The single most important step that individuals can take to mitigate the impact of infection and illness of COVID-19 is to get vaccinated. All UHS students and faculty, and staff are eligible for this free vaccine. Information about the vaccine and where to get it is available through this SFDPH link.  

Our UHS student and staff community is over 99% vaccinated.SFDPH defines “Up-to-Date on Vaccinations” here. We retain the right to require proof of vaccination status of our students, employees, visitors, and volunteers so that we can adhere to proper quarantine protocols.

Our healthy school ecosystem relies on students, families, and faculty/staff adhering to health guidelines outside of school and on campus. We expect everyone in our community to continue with common-sense measures to reduce the risk of infection, including hand hygiene, mask-wearing as appropriate, and avoiding large crowds of people with unknown vaccine status.

VACCINATION IS THE BEST PROTECTION AGAINST THE COVID-19 VIRUS.

Our community has a very high rate of vaccination (.99%). We require all students to confirm proof of their vaccination status with the school. Families are required to upload their child’s vaccine status and information HERE. Students who are not vaccinated will be required to take a rapid antigen COVID-19 test two times/week, and the results must be on record with the school. 

We require all employees to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination to Human Resources. Employees who are not vaccinated will be required to take a rapid antigen COVID-19 test two times/week, and the results must be on record with the school. SFDPH defines “Up-to-Date on Vaccinations” here. 

Information on vaccination status will be kept in password-protected files.

Effective Monday, March 14, UHS will change its indoor masking policy from required to recommended for all students, staff, and visitors (with proof of vaccination or recent negative test) on our campus. 

The UHS administration appreciates that our community is comprised of people with diverse risk profiles and concerns and we expect that many members of our community will continue to mask even when it’s not required. It is important that each of us respect the decisions of others about whether or not to mask, and keep in mind that we rarely know the full story of another individual’s circumstances. 

A few notes:

As a guide, individuals should consider these “4 A’s of Mask Wearing” to make a determination around whether or not they choose to wear a mask in various settings:

• Audit the COVID-19 risk that is presented by a particular environment
• Assess your own personal risk and risk tolerance
• Acknowledge and adjust to the social-emotional challenges and concerns that mask wearing presents for some communities and some individuals
• Act when and how you can to reduce risk and ease concerns of others 

We also expect that UHS community members who are not feeling well, or who are exhibiting COVID-like symptoms – even when testing negative – will mask out of courtesy, respect for others, and as a common-sense health practice.

We continue to encourage students, faculty, and staff to have lunch and meetings outdoors in good weather.

VISITORS TO CAMPUS

Effective Monday, March 14, masks are recommended for all students, staff, and visitors (with proof of vaccination or recent negative test) on our campus.

We also expect that UHS community members who are not feeling well, or who are exhibiting COVID-like symptoms – even when testing negative – will mask out of courtesy, respect for others, and as a common-sense health practice.

The University High School facilities team meets weekly to discuss safety issues and concerns and review cleaning protocols. In addition to the normal daily cleaning, additional COVID-related cleaning procedures will be implemented as necessary. 

Hand hygiene just makes good sense. Sanitizer dispensers are placed in every entrance, hallway, stairwell, public space, and classroom. Additional handwashing stations are set up in key places on campus, and signage remains throughout campus, reminding everyone of handwashing protocols. 

Classroom, office, and public spaces at UHS are housed in four buildings and have been updated with portable HEPA and MERV13 filter systems throughout. Windows will be open during all hours of operation to permit maximal natural ventilation. HVAC systems will be run at all times during the school day, and filters will be changed at a minimum of once per month. UV filtration systems have been installed in all air conditioning systems.

As a preventative measure, any student or employee feeling ill before arriving to UHS’ campus should assess themselves appropriately and communicate their absence to the appropriate individual(s). Though it is instinctive to be in attendance whenever possible, it is crucial that any student or employee who feels ill must stay at home, even if those symptoms are mild. 

Students who develop symptoms of illness while at school will report to Carol Coles and will be isolated in the designated room next to the Deans Office in Middle Campus until a parent or guardian can pick them up.  Employees will be asked to inform their supervisor and leave the facility. The school will follow up with each symptomatic individual and will follow all SFDPH protocols for testing, quarantining, and contact tracing.

Details of the Protocols for Students Returning After an Illness-related Absence can be found on the parent portal.

Any student or staff member who tests positive for COVID-19 must report this information to Carol Coles in the Deans Office. Employees must report positive COVID-19 testing results to Human Resources.  

Details of the Protocols for Students Returning After an Illness-related Absence can be found on the parent portal.

Director of Operations Mary Stares and Administrative Assistant to Deans Carol Coles are our designated employees for SFDPH to contact about COVID-19. Carol Coles (COVID-19 Student Information Coordinator) will be responsible for student record-keeping, notification of exposed persons, and partnering with SFDPH with contact tracing. Thelma Garza  (COVID-19 Employee Information Coordinator) will be responsible for employee record-keeping, notification of exposed persons, and partnering with SFDPH with contact tracing. 

If a staff member or student tests positive for COVID-19, they must notify the school, and in partnership with the SFDPH, the wider school community will be notified that an individual has tested positive, without revealing their identity for reasons of medical privacy (see section below).

We are currently following the January 2022 SFDPH guidance in responding, reporting, and communicating COVID-positive cases in students. Students are expected to adhere to the quarantining protocols set out by SFDPH.  Administrative Assistant to the Deans Carol Coles is the point of contact for this process.

We are currently following January 2022 SFDPH guidance in responding, reporting, and communicating COVID-positive cases in employees. Employees will be expected to adhere to the quarantining protocols set out by SFDPH.

In public health, the patient’s privacy is a mandate. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, the person’s identity with COVID-19 will not be shared. However, the School will notify the community within one business day of a confirmed case on campus through our e-notify system.
 

We are offering all of our interscholastic, intramural and physical education programming in the 2021-22 school year and will do so in alignment with guidelines from SFDPH, The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), and each athletic league in which we are a member.  

VISITORS TO CAMPUS

Effective Monday, March 14, masks are recommended for all students, staff, and visitors (with proof of vaccination or recent negative test) on our campus.

We also expect that UHS community members who are not feeling well, or who are exhibiting COVID-like symptoms – even when testing negative – will mask out of courtesy, respect for others, and as a common-sense health practice.

We are committed to the health and well-being of our students and are providing additional staffing to augment our current counseling services. Individuals, affinity groups, and special interest clubs will have access to this additional resource when their needs intersect with the topic of our need for mental and emotional health support. 

We have always made decisions, delivered our programming, and supported our students and staff with the guidance of our Equity and Community Statement and our Community Agreements. 

We prioritize the equity and inclusion of all community members, ensuring their health and safety first and foremost, and remaining mindful of the essential staff who are working hard to deliver a safe and excellent academic and extra-curricular program. 
 

• Head of School (Department of Public Health Liaison #1), Julia Russell Eells: Julia.Eells@sfuhs.org
   
• COVID-19 Information Coordinator (Department of Public Health Liaison #2), Carol Coles, staff member: Carol.Coles@sfuhs.org
   
• Director of Operations (SF and CA Department of Public Health Liaison #1), Mary Stares: mary.stares@sfuhs.org
   
• Dean of Faculty, Assist. Head of School, Nasif Iskander: Nasif.Iskander@sfuhs.org
   
• Chief Financial Officer, Michael Novak: Michael.Novak@sfuhs.org
   
• Dean of Teaching & Learning, Byron Philhour: Byron.Philhour@sfuhs.org
   
• Dean of Student Life, Alexandra Simmons: Alexandra.Simmons@sfuhs.org
   
• Director of Communications, Jenn Soult: Jenn.Soult@sfuhs.org
   
• Human Resources, Thelma Garza: Thelma.garza@sfuhs.org