Buena Vista School Superintendent Lisa Yates penned another COVID-19 update for students, parents, and the community.

BV Schools Update COVID -19
March 23, 2020

BV Schools Families,

This correspondence does not include any new information regarding the status of school, only reminders and encouragement.

School is closed to in person learning through April 17 by Governor Polis’ executive order. We will update you if that date is extended.

This week, March 23-27 is a scheduled SPRING BREAK. This means there will not be specific learning opportunities provided to students during this week.

Meals will be provided again this week through a “Grab n Go” service at Avery Parsons Elementary between 11-1:00 pm. Many thanks to our food service staff for their tireless preparation as well as community volunteers who are handing out and delivering the meals as needed. You can volunteer to help or provide an address for delivery by contacting Emily and emily@cornerstonechurchbv.com.

Learning opportunities will begin the week of March 30 and will continue through the school closure. In coming days, you will receive specific information from your school principal and teacher/advisor about instructions for pick up of needed materials and supplies next Monday or Tuesday. K-5 learning will not use technology to deliver; 6-12 grade will use technology for delivery of learning opportunities. We will work with each family to gain access to these learning opportunities. While we cannot replicate the quality instruction that happens each day when school is open, our teaching staff have been working over the last weeks to develop prompts, practice, thinking, and experiences that will continue a path of growth in grade level learning outcomes. Do we have all the answers to distance learning that is guaranteed to work right away? No, we do not. Do we have a good plan that will be continually reviewed and adjusted to meet our needs as we implement? Absolutely! Again, more information will be provided from each building principal as we start up on March 30. In the meantime, enjoy these Spring Break days!

As together we move along in these unusual days, a reminder that experiencing a range of emotions is normal. As the novelty wears, it can be tempting to look ahead at the calendar and a return to our routines or even school, seem far away. I encourage us all to stay in the present. Today is enough and trying to hold tomorrow’s worry, too, can lead to overwhelm and even despair. Finding ways to celebrate the good in these times is a simple way to stay in the present. Several people I know are documenting a highlight or two of each day through a phone photo or a sentence on a post it on a wall of their house. Again, it is to be expected to experience a range of emotions. Boredom and anxiety can lead to being annoyed with our children, spouses, interactions with others at the store, officials making decisions, and more. If we lose our gratitude and begin to focus on the inconvenience and worry of how long this will be, we can turn to blame and criticism of those endeavoring to do the best on behalf of all. If you find yourself overwhelmed, you are not alone. We are in this together. As a reminder, our school counselors and Sol Vista staff who work with our school are available, as are other school staff if you feel more comfortable. We encourage you to reach out as you need, even if it is just a check in for ideas as you care for your children at home. We have experts who do this for a living and are ready to help! Again, please reach out to others as we navigate this together. You can email directly to staff or call 719.395.7099 to speak with someone and someone will call you.

Take care of each other. Be well.

Lisa Yates, Superintendent
Buena Vista School District

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Dan R

Danny “Dan R” Ridenour has been in radio and television broadcasting for over 40 years, starting as a senior in high school in Rogers, Arkansas. His radio career has had stops in Nashville, Memphis, Oklahoma, and eventually, Colorado. Dan enjoys being involved in the community, having been a member of the Upper Arkansas Service Club and is currently on the board of directors for the Salida Community Center and is a member of the Chaffee County Fair Committee. He and his wife Carrie spend their days doing everything the mountains have to offer: hiking, camping, fishing and skiing. They've raised 3 children and have 2 grandchildren.

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