Since Jeffco's Board of Education (the Board) voted to close 16 schools in November 2022, the district has been working to support impacted staff in securing positions for the 2023-24 school year and assisting impacted families in finding a new learning environment that best fits their student’s needs. In addition to finding placement for impacted staff and students, the district is working with these communities to help with the transition in the fall.
Community Events
- Closing and receiving schools are working with Red Rocks Community College art students & faculty on a community mural created from the prompt, "What makes you feel like you belong at school?" A rendering of the mural will be revealed at the closing ceremonies of closing schools in May and permanently installed at the receiving schools over summer break to greet and welcome students at the start of the 2023-24 school year.
- The Boys and Girls Club will host a Spring Break and Summer Break Camp for students at Emory and Lasley Elementary Schools.Joint field trips, pen pals, buddy programs, student showing experiences, collaborative projects virtually, spring after-school clubs at receiving schools, and more are being planned over the next few months.
Academic Support
- Co-developing class lists using name, strength, need, etc.
- Monitoring class sizes
- Preparing for academic and behavior transitions
- Additional high-dosage tutors and mental health supports
Staff Support
- Resume writing and interview workshops
- Staffing events for JCEA (educators) and JESPA (education support professionals) members
Transportation Support
Knowing that the district had planning underway for Regional Opportunities for Thriving Schools and Healthy & Equitable Start and End times, Jeffco’s Transportation and Fleet Services team began planning routes and operational resources for the 2023-24 school year in Fall 2022.
Considerations and logistics that are being analyzed and planned for as routes are developed include:
- Identifying eligible riders across the district
- New start and end times of schools that impact existing routes
- Newly eligible riders who attend a closing elementary school that is impacted by the Regional Opportunities for Thriving Schools work
- Once eligible riders are identified, reviewing individual needs of those students, including any special accommodations or supports to determine if that student is best served on a traditional bus route or requires individual transportation arrangements
- Using the Transfinder map software to route many potential scenarios that takes into consideration eligible riders, distance of the route, school start times and student need
Timeline for Announcing 2023-24 School Year Transportation Routes
Transportation and Fleet Services will announce routes at the end of July. Some fine-tuning of route details may be finalized up until the start of school as families of eligible riders decide whether or not their student(s) plan to utilize transportation services
If you have questions about transportation services for your students, please contact Transportation Service.
Do you have additional questions about Regional Opportunities for Thriving Schools? Check out our website or submit your questions here.