DSST Team,

This has been quite a week for DSST, Denver and our country.  Thank you for your flexibility as we navigate together the rapidly changing world of COVID-19.  I am grateful for the patience and grace everyone has exhibited during this time.

As we look forward to the coming weeks prior to our regularly scheduled spring break (March 30-April 3), I want to re-ground ourselves in our mission.  As one DSST team, we need to be focused on doing everything we can to support our students and families in this time of uncertainty.   

Below is some important information for the coming weeks:

What is Open When?

• All School buildings  
• School buildings will be open Monday and Tuesday (March 16-17) from 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM to allow time for students and families to pick up personal belongings, including laptops and chargers, medications, etc.
• School buildings will be closed from March 18 - March 27
• The Home Office will be open for the next two weeks (March 16 - March 27)
• Home Office and Schools will be closed for Spring Break (March 30 - April 3)
• School re-opens Monday, April 6 for staff and students

Network-Wide Work Guidance and Expectations for the Next Two Weeks 

March 16 & 17

• All teachers and non-instructional staff are expected to work full days remotely   
• Leadership teams (as defined by School Director), Front Office staff, College staff and nurses should plan to be onsite in schools. 
• Home Office staff will report to work as normal  

March 18 through March 27

All staff will be working remotely.  We recognize that without students, remote work is limited and will vary based on role in the network. These expectations are designed to be flexible to ensure that staff members can meet additional obligations of families, childcare, and other responsibilities that will arise.  However, it is important that all staff stay connected to the organization, staff and students.  

• School Directors: School planning work with leadership team, hiring, weekly SDs call, regular check ins with their school coach
• School Leadership Team, including Front Office staff and College Teams: Online everyday, regular check in calls to staff, work on school planning, other duties to support the team
• Teachers and other non-instructional staff: Monitor email and Teams at least daily, stay connected to advisees (contact at least once/week), be a resource for families.  We will be providing advisors more resources on these check in calls early next week.
• Home Office Team will work remotely regular hours  

Optional Academic Resources 

We are working hard to develop network-created Optional Academic Resources for students and families. We recognize that some teachers may have already sent materials home with students. While we appreciate the mission commitment and hard work put into these, we would ask that all teachers refrain from sending home any additional resources so that we can ensure that we are appropriately meeting our legal obligations around access for all students.  We will be back in touch on the full scope of the Optional Academic Resources we are providing in the coming days. In our family communication later this afternoon, we will clarify that any resources that have been or will be provided are completely optional. This communication will be sent on behalf of the DSST network so there is no additional communication needed from teachers or school leaders at this time.

Health Resources 

Your health and well-being is very important to us.  Please continue to take care of yourself and take necessary precautions to stay healthy.  Our Human Capital team has compiled a cache of resources to support team members who are experiencing symptoms or have someone in their household experiencing symptoms. It contains resources compiled from our benefits carriers along with information from other sources such as the CDC. 

You can also reach out to covid19@scienceandtech.org with any questions, concerns, or information about COVID-19. 

We continue to direct families to our COVID-19 landing page for all of the latest updates on COVID-19. This will also include important community resources on mental health support, food support, and internet access. Please direct your families here if you get any questions. 

Thank you again for your flexibility and patience during this difficult time of anxiety and uncertainty. I am grateful and proud to be part of such an exemplary group of educators who remain dedicated to our mission, despite the challenges that life may send our way. 

Bill