Due to many families reaching out to me regarding our next steps for increasing in-person learning for students, I wanted to connect with you. While we have continued to see a reduction in local transmission rates and moved to level blue on the dial last weekend, we are now back to level yellow given some increases.

Many families are wondering what our next steps will be for increasing in-person learning for students as we continue to see a reduction in local transmission rates and move through the state dial on COVID risk. Next Monday is a scheduled holiday in recognition of President’s Day, and next week we will continue to have Wednesday as a remote learning day. So in-person students will attend Tuesday, Thursday and Friday the week of the 15th.

With all in-person students returning to school on Monday, some families may need to double check their stops and times. If you have not already registered for bus services, please contact the Transportation Department ASAP to ensure availability.

Currently, district leaders and administration, as well as members of the Return to Learn task force, with input from local health authorities, continue to meet to make the necessary adjustments to the original document from July, as well as provide a matrix to the community that clearly outlines the steps for the district to return to in-person learning based on local data around the COVID-19 virus.

9-R Families, we are looking forward to welcoming all students in all grades back to some form of in-person learning starting Monday, February 1. Your partnership has been appreciated as we worked to phase students back into in-person learning. While we have had a few interruptions thanks to snow and winter finally arriving, overall things are going great and we are all so grateful to have staff and students back in the buildings.

The following is an emergency message from Durango School District 9-R for all families and staff. Due to inclement weather and current road conditions, all in-person operations will be on a one-hour delay, including elementary school, preschool and childcare.

How's it going? Share your thoughts at the next 9-R Board of Education coffee chat via Zoom at 5pm Thursday.

The following is an emergency message from Durango School District 9-R for all families. Due to inclement weather, all in-person learning and activities will be cancelled today, Monday, January 25, 2021. Regional road conditions are hazardous per La Plata County assessments, making travel conditions challenging throughout the day. Remote learning will resume for in-person learners, while childcare and kids’ camp are all cancelled.

The week of January 25 is when k-5 students will begin their regular 4-day in-person learning week. Wednesdays remain remote learning, and the upcoming January 27th is a non-school day, including remote learning due to staff professional development activities.

To assist families with this upcoming enrichment day, a couple of community partners are offering free or financial assistance to allow students to have supervised activities on the 27th.

Durango School District 9-R has the opportunity to accelerate highly advanced gifted children under age 5 for kindergarten and/or under age 6 for first grade. This Early Access is for those eligible students if their birthdays fall after October 1st.