News & Announcements
Graduation 2020 - Click here to see video
La Junta High School Graduation Information
EAST OTERO SCHOOL DISTRICT R-1
May 8, 2020
Hello Tigers!
One thing we have all learned through this pandemic is that anything can change at the drop of a hat! Just a couple of days after we put out our plan for graduation, new guidelines were released which contradicted our plans. In cooperation with our local health department, we are following the guidance and directives of our public health orders and have revised our plan. It is still absolutely critical that each student and his/her guests follow the guidelines of the Safer At Home Public Health Order 20-28. Any person who chooses not to follow the orders will be asked to leave and will not be allowed to participate in the ceremony. They also will receive their diploma and awards at a later date via mail.
Fortunately, we had developed several plans and we have arrived at a plan that we feel directly follows the guidelines and requirements of the public health orders. Graduation will still take place at 7:30 pm on Sunday, May 17, but it will be an outside event at Tiger Stadium. On Thursday, May 14, all seniors will be required to go through assigned times for checkout procedures. They will receive their cords, awards, and also check in books and computers. Those notices of times will be sent through the high school administration.
In order for this event to happen, we need each graduate and family to do everything within their power to ensure all directions are followed. We have coordinated with the Health Department, the City of La Junta, the Otero County Sheriff Department, and the school district to make sure we do everything we can to not only ensure the safety of everyone, but also try to provide the best possible event for our young adults!
We will be releasing an instructional video on Friday, May 8 to help people have a visual picture of what the process will look like. Students will be allowed to have up to 4 guests to accompany them to the event but they all must be able to fit into one vehicle. The car line-up will run from 22nd and Bradish (near 22nd St. Baseball Field) up to the south gym parking lot. Only 3 cars at a time will actually enter the parking lot. There will be ushers and security to make sure that all directions are followed. There will be no public traffic in the area surrounding the gym until the event is finished.
Once into the parking lot, the student and their guests will be allowed to enter the stadium and the student will walk down to the field to pick up their diploma. The guests will go to the center section of the bleachers to watch and support their graduate. Once the student has picked up his/her diploma, we will take their picture with the Principal and board member and exit through the north side of the field area and walk up the stairs to reunite with their guests. Once reunited with their family, we will have a photographer behind the pressbox area to take pictures for the family. Once that is complete, the student and family will exit the stadium and return to their vehicle where they will exit onto Smithland northbound. As one car leaves the parking lot, another will be allowed to enter.
We will still pre-record the valedictory and salutatory address and names will be read, pomp and circumstance will play, and the radio station will air the event live. We also will livestream the event.
With the movement of the event outdoors, we are allowed to socially space and utilize the pressbox so we can much better space and protect everyone. It also allowed for each graduate to have 4 guests as opposed to 2 in the indoor plan. We cannot go above that number in order to stay below the 10 allowed in the order. Please respect that we worked extremely hard to find a way to arrive at an acceptable solution to meet this need.
We all know that we are in very uncertain times and are doing our best to give the students the most positive and memorable experience allowed.
Thanks for all of your support!
Tiger Pride!!!
Rick Lovato, Superintendent
Read More »
EAST OTERO SCHOOL DISTRICT R-1
May 8, 2020
Hello Tigers!
One thing we have all learned through this pandemic is that anything can change at the drop of a hat! Just a couple of days after we put out our plan for graduation, new guidelines were released which contradicted our plans. In cooperation with our local health department, we are following the guidance and directives of our public health orders and have revised our plan. It is still absolutely critical that each student and his/her guests follow the guidelines of the Safer At Home Public Health Order 20-28. Any person who chooses not to follow the orders will be asked to leave and will not be allowed to participate in the ceremony. They also will receive their diploma and awards at a later date via mail.
Fortunately, we had developed several plans and we have arrived at a plan that we feel directly follows the guidelines and requirements of the public health orders. Graduation will still take place at 7:30 pm on Sunday, May 17, but it will be an outside event at Tiger Stadium. On Thursday, May 14, all seniors will be required to go through assigned times for checkout procedures. They will receive their cords, awards, and also check in books and computers. Those notices of times will be sent through the high school administration.
In order for this event to happen, we need each graduate and family to do everything within their power to ensure all directions are followed. We have coordinated with the Health Department, the City of La Junta, the Otero County Sheriff Department, and the school district to make sure we do everything we can to not only ensure the safety of everyone, but also try to provide the best possible event for our young adults!
We will be releasing an instructional video on Friday, May 8 to help people have a visual picture of what the process will look like. Students will be allowed to have up to 4 guests to accompany them to the event but they all must be able to fit into one vehicle. The car line-up will run from 22nd and Bradish (near 22nd St. Baseball Field) up to the south gym parking lot. Only 3 cars at a time will actually enter the parking lot. There will be ushers and security to make sure that all directions are followed. There will be no public traffic in the area surrounding the gym until the event is finished.
Once into the parking lot, the student and their guests will be allowed to enter the stadium and the student will walk down to the field to pick up their diploma. The guests will go to the center section of the bleachers to watch and support their graduate. Once the student has picked up his/her diploma, we will take their picture with the Principal and board member and exit through the north side of the field area and walk up the stairs to reunite with their guests. Once reunited with their family, we will have a photographer behind the pressbox area to take pictures for the family. Once that is complete, the student and family will exit the stadium and return to their vehicle where they will exit onto Smithland northbound. As one car leaves the parking lot, another will be allowed to enter.
We will still pre-record the valedictory and salutatory address and names will be read, pomp and circumstance will play, and the radio station will air the event live. We also will livestream the event.
With the movement of the event outdoors, we are allowed to socially space and utilize the pressbox so we can much better space and protect everyone. It also allowed for each graduate to have 4 guests as opposed to 2 in the indoor plan. We cannot go above that number in order to stay below the 10 allowed in the order. Please respect that we worked extremely hard to find a way to arrive at an acceptable solution to meet this need.
We all know that we are in very uncertain times and are doing our best to give the students the most positive and memorable experience allowed.
Thanks for all of your support!
Tiger Pride!!!
Rick Lovato, Superintendent
Read More »
Our 2020 Graduating Seniors from The La Junta Primary School & The La Junta Intermediate School
Our 2020 Graduating Seniors from
The La Junta Primary School &
The La Junta Intermediate School
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYcSfvBfv3Q
Read More »
The La Junta Primary School &
The La Junta Intermediate School
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYcSfvBfv3Q
Read More »
Kindergarten Roundup
On-line Kindergarten Roundup Opens on Wednesday, May 13th. If you do not have access to the internet please plan to go to La Junta Primary School from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on that day. Please see the attached flyer.
Download File
Download File
AV-CTC Youth Recognition Awards
This seemed like an excellent time of year to focus our attention on some positives and celebrate all of the good things young people do locally.
The link to the first annual AV-CTC Youth Recognition Awards is below. These categories were created BY young people FOR young people. These awards are the community's opportunity to recognize our young people for the ways they are making the world better through kindness, laughter, creativity and so much more.
If you know a young person, aged 9 to 25 years old, please take a moment to nominate them in one of the categories below. Our Youth Involvement workgroup will do a blind review of all submissions and choose a winner in each category! All winners will receive a $50 gift card, certificate of appreciation and goodie bag!
Requirements:
Nominees must live in Bent, Otero, or Crowley Counties
Nominees must be ages 9 to 25
Submission deadline is May 22nd.
Nominate Upload
Read More »
The link to the first annual AV-CTC Youth Recognition Awards is below. These categories were created BY young people FOR young people. These awards are the community's opportunity to recognize our young people for the ways they are making the world better through kindness, laughter, creativity and so much more.
If you know a young person, aged 9 to 25 years old, please take a moment to nominate them in one of the categories below. Our Youth Involvement workgroup will do a blind review of all submissions and choose a winner in each category! All winners will receive a $50 gift card, certificate of appreciation and goodie bag!
Requirements:
Nominees must live in Bent, Otero, or Crowley Counties
Nominees must be ages 9 to 25
Submission deadline is May 22nd.
Nominate Upload
Read More »
Update 4/27/2020
Gov. Polis Issues Executive Order on Safer at Home
Executive Orders also issued on New Normal Advisory Board and Elective Procedures
DENVER - Gov. Polis today issued Executive Orders on Safer at Home, the New Normal Advisory Board, and Voluntary or Elective Surgeries and Procedures.
“Together, Coloradans have been effective in leveling and flattening the curve, but life will remain much more dangerous than usual these next few months and we should all wear masks when in public. Safer at Home is by no means a free-for-all. My administration has acted boldly in the face of this pandemic and is focused on ensuring our state can endure on the trail ahead. We all have a personal responsibility to slow the spread of the virus and must find a way of living that is psychologically and economically sustainable for Coloradans,” said Governor Jared Polis.
The Safer at Home Executive Order D 2020 044 outlines a new level in Colorado’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes a more sustainable way of living for Coloradans while slowing the spread of the virus and allowing more Coloradans to return to work. The Executive Order is tentatively set to expire 30 days from April 27, 2020, but can be amended or extended at any time.
Coloradans should continue staying home as much as possible, and the Executive Order directs vulnerable populations, including seniors, to continue staying home, only leaving when absolutely necessary.
Changes happening during Safer at Home will be phased in, with different changes going into effect April 27, May 1, and May 4.
Monday, April 27
Retail businesses can open for curbside delivery. Real estate home showings can resume. Voluntary or elective medical, dental, and veterinary surgeries and procedures may resume if facilities are following required safety protocols.
Friday, May 1
Retail businesses can phase-in a public opening if they are implementing best practices.
Personal services can open if they are implementing best practices.
Monday, May 4
Offices can reopen at 50% reduced in-person staffing capacity, if best practices are being implemented to protect the health and safety of employees. Businesses are encouraged to allow employees to continue telecommuting at higher levels if possible. Child care facilities can also expand or reopen if they are following Safer at Home requirements.
Colorado is a diverse state and the Governor knows each community will have different needs. The Safer at Home order outlines the options local governments will have when it comes to slowing the spread of the virus and protecting their communities.
· Local governments can implement the guidelines of Safer at Home to match the State.
· Local governments can go further than the State, including but not limited to stay-at-home orders or additional protective measures.
· Local governments can relax guidelines more than the State. To do so, local governments will need to demonstrate proof of 14 consecutive days of decline of infection of COVID-19 in the county. They also must submit an application to CDPHE that includes a written COVID-19 suppression plan approved by the appropriate local public health authority, all hospitals within the jurisdiction, and elected leadership.
Read the Safer at Home Executive Order here.
The Governor also signed Executive Order D 2020 045, which will allow medical, dental, and veterinary voluntary or elective surgeries and procedures to resume as long as the health care facility or other setting is following the required safety protocols as set out in the Executive Order. This goes into effect Monday, April 27, 2020. Under this Executive Order, facilities performing these procedures must establish a plan to reduce or stop voluntary or elective surgeries and procedures if there is a surge of COVID-19 infections in the county or municipality in which they are located. CDPHE will determine the conditions that constitute a surge. Read the Executive Order here.
Earlier this week, Gov. Polis announced the New Normal Advisory Board. The Board will advise the Governor and CDPHE on coordinating and harmonizing policies and rules designed to maximize social distancing during the Safer at Home phase. The Board shall focus particularly on how local jurisdictions and local public health agencies can coordinate with the State on public education efforts that aim to maximize compliance and enforcement efforts for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read Executive Order B 2020 002 here.
Gov. Polis will hold a news conference tomorrow on the State’s response to COVID-19.
Read More »
Executive Orders also issued on New Normal Advisory Board and Elective Procedures
DENVER - Gov. Polis today issued Executive Orders on Safer at Home, the New Normal Advisory Board, and Voluntary or Elective Surgeries and Procedures.
“Together, Coloradans have been effective in leveling and flattening the curve, but life will remain much more dangerous than usual these next few months and we should all wear masks when in public. Safer at Home is by no means a free-for-all. My administration has acted boldly in the face of this pandemic and is focused on ensuring our state can endure on the trail ahead. We all have a personal responsibility to slow the spread of the virus and must find a way of living that is psychologically and economically sustainable for Coloradans,” said Governor Jared Polis.
The Safer at Home Executive Order D 2020 044 outlines a new level in Colorado’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes a more sustainable way of living for Coloradans while slowing the spread of the virus and allowing more Coloradans to return to work. The Executive Order is tentatively set to expire 30 days from April 27, 2020, but can be amended or extended at any time.
Coloradans should continue staying home as much as possible, and the Executive Order directs vulnerable populations, including seniors, to continue staying home, only leaving when absolutely necessary.
Changes happening during Safer at Home will be phased in, with different changes going into effect April 27, May 1, and May 4.
Monday, April 27
Retail businesses can open for curbside delivery. Real estate home showings can resume. Voluntary or elective medical, dental, and veterinary surgeries and procedures may resume if facilities are following required safety protocols.
Friday, May 1
Retail businesses can phase-in a public opening if they are implementing best practices.
Personal services can open if they are implementing best practices.
Monday, May 4
Offices can reopen at 50% reduced in-person staffing capacity, if best practices are being implemented to protect the health and safety of employees. Businesses are encouraged to allow employees to continue telecommuting at higher levels if possible. Child care facilities can also expand or reopen if they are following Safer at Home requirements.
Colorado is a diverse state and the Governor knows each community will have different needs. The Safer at Home order outlines the options local governments will have when it comes to slowing the spread of the virus and protecting their communities.
· Local governments can implement the guidelines of Safer at Home to match the State.
· Local governments can go further than the State, including but not limited to stay-at-home orders or additional protective measures.
· Local governments can relax guidelines more than the State. To do so, local governments will need to demonstrate proof of 14 consecutive days of decline of infection of COVID-19 in the county. They also must submit an application to CDPHE that includes a written COVID-19 suppression plan approved by the appropriate local public health authority, all hospitals within the jurisdiction, and elected leadership.
Read the Safer at Home Executive Order here.
The Governor also signed Executive Order D 2020 045, which will allow medical, dental, and veterinary voluntary or elective surgeries and procedures to resume as long as the health care facility or other setting is following the required safety protocols as set out in the Executive Order. This goes into effect Monday, April 27, 2020. Under this Executive Order, facilities performing these procedures must establish a plan to reduce or stop voluntary or elective surgeries and procedures if there is a surge of COVID-19 infections in the county or municipality in which they are located. CDPHE will determine the conditions that constitute a surge. Read the Executive Order here.
Earlier this week, Gov. Polis announced the New Normal Advisory Board. The Board will advise the Governor and CDPHE on coordinating and harmonizing policies and rules designed to maximize social distancing during the Safer at Home phase. The Board shall focus particularly on how local jurisdictions and local public health agencies can coordinate with the State on public education efforts that aim to maximize compliance and enforcement efforts for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read Executive Order B 2020 002 here.
Gov. Polis will hold a news conference tomorrow on the State’s response to COVID-19.
Read More »
Attention La Junta Jr/Sr High School Students and Parents - a message from the counselors regarding next year's scheduling:
Hello JH/HS students!
Hope everyone is doing well and adjusting to the distance learning! We wanted to give you an update on schedule planning for next year. Next week, we will be holding a Zoom session for each grade level to review classes for next year.
During this time, you will select your classes and submit them to us so we can work on creating your schedules for next year. High school students will also look at transcripts and discuss graduation requirements. High school TTA students should plan on logging in for the beginning of the session in order to review graduation requirements. This is a very important meeting, so please be there!!
See the schedule below in order to find the time of your grade level's Zoom session:
Tues., April 28-- 10 am: Upcoming Seniors; 2 pm: Upcoming Juniors
Wed., April 29-- 10 am: Upcoming Sophomores; 2 pm: Upcoming Freshmen
Thur., April 30- 10am: Upcoming 8th Graders; 2 pm: Upcoming 7th Graders
If you haven't already added the counseling center classroom, you need to do so in order to have access to the course request forms.
In order to join our classroom, please follow these steps:
1. Go to classroom.google.com
2. Click on the "+" icon at the top of the page
3. Click on join class, and then enter the following code: 5t4ejrt
Make sure to add the classroom and check your email next week for the link to your Zoom session. If you have any questions, please email us at:
counselingcenter@lajunta.k12.co.us
Can't wait to see you all!
Mrs. Borton & Mrs. Addington
Read More »
Hope everyone is doing well and adjusting to the distance learning! We wanted to give you an update on schedule planning for next year. Next week, we will be holding a Zoom session for each grade level to review classes for next year.
During this time, you will select your classes and submit them to us so we can work on creating your schedules for next year. High school students will also look at transcripts and discuss graduation requirements. High school TTA students should plan on logging in for the beginning of the session in order to review graduation requirements. This is a very important meeting, so please be there!!
See the schedule below in order to find the time of your grade level's Zoom session:
Tues., April 28-- 10 am: Upcoming Seniors; 2 pm: Upcoming Juniors
Wed., April 29-- 10 am: Upcoming Sophomores; 2 pm: Upcoming Freshmen
Thur., April 30- 10am: Upcoming 8th Graders; 2 pm: Upcoming 7th Graders
If you haven't already added the counseling center classroom, you need to do so in order to have access to the course request forms.
In order to join our classroom, please follow these steps:
1. Go to classroom.google.com
2. Click on the "+" icon at the top of the page
3. Click on join class, and then enter the following code: 5t4ejrt
Make sure to add the classroom and check your email next week for the link to your Zoom session. If you have any questions, please email us at:
counselingcenter@lajunta.k12.co.us
Can't wait to see you all!
Mrs. Borton & Mrs. Addington
Read More »