July 9, 2020
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An edition of the Littleton Independent A publication of
VOLUME 19 | ISSUE 30
Cherry Creek students to attend school live ‘Blended option’ of in-person, online classes no longer considered BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
After uncertainty over how often students would attend school in the fall, the Cherry Creek School District has announced that it plans to offer in-person classes five days a week for all students, with online learning for families who want to opt out for any reason. Students would likely return to a precaution-filled school environment where students and staff undergo symptom screenings in the mornings and masks will be required inside schools “to the greatest extent possible,” Superintendent Scott Siegfried wrote in an online letter to the community. “I want to emphasize the importance of these health measures. If we follow these protocols and adults and students wear masks, we will have a greater chance of maintain-
Cherry Creek High School in Greenwood Village. ing health and avoiding prolonged closure of schools due to infection,” Siegfried’s June 30 announcement read. Other changes related to the coronavirus pandemic: • Adjusted class schedules to keep groups of students together. • No assemblies, field trips or large gatherings. • No communal supplies. • Schools will have hand sanitizer
ELLIS ARNOLD
and soap for frequent hand-washing. • Classrooms, buses and other school facilities will be disinfected regularly. It is possible that school may fully consist of online classes for certain time periods if public officials issue closure orders — and that could last for days, weeks or months, according to the district.
BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Just 12 days after Colorado allowed bars and nightclubs to open in-person service statewide, a concerning uptick in COVID-19 cases fueled by
young Coloradans forced state officials to pump the brakes and close drinking establishments again. “Our uptick, like the major spikes in other states, is largely among the younger demographic,” Gov. Jared Polis said at a June 30 news conference. “I think it is partially attributable the bars and nightclubs and also potentially to the large public gatherings and the protest movements that we’ve seen outside. Those are two factors we’ve had in our state.”
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 10 | LIFE: PAGE 12 | SPORTS: PAGE 19
She’ll face unopposed Republican Kellner in race to succeed George Brauchler BY JESSICA GIBBS JGIBBS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
While Colorado was “one of the first states to successfully transition” out of the stay-at-home phase of coronavirus restrictions into a “safer at home” phase with more economic activity — and, so far, has been spared the type of severe COVID-19 increases seen in nearby states — Colorado’s rate of new cases has risen for the last two weeks, Polis said. “We’ve lost over 1,500 people to this. This virus would take another
Democrat Amy Padden will face off against Republican John Kellner in the November election for 18th Judicial District attorney after Padden glided to a win in the party primary that ended June 30. In unofficial results the morning of July 1, Padden led Democratic Padden opponent Matt Maillaro by nearly 2.5-to-1 margin, 71.2% to 28.8% Padden enjoyed a wide lead in all four counties of the judicial district: Arapahoe, Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln. Padden declared victory and released a statement shortly after 9:30 p.m. on June 30. “I am honored and humbled that the people of the 18th Judicial District supported my vision for a more just district attorney’s office,” Padden said. “It is important that we have a true progressive to reform the office
SEE VIRUS, P6
SEE PADDEN, P14
SEE SCHOOL, P11
Colorado closes bars, nightclubs after young crowds spread virus Some counties get more relaxed phase of social distancing
Big win for Padden in Democratic race for 18th District DA
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COVID-19 is still around, but there’s no need to shy away from safe summer activities for the whole family P12