Students and staff: 

• Who test positive for COVID-19 
• Show symptoms of COVID-19 

Should stay home and not come to school or report to work in the school facility until certain criteria has been met.

If a person has the following symptoms: fever or chills, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting, headache, they should go home, stay away from others and call their health care provider.

If person is diagnosed with COVID-19, or does not get a COVID-19 test, but has the above symptoms, the person may return to school when one of the following have been met:

• 10 days have passed after their first day of symptoms and they have not had a fever for 24 hours without using fever-reducing medicine, and other symptoms are improving.
• Received an alternative diagnosis from a health care provider, and the person has been fever free for 24 hours without using fever-reducing medicine.

A person who has symptoms of COVID-19 and has received a negative test for COVID-19 may return to school IF the negative test was:

• A negative PCR/molecular test or a negative rapid antigen.
• We do not accept negative at-home COVID-19 tests.

UCPS will offer a three-tiered support system for students who in quarantine.

• Tier I: Traditional school day/after-school support
• Tier II: After-school/weekend support
• Tier III: District tutors

Once a student is identified for a quarantine setting by the local health department, school staff will contact parents with options for support. Tier II and III teachers and tutors will be equipped to provide virtual content and specific support for all grade levels during designated times. Support includes: phone calls, email check-ins, tutoring, individual/ small group instruction and access to resources.

All schools and facilities will: 

• Visitors will be allowed on campus for academic-related events and student support services (Tutoring, Read with U, Scouting, PTO).
• UCPS will continue to limit visitors on campus for non-academic related activities. 
• No visitors for lunch and classroom celebrations.
• UCPS will utilize video doorbell systems to communicate with visitors.

Yes. Social, emotional and mental health support will be available at each school. School counselors, school social workers, school psychologists and school-based therapists will provide needed support for students and staff in crisis or as needed on an ongoing basis.

No. Face coverings are optional for UCPS staff and students.

Yes. The CDC issued a federal “Order” requiring face coverings in all public vehicles. More information. 

Yes. All 53 schools will have an assigned nurse for this school year.

Yes. UCPS will continue to work closely with the Union County Health Department to take appropriate steps in the event a student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19. Each situation is unique and may require cleaning of a classroom/area, school facility, closure of a classroom or closure of a building.

For the 2021-2022 school year, UCPS will return to traditional fire, lockdown and tornado emergency drill procedures. UCPS will no longer use the simulated fire, lockdown and tornado emergency drill procedures (these procedures can be adjusted if COVID-19 protocols change).