Hybrid learning approved for St. Vrain students

St. Vrain Valley School District students will soon be seeing each other, their teachers and staff again in person. Though being face-to-face will not be quite the same with everyone required to wear masks.

On Monday night, the district held a virtual public meeting to announce that it is moving to a hybrid system where students will have in-person classes two days a week and two days will remain as synchronous, remote learning. Having only half the students at school on any given day will allow for social distancing. Fridays will be reserved for catching up on work and meeting with teachers online or at school in small groups.

Students with special needs can go back four days a week along with preschoolers, whose numbers are already small enough to provide space in the classroom. The hybrid system will begin Oct. 5.

Superintendent Don Haddad admitted that the remote start has been a challenge for families. "I acknowledge the hardship and sacrifices everyone has had to make," he said. "And they are significant."

The district based its decision on guidance from Boulder County Public Health, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, teachers and their unions, students, parents and other organizations.

BCPH executive director Jeff Zayach gave an in-depth presentation on COVID-19 data from Boulder, Weld and Broomfield Counties. "I am comfortable with Saint Vrain Valley School District moving into a hybrid approach," he concluded.

Zayach acknowledged that Boulder County's infection rate is climbing, but the vast majority of cases are associated with the University of Colorado. "We are not yet seeing that outbreak make it into the rest of the community. The outbreak is contained to CU at this point," Zayach said, adding that they will continue to watch the situation.

Data shows hospitalization rates remaining relatively low and positivity rates for testing below the 5% threshold. BCPH also observes mask wearing and reports that all of Boulder's incorporated cities have compliance rates of 95% - 99% except Nederland, which is at 60%. Zayach attributed that to a higher number of out-of-state visitors in that community.

Another factor was the track record of local private schools, which have been doing in-person learning since the semester began. "Many private schools have been operating without concern," Zayach said.

Haddad said the district is and will stay closely aligned with county and state health departments. Consideration also was given to input from other organizations and individuals. "It's very unique that you find an issue that is this polarizing in a community," Haddad said. "And not only a community here, a country and a world. There are so many different perspectives and different opinions. It's important to recognize that the opinions are vastly, vastly different. And the perspectives are vastly different. No matter what your perspective, I respect it. And I want you to know that we've paid close attention and we've processed it and internalized everyone's feedback."

The district has hired additional custodial staff, is providing PPE and sanitizer and putting stickers on hallway floors so students are directed a particular way to reduce exposure. Students are expected to wear masks throughout the day, but Haddad said there will be breaks when they can remove them, saying, "We understand the hardships."

A letter is being sent to district families and each school will be communicating specific details along with sharing videos of what things will look like when students return. School tours will also be offered for families that want them.

If students are not comfortable returning in person, they can switch to the all-remote program, LaunchED, which Haddad admits has had "bumps in the road." He said it has been a "heavy lift" to provide the program to 2,800 students, but things are improving.

Haddad was more positive about the online, synchronous learning has been temporarily in place. "While we believe the online learning model has been effective as an alternative, we also know that the most effective model is in-person instruction, which also supports not only academic wellbeing, but also the social and emotional wellbeing of students."

For now, the district will be following state guidelines from CDPHE on what to do if a student, teacher or staff member tests positive. But the quarantining protocols are being evaluated and may be tweaked.

Families are expected to do daily health screenings for their children. The schools will not actively screen, but will "observe." Heather Crate of BCPH suggested families create a routine before returning to the classroom by practicing daily health screenings and mask wearing.

Johnny Terrell, executive director of Student Services, advised parents to model expectations of safety and keep channels of communication open with their children. He said the district has mental health support options in place for students who may be struggling now or in the future.

The hybrid return to school is measured and things will be different, but St. Vrain students will be getting the closest thing to normal since schools shut down last March.