COVID-19 Updates & Resources

For the 2022-23 school year the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is emphasizing a “routine disease control model” for addressing the impact of COVID-19 on schools.  Such a model focuses more on response to clusters of cases, outbreaks, and evidence of ongoing transmission in schools, and less on individual case investigation, contact tracing, and quarantining of staff and students following school exposures. A routine disease control model for COVID-19 more closely aligns COVID-19 efforts with public health response strategies used for other infectious diseases (influenza, norovirus, strep, etc.) in schools. 

Please consult your Local Public Health Agency for additional guidance and local health requirements.

COVID-19 Disease Control Strategies To Emphasize During SY22-23:

• Staying home when sick using Colorado’s How Sick Is Too Sick guidance
• Testing when symptomatic
• Monitoring for increases in illness and absenteeism
• Working w/ local public health
• Follow isolation requirements for students and staff who are ill or have tested positive for COVID-19.
• Report positive cases to Local Public Health Agency

COVID-19 Data

• CDC COVID-19 Community Levels
• COVID-19 Community Levels are a tool to help communities decide what prevention steps to take based on the latest data. Levels can be low, medium, or high and are determined by looking at hospital beds being used, hospital admissions, and the total number of new COVID-19 cases in an area. Take precautions to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 based on the COVID-19 Community Level in your area.
• CDPHE Colorado COVID-19 Data.

Mitigation Planning & Response

• CDPHE Practical Guide for Operationalizing CDC’s School Guidance
• CDE COVID-19 Resources for Schools
• CDC Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in K-12 Schools
• CDC Toolkit for Responding to COVID-19 Cases 
• CDPHE Public Transportation
• Ordering PPE
  • CO Office of Emergency Management PPE Order Form (face shields, plastic goggles, medical gowns, disinfecting wipes)
  • Order disposable gloves through your local county office of emergency management

Masking Resources

• Free masks for schools available through the State of Colorado’s Masks for Colorado Schools program
• CDPHE Guidance for Wearing Masks
• CSI ADVISORY BULLETIN: Masks and Mask Exemptions for the Start of the 2022-23 School Year

Vaccine Resources

• CDPHE COVID-19 Vaccine Resources for Child Care & Schools
• CDPHE COVID-19 Vaccination Communication Toolkits: Pediatric Toolkit (disponible en español)
• How to Talk to Parents About COVID-19 Vaccines: 3 Tips From Scientists 
• Immunize Colorado
• Flu Vaccine Locations 
• Mobile Vaccination Request Form

Educational Supports

• CSI Model-Specific Remote Learning
• CSI Guidance for Serving Students with Disabilities
  • (CSI Contact – Matt Hudson)
• CSI Emergent Multilingual Learners (ELs)
  • (CSI Contact – Brooke Frarck)
• CSI McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance
  • (CSI Contact – Brooke Frarck)
• CDE Resources for Learning at Home

Legal & Policy

• Ensure ongoing compliance with the Open Meetings Law regardless of school setting.
  • FAQs on Virtual Meetings and Public Notice Issues 
  • Virtual Board Meeting Checklist
• Ensure ongoing compliance with FERPA regardless of school setting. 
  • FERPA and Virtual Learning 
  • FERPA & Coronavirus Disease 2020 Frequently Asked Questions
  • Guidance on FERPA & COVID-19

Resources for Parents & Families

• Talking to Children about COVID-19: A Parent Resource 
• 10 Positive Behavior Support Strategies to Support Families at Home
• Food Resources During the COVID-19 
• CO Department of Human Services Child Abuse Reporting Resources for Educators
• US Department of Education COVID-19 Resources for Schools, Students, and Families