The Mancos School District postponed its open house event, scheduled for Thursday, until March 17, citing COVID-19 concerns, according to a letter from the district.

“The decision was not taken lightly and was based upon a number of factors, including but not limited to, the elevated number of COVID cases in our region, the timing of the current COVID surge, and the evidence which suggests that this current surge will be peaking in our region this and the following week,” it said.

The showcase will take place at the same time in March, from 5:30 to 8 p.m., in the elementary school’s cafeteria and gymnasium.

A nurse will be present at the open house to perform temperature checks, and masks will be available at the entrance and recommended to be worn indoors, the letter said. Exhibits will also be spaced out, air filtration units will be in place, and high-touch surfaces will be routinely disinfected.

The event wasn’t held last year.

“It’s really a celebration of learning for our school,” said Ed Whritner, assistant secondary principal and director of project-based learning for the district, ahead of the original open house.

The event is open to anyone in the region, he said.

The district has taken pride in its switch to a project-based learning model, and the open house will serve as a platform for those efforts, as well as science fair projects, to be viewed by the community.

A potato bar fundraiser will fund the junior class’s prom.

“Bright spots are important,” Whritner said.

The district noted that secondary extracurricular activities will still commence as usual, as they are voluntary, whereas the open house is mandatory for staff and students.

“We realize that this is inconvenient for all of those involved, and we are committed to making sure that it still takes place under the best conditions. Our students, teachers, and their hard work deserve to be celebrated, and we will see that it happens,” the letter said.

The letter said that two recent basketball games with Ridgway and Dolores were rescheduled “due to their COVID issues.”