We all share an interest in returning students to school in-person as soon as local health conditions allow. We are ready! We have prepared the physical facilities for reopening, we have purchased personal protective equipment, we have created schedules that will help us meet physical distancing and other COVID mitigation strategies, and a large portion of our staff has received their first dose of the COVID vaccine. We have updated our reopening plan multiple times to comply with changing health orders, guidance, and other legal requirements. We are in the process of updating our plan again to comply with the guidance that came out last week. We look forward to the time when we can welcome your kids back to school in-person - not just plan for it.
We are hosting Town Hall meetings next week to share the changed guidance and our reopening plans. We want to hear from you so don’t forget to tune in next week on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday starting at 5:30 p.m. Email your questions to [email protected] any time before or during the meeting. Even if you don’t have specific questions, please watch and learn more about our eventual reopening. These Town Hall meetings will be followed up by virtual informational sessions from our school Principals that will detail each school’s in-person learning program. You will hear more about the dates and times from your child’s school site.
New California Department of Public Health Guidance - Summary of Changes HERE
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) develops guidance for schools as they decide when and how to implement in-person instruction for the 2020-2021 school year. On January 14, 2021, CDPH released its revised school guidance to implement in-person instruction. This new information comes with new or changed guidance and requirements which will affect our reopening in many ways.
REOPENING CRITERIA
In order to reopen elementary schools to in-person instruction, a county’s adjusted COVID case rate needs to be less than 25 cases per 100,000 population per day for at least five consecutive days. For schools that serve Grades 7 - 12, to reopen to in-person learning, the county must be in the Red Tier for 5 consecutive days before the school may open for in-person instruction.
Additionally, school districts are required to submit their COVID Safety plans to Mendocino County Public Health and a new State Safe Schools for All Team for feedback. Both agencies have 7 days to respond with feedback. If any changes are required, the District will make the recommended changes and resubmit the plans. After submission, the agencies have another 7 days to respond. Ukiah Unified plans to submit its plans to Mendocino County Public Health and the Safe Schools for All Team next week.
Our plans are currently receiving a final review to ensure that all new components in the January 14 CDPH Reopening Framework and the requirements of Cal/OSHA have been addressed. Additionally, this final plan will be reviewed with our key stakeholder groups. The COVID Safety Plan will be posted on our website. Each school site is finalizing its COVID safety plan as well.
We learn more each day about the transmission of COVID-19 and the mitigation strategies that work to slow or stop transmission. The implementation of mitigation strategies backed up by science guides the decisions made at the state level regarding in-person guidelines.
Virtual Town Hall Meetings on January 25th, 26th, and 27th. Email your questions to [email protected] at any time before or during a Town Hall. Times and topics below.
SPANISH Virtual Town Hall For All Grades
Monday, January 25, 2021
5:30 - 6:30 pm.
Watch Live on Facebook here:
https://www.facebook.com/ukiahunifiedschooldistrict
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Virtual Town Hall
Tuesday, January 26, 2021
5:30 - 6:30 pm.
Watch on UUSD Live YouTube Channel here:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvrRjxT-CILBVvDMZQ2aw9Q
MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL Virtual Town Hall
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
5:30 - 6:30 pm.
Watch on UUSD Live YouTube Channel here:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvrRjxT-CILBVvDMZQ2aw9Q
New CDPH Guidance
California Department of Public Health School Guidance 1.14.2021
CA Safe Schools for All Website
UUSD Resources
Social-Emotional and Mental Health Resources
UUSD Distance Learning Resources
UUSD Health & Safety Guidebook
Please reach out to your school for assistance, or call our District Hotline at 707-472-5003. Thank you very much for your ongoing support, and I hope you have a great weekend!