Union Public Schools

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.

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

You isolate when you have been infected with the virus, even if you don’t have symptoms.
You quarantine when you might have been exposed to the virus.

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:

Monitor your symptoms. If you have an emergency warning sign (including troublebreathing), seek emergency medical care immediately.
Stay in a separate room from other household members, if possible.
Use a separate bathroom, if possible.
Avoid contact with other members of the household and pets.
Don’t share personal household items, like cups, towels, and utensils.
Wear a mask when around other people, if able.

Returning to School After COVID-19: The ill student can return to school and end isolation once the following conditions are met:

10 days out from the start of the symptoms and
Fever free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication, and
Symptoms have improved.

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.

What to do if you decide to quarantine:

Watch for fever (100.4◦F), cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19.
If possible, stay away from people you live with, especially people who are at higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19.
Return to school on day 11 after your last contact with a person who has COVID-19 if symptom free or
Return to school on day 8 after receiving a negative covid test.

What to do after quarantine

Watch for symptoms until 14 days after exposure.
If you have symptoms, immediately self-isolate and contact your local public health authority or healthcare provider.

Anyone who has had close contact with someone with COVID-19 and who meets the following criteria does NOT need to consider staying home.

Someone who has been fully vaccinated and shows no symptoms of COVID- 19. However, it is recommended that fully vaccinated people get tested 3-5 days after their exposure, even if they don’t have symptoms. It is also recommended that they wear a mask indoors for 14 days following exposure or until their test result is negative.
Or Someone who had COVID-19 illness within the previous 3 months and
Has recovered and
Remains without COVID 19 symptoms (for example, cough, shortness of breath)

Safety Strategies

To minimize the spread of COVID-19, Union is prioritizing the following the safety strategies:

Union strongly recommends that every staff member, student and guest wear a mask while inside any Union facility when in the presence of others. The universal and correct wearing of masks has been highly effective in limiting the spread of infection. Due to Oklahoma Senate Bill 658, it is unlawful for local school districts to implement mask mandates unless there is a state of emergency, nor are districts permitted to determine protocols based on vaccination status for students and staff.
It is strongly encouraged that parents consider vaccinating students age 12 and older against COVID-19. The vaccine has proven to be highly effective in guarding against infection. With the delta variant roughly twice as contagious as the initial strain of COVID-19, it is especially important that parents consider vaccination options. Anyone age 12 and older can receive a safe, effective and free COVID-19 vaccine. For information on the vaccine, visit the Tulsa Health Department at COVID-19 Vaccine | Tulsa Health Department (tulsa-health.org).
Recommended physical distancing when possible; use of counter shields when available and practical;
Increased handwashing and encouragement of respiratory etiquette; visual reminders will be posted in district buildings;
Continuation of cleaning practices in school facilities utilizing electrostatic ion disinfectant sprayers and, where possible, the introduction of a higher percentage of outside air into school facilities through the ventilation system;
Contact tracing and isolation of students and staff diagnosed as Covid-19 positive; notification of exposed staff and students will occur;
Make available information regarding diagnostic and screening testing for COVID-19 at Testing | Tulsa Health Department (tulsa-health.org).
When possible, work with the local health department to provide avenues to deliver vaccinations to the school community;
Provide learning options for health compromised students and the necessary academic and emotional support for all students regardless of the learning option selected; the district will make the appropriate accommodations for all students, including children with disabilities, with respect to health and safety policies;
Provide food service/meal options for students regardless of which learning plan is selected;
The district will continue to follow the science and data and respond appropriately as allowed by law. The district will continue to consult with the Tulsa County Health Department and the Oklahoma State Department of Health; the district Reentry Task Force will continue to monitor local data, district data, CDC guidelines, and recommendations from health officials; the district Reentry Task Force will reconvene as needed;
In addition to notifying the Tulsa County Health Department of all COVID-positive cases, the district will notify them immediately if two or more cases from different households are identified within the same classroom or within the same cohort outside of the classroom such as the lunchroom or extra-curricular activities (sports, music, after school clubs, etc.).

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