Happy Summer!
The first day of classes for the 2021-22 school year is Monday, August 23.
Barbara C. Jordan, Flynn Park and Pershing Elementary Schools are currently closed. Camp U, the District's summer school for grades 1-5, takes place Monday through Friday at Jackson Park Elementary School through Friday, July 16.
Parents of all elementary students attending Camp U must fill out the daily COVID-19 screener each morning prior to coming to the Jackson Park building. Masks are required for all participants.
District plans continue to conduct in-person instruction five days a week for the upcoming school year. A long-term, all-virtual option will also be offered, but the District highly prefers students attend in-person instruction.
Superintendent Sharonica Hardin-Bartley announced the plans on Tuesday, May 4 during two all-parent Town Hall webinars held at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Recordings of both sessions and the slide deck for the presentations can be found here. Under the plan, there will no longer be an asynchronous learning day on Wednesday's in the 2021-22 school year.
Parents: Please fill out this survey to let us know your thinking for the 2021-22 school year
The first day of school for the 2021-22 school year is Monday, August 23. To prepare, we are asking all parents to fill out a survey regarding whether they plan for their children to attend in-person or virtual options. During virtual Town Hall sessions on May 4, Superintendent Sharonica Hardin-Bartley announced two options for the school year: in-person instruction five days a week in all schools or all-virtual instruction at home five days a week.
Find recordings of both Town Hall sessions here.
Find the slide deck presented at the Town Hall Sessions here.
We need to know your preference for in-person or all-virtual instruction for the next school year so we can plan ahead. Please fill out the survey by clicking the button below.
Elementary Key Dates, Summer 2021
Last day of school: Friday, May 28 (early dismissal)
First day of Camp U: Monday, June 7
Last day of Camp U: Friday, July 16
National Night Out/Back to School Rally: Tuesday, August 3, Jackson Park Elementary grounds, 5 to 8 p.m. - a festival like atmosphere to get your children ready for school, featuring food, entertainment, information booths, haircuts, immunizations and school supply distribution.
Jump Start to Kindergarten: Aug. 3, 4 and 5, in the mornings - a relaxed, in-person orientation for incoming kindergarten students at each elementary school.
First day of classes for the 2021-22 school year: Monday, Aug. 23.
What's school going to be like?
All our elementary schools are making plans to keep kids healthy and safe. See what changes to expect at each of our elementary schools.
Joe Lion-Changes at School BCJ 2020.mp4Joe Lion - Changes at School - Flynn 2020.mp4Joe Lion - Changes at School - JP 2020.mp4Joe Lion - Changes at School - Pershing 2020.mp4
Important Links/Resources for Parents
NEW! Free COVID-19 Saliva Testing Through Washington University
Call 314-454-4269 to make an appointment. This non-invasive test, requires only a saliva sample, not a nasal swab. Testing sites are easily accessible to University City residents. Results are returned quickly for any student or staff member as well as their affiliated household members.
Coming soon: A revised and updated Health of a Lion safety plan for the 2021-22 school year.
Find instructions for the required health check-in for your student. Families must complete the form each morning their student attends in-person school.
Find statistics about reported cases in The District and community.
Learn about The District's procedures for when a student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19.
COVID Hotline
314-290-4040
Hotline email: covidhotline@ucityschools.org
The hotline provides a place to obtain general information about COVID-19, district policies, testing locations and ways to access to primary care physicians. The hotline further provides parents with ways to directly contact a school nurse and general information regarding testing, exposure, quarantine and isolation.
Health Safety Measures
Ride the Bus in COVID.mp4Riding the Bus
While physical distancing is ideal on the bus, it may not always be feasible given the number of student buses and student riders and space limitations. The District continues to work with the bus transportation company to address safety concerns.
Parent surveys indicate about a two-thirds of parents who will be sending their children to in-person instruction will opt to drive them to school. The District highly encourages parents to provide transportation if they are able. This will enable students who must take the bus to ride safely with effective social distancing.
Our current safety guidelines include:
Students and drivers will wear masks
Bus drivers will have a health screening with daily temperature checks
Windows will remain open, weather permitting
Hand sanitizer will be available on the buses
High touch areas on buses will be wiped down in between routes and buses will be disinfected each night
School Breakfast and Lunch
The School District of University City and its food service provider, Chartwells, believes the safest way to provide meals to students is to serve food within the classroom and in cafeterias. The Following measures will be put in place when students return for in-person instruction:
Food Service Staff will complete daily wellness checks, which includes temperature checks.
Efforts will be made to minimize personal contact between food service staff and students.
Mask and gloves will be worn by food service staff.
Additional cleaning procedures within our kitchens will occur routinely.
Food temperature will be monitored while being delivered to classrooms to ensure the appropriate temperature is maintained.
Students must wear masks until seated and eating or drinking lunch.