Thompson School District Releases Plan for 2020-2021 School Year

Through a partnership of families, staff members, and those in the community who contributed comments, Thompson has a 'Return to Learn' plan.

As someone who grew up in Loveland and was in the Thompson School District kindergarten through high school, I like to keep listeners up to date on what's happening with TSD.

They put out a release on Thursday (July 23, 2020) on how things look right now for the 2020-2021 school year. With the COVID-19 pandemic, things are of course, complicated.

First off, the school year will begin two weeks later than normal: Kindergartners and those in grades 6 through 9 will start on August 31 to help them 'transition'; all other grades will start the next day,  September 1, 2020.

From their release, other aspects of the plan:

• Families will have the option to select from a full in-person or a full online instructional model for students. If the online model is selected, students in grades Pre-K-8 will remain in that option for at least one semester.

• Due to the high school in-person schedule, students in grades 9-12 will remain in online learning for the full year to ensure attainment of credits toward graduation requirements.

• The health and safety of our students and staff is a driving factor in all of the plans that have been developed. Several systems will be in place at district campuses to help ensure safety for all, including one-way halls to manage building traffic, classroom furniture arrangements to help ensure proper physical distancing, and daily disinfection of high-use areas throughout the buildings.

• Masks or face coverings will be required for all staff and students while on campuses.

• Due to safety precautions, the use of playground equipment will not be accessible at the beginning of the school year.

• Contact tracing is a required element of the “Return to Learn” plan. Larimer County health officials have provided reasons why it is an essential part of preventing the spread of COVID-19 in the community.

• Breakfast and lunch meals will be available for in-person and online students. Although cafeterias will be closed, items will be available to eat outside or in the classrooms.

• Due to health guidelines, TSD will not be able to accommodate transportation for all eligible students for the 2020-2021 school year. Please note in particular that services will not be available for high school students.

As with many things regarding the pandemic, the Thompson School District's plan is fluid. Each school will be keeping parents in the know as the start of school approaches. The school district will be also keeping everyone up to date, as changes may arise at their website HERE.