Boulder Valley, St. Vrain Valley and Adams 12 schools now will be closed through at least the end of April.
Gov. Jared Polis announced Wednesday that he’s extending the statewide in-person school closure through April 30, adding two weeks to the current closure. School closures are part of the state’s strategy to slow the spread of the new coronavirus.
With the extended closure, it’s becoming increasingly unlikely students will go back to in-person classes before the end of the school year — something Polis also has said several times.
Local schools would only have three weeks left after April 30, with the last day of school set for May 21 in Boulder Valley, St. Vrain Valley and Adams 12.
Polis also noted school districts will likely decide on their own to keep schools closed through the end of the school year.
Boulder Valley, St. Vrain Valley and Adams 12, so far, are all sticking with the April 30 timeline.
“We will keep a close eye on any additional changes to school operations through the end of the year,” St. Vrain Valley Superintendent Don Haddad wrote in the letter sent to families on Wednesday. “We will share additional updates as soon as we learn new information that impacts our end-of-year plans.”
In Adams 12, according to a letter sent to families, district officials are discussing the possibility that students won’t go back to in-person learning with the school board, the Colorado Department of Education and public health experts.
Boulder Valley and St. Vrain Valley started remote learning on Monday, and officials in both have said they’re prepared to continue it through the end of the school year. Adams 12 started remote learning Wednesday.
“We appreciate the Governor’s leadership during this time of crisis,” said Boulder Valley spokesman Randy Barber. “We and our families look forward to the day when we are able to reopen our schools, but we recognize the importance of putting the health and wellness of our students, families and the community first.”
Boulder Valley previously canceled high school proms and announced this week it’s postponing high school graduation ceremonies in hopes of holding them in summer instead. St. Vrain Valley has yet to announce a decision about either.
Adams 12 announced Wednesday it’s canceling proms, though the district officials remain open to a modified event if students return to school in May. Continuing to hold graduation ceremonies, according to a letter sent to high school parents, “may mean postponing to a later date in the spring or summer as well as pursuing more creative ways to celebrate this milestone.”
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