Students attending Denver Public Schools, Colorado's largest school district, will be back in the classroom next Tuesday for the upcoming semester, despite the continued surge of the omicron variant.
In a letter to DPS families, superintendent Alex Marrero said he's confident the existing health precautions in place are enough to protect students, staff and families.
"DPS has a very high vaccination rate among staff, and the COVID-19 vaccine is now available for everyone ages 5 and older," he said in the letter. "We also strongly encourage everyone who is eligible to get a booster shot."
While all city employees are required to get vaccinated against COVID-19, students are not. Masks are required for all students, staff and visitors regardless of vaccination status.
The decision to continue with in-person learning was met with the blessing of Colorado health officials, according to Marrero.
"We know in-person instruction and support are critical for the overall well-being of our students. Our plan is in line with the recommendation from the health experts who have been our partners throughout the pandemic," Marrero said.
Marrero also said to expect revised quarantine and isolation guidelines based on new CDC guidance. This week, the CDC changed the recommended quarantine period for people who test positive for COVID-19 from ten days to five.
The district, comprising 207 schools, will not mandate testing before returning for the new semester. However, district officials are encouraging families to get regularly tested. DPS students are eligible for free tests through COVIDCheck Colorado.
Colorado, and the rest of the United States, is currently experiencing a sharp rise in coronavirus cases due to the spread of the omicron variant, which was first discovered in Denver days before Christmas.
