Once the Durango 9-R Matrix was developed and released, the State of Colorado developed further guidance on how to effectively return students back to school.  Our staff task force will review this recommendation and determine if further adjustments to the 9-R Matrix are warranted. Should there be any updates, we will communicate those changes on Friday, January 8, 2021.

We look forward to welcoming all elementary children back on Monday, January 11.  At this time, they will be in school next week on Monday and Tuesday, with remote services on Wednesday through Friday.  Again, we will communicate any changes to our current matrix when they occur.    

Middle and High School will resume in the future as transmission rates drop further in our community.  At this time under the matrix adopted by the district, these grade levels may return when the community moves into a Level Yellow.  With the move last Friday to Level Orange, this could occur as early as two weeks from now if transmission rates continue to drop.

We understand the many feelings surrounding our abilities to re-open schools to in-person learning right now and are working diligently with our community partners and our staff to get kids back to school safely and as soon as possible. I do appreciate the parents who have emailed me and the school board and encourage continued open dialogue and feedback.  This pandemic has impacted all in different ways and fear and anxiety exist on the part of all individuals in our community to different degrees, including our own staff and families.

I appreciate your patience and look forward to continuing to work with you and our community to effectively return students to school.  It is our desire to avoid changes in learning models throughout the remainder of the year as that is a major strain for students, families, and our staff. It is our hope that this matrix will allow us to phase back into in-person learning for all students and to maintain that learning model for the remainder of the school year.

Sincerely,

Dan Snowberger

Superintendent