John Scarffe, Boulder County. On March 24, 2020, Rob Anderson, superintendent of the Boulder Valley School District, announced that due to the City of Boulder issuing a Stay-at-Home order starting this evening, March 24, at 5 p.m., they are preparing with the expectation that they issue similar orders.

 While the District has not heard official word from other cities and counties, educational institutions are considered essential, “for purposes of facilitating distance learning or performing essential functions, provided that social distancing of six feet per person is maintained to the greatest extent possible.” 

“Our plan for the distribution of technological devices this week at our buildings, as well as future plans to distribute paper materials and food after Spring Break, will continue as scheduled, even if the counties issue similar orders,” Anderson said. The IT team worked tirelessly over the weekend to ensure all devices were prepped and ready for pickup this week for students who need them. Devices will be distributed outside the schools and will be given to families in their cars.

If you need a device and have not heard from your school, please email your school’s principal for the day and time. In an effort to support Home Learning, BVSD will also be providing one backpack per family with print learning materials, book, and activity menus for preschool through fifth-grade students who do not have access to a digital device.

These backpacks will be available for pickup on Monday, March 30, and Wednesday April 1, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Creekside Elementary, Crest View Elementary, Columbine Elementary, Emerald Elementary, Louisville MS, Nederland Middle/Senior High School, Pioneer Elementary, Sanchez Elementary, and University Hill Elementary.

For parents who do have devices and internet but wish to have paper materials for their elementary students, they can access the printable materials on the website. 

After Spring Break, the Food Services team will resume the distribution of food bags on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 pm at the same nine distribution sites for the remainder of the school closures.

(Originally published in the March 26, 2020, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)