Students learning in person 5 days a week all 2020-21!
At Boulder Valley Waldorf School, we maximize student academic and social-emotional growth, and engage all students in learning, by providing opportunities for in-person learning in a safe way during this health crisis. The well-being and safety of our students, teachers and community is paramount.
“This pandemic has been hard on all of us, especially our kids. I have been so inspired by the commitment of the staff at Boulder Valley Waldorf School to return to in person learning and the creativity and heart that they have used to get us here. I broke down in tears seeing all of the children running happily through the beautiful fields. Sounds of laughter and joy. All the while wearing masks and sitting in outdoor classrooms that have been lovingly assembled by the parents and staff. The school is taking the utmost precautions informed by science and local health guidelines. I could not be happier with the care and commitment they are showing to keep our kids safe and healthy.”
- small class sizes
- separated classrooms, with no big shared corridors or large common bathrooms
- creative pioneering faculty, staff and parent body
- working closely with the Boulder County Health and the State Education Department
- outdoor classrooms
The situation with the COVID pandemic is constantly changing. BVWS is continually monitoring and analyzing the latest developments. At this time we feel that we can safely operate in-person instruction with extensive precautions. As the situation evolves, we will continue to re-evaluate this decision, and we cannot categorically rule out a shift to distance learning.
Extensive safety measures for in-person instruction include:
Cloth Face Coverings: All children 1st grade and above need to wear face coverings on BVWS campus at all times when indoors, and outside when a 6-ft distance cannot be consistently maintained. Additionally, faculty and parents must wear face coverings. For preschoolers and kindergarteners masks are worn when indoors.
Cohorting: Students will continue to receive differentiated instruction in their specific classes – sometimes called a learning pod. Students will remain in their cohort group throughout the school day, including recess and lunch. All cohorts are 20 or fewer students. Each cohort will have a designated classroom and outdoor classroom space where they can maintain distance from other cohorts.
Symptoms, Staying Home and returning to School: We are screening daily for signs of illness, and requiring anyone showing symptoms to stay home. Anyone (teachers, staff, parent or child) must stay home if they have major or minor symptoms consistent with COVID-19 or have had close contact (in or beyond your household) with someone who has COVID-19 symptoms . You can determine the length of time away from school using this BCPH Cohort Exclusion Tool.
Washing Hands and Maintaining Distance: We are working with all students and faculty to maintain distance and best hand-washing practices on campus.
Travel Plans?
Please be aware of our 14-day return-to-school policy if you have been out of state. Families who travel out of state will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days before returning to school. This includes the period leading up to the first day of school. Exceptions may be granted for certain forms of low-risk travel.
Health, Well-being and Safety
- Student Cohorts
- Health Screening
- Physical Distancing
- Increased, cleaning and disinfecting
- Essential protective gear
Guiding Principles
- Ensure health, well-being and safety of all students, faculty and community members
- Maximize student academic and social-emotional growth
- Provides support to faculty
- Assure operational and financial sustainability
Jeff Zayach, Boulder County Public Health Executive Director on in-person learning:
We recognize that as a community there will be a diversity of opinions amongst our members about the pandemic and how best to respond to it. We encourage people to respect each other’s right to form individual opinions. When it comes to how Boulder Valley Waldorf School will operate, we will follow public health directives from the State of Colorado, Boulder County Health and Licensing Departments, for the safety of all in our community. Policies developed around safety are a requirement of attendance.
Boulder Valley Waldorf School 