JOY. The best word to describe our return to school this week. To welcome students back for learning, routine, and connection has brought this deep sense of goodness. Joy comes from knowing all will be well even when there is uncertainty. Thank you to our staff, our students, and our families for making this a joy-filled start to the school year.

Our thoughts are with the military families who lost loved ones this week in sacrifice for us as well as those impacted by the hurricane in Louisiana. At times like this, perspective can be a good teacher and companion as we navigate our own circumstances. It can be conflicting, maybe even bringing a sense of guilt, to enjoy football games and mountain hikes, or to talk about back-to-school events and even COVID close contacts when there is such suffering. And so, may perspective soften us and hope strengthen us.

Each week, we will include information about COVID in this update. You can click the gray button above for a spreadsheet and chart (linked at the top of the spreadsheet ) to see any case numbers in the schools. We have no cases in our schools this week so the spreadsheet has zeros and the chart is empty.

In past Monday Minutes, I have outlined the mitigation practices that will be used in our schools this year. It is also embedded below for reference. Our teachers and staff successfully provided in person instruction last year. As reported, in over 680 students quarantined, there was not school transmission in 99.5% of those contacts (fewer than 8 people). We will continue to use distancing when possible, will disinfect classroom surfaces, will go outdoors when possible, are working in spaces with ventilation meeting near outdoor standards and we are disinfecting with UV lighting and ionization systems in the evening. When distancing, outdoors, and ventilation cannot be used and when students are closer than 3 feet for extended times, teachers will ask students to mask to further mitigate risk. As a reminder, by federal mandate, students must wear a mask when being transported on a school bus. Any student or staff may wear a mask at any time.

Regarding District requirements for our staff:

• We are not requiring our staff to be masked but support any staff who chooses to do so.
• We do not require employees to provide immunization or personal medical information. This includes COVID vaccination status. (We are required to ask immunization information of students, but to date, there is not a requirement to provide COVID vaccination for enrollment in school at this time).
• If staff are symptomatic, they are required to stay home.
• If a staff is diagnosed with COVID, he/she will be required to isolate for 10 days.
• If a staff is identified as a close contact, the District may require testing.

There is always risk when groups of people come together. Our staff have dedicated themselves to teaching during a very disrupted and uncertain time. We have exceptionally dedicated staff who care deeply about the health of our students. We should all be tireless in thanking them for showing up, in-person, on behalf of our students. I stand in full support of our staff and if you have questions about their protection of our students, please come directly to me. They deserve our support and thanks.

Join us Monday evening at 5:00 pm for Zoom meeting (link below) OR at 5:30 pm at the Athletic Commons at BVHS/MS to receive and give input into District plans to address property and facility needs. Questions about our School Reopening Practices will also be received at the 5:30 pm meeting.

Over the last year, the Buena Vista School District Board of Education has been working with a consultant to develop both a Maintenance Plan to care long term for our facilities as well as evaluate the growth and property use needs of the building overall. The Board of Education has set the following goals:

1. Achieve additional space for preschool and elementary programming

2. Address long term ADA and space needs at the district administration office space

3. Remedy the safety issues of the old gym through demolition or repair/repurpose

4. Maintain some land asset for additional expansion in future years

5. Create efficiencies in use of facilities around the Main Street campuses

6. Contribute to accessible housing for staff recruitment

As well, the Board is committed to pursuing solutions to these needs without a tax increase to the community.

The District is inviting the community to learn more about plans at a meeting on

Monday, August 30th at 5:30 pm at the Buena Vista Middle/High School Athletic Commons.

Each Monday, BV Schools will host a virtual meeting at 5:00 pm. This is open to all families to hear more about the status of learning in the school and to ask questions.

Join through the link below or by going to ZOOM and entering: 821 3222 5223

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82132225223?pwd=a01jaHphSER6cHJLMTJBRGliclF3dz09

Wednesday, September 1 - 6:00-7:00 pm

How fun to start the year with victory against our rivals, the Salida Spartans. It was a beautiful night for football with many from both of our communities coming out to cheer on our students. Well done to our band and cheer team as well!

Volleyball, Cross Country, Golf, and more are in season - come out and cheer on our teams! It is a great way to connect with others in the community and "make moments matter" for our students.

Email: lyates@bvschools.org
Website: bvschools.org
Location: 113 North Court Street, Buena Vista, CO, USA
Phone: 719-239-0435