Amid heightened efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19, Gov. Jared Polis on March 18 announced an executive order prohibiting all in-person learning in Colorado's public and private schools through April 17.

The order directed the commissioner of education to provide guidance and support for P-12 schools as many transition to remote learning and continue providing students with free and reduced meals. Here's what the Douglas County School District is doing in response to the governor's announcement.

Extended closure, remote learning

The Douglas County School District will be following the order, according to a district announcement, leaving all DCSD buildings closed through April 17. This includes the Before and After Care (BASE) program and preschools. Before the governor's executive order, DCSD was slated to reopen to on-site learning on March 30.

The district had already prepared to transition to remote learning for the week of March 23, after its regularly scheduled spring break wrapped up, amid growing concerns about the spread of novel coronavirus. Schools and facilities will be deep cleaned while students learn from home.

March 23 will be a teacher planning day and students will not receive assignments until the following day. The district said it does not expect students will be online for a full school day.

“The Douglas County School District's intent is to ensure that students continue with learning during this closure,” the announcement said. “Students will be able to complete their assignments each day at a time that is convenient for his or her family.”

Families without access to devices like laptops, Chromebook, iPads and similar resources or without high-speed internet can take an online survey for help with those needs. A link to the survey is available in an email from Superintendent Thomas Tucker to the district community. More resources can be found at https://bit.ly/2xeTaRq.

Meals for children

The district's Nutrition Services department will provide free grab-and-go lunches to any children 18 years old and younger beginning on March 23. The pick-up sites will run Monday through Friday, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Families can get meals provided by DCSD at the following locations:

• The Pines at Castle Rock Apartments Clubhouse, 6221 Castlegate Drive West, Castle Rock

• South Ridge Elementary School, main entrance, 1100 South St., Castle Rock

• ARIUM Apartments, outside rental office, 3380 E. County Line Road, Highlands Ranch

• Challenger Park, recreation drive, near baseball fields, 17301 E. Lincoln Ave., Parker