Interruptions at School
In the event of a large outbreak of COVID-19 or a high risk of community spread at one or more schools, Union may decide to activate distance learning for all students who select “In-Person Learning.” Union will work with the Tulsa Health Department and other health officials in determining the level of risk. Please know the district’s ability to conduct contact tracing and notify all parties may be limited and delayed, depending on a number of factors. We will honor FERPA (student confidentiality) and HIPAA (medical confidentiality), but will do our best to notify students and families on a timely basis in the event there is an exposure to COVID-19 at school.
In the event of a disruption, Union has other measures in place to ensure continuity of services for students and staff:
Make-up work policy due to quarantine or isolation (reference Board Policy 5025):
Students are encouraged to make up any work missed due to an absence. In order to receive credit, the student is responsible for obtaining, completing and returning to the teacher the assignments missed during their absence. In general, students will be granted one school day for each school day missed due to an absence. More time may be allowed at the discretion of the teacher, depending on the nature of the assignment(s) and length of the absence.
If parents anticipate their child’s absence will go beyond three school days, they may request missed work through their teacher, principal or assistant principal. Requests for work will be sent to each of the student’s teachers, and every effort will be made to obtain the work within 24 hours of the request.
Students with disabilities:
In the event of school closure or a health/medical emergency resulting in a disruption of services, Union Public Schools will ensure students with disabilities maintain continuity of and access to services that are provided to all students participating in a general education setting.
Union has developed individualized contingency plans for students who receive special education services. Contingency Plans will be put into effect in the event of a health or medical issue, site or district closure, or initiated by the IEP team (including the parents). Contingency plans are not intended for brief, typical absences. Union will provide a written notice to parents at the time contingency plans go into effect.
Free meals/drive-thru pick-up:
Union has the capability to expand the availability of meal services to children, as needed, depending upon circumstances.
Summer School programs:
Union has greatly expanded summer school offerings and remediation opportunities to address student learning loss.
Social Emotional Learning:
Union Public Schools believes in the importance of being proactive in our efforts – providing counseling and guidance to address the social, emotional, and academic needs of our students. The district employs guidance counselors at each building to address the social-emotional wellbeing of students. We also partner with outside agencies to provide mental health services to students and families. These services are available to all students and families.
Community Resources:
The district will provide parents and families with the latest information on community resources, when available. The district website can be found at www.unionps.org
Health Monitoring of Your Student
Families are expected to monitor the health of their children. Parents or guardians will need to notify the school if their child is symptomatic or has had possible exposure to COVID-19. If anyone in your household has had a possible exposure to COVID-19 and is being tested, please quarantine your student until test results are received.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) continues to update COVID-19 guidelines including recommended quarantine guidelines. Union Public Schools will utilize guidelines provided by The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) if practical and appropriate for local conditions.
Definitions: Isolation or Quarantine
Students, staff, and educators diagnosed with COVID-19 must isolate and stay away from the school premises until requirements for the end of isolation are met. Any student or staff member who is COVID-19 positive will be required to isolate regardless of vaccination status. People who are in isolation must stay home until it’s safe for them to be around others. At home, anyone sick or infected should separate from others, stay in a specific “sick room” or areas, and use a separate bathroom (if available).
What to do:
Returning to School After COVID-19: The ill student can return to school and end isolation once the following conditions are met:
Students experiencing possible covid symptoms that cannot be attributed to another cause should remain at home, and they can return with a release from a doctor, a negative covid test result, or approval from the school nurse.
It is strongly recommended that quarantine be considered if a student has been in close contact (within 6 feet of someone for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24- hour period) with someone who has COVID-19, unless he/she has been fully vaccinated. People who are fully vaccinated do NOT need to quarantine after contact with someone who had COVID-19 unless they have symptoms. However, fully vaccinated people should get tested 3-5 days after their exposure, even if they don’t have symptoms and should wear a mask indoors in public for 14 days following exposure or until their test result is negative.
Anyone who has had close contact with someone with COVID-19 and who meets the following criteria does NOT need to consider staying home.
In the event of a large outbreak of COVID-19 or a high risk of community spread at one or more schools, Union may decide to activate distance learning for all students who select “In-Person Learning.”
Safety Strategies
To minimize the spread of COVID-19, Union is prioritizing the following the safety strategies:
Contact Tracing
Union Public Schools will continue to contact trace when positive COVID-19 cases are identified. To the best of our ability, staff members and the parents of students who are considered to have been in close contact with a positive case will be notified as soon as possible. Close contact is declared when a person is within six (6) feet or less for a cumulative period of fifteen (15) minutes.
The district will notify the Tulsa County Health Department immediately if two or more positive cases from different households are identified within the same classroom or within the same cohort outside of the classroom, such as the lunchroom or extracurricular activities (sports, music, after-school clubs, etc.).
See additional information above in the Health Monitoring of Your Student section.
Return to School / Reentry Plan for Students, Parents & Teachers
Download Plan in English or Spanish for reference. See FAQ / Spanish FAQ