District Updates
Please see above for data regarding cases in our schools.
The District will continue to monitor the number of students and staff impacted by COVID. As a reminder, the Recovery Plan linked below and developed this summer has a plan for adding layers of mitigation as needed. The nursing staff in our schools will track absences in our schools. When we have 4% of a school out with a "like" illness, like COVID, the Response team will meet to determine if additional layers of mitigation practices need to be added. This might include increased distancing or masking for a period of time. Most often, our District has planned to shift to Remote Learning for a short period to allow full separation and opportunity to disinfect. Please review the Recovery Plan below and if you have questions, join our weekly Zoom call.
REMINDER - Please Complete Family Surveys
Surveys are one tool we can use to receive your input. Currently, we have two surveys we are seeking information from families.
One survey is related to Learning Climate. Annually, we conduct a survey regarding perceptions of the climate, leadership, communication, instruction, and overall quality of our schools.
The second survey is to receive feedback about our social studies program now and for the future. Each year, BV Schools conducts a comprehensive evaluation of at least one of our programs. The review includes an analysis of student data in the area and the strengths and areas of need of program. We use teacher, student, and family feedback as well as published research to inform the evaluation. Family feedback is a valued aspect of our review.
Each survey will take about five minutes. We ask you complete a separate survey for each school/child so you may take the survey multiple times.
Access the Learning Climate survey here:
English: https://ucdenver.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aYp87ISNwyijtwq
Spanish: https://ucdenver.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aYp87ISNwyijtwq?Q_lang=ES-ESAccess the Social Studies survey here:
https://forms.gle/vQCtGrWtNJoAEQEB7
In addition to the Learning Climate survey, each year our District undergoes an audit from a network of reviewers from across Colorado. A team will conduct a review, either virtually or on site, of our programs, student performance, and overall progress in our identified priority actions. The review team uses a variety of data to conduct the audit, including the Learning Climate survey. The Review Team will conduct our audit on October 13. We are seeking families who will serve on a Focus Group with the review team on October 13 for about 30 minutes between 11:00 am 1:00 pm. More information will be provided to the Focus Group Families prior to 10/13. Please consider joining this important opportunity to help our District continuously improve. To sign up for a Focus Group, link here: https://forms.gle/RfZ2ZBFZ7tVMLR5J9 or simply email lyates@bvschools.
In addition to the Social Studies survey, the District will host a Focus Group session to dialogue further with families about social studies instruction. We will use the results of the survey to frame that Focus Group to ensure we hear from families about this important content. Please look for information later in October.
Healthy Kids in Colorado Survey (HKCS)
September 24, 2021
BV Schools Families of Middle and High School,
We understand there has been some question and concern about the District’s upcoming and voluntary administration to 6-12th grade students of the Healthy Kids in Colorado Survey (HCKS).
Recently, you received information from your child’s school about this survey that is administered every two years. The Healthy Kids in Colorado Survey (HCKS) survey is provided by this Colorado organization in cooperation with University of Colorado-Anschutz seeking to support youth in making healthy choices and providing organizations with data in knowing where to target valuable resources. For example, from the last survey administration, Chaffee County results showed our children reporting they had more access and initiated marijuana use at an earlier age and at higher rates than peers their age in Colorado. It also indicated a high percentage of our students reported they believed their parents found the youth use of marijuana and alcohol acceptable in some situations. This information helped our local public agencies, like the Family Youth Initiative, target programming and information to families in this area.
We understand and appreciate your thoughtful care in knowing what your child is being asked, the impact this has, and how the information is used. Please use this website for specific information, including the questions that will be asked, and the permission/non-permission form. The website is here: https://www.hkcsonline.com/general-materials
HCKS is a voluntary survey. You may complete a form to excuse your child from taking the survey (available on the above link) and returning to the school.
HCKS is not to be confused with a BV Schools survey students will take that matches the family survey recently distributed for families in the Monday Minute about Learning Climate (outlined above in this Monday Minute). The BV Schools Learning Climate survey will also be administered and is required as part of BV Schools assessment program of student learning habits and perceptions.
I will dedicate time on our weekly Zoom call this Monday, 9/27 at 5:00 pm to address any questions families might have. Please see the Monday Minute for access to the Zoom meeting on Mondays. If you have immediate questions, please contact your child’s school counselor or I can be reached by email at lyates@bvschools.org.
Respectfully,
Lisa Yates
Buena Vista School District
Email: lyates@bvschools.org
Website: bvschools.org
Location: 113 North Court Street, Buena Vista, CO, USA
Phone: 719-239-0435