keep in mind that the following guidance was issued at the time of this press release and can evolve when local orders change.

Glenwood Springs

The following district amenities are open for use following these distancing and safety recommendations:

• Playgrounds are open (up to 10 people). 
• All sports courts and sports fields are open (up to 25 people). Not for organized league play, and spectators are discouraged.

Carbondale

The following district amenities are open, but users must abide by the public health order group size limits and follow the existing protocols, rules, and regulations for use.: 

• Baseball and soccer fields are open (up to 25 people). Baseball and softball leagues are not taking place.
• Outdoor basketball courts are open (up to 25 people).
• Playgrounds are open (up to 25 people). We cannot clean frequently (or at all) so we have “use at your own risk” signs up at the playgrounds.

Basalt

The following district amenities are open for use following these distancing and safety recommendations:

• Playgrounds open (up to 10 people). We cannot clean frequently (or at all) so we have “use at your own risk” signs up at the playgrounds.
• All sports courts and sports fields open (up to 25 people). Spectators are discouraged.

The following fields are closed to all use due to top-dressing/overseeding:

• The main football field at Basalt High School will be closed this summer, but the other BHS fields are available for use.
• The football field at Carbondale Middle School will be closed this summer.
• The football field at Glenwood Springs High School will be closed this summer, but the practice field to the east is available for use.

The Roaring Fork Schools, Summit 54, and Summer Advantage USA have determined that there is not a safe and responsible way to hold the Summer Advantage program in the Roaring Fork Schools this summer. 

“This was a difficult decision made in the interest of the health and safety of our students, staff, and community, but we appreciate that many families will be disappointed at the lack of programming this summer,” said Roaring Fork Schools Superintendent Rob Stein. “We really value our partnership with Summit 54 and Summer Advantage and look forward to offering the program next summer when conditions allow.”

The Summer Advantage program serves approximately 550 students and employs 110 staff members each summer. The program is held locally in three elementary schools in the Roaring Fork School District.

“Summit 54 is disappointed that our partnership with the Roaring Fork School District and Summer Advantage USA will not be able to provide the Summer Advantage program to our scholars this summer,” said Terri Caine, co-founder of Summit 54. “The large program size increases risk, and the three-way partnership felt that the health and safety of our scholars, educators, support staff, parents, and other family members required that we cancel the program for 2020. Summit 54 eagerly looks forward to sponsoring this important program again in 2021.”

Summit 54 is an Aspen-based non-profit that works in close partnership with nationally recognized educational organizations, local school districts, and other entities to bring successful academic, physical fitness, and life enrichment programs to Colorado’s students. One such partnership is with Summer Advantage USA, a national non-profit organization that provides free summer learning programming focused on academic gains.

“Summer Advantage shares in the disappointment expressed by both Summit 54 and the Roaring Fork Schools. This was such a tough call to make, but ultimately the health and safety of our scholars, families, employees, and everyone who helps to ensure Summer Advantage is a success each year is just not something that anyone was comfortable risking,” said Amber Deckard, Summer Advantage USA President. “We remain committed to the Roaring Fork Valley community and our partnership with Summit 54 and RFSD, and we look forward to seeing everyone for summer programming in 2021.”

____________________________________________________________________

PARA PUBLICACIÓN INMEDIATA

19 de mayo 2020

El programa conocido como “Summer Advantage” no se llevará a cabo este verano debido al COVID-19

Las Escuelas Roaring Fork, Summit 54 y Summer Advantage USA han determinado que no hay una forma segura y responsable para llevar a cabo el programa Summer Advantage en las Escuelas Roaring Fork este verano. 

“Esta fue una decisión difícil con el fin de proteger la salud y la seguridad de nuestros estudiantes, personal y de la comunidad, pero entendemos que muchas familias se sentirán decepcionadas por la falta de programación este verano”, dijo el Superintendente de las Escuelas Roaring Fork, Rob Stein. “Realmente valoramos nuestra asociación con Summit 54 y Summer Advantage y esperamos ofrecer el programa el próximo verano cuando las condiciones lo permitan”.

El programa Summer Advantage atiende aproximadamente a 550 estudiantes y emplea a 110 personas cada verano. El programa se lleva a cabo localmente en tres escuelas primarias del Distrito Escolar Roaring Fork.

“Summit 54 lamenta que nuestra asociación con el Distrito Escolar Roaring Fork y Summer Advantage USA no pueda ofrecer el programa Summer Advantage a nuestros alumnos este verano”, dijo Terri Caine, co-fundadora de Summit 54. “El hecho de que el programa sea tan grande aumenta el riesgo, y las tres partes consideran que la salud y la seguridad de nuestros alumnos, educadores, personal de apoyo, padres y otros miembros de la familia requiere que se cancele el programa para el año 2020″. Summit 54 espera ansiosamente patrocinar este importante programa de nuevo en el 2021.”

Summit 54 es una organización sin fines de lucro en Aspen que trabaja en asociación con organizaciones educativas reconocidas a nivel nacional, con distritos escolares locales y con otras entidades para llevar a cabo programas exitosos de enriquecimiento académico, físico y de vida para los estudiantes de Colorado. Una de estas asociaciones es con Summer Advantage USA, una organización nacional sin fines de lucro que proporciona programación gratuita de aprendizaje durante el verano enfocado en los logros académicos.

” Summer Advantage comparte la misma desilusión expresada tanto por Summit 54 y las Escuelas Roaring Fork. Esta fue una decisión muy difícil, pero ultimadamente la salud y la seguridad de nuestros estudiantes, familias, empleados y todos los que ayudan a asegurar que Summer Advantage sea un éxito cada año simplemente no es algo que nadie se sienta cómodo arriesgando”, dijo Amber Deckard, Presidente de Summer Advantage USA. “Seguimos comprometidos con la comunidad del Valle Roaring Fork y nuestra asociación con Summit 54 y RFSD, y esperamos ver a todos para la programación de verano en 2021”.