Mendocino County Public Health and California Safe Schools for All approved the Ukiah Unified COVID Safety Plan. Our case rate in Mendocino County is under 25 positive cases per 100,000 population. I am so excited to let you know that we will begin our phased reopening to in-person instruction on February 16, 2021, for preschool, for Grades TK - 2, Ages 3 - 22 Special Day Classes, Grade 5 at Eagle Peak, and Grade 6 at Pomolita. Your school site has been in touch with you regarding the details.

During the second week of our gradual reopening, starting on February 22, 2021, we will open Grades 3 - 6 (including Eagle Peak Grade 6). Grades 7 - 12 are subject to being in the Red Tier. We are not sure when we will be in the Red Tier as a County, so we have not specified a date for reopening Grades 7 - 12. Again, this is contingent on local health conditions.  

I want to thank everyone who worked on our many plans and schedules. Mendocino County Public Health, Mendocino County Office of Education, City of Ukiah, Senator Mike McGuire, and Assemblymember Jim Wood have all been tremendous partners in our quest for reopening. And we couldn’t have done this without our outstanding UTA, CSEA, and administrative team members.

We’re all so excited to begin bringing our kids back to school in person! But to do so safely will require some teamwork. We are relying on all of us to do these crucial things that will ensure our return to school will be safe and healthy for everyone:

• Wear A Mask  Masks and face coverings prevent people from getting and spreading COVID-19. Wearing a mask or face covering is now required of every Californian when outside of their home, with limited exceptions. Masks will be worn over the nose and mouth at all times, and they must fit correctly. Read more in the new and expanded mask guidance from the California Department of Public Health. 
• Physical Distancing  A distance of 6 feet or more between yourself and others dramatically reduces the risk for spreading COVID-19.
• Hand Hygiene  Washing your hands for at least 20 seconds or more several times throughout each day is one of the most important things we can do to stop the spread of COVID-19.
• Screening At Home  Students and staff are required to complete a daily temperature check and self-screen for COVID-19 symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath, runny nose, and fever at home before coming to school or getting on a bus. Anyone who feels sick or is experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms should stay home.
• No Visitors  Reducing the number of visitors to our schools will help us stop potential exposures. Parents and Guardians will not be permitted on campus without an appointment and must stay in their vehicles during drop off and pick up.

COVID-19 Testing Update  The new California Department of Public Health guidance recommends weekly COVID-19 testing if the county’s case rate is greater than 14. If a county is in the Purple Tier with a case rate of less than 14 or is in the Red Tier, the recommended testing cadence is every two weeks. Our COVID-19 testing teams will begin testing some staff members in the first week. We anticipate sign-ups for COVID-19 testing to start next week, and we will begin testing students the week of February 22nd.

Watch the Town Hall Meetings and visit the UUSD COVID Response Website to learn more about our phased reopening to a hybrid model, health protocols, mitigation, testing, and more. 

UUSD Social-Emotional and Mental Health Resources 

UUSD Distance Learning Resources

Don’t forget – No Distance Learning tomorrow, Friday, February 12th, or Monday, February 15th, to observe Presidents Day. 

If you need assistance, please first reach out to your child’s school and then call our District Hotline at 707-472-5003.  Thank you very much for everything you do to support our students, and I hope you all have a wonderful and relaxing long weekend!