Union High Schools To Switch To Distance Learning Union Public Schools will switch 9-12th grade students to distance learning on Thursday, January 28th. According to the UPS, students at Union High School, Union Freshman Academy, and Alternative Education will remain in distance learning through next week, returning to in-person school on Monday, Feb. 8. “Due to significant teacher absences at the secondary level, we’ve reached the point where we do not have enough substitutes available to adequately cover classrooms at these grade levels,” said Superintendent Kirt Hartzler. “As a result, we will shift to distance learning for grades 9-12 beginning tomorrow, with students returning to school on Feb. 8,” said UPS in a public statement.