Telluride School District R- 1

Through quality education our students will achieve personal success.

Dear Telluride School District Families,

I would like to start by wishing you all a safe, healthy, fun and restful holiday weekend.  I know this has been a most unusual fall, and for those of us in the school system (and many others) this weekend represents the first break since August or before.  We have advised our staff to be offline for the majority of the weekend so they can rejuvenate; I say that so you can be aware and not expect any immediate responses, as well in hopes you will be able to do the same yourself.  I hope fresh snow certainly entices you in that direction.

If you are not yet aware, San Miguel County issued notice this afternoon that the county will change phase from Orange to Red Phase at midnight Thanksgiving night.  To see today’s SMC Press Release please go to:  https://www.sanmiguelcountyco.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=764.  To see their Resource Page and COVID dial please go to:  https://covid-19-sanmiguelco.hub.arcgis.com/.  To see the Unified Letter to Residents sent by SMC and several partnering organizations on November 23 please go to:  https://mailchi.mp/sanmiguelcountyco/smc-cvrf-funding-grants-3578888?e=6f98180773

Earlier today, San Miguel County also posted the county metrics for the two-week period from November 5 to November 19.  The Positivity Rate for that period is 5.02% and the Incidence Rate is 1076.6 (per 100,000).  Because the Positivity Rate was below 5% last week and is now above 5%, we will remain in our current Orange Phase of Learning for at least the week after Thanksgiving, with PreK-6 in-person and TMHS in remote learning with some prioritized groups in-person.  If the Positivity Rate should stay above 5% next week (with the Incidence Rate remaining above100), we would plan to move to the Pink Phase of Learning on December 7.  Please note that other extenuating circumstances could move us into the Pink Phase of Learning sooner than that.

To see our Matrix, go to: http://www.tellurideschool.org/UserFiles/Servers/Server_4072017/File/COVID/TSD%20Matrix%202020-10-26%20no%20Ro.pdf

To see the Positivity Rate and Incidence Rate on the newly revised Sam Miguel County Dashboard, go to: https://sanmiguelco.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/56e682135d1d4128bee1a0426aed1d10

Beginning last Friday, we had one additional class at TES go remote because one student in that class received a positive COVID test result Thursday night.  Administration and staff worked into that night and early the next morning identifying student and staff information to provide to contact tracers, and notifying staff and families.  This effort also required cancelling one bus route last minute.  While we realize these notifications are abrupt and often inconvenient, please understand they are necessary to reduce the risk of spread and keep everyone safe.  I would like to personally thank the families involved for their patience and understanding of the situation, and I would especially like to thank our TES staff and our busing staff for their calm and professional response.  One very sensible suggestion I received as a result of this situation was to remind you all to check your email both at night and early in the morning, to minimize your chances of being caught by surprise when these events occur.

As we continue to learn more about the science and data around COVID, our TSD COVID Task Force will explore further adjustments to our TSD Matrix and our school operation phases.  Our next Task Force Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 9.

Please join me at our next District Accountability Meeting, which will take place on Monday, November 30, at 5:15pm via Zoom (https://telluridek12.zoom.us/j/83521381946?pwd=UDJndEZ5RnNGYzg0aExqN1F4ejB1UT09;

Meeting ID: 835 2138 1946; Passcode: 027474).  Our Agenda is:

1. Remote Learning and Prioritized Groups
2. Dual Immersion Program
3. Social-Emotional Learning Program

We are moving into what could prove to be an extremely challenging period in our school year.  The collective resiliency, compassion and kindness of our entire community will help us get through this time, along with the professionalism and expertise of our all-star staff.  I know that we can and will do whatever it takes to get through this together, and ask you to take a deep breath with me this weekend as we prepare for the weeks ahead.

With sincere thanksgiving and gratitude,

John Pandolfo                                                                                          Superintendent jpandolfo@telluride.k12.co.us                                                                     970-369-1213

 click  HERE  for 11.24.20 Spanish letter (versión en español)

Please go to About TSD --> Superintendent for previous communication from Superintendent John Pandolfo.

Superintendent John Pandolfo

100 Day Entry Plan - February 2020