ARAPAHOE COUNTY, Colo. — The Cherry Creek School District (CCSD) has reversed course and now plans to implement a hybrid learning model for middle and high school students when they return to school this fall, according to the district.
Superintendent Dr. Scott Siegfried held a virtual press conference Wednesday night to explain the hybrid learning model.
The district's plan still includes full in-person learning for elementary school students and a blended learning plan for grades 6-12. The blended plan includes students divided into cohorts "A" and "B", with two days of in-person learning and three days of remote learning every week.
Classes will resume Aug. 24 if the school year starts with an in-person learning model and Aug. 17 if it starts with a remote learning model.
The later start date for in-person learning allows the school district to implement a “phase-in week” to learn the new safety measures.
>> The video above is about school funding in the age of COVID-19.
"We want to give them an opportunity as a smaller group to learn the school without all the other students there to learn the routines and to learn the COVID routines," said Siegfried. "It also provides our teachers with some additional planning days to prepare for our students."
The superintendent will make a final decision on whether to go forward or switch to fully remote learning on Aug. 6.
Watch the full announcement:
Earlier this month, CCSD announced that it planned to offer full in-person learning to all its students while also making an online option available for those families who don't feel comfortable sending their children to school amid the coronavirus pandemic.
So far, 9,421 students have registered for a 100 percent online learning model. Students and teachers have until Aug. 3 to sign up or alter their preferred learning method this fall.
"We are an essential organization. We will work to get back. If the data tells us its safe, we will go back. If not, we will be remote until the data tells us it's safe." Siegfried said.
Siegfried gave an online presentation to parents of students within that district at 6 p.m. Wednesday where more details about the plans were provided.
A requirement to wear masks, temperatures checks, block scheduling, no lockers and no field trips are among the many changes that will be put in place when students return, according to an earlier announcement from the district.
The district also said it will focus on cohorting or grouping students as the primary strategy to limit the spread of the virus with physical distancing implemented to the greatest extent possible within the plan.
The announcement comes on the same day that the state's largest school district, Denver Public Schools, announced that its students would learn remotely through mid-October. Aurora Public Schools has a similar plan in place.
SUGGESTED VIDEOS: COVID-19 Coronavirus