The Uintah School District has made some major changes in the way it plans to manage COVID-19 in the schools moving forward. First, the option for in-person learning on Fridays is suspended for the next 6 Fridays. Students will be required to attend classes online on Fridays instead. Second, the district will no longer track, monitor, or report positive student cases of COVID-19. Third, the district will focus on internally monitoring each school’s capacity to safely provide in-person learning for students. Fourth, the district is adding incentives to increase the number of substitute teachers who accept assignments. Fifth, professional development meetings will be canceled or postponed to reduce the strain on the substitute pool. And sixth and finally, the district will review all upcoming large-group employee gatherings to determine whether they should be postponed or canceled. The announcement shared the following message: “The district recognizes the COVID-19 health risks associated with the school environment for both students and staff. We also understand the importance of in-person learning for the growth, development, and emotional wellbeing of our students. We continue to acknowledge the importance of individual choice when it comes to vaccinations and the wearing of masks and we encourage our employees, students, and their families to consider the implications of these choices as they relate to the district’s goal of keeping our schools open for in-person learning.” This contingency plan will be reviewed in 6 weeks.
