PLEASE NOTE: The details in this section are subject to change as directives from governing authorities and health officials respond to new information and developing environmental conditions.

Safe Return & Continuity of Services Plan

Download Plan in English or Spanish for reference. 

Message from the Superintendent – Updated January 5, 2022

Dear Union Parents, Guardians and Staff: 

Union is changing our isolation process for those who are positive for COVID-19 to match the CDC’s updated guidance. Effective immediately, people with COVID-19 should isolate for five days from the date of the positive test. (Previously, the requirement was 10 days, so this is a significant change).

It is important that we continue to follow the continually evolving recommendations of experts, particularly as the omicron variant continues to have an impact on schools. Union’s positive cases have increased significantly since returning from the holidays. Yesterday, we had 45 staff and 41 students who tested positive for COVID, which is up significantly from prior to the holidays.

However, by taking CDC-recommended precautions, including vaccinations for those 5 and older, wearing masks and socially distancing, we have become very adept at keeping our COVID numbers down. I am confident we can safely adopt this new guidance.

The new process, in full, for those who test positive for COVID is as follows:

• Students and staff with COVID-19 should isolate for five days from the date of the positive test.
• If they are asymptomatic or their symptoms are resolving, without fever for 24 hours, they may return to school on the sixth day.
• A mask must be worn for the first five days (days 6-10) they are back at school to minimize the risk of infecting people they encounter. The mask is required, even if a mask exemption was requested.
• If symptoms have not improved or if the student or staff member has had a fever in the past 24 hours, they should remain in isolation until they meet the above criteria.

Here is a link to our district’s protocols in the Safe Return and Continuity of Services Plan. It will be available on the website for public comment and will be discussed at the Board of Education meeting on January 18. Please send any comments to [email protected]. All comments will be shared with board members and executive staff.

In the meantime, we are doing everything in our power to keep students and staff safely in school and to minimize disruptions. It’s important that we not be distracted from our primary mission of educating students.

Sincerely,

Kirt Hartzler, Ed.D.
Superintendent

Return to School Update

As we plan for the upcoming school year, we may continue to face some uncertainty regarding the impact of COVID-19. 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 plan to return our students to a safe learning environment. We have learned a lot during the pandemic and some of our precautions / protocols that were developed during the past year will continue. 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.

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. If the information is changed it can be found on the Union website at www.unionps.org/Coronavirus.
 

Union’s Learning Options – (2021-2022 School Year)

Parents have been given an option to choose one of two learning environments for each of their children, either: Option 1: In-Person Learning (Grades Pre-K to 12); or Option 2: Virtual Learning (Grades K – 12). Should you have questions, please contact your child’s principal. Phone numbers and email addresses can be found on Union’s website at https://www.unionps.org/schools under the “Schools” tab. We want all parents to be comfortable with the learning option that is best suited to the needs of their particular student.

Free Curbside Meals

Union Public Schools will offer curbside meal pickup for virtual students, beginning the first day of school on Wednesday, August 18. Meals will be free through June 2022 for ALL students.

Breakfast, Lunch, supper and weekend meals (on Fridays) will be available for curbside pickup Monday-Friday following the district calendar at these sites:

• High School: 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
• 6^th/7^th Grade Center: 10 to 11 a.m.

FREE Curbside Meals On Virtual Learning/Distance Learning Days

On days when Union must observe distance learning, Union will offer FREE curbside meal pick-up as follows:

• Union High School, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (Northwest side of building across from the track) Call 918-357-7227 upon arrival
• Union High School Freshman Academy – 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (Front of school car loop). Call 918-357-7639 upon arrival
• Union 8th Grade Center – 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (East side of school near loading dock) Call 918-357-7810 upon arrival
• Union 6/7th Grade Center – 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.(West side of school)
• All Elementary Sites – 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. (Bus loop – look for sign to call café phone number. Note: Moore families are asked to use the car line instead of the bus loop.)

Resources

• COVID-19 Decision Tree for Students / Spanish
• Union families may qualify for this free internet service. Visit www.tulsaresponds.org
• COVID-19 Keeping School Meals Safe At Home
• Where can I get vaccinated against the COVID-19? ¿Dónde me hago vacunar contra el COVID-19? See document.
• Masks Opt Out Forms – English / Spanish