Sand Springs Public Schools shifting to Distance Learning for grades 6-12

The Sand Springs Public School District announced Wednesday that grades 6-12 will be shifting to the Distance Learning Model for two weeks, beginning Thursday, November 12th due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the district and the community at large.

“We have had an incredibly successful ten weeks of school this year,” reads a statement from Superintendent Sherry Durkee. “I am proud of our staff and students who, during the COVID-19 pandemic, continue to give their very best effort in the teaching and learning process, and we have made some tremendous gains. With tenacious determination, we continue to deliver quality instruction to all students.”

“For those of you who are following our district’s data on positive COVID-19 cases and quarantines, you are keenly aware of the rising numbers in our district. Last week we saw a significant increase. This week those numbers have continued to increase to a level in which our staff and students’ health and safety must be protected to the greatest extent possible,” said Durkee.

In the weekly update published on Monday, based on data collected on Friday, 7.98% of the district population is in active quarantine. The 428 quarantines includes both students and faculty. Of those, 26 have confirmed positive cases, and the rest have been isolated due to contact tracing.

The vast majority of those quarantines are at the secondary level. There are five positive cases and 125 quarantines at Clyde Boyd Middle School and 19 positive cases and 225 quarantines at Charles Page High School. Thus far, elementary schools have remained relatively unscathed with only two positive cases and 76 quarantines across all six sites. Those numbers were collected on November 6th, and according to Durkee’s statements, they are likely higher at press time.

“The ability to adequately staff our classrooms has become a challenge as well,” reads Durkee’s statement. “As such, we are making the difficult decision to shift to our Distance Learning Model for our secondary students in grades 6 through 12 beginning Thursday, November 12, returning to in-person instruction on Monday, November 30, immediately following Thanksgiving Break. This decision was made through much deliberation with our Leadership Team. We feel this is the right decision, giving our students and staff the time to distance themselves from others while continuing the education process. Pre-K and Elementary sites will remain open and continue in-person instruction. Page Academy and our Virtual Academy will be open and continue regular operation.”

“Please be reminded that students in the Distance Learning Model are expected to complete their assignments while at home. Unlike last spring, assigned work that is not completed may affect student grades.”

“Transportation for the elementary students will continue as usual, and the district will provide transportation for secondary students who attend Tulsa Technology Programs. The school breakfast and lunch program will continue at both CPHS and CBMS.”

Free meals will be provided for students throughout distance learning. Students or parents can pick up their meals at either CPHS or CBMS between 11:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Packages will include lunch for that day, as well as breakfast for the following day. Meals are free for all children 18 years or younger, even if they are not enrolled in SSPS. Non-students must fill out a meal order form on the SSPS website each day.

“While we understand this learning model is not optimal for all students, we are committed to giving our best effort to make sure we continue to meet students’ needs. Secondary teachers will be working from their classrooms during the DLM period and will provide instruction and support to students.”

The increase in COVID numbers isn’t unique to the district. Sand Springs reported a record-high single-day increase of 24 new cases city-wide on Wednesday, bringing the active total to a record-high 141. The Oklahoma State Department of Health reported 2,177 new cases statewide, bringing the active total to a record-high of 21,720, and state hospitalizations are at a record-high 1,248.