Greeley-Evans School District 6 to hold in-person classes for the 2020-21 school year. Here’s what that will look like.

By Kelly Ragan

The 2020-21 school year will be weird for students at Greeley-Evans School District 6 (and really, the whole country). But if you’re a parent who struggled to find child care or get your work done when schools shut down amid the initial coronavirus outbreak, you can relax.

District 6 plans to go back to in-person learning in August, though parents and students will have the option to continue online learning if they think it’s a better fit for them.

The decision came after the district got results from a survey it sent out o parents.

About 3,722 people responded to the survey, with 2,432 parents supporting a return to in-person learning.  

When is the first day of school?

District 6 bumped back the end of summer to “ensure all buildings are able to safely receive students,” according to the district.

The original calendar marked Aug. 13 as the start of school for grades 1-12. Now school will start for those grades on Aug. 17.

Kindergarten students will begin class Aug. 19, with readiness tests held by the district Aug. 17 and 18.

What will that look like?

Expect wellness screenings, like temperature checks and symptom history as students and staff come into the building.

Limited numbers of visitors and volunteers will be allowed into the school. Families can expect to only be allowed into the main office.

What about masks?

District 6 staff will be required to wear masks (or some type of facial covering) at all times. Some might even have to sport face shields, according to the district.

Students won’t have to wear masks all day, but they will have to have them for situations where social distancing isn’t possible – think at the bus stop, at entrances and exits, in the hallways, while using the restroom and while in the gym.

Limits on student interactions

District 6 will work to limit the number of personal interactions students and staff will have throughout the school day.

Students will be grouped together into cohorts to limit interactions – the goal being not to mix with others. Rather than students moving from class to class, staff will move between cohorts as much as possible, according to the district.

The district will also work to implement physical distancing as is practical, according to the district.

What about athletics?

District 6 is opting for a phased return to in-person activities on this front.

Parents and students who participate in athletics will have to sign a waiver. They also have to acknowledge they district might ask them to stop participating.

Coaches and athletes will have to agree to temperature checks and health screenings every time they come onto campus, according to the district.

They’ll also have to stick to cohorts as much as possible.

What about choir, band and orchestra?

Musical activities are still on, even with some adjustments.

The district gave the green light for in-person practices so long as students can meet physical distancing requirements. However, playing instruments and singing during class time will be limited, according to the district.

Students will be encouraged to record themselves performing so as to maximize class time for review and individual instruction.

 Are you a teacher, parent, or student? We’d love to hear your thoughts about the upcoming school year. Reach out to reporter Kelly Ragan at thenocooptimist@gmail.com or (720) 979-8136.