Introduction and Challenges
. . . COVID-19 will happen!

As we plan for the upcoming school year, we are faced with uncertainty unmatched in recent years. District policies and practices will need to remain flexible and nimble as we respond to
new information and work through the many issues associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we develop our initial plan to return our students to a safe learning environment.

Since you will be faced with a decision regarding the learning pathway for your child, we feel it is essential for us to communicate to you the expectations for our students and our staff as they return to school. We also want to share what precautions will be taken by the district to minimize the exposure and possible spread of COVID-19 so you can determine the learning pathway you prefer for your child.

This will be a challenging year for all of us as we try to keep our students and staff healthy and continue to provide face-to-face learning. With that in mind, it is going to require support from
families in helping our students realize the importance of wearing masks and utilizing proper handwashing and sanitizing procedures. If all families can help us reinforce at home the importance of following the recommended safety guidelines, we may be able to minimize the potential spread and keep our schools open.

Given the nature of this virus, it is not a matter of “if,” but when our schools will experience an event . . .

This document is intended to be a fluid, working document which will change as needed based on the current COVID-19 status and recommendations of health professionals. It is not intended to be a complete plan, but an initial outline of strategies and protocols based on the current community health threat to our students and staff. Information will be updated on a weekly basis as recommended by the Reentry Task Force members. We recommend checking the Union website frequently at www.unionps.org/Coronavirus for updates.

Reentry Task Force and Input

Union’s Reentry Task Force, formed in May 2020, has been working to create and present a plan for the return to school in the fall of 2020. The information presented is part of an overall plan to safely return students and staff to an In-Person Learning Environment when school begins in the 2020-21 School Year. The committee consists of 29 members and includes two board members, two parents, two teachers, two support employees, two elementary principals, two secondary principals, the lead school nurse, the head athletic trainer, and fifteen other district administrators. We thank them for their service. See members.

Option 1:
IN-PERSON LEARNING

Learning at school grades PreK-5

• Teachers will provide face-to-face instruction
• Students will attend class in-person five days a week
• Schools will be open during regular instructional hours
• In the event school is cancelled for any period of time, students will be provided instruction through our distance learning plan
• Specific safety measures are described on P. 8 of this document. 

Learning at school grades 6-12

• Teachers will provide face-to-face instruction.
•  Students will attend class in-person five days a week
• •Schools will be opened during regular instructional hours.
• In the event school is cancelled for any period of time, students will be provided instruction through our distance learning plan.
• In-person includes the blended class options; Union Career Connect; and Service-Learning opportunities students chose during spring enrollment.
• Specific safety measures are described beginning on P. 8 of this document.

*Note: Both Virtual and In-Person Learning will have similar expectations around coursework and grading. ​

Option 2:
VIRTUAL LEARNING

Elementary Students (Grades PK-5)

• Learning at home
• A Union teacher will deliver all instruction remotely and provide support utilizing the Seesaw Learning Management system
• A Union teacher will use Union curricular materials and Oklahoma Academic Standards while maintaining the continuity of learning
• Virtual learning is a minimum of a one-semester commitment (i.e., there is no “flipping” back and forth between models within a semester)
• Students will check out the following at each grade level:
  - Pre-K – a device will be provided
  - Kindergarten – 2nd grade – iPad
  - 3rd – 5th grade – laptop
• Elementary virtual learning information can be found here: English / Spanish

Secondary Students (Grades 6-12)

• Learning at home
• Students will receive instruction and coursework through one of our contracted virtual programming and curriculum offerings supported by Union teachers
• This program will ensure a student has the credits they need for graduation;however, some class choices may be limited
• In-person participation in extracurricular activities (fine arts and athletics) may be available by request. Transportation will not be provided for extracurricular
  activities.
• Virtual learning is a minimum of a one-semester commitment
• The virtual program does not meet NCAA clearinghouse requirements
• Students will check out a laptop
• Virtual class options can be found here: English / Spanish

See Also

• Frequently Asked Question or FAQ
• STAFF FAQ
• Classroom Disinfectant FAQs
• Positive Results in School
• COVID-19 Decision Tree for Students
• Quarantine Procedures
• Interruptions at School
• Health Monitoring of Your Student
• Human Resources Covid-19 Directions for Union Staff
• Safety Strategies
  Facial Coverings
  Physical Distancing
  Elementary Cohorts
  Distance Learning
• District Protocol – Cleaning, Disinfection and Ventilation
• Tulsa Tech COVID-19 Instructional Framework
• NCAA Eligibility
• Union families may qualify for this free internet service.
  Visit www.tulsaresponds.org

• Parents and Visitors
• School Calendars
• School Hours
• Transportation
• Breakfast and Lunch
• Extracurricular Activities (Athletics, Fine Arts, Etc.)
• Exrtended Day Program
• Community Resources
• Coronavirus Task Force