BACK TO SCHOOL
Ukiah Unified students return to the classroom
“Health and Safety recommendations are based on information from the California Department of Public Health, our County Public Health Officer, and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).” — COVID-19 Safety Plan
Ukiah Unified schools reopened Thursday for in-person classroom instruction for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic shut down local schools in March 2020.
Masked students, who have been continuing their studies remotely since last spring, arrived at area schools Thursday morning, with younger students escorted by their parents — who were also wearing masks and practicing social distancing as best they could.
The school district reminds motorists to drive especially carefully these days, as there will be a dramatic increase in traffic near local schools at certain times of the day now that in-person classes have resumed.
Ukiah Unified reminder to motorists
It’s never more important for drivers to slow down and pay attention than when kids are going back to school. Back to school brings more traffic congestion. School buses are loading passengers, kids on bikes are hurrying to get to school, and parents drop their kids off before work.
Remember these things to keep our children safe as they go back to school:
Slow down and pay attention. If you are driving around schools, look out for children and pedestrians at all times, everywhere. Expect the unexpected. Foot traffic is higher as children are going back to school.
Exercise caution if you’re driving near a school bus and allow a greater following distance than when you’re driving behind a car. Watch for children when school buses stop to unload and load children. And don’t forget passing a school bus is illegal.
Watch out for bicycles. Children on bikes can be hard to see, and they usually don’t understand traffic conditions.
By exercising extra care and caution when driving in school zones, pedestrians and children will be safer in our community. Visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website for more back-to-school safe driving tips. https://www.nhtsa.gov/schoolbus-safety/keeping-childrensafe
In a detailed “COVID-19 Safety Plan” posted on its website, Ukiah Unified states:
“This COVID-19 Safety Plan for reopening was originally developed after careful consideration and guidance from the Mendocino County Public Health Officer, the California Department of Public Health Guidance documents, the American Academy of Pediatrics Guidance documents, and input from surveys and stakeholder groups, including consultation with the Ukiah Teachers’
Association, CSEA Chapter #194, the UUSD Parent Advisory Committee, and various community youth support organizations. The plan has been updated based on new CDPH, Cal/ OSHA, and local health orders and mandates. Additionally, it includes the necessary components of a COVID-19 Prevention Program (CAL/OSHA). This plan will be updated, as needed, when state and local requirements change.
“Health and Safety recommendations are based on information from the California Department of Public Health, our County Public Health Officer, and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).”
The document can be viewed in its entirety at: https://www. uusd.net/apps/news/article/1376497