As we return to school this week, GVA-DC will continue to implement layered COVID mitigation protocols to align with our ongoing goal of keeping students safe and in the classroom for in-person learning.
GVA-DC, like other schools across the state and nation, is facing staffing shortages for substitutes, and other essential staff. The added impact of potential COVID isolations due to the Omicron variant will likely increase these shortages. We would like to ask for your help in order to minimize the potential disruption COVID may have on our learning environment. It is important to understand that should a student-facing staff member test positive or show symptoms commonly associated with COVID they will be required to isolate for five days. This could result in the need for additional substitutes to cover classes or the potential for some students to temporarily be moved to a remote learning environment.
We will continue to honor parent and staff choice regarding the decision to wear facial coverings and/or to access vaccinations and that decision is not a factor in the COVID protocols being implemented or encouraged at GVA-DC.
- We encourage our staff and students to get a COVID test prior to returning to school. Early detection and staying home when positive is key to helping avoid exposures in our classrooms.
If you or your child tests positive for COVID over the break, please contact Stacy Bush at [email protected] or 720.897.9301 to receive further information on the next steps and guidance on when your child may return to school. Anyone who tests positive or has symptoms commonly associated with COVID should isolate for five days (more information is listed under the Isolation section below.
- If you are showing signs of illness, please stay at home until you are well. Please reference this symptom screening document for guidance on when it is safe to return to school after illness.
- Consider getting vaccinated (or accessing the booster vaccine) if you haven’t already (this is not required). The guidance and protocols indicate that being vaccinated helps to prevent quarantining.
We strongly encourage our staff and students to wear a face-covering while indoors at school (except while eating or participating in activities that would not be conducive to mask-wearing). Again, this is not required, with the following exceptions:
Consistent with a federal public health order, students and staff are still required to wear face masks on school buses.
Masking may be required in individualized circumstances as an accommodation under the ADA, Section 504, or the IDEA. Students, staff, and volunteers should continue to bring masks to school in the event they may be needed. In the case that masks are needed in certain situations to protect an individual with an accommodation under the ADA, Section 504, or the IDEA, it will be done in a manner that impacts the fewest number of individuals as possible and will additionally respect students and staff who for medical reasons cannot tolerate a mask.
Substitute Teachers
Sign up to be a substitute at GVA-DC to help us be prepared for staff shortages (GVA-DC will reimburse applicants for fingerprinting costs). Contact Juliet Steward at [email protected] or 720.897.9302.
- We will need extra substitute teachers to stay in person.
- If you are a licensed substitute please become active in GVA-DC classrooms to help us have enough coverage for our classrooms.
- Spread the word about openings at GVA-DC including lunch supervisors, substitute teachers, etc.
Prepare for the possible impact of Omicron and positive cases on our operational sustainability as a result of positive COVID cases and operational/workforce impacts:
If nutrition services are impacted with COVID, adjustments to daily menu options may be necessary.
- If teachers or school staff are impacted with COVID, we may need to push classes, grades, or schools to remote for 5 days, and students, teachers, and schools would move to remote learning for a temporary time.
- Please be prepared and ready for transitions as a result of positive COVID cases.
GVA-DC’s Layered COVID Mitigation Protocols
GVA-DC will follow guidance from the Douglas County Department of Health with Jogan Health Solutions, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, and the Centers for Disease Control regarding Isolation and Quarantine protocols. Students, teachers, or staff who are experiencing symptoms of COVID, regardless of vaccination status, should stay home and seek testing. Persons should also stay home when experiencing any other acute illness and refer to their healthcare provider for medical care as needed.
Staying Home When Showing Signs of Illness
Please continue to do your part by keeping students home, and/or staying home yourself, when showing symptoms of illness. Please reference this symptom screening document for guidance on when it is safe to return to school after illness.
Isolation
Generally, if an individual has tested positive for COVID, or is demonstrating symptoms commonly associated with COVID they will be asked to isolate in alignment with guidance from the CDC, CDPHE, and Douglas County Department of Health. This updated guidance reduces the recommended time in isolation for those in the general population with COVID-19 from 10 to five days, if asymptomatic on day five, followed by an additional five days wearing a mask when around others. This change is based on data showing that the majority of COVID-19 transmission occurs early in the course of illness.
Symptoms commonly associated with COVID, include a new fever, shortness of breath, loss in taste or smell, sore throat, body aches, fatigue, and/or diarrhea. Isolated students will be provided with learning opportunities until they are able to return to the classroom.
Quarantine
In the case of an outbreak at a school, in a classroom, etc. (to be determined in consultation with the Douglas County Department of Health and Jogan Health) students and staff who are determined to be a close contact of an individual who is positive for COVID may be required to quarantine. The need to quarantine would be dependent on a variety of factors including whether or not masks were worn, vaccination status, and whether or not exposure occurred in a higher-risk environment such as exercising.
Additional Layered COVID Mitigation Protocols
GVA-DC will continue with its layered COVID mitigation protocols, which include:
- Air purifier units in every classroom.
- Strongly encouraging (but not requiring) the wearing of facial coverings, with certain exceptions described above.
- Encouraging frequent hand washing and providing access to hand sanitation stations.
- Continuing with increased ventilation in buildings.
- Encouraging outdoor learning and activities where possible.
- Disinfecting frequently.
- Implementing physical distancing where possible.
- Providing families and staff with information about COVID vaccination and testing opportunities.
- Notifying families when their student may have been exposed to COVID so they may screen for symptoms and access COVID testing if desired.
- Notifying staff members when they may have been exposed to COVID so they may screen for symptoms and access COVID testing if desired.
Accommodations for Students
Families needing accommodations related to ADA, 504 or IDEA should work with Principal Stacy Bush on determining potential plans and next steps.
We are absolutely committed to doing everything we can to keep our students safe, and in the classroom for in-person learning. However, the continued unpredictability related to the COVID pandemic paired with the staffing challenges schools are facing across the nation make this even more difficult to navigate. We appreciate your assistance and partnership in this journey.
We will continue to send additional information and updates. If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to Stacy Bush at [email protected].
Thank you for your ongoing support and flexibility as we navigate these crazy times! We wish you all a very happy and safe new year!
Stacy Bush
Principal, GVA Douglas County