Sand Springs elementary schools to shift to distance learning

The Sand Springs Public School District announced Wednesday that it would be shifting to distance learning for all elementary sites, including the Early Childhood Education Center, effective Friday, November 20th. The district already went to distance learning for grades 6-12 last week. In-person learning is expected to resume for all grades on Monday, November 30th, following Thanksgiving Break.

“We have had an incredibly successful twelve weeks of school this year,” said Superintendent Sherry Durkee in a letter to district parents. “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 were forced to shift to distance learning at Clyde Boyd Middle School, the Freshman Academy, and Charles Page High School. We are also experiencing a high number of quarantines at our elementary sites affecting our ability to adequately staff our classrooms. Our staff and students’ health and safety must be protected to the greatest extent possible. As such, we are making the difficult decision to shift to our Distance Learning Model for all elementary sites including our Early Childhood Education Center beginning Friday, November 20th through Tuesday, November 24. Students will return 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. The 21st Century after-school program at Garfield STEAM Academy and Northwoods Fine Arts Academy will be cancelled Thursday afternoon on November 19. Page Academy and our Virtual Academy will be open and continue regular operation.”

“The school breakfast and lunch program will continue to offer free meals to all children ages 18 years and younger at all sites with the exception of Charles Page High School. Lunch, and breakfast for the next day, will be available for pick up from 11 to 12:30 Friday, Monday, and Tuesday. Your child does not have to be present to receive the meals.”

“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. Teachers will be working from their classrooms during the DLM period and will provide instruction and support to students. Thank you for your understanding during this unprecedented time,” concludes the letter.

In Monday’s COVID-19 Weekly Update, there were 57 current positive cases and 639 active quarantines across the district, with the majority coming at the high school level. Page Academy was the only school, on Friday, without an active case. 11.91% of the district population (students and faculty combined) were in quarantine as of Friday’s census.

As of Wednesday’s daily report from the Oklahoma State Department of Health, there are a record-high 242 active cases in Sand Springs, 4,497 in Tulsa County, and a record-high 29,823 active cases in the state.