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COVID cases on the rise: What parents need to know about returning to SVVSD

In the past seven days, Boulder County has recorded 585.2 new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people
Macie May
Macie May
SQS (3 of 7)
Students from 3rd, 4th and 5th grades at Eagle Crest Elementary learned to skateboard over four separate lessons during their P.E. class, taught by Square State Skate.Matt Maenpaa

Tomorrow St. Vrain Valley School District welcomes students back to school but with a few changes in COVID-related policies. 

In the past seven days, Boulder County has recorded 585.2 new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people according to data released yesterday. These numbers place the county at a 20.2% positivity rate. When school was released for winter break the positivity rate was under 5%.

Boulder County Public Health, or BCPH, warns that the omicron variant is the cause of the sudden rise in new cases as it spreads “more rapidly and easily than previous forms of the SARS-CoV-2 virus,” according to a letter sent to parents, teachers and guardians on Dec. 31.

The letter warns that due to the potential for a high number of cases, parents may not receive exposure notification letters from BCPH for every classroom or cohort exposure.

“It is important to understand that children may become exposed to COVID-19 at school, and parents should work to keep at-risk individuals in their households safe and have a plan with their health care providers if infections occur,” the letter states.

BCPH has instructed schools to implement the following mandatory measures:

  • Students and staff with symptoms are to remain at home until symptoms improve and they meet the Return to Learn policies. Only healthy, non-symptomatic students and staff are permitted to attend school. 
  • BCPH does not anticipate quarantines in school settings for routine classroom exposure, however, it may quarantine an entire cohort if an outbreak occurs or one is anticipated.
  • Partially or unvaccinated students who have a household member with confirmed COVID-19 must remain at home and quarantine. BCPH suggests but does not require these individuals to stay home if a person in their household has symptoms but does not have a positive COVID-19 test. 
  • Anyone with a positive COVID-19 test must remain isolated regardless of their vaccination status or if they exhibit symptoms.
  • Face coverings are required for anyone over the age of 2 in public indoor settings. BCPH suggests a well-fitted surgical or KN95/N95 mask instead of cloth masks. 

According to Kerri McDermid, chief global information officer at SVVSD, all schools within the district will continue to focus on comprehensive safety measures including wearing face masks, increased cleaning, social distancing when possible, maintaining quality airflow and ventilation in the HVAC systems and personal hygiene. 

Only registered students who are required to quarantine will be able to access online learning, McDermid said. 

Parents are asked to screen students before taking them to school and to keep them home if they exhibit any symptoms. Here is a district-provided checklist to help parents determine if their student is healthy enough to go to school.