Districts give a little insight into what changes to expect for the fall. 

This year, more than most in recent history, the school year ends with an air of uncertainty. Students have not been in traditional classrooms since March, and it's still unknown what school will look like for the 2020-2021 year in Colorado.

Districts statewide are working on plans and ideas for how to resume classes next year, and some have given communities a peek at what those possibilities are. 

Denver Public Schools (DPS) is one of the larger districts in the state and they are working on several different sets of possibilities:

• Face masks will be required.
• Temperature checks for students and staff.
• Symptom checks and screenings for staff and students. 
• Six feet of social distancing between each person.
• Smaller class sizes varying from 10 to 16 people in a room. 
• Minimized movements between rooms.
• Lunch served in classrooms. 
• Frequent hand-washing.
• Sanitization of busses and communal areas.
• No large assemblies or gatherings.
• Reduce the number of students on busses.

DPS also shared that they have three different plans, all of which incorporate some type of hybrid situation with both in-person and online learning. All three plans rotate students in groups, with staggered schedules. 

• Option 1: A and B groups, students will attend an in-person class for two days consecutively, then the other group will attend. One day a week under this plan will be dedicated to students with high priority needs. 
• Option 2: This option would alternate groups of students in groups, A and B, that would rotate through the week, one day set aside for in-person learning for high need students.
• Option 3: This option also divides students into groups, and has each group attend school for a week, then alternate with the other group. This would be a four-day school week, with one day set aside for high need in-person learning. 

Boulder Valley Schools is also working on what next year will look like and has rolled out a five-phased plan that ranges from 100 percent online learning all the way to normal class. Normal classes are highly unlikely, and Boulder Valley Schools will likely be on some sort of hybrid schedule. 

Jefferson County Schools is also looking at staggered schedules and a mix of remote and in-person learning. Many districts collected student and parent feedback prior to developing the plans and are keeping student safety and social-distancing measures and precautions in place. 

The Colorado Springs School District is looking into spacing desks out, rotating teachers rather than students to different rooms, and greatly reducing class sizes. That district will also offer adoption for students to continue with fully remote learning if families are not comfortable returning to in-person classes.

Smaller districts like Canon City Schools have adopted similar plans. Most districts have at least three scenarios that offer a range of fully remote, in-person, and hybrid learning. 

The Colorado Department of Education has rolled out guidelines for how to proceed, and districts across the state face the difficult task of deciding how to meet those requirements and best serve the needs of students and educators. This toolkit is available for review online and will be updated as conditions surrounding coronavirus change. Health and safety remain a top priority, as does provide high-quality education for students. Districts will need to adjust budgets and factor in new training for staff and incorporate social-distancing measures into their teaching. 

The new school year will likely not be uniform in districts across the state, with smaller rural districts possibly taking a different approach than larger metro area districts. This will be a changing story and will vary by region as the summer goes on. 

What kind of learning environment will be most comfortable for you and your child next year? Sound off in the comments.