Posted November 11, 2021
11/10/2021
Dear Hamilton Families,
As you are aware, DPS is facing an unprecedented substitute teacher shortage, in addition to an increased rate of positive COVID rates in Colorado. These circumstances are requiring us to cover the majority of teacher absences with our own building staff. We have been able to sustain this practice so far.
Because of a high number of faculty absences due to a combination of COVID-19 isolation or quarantine, seasonal illnesses, and vacancies, we have received approval from DPS leadership to shift to a remote learning schedule for Thursday, November 11 and Friday, November 12, for our 7th and 8th-grade students ONLY. Our 6th-grade students, students in our AN and MI Center programs and our teaching staff will be in the building both days.
All 7th- and 8th-grade students will attend class virtually for the remainder of this week. We believe this shift preserves consistent instruction for all students despite the staffing challenges that the pandemic has created.
Because the pivot to remote learning is caused by the inability to sustain in-house coverage for teacher absences, and not an outbreak of COVID-19, we are able to continue athletic practices, games, theater performances, open houses, and other after school activities as planned. If you have any specific questions, please contact the organizer of your activity/event.
We recognize that this last-minute change is not ideal, and we appreciate your patience and understanding as we continue to navigate school operations in the context of a pandemic. While we are finding comforting pockets of normalcy, we still face new and unforeseen challenges on a daily basis. We are committed to remaining transparent as we work through these situations. Thank you for your continued support and collaboration.
When you receive this message please share with other families and or have your students reach out to their friends and families to read this email so that students do not come to school only to be asked to call a parent to come back to school to take them home.
We will have sack lunches available for all students at their regular lunch times available for pick up in the bus drop off area both days.
Click the link to access information for remote learning.
Sincerely,
Dr. Wes Montoya
Interim Principal | Hamilton Middle School