Updated 3/21/22

To maximize the opportunities for in-person instruction, the CCHD and UCFSD continue to emphasize layered mitigation strategies, including:

Symptom Screening. It is important that families continue to screen their children before sending them to school. If your child is ill or has any COVID-19 symptoms, they should stay home from school.

Masking. Per CDC guidance, as of February 25, 2022, Masking is optional in all UCFSD schools and offices and on school transportation. 

Rapid Testing for UCFSD Students and Staff Who Are Symptomatic or Who Are Exiting Quarantine on Day 5. Nurses continue to offer testing for symptomatic staff and students who are in school . 

The School Board will discuss the District’s current Health and Safety Plan at its Work Session on February 14, 2022 and vote on any changes to the Health and Safety Plan at the February 28, 2022 Regular meeting at 7:30 PM.

Updated 1/25/22

The protocol for positive COVID-19 cases has not changed. Families of students who have tested positive for COVID-19 should keep their child at home, contact the attendance office and email the school nurse for instructions. Individuals who have tested positive should refer to the CCHD website for isolation guidelines and contact their healthcare provider if needed.
 

School districts are no longer authorized by the CCHD to provide quarantine letters to close contacts to positive cases. As a result, all County school districts have been directed to discontinue contact tracing. This means that UCFSD nurses and administrators will no longer be contacting families of students who are considered close contacts to positive COVID-19 cases in classrooms, common areas or on school buses. With the current level of community spread, the CCHD has stated that universal contact tracing is an increasingly less effective and practical tool to disrupt the spread of infection throughout Chester County.
 

Going forward, if you learn that your child has been a close contact to a positive case, please follow the CCHD’s quarantine guidelines and consult with your family’s healthcare provider as needed. In an effort to share information on positive COVID-19 cases in our schools, UCFSD will continue to post cases that have been reported to us on the UCFSD COVID-19 Dashboard.

Updated 2/26/22

Are masks required for the full school year? Per CDC guidance, as of February 25, 2022, Masking is optional in all UCFSD schools and offices and on school transportation. 

Are masks required outside?
Masks are optional outside.
 

Will the District still conduct contact tracing? How will this work if students are masked?
No. Per the Chester County Health Department, school districts are no longer authorized to conduct contact tracing.  
 

If only my child has to isolate, will they be able to access instruction online?
Asynchronous work will be provided to elementary students who need to isolate as we have done in the past when a student misses days of instruction due to illness.  Secondary students will be allowed to remote into class for COVID-19 illness only.

Updated 3/21/22

Will the district be conducting rapid testing for students and staff?
Our nurses continue to conduct testing for symptomatic staff and students who are in school. 

Will the District require self-screening for COVID symptoms?
We ask that staff and students self screen for COVID-19. If you or your child exhibits symptoms of COVID-19,  please keep your child at home.

Are teachers required to be fully vaccinated?
No, teachers are not required to be vaccinated. However, over 90% of our staff have been vaccinated.

What are the District's cleaning procedures?
Routine cleaning of any utilized spaces will be performed each evening.  Additional cleaning will be implemented on an as-needed basis.

Will hand sanitizer be available in classrooms?
Yes. Hand sanitizer will be available in classrooms and throughout school buildings.

Are water fountains/water filling stations available?
Filling stations are available for students who bring their own water bottles. Water fountains are currently disabled.
 

What considerations have been given to the District's ventilation systems concerning COVID-19?
We have increased air exchanges to improve ventilation, increased operating run times of our HVAC equipment, and have placed HEPA air filtration units in every classroom. 

How much Physical distance will you be able to accommodate between students? 
3 feet of social distancing will be maintained in classrooms to the greatest extent possible.
 

If I am not comfortable sending my child back to school at a reduced distance, what are my options?
Virtual learning is available through UCFVA and is open to students in grades K-12. 

How will social distancing be maintained during lunch?
Students will be seated 3 feet apart to the greatest extent possible. Additional spaces may be used to accommodate social distancing. Some schools will use alternate locations such as an auxiliary gym and/or outdoor tented areas. At the high school, eating outdoors in tented areas/courtyards will be encouraged, weather permitting.

How will social distancing be maintained in the hallways during class transitions?
It may not be feasible to maintain 3 feet of distance between students in the hallway, but they will only be in close proximity for a short period of time, which will not result in the need to quarantine as long as students are wearing masks.

Are students and bus drivers required to wear masks on school buses?
Yes, this is a federal mandate.

Will seating assignments be required on school buses?
Yes, students will be assigned seats. 

Will there be physical distancing in place on the buses? 
Social distancing will be encouraged on the bus to the greatest extent possible.
 

Do we have enough buses/drivers to accommodate all of our students returning to school?
A school bus driver shortage is still very much impacting school districts across the country. Our team has spent the summer working hard to reroute and consolidate some of our buses. We believe that most of our students and families will enjoy a smooth and seamless school bus experience. However, it is realistic to expect that periodically there may be some delays, as well as higher capacity buses.

Are there any changes to Special Education Services for the 2021-22 school year?
No, services will remain the same.
 

What is the District doing to support students who are struggling socially and emotionally?
We have several Behavioral Health specialists in the district who provide support to students individually and in small groups. School counselors have extensive counseling resources for parents, students, and staff. Families can contact their school counselor or principal for help. 
 

Will breakfast/lunch be provided during this school year?
Yes. Through an extension of the SSO Meal Program, all K-12 students have the opportunity to take one breakfast and one lunch daily free of charge. 

ARP ESSER III Adjustments (English) 

ARP ESSER III Adjustments (Hindi)

ARP ESSER III Adjustments (Spanish)

ARP ESSER III Adjustment (Telugu)

ARP ESSER III Adjustment (Chinese)

ARP ESSER/Act 24 Allocations (English) 

ARP ESSER/Act 24 Allocations (Hindi)

ARP ESSER/Act 24 Allocations (Spanish)

ARP ESSER/Act 24 Allocations (Telugu)

ARP ESSER/Act 24 Allocations (Chinese)

ARP ESSER Health and Safety Plan Guidance and Template