Gov. Jared Polis announced Wednesday that all in-person learning at public and private schools will be suspended through April 17, extending the current closures of the Boulder Valley, St. Vrain Valley and Adams 12 school districts.

The three districts previously announced two-week closures through March 27, the end of spring break.

The executive order, one of several statewide restrictions in place to try to slow the spread of the coronavirus, directs Colorado school districts “to make every effort to provide alternative learning opportunities during this time while taking into account the needs of local communities.”

The order also directs Colorado’s commissioner of education to issue guidance to support school systems in developing and implementing plans for alternative learning, providing free and reduced lunch and breakfast, and offering waivers for instructional time as appropriate.

All three local school districts have remote learning plans in place for students. Remote learning is expected to start March 30 in Boulder Valley and St. Vrain Valley and April 1 in Adams 12.

“(Polis’) decision makes sense,” said St. Vrain Superintendent Don Haddad. “We’re prepared to do online learning when we get back from spring break. Hopefully, we will see some positive developments with the coronavirus.”

In a letter to families, Boulder Valley Superintendent Rob Anderson said the district is “fully prepared to launch home learning for all BVSD students starting March 30” and provided links to specific plans for elementary and secondary students.

Elementary students will receive home learning activity choices focused on literacy, math and teacher-designed lessons through both digital and print materials based on the students’ access to online content, according to district officials.

Middle and high school students will have online classes, with core classes and classes needed for graduation as the priority, according to the plan. Students will have one opportunity each week for a whole class video conference.

Impact on Education, the foundation for the school district, is planning to distribute backpacks of school supplies to low-income students for learning at home. District officials also sent a survey to families asking about their access to digital devices and the internet.

In St. Vrain, the district’s curriculum team put together online lessons and resources for students at each grade level in language arts, math, high school science and high school social studies. Social studies and science also are embedded in elementary and middle school language arts lessons.

Two weeks’ worth of lessons, with resources in English and Spanish, were developed, according to a letter sent to district teachers this week. For preschool students, the district also developed a list of hands-on learning opportunities focused on literacy and math.

After spring break, St. Vrain plans to open two community resource centers with bilingual support to assist families in accessing the online lessons.

The centers, which will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., will allow families with elementary students to check out an iPad to support student learning at home and receive printed packets of learning activities and lessons. All middle and high school students already have district-issued iPads.

Families also can access WiFi to download lessons and learning materials at the two centers, which will be located at the Learning Services Center in Longmont and Frederick High School. District officials also are working to expand WiFi access and hotspots around the district.

In Adams 12, according to a letter sent to parents, the district’s goal is to “design a remote learning plan that allows families and students to complete assignments throughout the day at times that work best for them.”

Families without access to digital devices are asked to submit a request for a device by calling 720-972-5555 emailing Adams12RemoteLearning@adams12.org. The district plans to provide a device distribution plan for families prior to April 1 and is working with internet providers to determine our ability to provide hot spots for identified families.