Two county high schools will make the switch to remote learning until the end of the month after a surge in COVID-19 cases and quarantines caused staffing shortages, according to letters sent to families and staff Nov. 9.

Douglas County High School in Castle Rock and Legend High School in Parker both halted in-person learning and began virtual classes on Nov. 10

“Due to the lack of essential staff, we have made the decision to transition all learning at LHS to virtual learning beginning on Tuesday, November 10,” according to the letter sent to Legend families and staff.

The letter regarding Douglas County High School cited a lack of available substitute teachers as the reason for shutting down in-person classes there.

Both letters reference a “number of people” at the schools who have tested positive for the virus and state that these cases have caused quarantines for “a large number of staff members, in addition to many of our students.”

“Providing the high-quality educational experience the Douglas County School District is known for is difficult with so many (DCHS/LHS) staff members in quarantine,” according to the letters.

The schools are expected to return to in-person learning on or after Monday, Nov. 30.

In a Nov. 6 letter, interim Superintendent Corey Wise warned the community that the district could soon consider a transition back to remote learning if current COVID-19 trends continue going “in the wrong direction.”

"We recommend that our families and staff members begin making any needed arrangements so they are ready should remote learning become necessary," according to the letter.