Fire Cleanup Update

We recognize there may be additional questions about the scheduled clean-up, construction work, and class schedules. Here are some answers to some expected questions:

Given that students are only attending half-day, what classes will they be missing? Will they have to make up missed instructional hours?
The half-day schedule will provide enough instructional time for all core subjects. Teachers who teach elective courses will temporarily be reassigned to assist the core-subject teachers. Canyons District administrators are working with State Education officials to determine what, if any other make-up accommodations will need to be made.

Will the school be serving breakfast and lunch?
Yes. Students will have fewer meal options, but they will be provided a full lunch and (for those who eat breakfast) a full breakfast.

When will we be able to retrieve personal belongings from lockers and classrooms?
Until, professional cleanup crews can certify that the top floor of the school is safe for occupancy, no one will be allowed into classrooms. The school has a plan in place for retrieving personal items from lockers and returning them to families. But with 800 lockers, it could take several days to empty the lockers, catalogue the contents and create an orderly check-out system for returning personal belongings to families. Please check your emails frequently as we’ll soon be sharing instructions for accomplishing this.

What about the school supplies my child will need for class?
Canyons District is delivering enough classroom supplies to ensure every student has what he/she needs to participate fully in daily instruction. For the time being, to make it easier for students to keep track of their personal belongings, we also are allowing students to bring backpacks or bookbags into their classrooms.

What special accommodations will be made for special education students?
Because changes in the classroom environment can be unsettling for some students, specialists with the District’s office of Special Education and Related Services will be on hand to assist teachers and paraeducators as students become acquainted with their new surroundings. Extra counselors and nurses also will be available to address health needs and assist anyone who may be feeling anxious.

With two children on different half-day schedules, it will be very difficult for me to get both of them to and from school. Can I arrange to have them both attend in the morning or afternoon?
Due to space constraints, we can’t teach all grade levels at once. In order for students to stay on track academically, it’s important that they attend class with their classmates and assigned teachers.

What are steps has the District taken to ensure classrooms are safe?
We are fortunate in that the lower level of the school is on a completely separate ventilation system, which helped to mitigate the spread of smoke and soot. Nevertheless, to ensure the lower level was safe for occupancy, a professional cleanup company was hired to scrub all surfaces and mechanical systems and remove all residual soot and air-borne remnants from the air using an oxygenator. An industrial hygienist monitored the air quality over the weekend to certify that it meets safety standards. In addition, crews sealed the lower floor from the upper floor and are keeping the lower floor under negative pressure to prevent any backflow of particulates. We also will continue to monitor air quality.

My child has health issues that cause me concern about allowing her inside the building until the entire facility has been certified as free of particulates. What accommodations can be made for her?
Please know that the safety of our students is our No. 1 priority, and we would never open a portion of the building without first being assured of its safety. We have arranged to have extra nurses onsite to address health needs. That said, we respect the right of parents to decide what’s in the best interests of their children and will work with families who choose to keep their children home from school.

Where do I drop off my child for school?
For the time being, cars will only be able to access the lower lot on the building’s west side. The half-day instructional blocks should ease congestion a bit, and were scheduled to provide ample time between the pickup time for the morning block and drop-off time for the afternoon block.

 Where does my child pick up the bus, and what time should we arrive at the bus stop?

All bus stops and routes will remain the same. For the morning block: Students should arrive for their morning pickup at the same time and location as usual, but parents should expect their children to arrive home in the afternoon at about between 12:15 and 12:30 p.m. Students in the afternoon block, should be at their bus stop at approximately three hours after their regular pickup time, and should arrive home between 3:15 and 3:30 p.m. Click here to view the adjusted afternoon bus schedules. Recognizing this will take some adjustment, the school this week will be lenient with tardies and absences.

I checked Skyward and it appears my student’s end-of-quarter grades aren’t finalized. When should we expect report cards?
Because the fire happened just as teachers were finalizing their grading books, end-of-quarter grades will be delayed.

What about upcoming scheduled events and after-school tutoring?
The school plans to continue hosting math lab. Please check your emails frequently as we’ll soon be sharing more details as to the times and locations. Sixth-grade field trips will proceed as originally planned as will Halloween activities — so plan on coming fully costumed on Thursday, Oct. 31.

We realize this is a lot of information. If you still have questions, please send me an email at kelly.tauteoli@canyonsdistrict.org or call me at the school at 801-826-7500.  Thank you again for your patience and cooperation as we work through these issues. By working together, I am confident we can successfully make these adjustments for a short period of time.

Sincerely,
Kelly Tauteoli
Principal
Union Middle School