Message from Superintendent of Schools 4/22/2020

Dear Parents, Guardians, Students and Community members:

It is with great sadness that I announce all Huerfano RE-1 schools will be closed for in person instruction the remainder of the school year (through our last day of May 22nd) as stipulated by Governor Polis late Monday evening. We, as educators and compassionate people, are devastated that we will not have the opportunity to gather with our young people for in person instruction, celebrating end of year events or saying “goodbye” to our students. Kids, I can tell you for a fact, your teachers miss every one of you.

I know everybody entertained the hope that we could possibly resume normal instruction, events and activities in May. Unfortunately, these items will not occur. Also, to be clear, the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) has “canceled all performances, festivals, competitions and all athletics for the remainder of the 2020 season” , ending on June 1, 2020.

Parents and students, remote learning will continue through May 22, 2020. I ask that you please finish strong and make every effort to do the best that you can.

There are still many school related items such as: IPad return, classroom book returns, locker clean-out, outstanding fees paid etc. that will need to be addressed many of which will depend on the status of the Corona virus and regulations put in place by the Huerfano and Las Animas Health Department. We will let you know any plans considering the above-mentioned end of year items as soon as they are developed.

On a positive note, we do have plans for an alternate format of graduation on May 22nd that will be held downtown at the intersection of 5th and Main similar to a homecoming parade with recognition of each graduate and issuance of their diploma. A 2nd, more traditional graduation,  with a very limited number of guests along with extensive social distancing will be held on June 13th at the football field complex if allowed to do so by our health department at that time. These plans have not been finalized at this point yet we do know that we want to recognize our fantastic graduates with the recognition they so rightfully deserve. This will be a historic and memorable time for our seniors considering the extraordinary health crisis we are enduring. The specifics of our nontraditional and traditional graduation ceremonies will be released in due time.

This “closure” of schools will not affect our free breakfast and lunch pick-up program. This will remain available for those wanting to participate.

All these changes to the delivery of instruction, stay at home orders, loss of income and fearing for our health and that of loved ones have been unexpected, frustrating, challenging and frightening, to say the least.

However, I know that our students, families, teachers, administrators and staff members have risen to the occasion during these most difficult times.

I, personally, want to thank everyone for your flexibility, patience, understanding, thinking safety first for all our community and your continued support.

May you all remain positive, safe and healthy!

With kindness and respect,

Michael J Moore

Superintendent/Huerfano Re-1

PDF copy of this letter

In-person instruction update 4/21/2020

Official notice from Superintendent Moore: It is with great sadness that I announce all Huerfano RE-1 schools will be closed for in person instruction the remainder of the school year (through our last day of May 22nd) as stipulated by Governor Polis late Monday evening.
I know everybody entertained the hope that we could possibly resume normal instruction, events and activities in May. These items will not occur, unfortunately.
There are still many school related items that will need to be discussed and acted upon of which many depend on the status of the Corona virus and regulations put in place by the Huerfano and Las Animas Health department.
Parents and students, remote learning will continue through May 22, 2020. I ask that you please finish strong and make every effort to do the best that you can.
We do have plans for an alternate format of graduation on May 22nd that will be held downtown at the intersection of 5th and Main similar to a homecoming parade with recognition of each graduate. A 2nd, more traditional graduation with very limited number of guests along with extensive social distancing will be held on June 13th at the football field complex if allowed to do so by our health department at that time. The specifics of our nontraditional and traditional graduation ceremonies will be released in due time.
I want to thank everyone for being patient, understanding and thinking safety first for all our community.
Thank you,
Mike Moore

News Release from CDE: Colorado plans to offer seniors free SAT tests on a school day next fall

News Release from CDE: Colorado plans to offer seniors free SAT tests on a school day next fall

DENVER – Colorado 12th graders would be able to take the SAT test on a school day next fall for no cost under an agreement the Colorado Department of Education is pursuing with the College Board, the organization that administers the test.

This spring’s administration of the SAT along with the rest of the state’s assessment requirements for the 2019-20 school year were suspended by Gov. Jared Polis’ executive order due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Given the SAT plays an important role in the lives of Colorado’s high school students as a means of demonstrating readiness for graduation and postsecondary experiences, as well as providing scholarship opportunities, a commitment was made to investigate alternative testing options.

“It’s important for many of our students and their families to know the state is still planning to provide them with an opportunity to take the test for free on a school day,” said Katy Anthes, Colorado’s education commissioner. “Preserving continuity in the assessment expectations and experiences is especially important now as Colorado high school students navigate the many changes brought about by the national emergency.”

CDE expects it would be able to offer vouchers for interested students who are unable to take the SAT on the designated school day to participate in a national administration on a Saturday this fall. Additionally, options for offering the PSAT tests that are normally taken by ninth and 10th graders are being investigated.

The results of the assessments are not intended for school and district accountability, which has been paused for the 2020-2021 school year.

As with all state programs, a fall administration of the assessment depends on adequate state funds being available.

CDE News release here

A Message from the Superintendent of Schools

A Message from the Superintendent of Schools

Some school districts very recently stated that their schools are closed the remainder of the school year and will continue to offer their instructional models. In essence, we are doing the same thing without stating that schools are closed the remainder of the school year. We know that schools are closed until April 30 and we know that in person, face-to-face instruction will likely not return the rest of the school year. Therefore, our remote, at home learning will continue to be offered as scheduled most likely until the end of this school year. The school board and I will discuss the semantics (use of the word Closed versus using the Governors guidelines) at the April 13 board meeting.

Access to Huerfano RE-1 Buildings and Facilities
All Huerfano RE-1 buildings and facilities (including schools, playgrounds, athletic fields, etc.) are closed through April 30 and most likely through the end of the school year. We are unable to allow families or students access to our schools to pick up any personal belongings at this time. In addition, in order to help minimize the spread of COVID-19 in our community, we ask our families and students to avoid playgrounds, ballparks, athletic fields, tracks, etc. located on Huerfano RE-1 properties.

Community Service Hours for 2020 Graduates are waived
With remote learning in place and COVID restrictions; it is incredibly difficult for our high school seniors to receive the necessary hours of community service hours required to graduate with the Class of 2020. I have had many discussions about this dilemma with our high school leaders, and together we have made the decision to waive this community service requirement for RE-1’s graduating seniors. In other words, the determined # community service hours will not be required for our 2020 graduates.

Prom Canceled /Graduation Ceremonies (pre-k, 8th grade, HS)
Due to this extended closure, we have made the decision to cancel the Huerfano RE-1 sponsored prom scheduled to take place in late April.

We are very proud of our Class of 2020, as well as, our pre-K and 8th grade students for reaching a milestone. Thus, we are looking into options for these graduation/promotion ceremonies. While we do not have a specific plan in place for graduations just yet, we are working on contingency plans should our closure be extended beyond April 30 and through the remainder of the school year. One potential option may be to reschedule graduations/promotions for the summer so that we can still celebrate our amazing graduates who have worked hard to earn their graduation diplomas or to be promoted to 1st or 9th grades. We do not want them to miss these important milestones.


Michael J Moore
Superintendent/Huerfano School District Re-1

Empowered Parents Webinar 4/7/2020

Calling all Parents and Guardians:

We are SUPER EXCITED to say that we are able to continue our Empowered Parents program through webinars.

The first of four webinars led by Hugh Keating will start this coming Tuesday, April 07 at 5:15 p.m.

Mr. Keating will cover such topics as: homeschool stress; coping with isolation and relaxation techniques.

Dial in and join us. Tuesday April 7, 2020 at 5:15PM-6:15PM
The number to call is 1-312-584-2401. When prompted, enter the meeting number/Extension: 1753477#

Empowered Parents Webinar Flyer.