SENTINEL EXPRESS C O M M E R C E
VOLUME 33 32
C I T Y
UESDAY OVEMBER 24, 16, 2021 TTUESDAY ,,NNOVEMBER 2020
50cI
SSUE 48 47 ISSUE
FLAGS HONOR New COVID-1914restrictions will prohibit indoorFOR dining, personal gatherings Adams
finds no substitute for substitutes Shortage of temporary teachers behind additional Friday off BY SCOTT TAYLOR STAYLOR@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
The Adams 14 School District’s last-minute decision to take the day after Veterans Day off has less to do with permanent staffing shortages and more to do with understanding the nature of Thursday holidays and giving staff and students a break, according to officials. “We are not feeling the pinch, that either classes or schools are going uncovered,” said Robert Lundin, executive director of communications and special projects for Adams Jim Swopes with the Yuma Volunteer Fire Department received the two flags from Jeff Chase in honor of the two fallen County School District 14. firefighters, Captain Darcy Stallings and volunteer firefighter Larry Wyatt with Joes Fire Department. Both were killed in an The Commerce City-based disPHOTO BY BELEN WARD accident responding to a fire. trict announced Nov. 8 that it would extend the normal Veterans Day “So it’s very rare to have a freeAdams 12 Five Star School District holiday by a day this year to include students attending 11 schools - seven standing Thursday holiday with and Boulder Valley also decided to Thursday and Friday, giving staff elementary schools, two middle an expectation of returning on the cancel classes Nov. 12. and students a four-day weekend. schools and two high schools, Ad“That’s why both Adams 12 and ams City and Lester Arnold. Lundin The decision is based on the diffollowing Friday,” he said. “We don’t Boulder Valley came to the same said the teaching positions at those ficulty of finding substitutes for the expect see thistosituation duplicounty istorequired follow based on the By Ellis Arnold conclusion, for the same reason,” schools are all fully staffed. teachers who end upthe taking cated.” A long line of might cars outside city of Brighton’s rapid testing site at severity of a county’s local virus spread. Community Media we Lundin Colorado said. “The conclusion “We have been able to recover the day off. Lundin said it’s a practical deciRiverdale Regional Park. The site has had to close early many days in recent The dial grew outone of the state’s safer-atall came to is that it’s more disrup(from COVID) in large part because sion, but also made because Lundin said the district usually weeks due to high demand. Adams County’s 14-day test positivity rate AstoDenver metro continue home order — the know policy that tive return kidscounties to school on to teachers, administrators and supdistrict leaders howcame dif- after sees attendance drop off on the inch closer to local stay-at-home with the potential of orders some the statewide stay-at-home order this18 staff have been remarkably fi cult life has been for the past day VeteransasDay, with17,more wasafter 15.9 percent, of Nov. accordingport to Tri-County Health Department. Friday portion of teachers not back, persistent wanted see their months. parents to keep their under Colorado’s system of being coronavirusspring and allowed numerous types of Brightonchoosing and Commerce City’skids test positivity ratesand were both to higher than and then having to e classes kids thrive in the aftermath of the “It’s been more out of an home for the day. The district exrelated restrictions, theshuffl state announced businesses to done reopen. 13 percent. Forty-five people in Brighton and 29 in Commerce City have because you do not have as ready pandemic,” Lundin said. pected teachers to do the same this abundance of caution than anything of rules that as prohibits indoor TheLundin state recently to abuncolor died from COVID-19 related health issues.But To limit the spread of COVID-19, aa new poollevel of substitutes you would the district also relies on a year, he said. else,” said.switched “And, an dining and personal gatherings — a identifiers — levels blue, yellow and like.” group of 97 substitute teachers dance of wanting to give a thank is going to to be tighter how restrictions at“The leastquestion 15 counties moved that prohibits indoor and change that applies tofrom the majority Representatives Adamsof12the orange thanwho numbered levels — to -- between paraprofessionals and you to rather our staff, have been likely aregatherings. teacher or support staff to personal could not be reached for comment. certified teachers -- many of whom working their tails off for the last use their allocated days, to take that Denver metro area and many counties in avoid confusion. Until Nov. 17, level red Lundin said it should not be a work in several metro Denver school other 18 months to two years. It has been Friday off and make it an extended regions. meant a stay-at-home order. Now, level regular problem for the district districts throughout the year. an intense, non-stop bouncing-back weekend?” Lundin said. “And secThe state’s COVID-19 dial, which has red —the “severe risk” — isSo, the if secondbecause the Veterans Day holiday “We have had a shortage of subfrom unexpected. we can ond, will students return as well or Photo by Belen Ward been in effect since September, is the set is tied to the Nov. 11 date, which can give something back to our staff and stitutes, not just at Adams 14, but will parents decide to take the day of different levelsdays of restrictions that each students, it’s a win-win situation all be on different of the week across the state. This is a state-wide and visit family?” depending on the year. issue,” he said. around.” Please see RESTRICTIONS, Page 2 District 14 has more than 6,000
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