During the 2021-2022 school year, the Weld RE-4 School District is prepared to be flexible and adapt to ensure the health and safety of our students, staff, and school communities and to do whatever it takes to continue in-person learning for all students throughout the school year.
Information Updated September 2021
On September 8, 2021, the Board of Education approved a resolution requiring masks for everyone in schools and on buses aligned with Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) guidance. The requirement took effect on September 10. Click here to learn more about why masks are required.
Masks: Masks will be required for everyone in schools and on buses (including visitors, volunteers, and spectators) starting on September 10. Click here regarding acceptable masks. Students should bring masks from home. Students who do not bring a mask to school or the bus stop will be provided with one. Masks will not be required outdoors. Contact your school nurse for information on waivers for an identified medical condition. Regarding the question of how long the mask requirement will last, we are prepared to be flexible and adapt to align with Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) guidelines as they are updated during the school year.
Athletics/Activities: Students voluntarily participating in Weld RE-4 athletics and activities are required to sign a participation waiver, which will be distributed by their school the week of September 13. While an athlete is actively participating on the court, mat, or playing surface, no mask is required. When a player is on the bench/sidelines or waiting to participate, a mask is to be worn properly.
School Meals: School meals are free for all students for the 2021-2022 school year. High school cafeterias will continue to operate normally. Elementary and middle school meals may be served in classrooms or alternate locations (including outdoors). We are in need of parent volunteers to provide additional support to our food services staff during lunchtime at our elementary and middle schools. Please check with your school about volunteering. Individually packaged food is recommended for celebrations.
Events: There are currently no capacity restrictions in place. To attend events inside a Weld RE-4 building, masks are required. Masks are not required for outdoor events.
COVID Notifications: When a school is made aware that a member of the school community has tested positive, it will send out a message to those impacted. According to CDPHE, quarantines are not necessary if both the infected person and close contact were wearing a mask at all times during the exposure. Students who are symptomatic or who are being tested for COVID should stay home from school.
Remote Learning Procedures: In the event that outbreaks occur (five or more cases in one classroom or among a group of students from different households), classes/activities/groups of students where the outbreak is occurring will transition to remote learning for 14 days.
Expectations: The expectation, districtwide, is that masks will be worn where they are required (indoors and on school buses) and are optional outdoors. Students who refuse to wear a mask on the bus risk losing transportation privileges. Students who refuse to wear a mask at school will be sent home. Additionally, repeated, large-scale, disruptions to learning or safety risks posed by refusals to wear masks (by students or adults) may result in a move to fully remote learning for an entire school. Our priority is the continuity of learning for our students. We hope that will be possible in-school for all students this year.
Vaccines: Children age 5 and older are now eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine. Covid vaccinations are not required for staff or students in our district. There are no plans to host a vaccine clinic or vaccine event through the district or our schools.
American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief
On Thursday, March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act was signed into law. It is a package of assistance measures, including for the ARP Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) Fund. Funds are provided to State educational agencies and school districts to help safely reopen and sustain the safe operation of schools and address the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the Nation’s students. This webpage contains the Weld RE-4 School District’s plan for a safe return to in-person learning. If you have comments about this plan please email engage@weldre4.org.