PSD Schools To Begin Remotely Through At Least Oct. 16

Poudre School District won't be returning to the classroom immediately this fall.

The School District serving Fort Collins announced Tuesday that all in-person classes will be held remotely through at least Oct. 16 to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Loveland's Thompson School District also announced the same decision that school will be held entirely remotely though Oct. 16.

The PSD school year will return on Aug. 24 as planned with all courses held virtually. An updated plan of how classes will resume will be announced on Friday.

PSD Superintendent Sandra Smyser said conditions will be reevaluated to see if schools can return in-person.

"It saddens us that we will not be able to be with our students in-person again, as we have hoped to be, but are excited for the strong connections that teachers, students, staff and families will forge this school year," Smyser said in the announcement.

PSD made the decision with the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment

“These are not easy decisions and there is no perfect answer,” said Tom Gonzales, Larimer County public health director in the press release. “One of the biggest concerns we have in Larimer County and for Colorado is the delay in test results. We are seeing a substantial delay in COVID-19 test results from all clinical labs, including the state lab."