BREAKING: APS high schools move to remote learning day before in-person return

Less than twenty four hours before Aurora Public High Schools awaited the return of thousands of high school students, social media is suddenly illuminated with the same message, “we aren’t going back, it’s all remote.” 

Superintendent Rico Munn decided yesterday to delay a potential return for high school students until at least November 16, with a decision coming on the rest of the first semester by November 13. 

This decision appears to have shocked not only the students, but also all administrators, teachers, and high school staff members. The decision to move fully remote for session three was made at the district level– meaning everyone basically found out at the same time. 

“Deciding the day before returning to school was just wrong” senior Samantha Fuentes said.

The official district release stated, “Community transmission of COVID-19 continues to increase as high school students were set to return to in-person learning this week. Considering high school students have not yet started in-person learning, we have made the difficult decision to delay the start of in-person learning for high school students.”

Although high school students will not be returning to in-person learning, staff members are required to continue working in the buildings. At Rangeview, the staff has already had three confirmed cases of COVID-19. 

When explaining about his concerns for remaining solely remote, senior Jasiri Grimes said, “[I wanted to go back] because it’s my senior year and I’m not trying to spend it doing this annoying online busy work. I’m not learning anything or enjoying my experience as a senior.”

Rangeview’s student leadership spent hours preparing for the return of students by making posters and creating a chalk walk to welcome back students on their first day. Not even thirty minutes after their completion, they were informed of the decision.

Students in the Student Leadership group chat seemed let down, saying, “I put so much effort into that chalk,” and “all those posters for nothing.” 

Aurora Public Schools have yet to make the transition to in-person instruction, whereas districts such as Cherry Creek made the transition at the beginning of the school year and remained in person learning. Granted, every high school in the Creek has had cases, they have yet to move to remote learning. 

High school students across the district are now awaiting their return to school once again.