Governor Polis Extends School Closure to April 30

DCSD Closure Extended Through April 30
Posted on 04/01/2020
Empty ClassroomEarlier this afternoon, Governor Jared Polis announced that the suspension of in-person learning in public and private schools across the state has been extended through Thursday, April 30.

The Douglas County School District will follow the Governor’s executive order and remain closed through Thursday, April 30, and we will continue with remote learning during that time.

DCSD Remote Learning Plan
Over the past few weeks our lives have changed, and our routines have dissipated. Many families are now trying to balance working from home with assisting their children with online learning. Before the end of this week, I will share with you our complete remote learning plan designed to keep children engaged so they can learn and grow, while also affording them with meaningful opportunities for connection and community. If your child attends a DCSD charter school, please check with your school about its specific remote learning plan.

Access to DCSD Buildings and Facilities
All DCSD buildings and facilities (including schools, playgrounds, athletic fields, etc.) are closed through April 30. We are unable to allow families or students access to our schools to pick up any personal belongings at this time. In addition, in order to help minimize the spread of COVID-19 in our community, we ask our families and students to avoid playgrounds, ballparks, athletic fields, tracks, etc. located on DCSD properties.

Community Service Hours for 2020 Graduates
With remote learning in place, it’s incredibly difficult for our high school seniors to receive the 20 hours of community service hours required to graduate with the Class of 2020. I have had many discussions about this dilemma with our high school leaders, and together we have made the decision to waive this community service requirement for DCSD’s graduating seniors. In other words, community service hours will not be required for our 2020 graduates.

Proms/Graduation Ceremonies
Due to this extended closure, we have made the decision to cancel all DCSD-sponsored proms scheduled to take place this spring.

We are incredibly proud of our Class of 2020 and are looking into options for high school graduations. While we do not have a specific plan in place for graduations just yet, we are working on contingency plans should our closure be extended beyond April 30. One potential option would be to reschedule graduations for the summer so that we can still celebrate our amazing graduates who worked so hard to earn their diplomas. We do not want them to miss out on this important milestone.

Technology Access
DCSD is committed to providing students and families assistance in obtaining a technology device, and/or internet access to participate in remote learning. Families still in need of remote learning technology can complete DCSD’s technology needs survey to submit a request for a technology device or assistance with internet connectivity. Those who complete the survey will be contacted via email and provided information on how to pick up the requested device. If your child attends a DCSD charter school, please check in with your school directly for information on how to access a device.

Special Education
According to Federal guidance from the U.S. Department of Education and the Colorado Department of Education, if a district closes its schools to slow or stop the spread of COVID-19, and continues to provide educational opportunities to general education student populations, the schools must ensure that students with disabilities also have equal access to the same opportunities. Included in this requirement, schools must implement the IEP of a student with a disability to the greatest extent possible.

IEP services will look different during a school closure, and they will be made available to all students with disabilities. School teams are collaborating with parents to schedule remote IEP services designed to support student learning and maintain skills. Special education teachers and related service providers are using many of the same technology platforms to deliver services as general education teachers. IEP teams will work to complete special education evaluations virtually, and to facilitate virtual IEP meetings to the greatest extent possible. Parents and IEP teams will work together to decide if any evaluation or meeting should be postponed. Parents should direct questions about their child’s special education services to the case manager, related service provider(s), and then to the school principal.

School Counseling / Mental Health Resources
School counselors, school social workers, and school psychologists will provide counseling and mental health services to students, both individual and group sessions, using tools such as Google Meets during the closure. Schools will provide access for students to request a counseling session at any time. There are also many community resources to assist families with safety and mental health concerns. Meals for Students During DCSD Closure
Our amazing Nutrition Services Department will continue providing grab-and-go breakfasts and lunches for free to anyone 18 years and younger. This will be available through the April 30 closure, with additional locations beginning next week. Please visit the COVID-19 Family Resources page on our website for more details.

We sincerely appreciate all that you are doing for your children and there is absolutely no expectation for perfection as it relates to remote learning. As a community, all we can give is our best and I thank you for your patience and perseverance as we navigate this together.

Thank you again for your partnership, and more importantly, please remember to care for yourself during these stressful times. We are in this together and we will prevail for our 68,000 students. #UnityofPurpose

As always, we will continue to post up-to-date information, announcements, resources, etc. on our website at www.dcsdk12.org/coronavirus.


Sincerely,

Thomas S. Tucker, Ph.D.
Superintendent
Douglas County School District

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In compliance with Titles VI & VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, and Colorado law, the Douglas County School District RE-1 does not unlawfully discriminate against otherwise qualified students, employees, applicants for employment, or members of the public on the basis of disability, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, religion, ancestry, or need for special education services. Discrimination against employees and applicants for employment based on age, genetic information, and conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth is also prohibited in accordance with state and/or federal law. Complaint procedures have been established for students, parents, employees, and members of the public. The School District's Compliance Officer and Title IX Coordinator to address complaints alleging sexual harassment under Title IX is Aaron Henderson, 620 Wilcox Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, [email protected], 303-387-0127.

Outside Agencies

Complaints regarding violations of Title VI, (race, national origin), Title IX (sex, gender), Section 504/ADA (handicap or disability), may be filed directly with the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 1244 North Speer Blvd., Suite 310, Denver, CO 80204. Complaints regarding violations of Title VII (employment) and the ADEA (prohibiting age discrimination in employment) may be filed directly with the Federal Office of Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 303 E. 17th Ave., Suite 510, Denver, CO 80202, or the Colorado Civil Rights Commission, 1560 Broadway, Suite 1050, Denver, CO 80202.

NOTICE OF DESTRUCTION OF SPECIAL EDUCATION RECORDS

Special Education records which have been collected by Douglas County School District related to the identification, evaluation, educational placement, or the provision of special education in the district, must be maintained under state and federal laws for the period of five (5) years after special education services have ended for the student. Special education services end when the student is no longer eligible for services, graduates, or completes his/her educational program at age 21, or moves from the district. This notification is to inform parents/guardians and former students of Douglas County School District's intent to destroy the special education records of students who exited special education services as of June 30, 2016. These records will be destroyed in accordance with state law unless the parent/guardian or eligible (adult) student notifies the school district otherwise. After five years, the records are no longer useful to the district, but may be useful to the parent/guardian or former student in applying for social security benefits, rehabilitation services, college entrance, etc. The parent/guardian or eligible (adult) student may request a copy of the records by requesting the records at this link ( Douglas County School District Transcripts and Records Requests ).