Educational phases for 2020-21 school year

Poudre School District has a variety of educational phases to implement to best educate students while keeping safety as a top priority for students, staff and the community during the 2020-21 school year.

District and school leaders, following guidance and orders from Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, the Colorado Department of Education, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment and other public health and government officials, have developed four educational phases that allow the district to continue educating students while also adapting to the ever-changing COVID-19 pandemic. Student learning could be remote, remote with limited in-person interactions, a blend of in-person and remote learning, or fully in-person.

PSD is prepared to shift among phases throughout the year, as required or permitted by health officials and conditions. 

PSD Virtual, a 100% online education option, will not shift among the district’s educational phases.

PSD students are currently learning remotely.

PSD shifting to hybrid learning 

Because of recent positive trends in data reported by the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment and improvements in COVID-19 test results turnaround times (as of mid-September), PSD is planning to move to hybrid education, which includes both in-person and remote learning. 

Elementary grades will shift beginning in October according to this schedule:

• Oct. 5-16:
  • Grades K-2 in Phase 3 Hybrid In-Person/Remote Learning 
  • Grades 3-5 in Phase 1 Remote Learning
• Oct. 19: Grades K-5 in Phase 3 Hybrid In-Person/Remote Learning

Here's what coming back to school will look like for elementary students:

Preschool students will return to in-person education Oct. 5. Early Childhood Education will communicate more information directly with their families.

Secondary schools

PSD middle schools and the four comprehensive high schools will return to in-person learning in a Phase 3 hybrid model Oct. 19.

• Oct. 19 and 20 will be in-person transition days for sixth- and ninth-grade students. 
• All other grades will be in remote education Oct. 19-20, and start in-person learning in Phase 3 Oct. 21. 

In a Phase 3 model, the weekly schedule will look like this for secondary students at all grade levels (6-12):  

• "A group" attends school Mondays and Wednesdays (full days) with remote learning Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. 
• "B group" attends school Tuesdays and Thursdays (full days) with remote learning Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
• Fridays are Teacher Collaboration Days - all students in remote learning
   

PSD alternative high schools 

• Poudre Community Academy and Polaris Expeditionary Learning School will start Phase 3, with A group attending in-person Oct. 19 and B group in remote education. 

• Poudre Global Academy will begin hybrid learning the week of Oct. 19, and you can expect more detailed communication from the school. 

• Centennial High School students will start the third hexter Nov. 11, in Phase 3 and families can expect more detailed communication from the school. 

 

More info: 

• Update on preparations for shift to Phase 3 - Sept. 25
• PSD plans to move to hybrid education - Sept. 16
• Learn about the data and how PSD is working with community partners in this news item.

 

Sept. 3 Great Happens Here newsletter

 

Check out the latest GHH here! This edition covers:

• Meal update - all students can receive free meals now!
• Apply for the Community Advisory Council to review the School Resource Officer program
• Parents wanted for the District Accountability Committee
• Mental Health Matters weekly support update
• Support for students with disabilities in 2020-21
• ECE has available preschool spots
• Tech resources
• Community COVID-19 response

In case you missed it, here's the Aug. 27 GHH issue.

 

SAT and PSAT tentatively scheduled for October

The SAT and PSAT exams that were cancelled last spring for 10th and 11th grade students have been tentatively rescheduled for fall 2020.

Provided that in-person assessments can be held, these optional tests are:
•    SAT (for interested 12th graders): October 14 (make-up test date October 27)
•    PSAT (for interested 11th graders): October 29 (no make-up date)

Between now and early October, high schools will work with families to identify students who are interested in participating in these optional assessments.

 

Phases to implement, depending on conditions and as permitted or required by health officials

We acknowledge imperfections exist within each phase due to many factors outside of the district's control. We believe nothing compares to a student’s experience of learning in school with their teachers and peers. We are committed to maintaining PSD’s high standards in all phases of education. 

Decisions to implement phases are made with guidance from public health officials.