Denver Public Schools will continue to remote learning for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year, according to an email DPS Superintendent Susana Cordova sent teachers today and obtained by Denverite.
"This is a very difficult and painful decision, but one that's made out of doing what we know is best for our community," she wrote.
The district is also canceling all extracurricular activities and proms.
Keep reading for the letter Cordova sent teachers:
Dear Team DPS,
I hope you and your loved ones are doing well through this difficult and uncertain time. As we all continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation, state and local health officials have told us that it's likely Denver and the entire state will be managing many more cases of the virus in the coming weeks and months. We've collaborated closely with leadership of many other Front Range districts and looked at all of our options for how to best move ahead, with thorough consideration of the implications of every option. In each discussion, we found ourselves always coming back to the realization that we must, first and foremost, work together to care for and protect each other.With the health and safety of our students and team members at the heart of this decision, DPS leadership has made the decision to continue remote learning for the rest of the 2019-20 school year. This means our schools will not reopen this school year for in-person classes.
This is a very difficult and painful decision, but one that's made out of doing what we know is best for our community.
Today's decision means that we are canceling all athletic events, extracurricular activities, and proms. In addition, playgrounds and athletic fields are closed until further notice to reinforce social distancing and prevent further spread of the virus. Unfortunately, this decision includes the postponement of in-person graduation ceremonies as well. We will do everything we can to reschedule these celebrations when health officials allow gatherings again, and we will find ways to honor the wonderful Class of 2020.
As we look ahead, we will continue with our plans for remote learning through the end of the school year.
Team members across roles and regions have been working hard to prepare for remote learning to best support our students at home - including creating learning options for teachers and providing technology and internet access to families who need it. Thank you to everyone for your commitment to helping our kids continue to learn and grow as we all navigate this new situation together.
I know remote learning won't be the same as interacting with students face-to-face in our classrooms - yet this approach is the next best option to keep moving forward and providing our students with education and enrichment. And I know it comes with its own challenges, both for our families and our educators who are balancing so much at home. I hope we can all give ourselves and each other compassion and understanding. Please try to practice patience and remain flexible as we do what we're able to as we push forward, together, on this uncharted path.
Central office team members will continue to work remotely until further notice. Employees whose jobs require them to be at a worksite should please work with their supervisor to make a plan, following official health guidelines.
We know there will be a lot of questions moving forward, and I know we don't have all the answers yet. I also know there will be some bumps and glitches, especially at the start. But we are all in this together, and I know how much we - as Team DPS - care about doing our best for our kids. That will always make a difference.I look forward to when we can all come back together in-person again ... stronger, closer and more bonded than ever before. Until then, thank you for everything you're doing for our students, our families, and our community.
Please stay home as much as possible. And please take good care of yourselves and your loved ones.
Warm regards,
Susana
