Updated Masking Order

                September 13, 2021

               

                Dear Parents, Guardians, Students, and Community,

Late Friday afternoon, school districts administrators across the state received an official letter from the Acting Deputy Secretary of Education, Sheri Smith, notifying districts of three important items. First, she announced President Biden’s announced series of additional federal measures to help bring the pandemic under control. She also shared a threatening letter sent by the Secretary of Education (Noe Ortega) to a Pennsylvania school district who has openly not complied with the masking mandate issued by the Department of Health on August 31, 2021. Within the letter, it outlines some of, but not all of the consequences for the unnamed district if it does not comply with the masking mandate. Thirdly, Dr. Smith further clarified for all districts that, “Any school entity simply permitting a parent’s sign-off without evidence that the student has a medical or mental health condition or disability that precludes the wearing of a face covering is not in compliance with the Order”. Within this section, she references the consequences listed in the threatening letter issued to the unnamed district by Secretary Ortega.

It is assumed that the letter from Dr. Smith comes in response to an article written by the Associated Press which identified the parent affidavit option within the written mask order. As it is the first written notice from the Pennsylvania Department of Education notifying schools that they are out of compliance if accepting parental affidavit forms without accompanying, supporting medical documentation and the following of the Section 504 identification process, all school districts in the state must now move to follow those mandated processes. Therefore, Union School District will also be forced to comply with this mandate and shall require accompanying medical documentation as well as following of the Section 504 identification process. Please keep in mind that the Section 504 identification process is a rigorous process which is analogous to the identification of a student for special education services, but operates under the Americans with Disabilities Act, rather than through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. It is not easy to qualify for a Section 504 Plan.

Our district will continue to honor the parent affidavit forms through Friday, September 17, 2021 to allow parents and students sufficient time to acquire a physician’s supporting medical documentation and to schedule a meeting with our district’s 504 coordinator. Starting on Monday, September 20, 2021, all students who have not qualified and received a Section 504 Plan shall be required to follow the Department of Health’s masking mandate while in school buildings and while being transported on school district provided buses/vans.

We realize how polarized the subject of masking of children in school has become, and we as a school district do not endorse one side of the argument or the other. Simply, we have done our best to provide parents the ability to choose what they feel is best for their own children, but we have now had that ability removed from our control. We ask that you recognize that our district’s school board, administration, and staff have not developed the masking order, nor do we have the ability to ignore it. Therefore, anyone with questions concerning the order, feelings of disagreement with the order, general frustration with the order, or contrarily, with words of support for the order, should direct those to the individuals who are responsible with its development and imposition. They are the people who have the ability to make changes, as that ability has been removed from your local leaders (school board and administration). Those who have been responsible for the masking mandate are as follows:

Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Health – Alison Beam – phone number – (717) 787-9857

Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Education – Noe Ortega – phone number (717) 783 – 9780

Deputy Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Education – Sheri Smith – phone number (717) 772 – 4557

Governor Thomas Wolf – phone number - (717) 787 – 2500

We hope that you choose to continue to send your child to Union School District in compliance of the Department of Health’s masking order as in-person education has proven to be most effective. However, if you are considering alternative educational programming for your child as a result of the mask mandate, please contact your school district office to discuss your options. Currently, Union School District contracts with the following online education providers:

                Educere Virtual Education

                WIU eAcademy

                Titusville Rockets Online Campus

We thank you for your continued support and understanding as our local school leaders give our best efforts to support our students and families. We hear your concerns and have made our best effort to continue to provide you with the ability to choose for your children. We wish you the best and good health in the days to come!

Sincerely,

John Kimmel, Superintendent

The School Nurse's Office would like to welcome back our Union School District students for the 2021-2022 school year!  As we begin the year, please be advised that The Pennsylvania Department of Health's School Immunization requirements must be met by September 1, 2021 (the 5th day of the school year), or students risk exclusion from school.  Please submit your child's immunization records to the nurse at either Sligo Elementary or Union High School by Tuesday August 31, 2021.  Immunizations are required by the State of Pennsylvania Department of Health upon entry into school, 7th grade, and 12th grade.  If your child is entering for the first time or is going into the 7th or 12th grades, please check their immunization records to be sure they are current.  Letters were sent home in May to students that need immunizations for the upcoming school year, per the State's requirements.  If you have any questions about your child's immunization status, please contact your child's Nurse's Office. 

Below is some information from Pennsylvania Association of School Board Officials which investigates the disadvantages of Cyber Charter School enrollments.

Union School District

DRESS GUIDELINES

First opinions are often formed based upon your physical appearance. How you dress often projects an image which is related to your behavior and attitude. Therefore, it is imperative that your dress in a manner that projects a positive image. Secondly, your dress must be chosen with safety in mind. Any clothing which may pose a safety hazard is not permitted.  Lastly, your form of dress/appearance should promote a positive learning environment and cannot cause a disruption to your education or the education of others.

Clothing: