PEETZ, CO — A school district in northeast Colorado is giving students extra time off this Winter with the goal of limiting COVID-19 spread.

Peetz Public Schools announced Tuesday afternoon they are prolonging their Christmas break until Monday, Jan. 11. Previously, students were scheduled to be back in the classroom on Monday, Jan. 4.

"We are hoping to mitigate the spread of the virus and maintain in-person learning for the remainder of the school year," Peetz superintendent Dustin Seger said in a statement.

School officials say the lengthened break will help them determine if any exposures or infections occurred over the break, give them extra time to deep clean facilities and assure they have enough staff to properly educate students upon returning for the second semester.

Seger noted his appreciation of students, staff and parents working together to keep students in the classrooms.

"We appreciate all of your help in keeping kids home when sick and informing us of potential exposures, it will be even more critical coming off of a long break and getting together with family and friends throughout the holidays," Seger said.

Officials are asking parents to keep them informed of any exposures during the break so they can plan for a safe return to school in January.

Christmas break for Peetz begins on Friday, Dec. 18.