Sand Springs cuts ribbon on Zackery Park, Mayor Spoon proclaims Bessie Crawford Zackery Day

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The City of Sand Springs held a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony at its newest park Thursday morning. City employees, elected officials, and family and friends of Bessie Crawford Zackery gathered to celebrate the commemorative park. Mayor Jim Spoon proclaimed August 13th as Bessie Crawford Zackery Day in honor of the late Sand Springs teacher.

Located at 100 West Alexander Boulevard, Zackery Park will serve as a reminder of the historic black neighborhood that once stood in what is now the River West shopping district. The small park is named for the Zackery family who lived in the area when it was still residential, and in particular for Bessie Crawford Zackery, who was a teacher in Sand Springs.

Bessie Zackery was class valedictorian at the Sand Springs Booker T. Washington High School in 1934, and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Langston University. She returned to Sand Springs and taught Art and Elementary Education at Booker T. Washington. Zackery reportedly spent summers at Colorado State Teachers College, Oklahoma State University, and the University of Tulsa taking graduate courses to keep Washington on the cutting edge. Zackery earned a Master’s of Teaching Arts from TU in 1959.

After 28 years at Washington, Zackery transferred to Limestone Elementary for the remainder of her career. She was named the Sand Springs Education Association 1978 Teacher of the Year, the Booker T. Washington Alumni Association 1981 Outstanding Alumnus, and the 1996 Sand Springs Hometown Hero. The Sand Springs Retired Educators Association and Oklahoma Retired Educators Association named her a Very Important Member, and in 1999 she was awarded the Ageless Hero Award by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma.

Zackery Park is located at the southwest corner of the intersection of Alexander Boulevard and Booker T. Washington Avenue. The pedestrian sidewalk within the area has been named “Rambler Way” in honor of the Washington High School mascot.

There is a large detention pond adjacent to the park, and staff recently installed a fountain in the middle. A steel trellis was installed, along with a seat wall made from brick pavers that were salvaged from the old Booker T. Washington High School. There is also a concrete plaza and decorative plants, and informational signage will soon be installed.

The River West area is part of a revitalization effort by the City and was formerly one of the oldest and poorest residential neighborhoods in Sand Springs. The primarily African American district was demolished in the late 2000s, with the former Booker T. Washington High School coming down in 2010. Centennial Baptist Church is the last remnant of the historic community.

Since then, the district has added a new hotel, a minor emergency clinic, a TTCU branch, restaurants, a pharmacy, a grocery store, and a Starbucks. There is also a small strip center being constructed, and only a few plots of land are still available.

The community has already been memorialized in the naming of its two arterial streets. Booker T. Washington Avenue was named for the high school, while Alexander Boulevard was named for Albert Alexander. Alexander reportedly immigrated to Sand Springs following the 1921 massacre of black citizens in Tulsa. His obituary reads that Alexander was “the unofficial mayor of the black section of segregated Sand Springs because of the respect that both sides of the railroad tracks had for him.”

The Sand Springs Parks Department has several other projects underway around the city. The disc golf course in Case Community Park is getting a redesign by 2009 PDGA World Champion Avery Jenkins. The Canyons at Blackjack Ridge golf course is getting a major clubhouse remodel. There is a visitors’ center being constructed at the Keystone Ancient Forest, and an observation tower will be installed in the near future.

Sand Springs to hold grand opening of Zackery Park on August 13th

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City of Sand Springs employees, elected officials, and guests will gather August 13th at 10:00 a.m. to cut the ribbon on the city’s newest park.

Located at 100 West Alexander Boulevard, Zackery Park will serve as a reminder of the historic black neighborhood that once stood in what is now the River West shopping district. The small park is named for the Zackery family who lived in the area when it was still residential, and in particular for Bessie Crawford Zackery, who was a teacher in Sand Springs. Mayor Jim Spoon will also read a mayoral proclamation recognizing the day as Bessie Crawford Zackery Day.

Bessie Zackery was class valedictorian at the Sand Springs Booker T. Washington High School in 1934, and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Langston University. She returned to Sand Springs and taught Art and Elementary Education at Booker T. Washington. Zackery reportedly spent summers at Colorado State Teachers College, Oklahoma State University, and the University of Tulsa taking graduate courses to keep Washington on the cutting edge. Zackery earned a Master’s of Teaching Arts from TU in 1959.

After 28 years at Washington, Zackery transferred to Limestone Elementary for the remainder of her career. She was named the Sand Springs Education Association 1978 Teacher of the Year, the Booker T. Washington Alumni Association 1981 Outstanding Alumnus, and the 1996 Sand Springs Hometown Hero. The Sand Springs Retired Educators Association and Oklahoma Retired Educators Association named her a Very Important Member, and in 1999 she was awarded the Ageless Hero Award by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma.

Zackery Park is located at the southwest corner of the intersection of Alexander Boulevard and Booker T. Washington Avenue. The pedestrian sidewalk within the area will also be named “Rambler Way” in honor of the Washington High School mascot.

There is currently a large detention pond adjacent to the park, and staff recently installed a fountain in the middle. A steel trellis was recently installed, along with a seat wall made from brick pavers that were salvaged from the old Booker T. Washington High School. There will also be a concrete plaza, informational signage, and decorative plants.

The River West area is part of a revitalization effort by the City and was formerly one of the oldest and poorest residential neighborhoods in Sand Springs. The primarily African American district was demolished in the late 2000s, with the former Booker T. Washington High School coming down in 2010. Centennial Baptist Church is the last remnant of the historic community.

Since then, the district has added a new hotel, a minor emergency clinic, a TTCU branch, restaurants, a pharmacy, a grocery store, and a Starbucks. There is also a small strip center being constructed, and only a few plots of land are still available.

The community has already been memorialized in the naming of its two arterial streets. Booker T. Washington Avenue was named for the high school, while Alexander Boulevard was named for Albert Alexander. Alexander reportedly immigrated to Sand Springs following the 1921 massacre of black citizens in Tulsa. His obituary reads that Alexander was “the unofficial mayor of the black section of segregated Sand Springs because of the respect that both sides of the railroad tracks had for him.”

The Sand Springs Parks Department has several other projects underway around the city. The disc golf course in Case Community Park is getting a redesign by 2009 PDGA World Champion Avery Jenkins. The Canyons at Blackjack Ridge golf course is getting a major clubhouse remodel. There is a visitors’ center being constructed at the Keystone Ancient Forest, and an observation tower will be installed in the near future.

Sand Springs Public Schools mandate masks for upcoming school year

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The Sand Springs Board of Education approved a plan Monday night for the new school year that will include mandatory face masks for both students and employees. Students in grades 4 through 12 will be required to wear a cloth face covering while at school. Students in Pre-K through 3rd grade will be required to wear a mask in hallways and common areas, but will be allowed to remove them in classrooms, while eating lunch, and during outdoor activities. Students will be exempt from wearing a mask if they have a medical reason documented by a physician.

District employees will have their temperature taken and will answer a health screener before entering their work stations each day. Anyone with a fever of 100.4 or greater will not be allowed to return to campus until they have been temperature-free for 24 hours without medication.

Employees will have to wear a face mask while in a school building or vehicle unless they have a medical reason, documented by a physician, that prevents them from wearing one. However, they will be allowed to remove the mask if they are in a room/vehicle alone or are able to maintain at least six feet of space from others. They also won’t have to wear a mask if they work in the heat or with machinery that could cause a safety hazard.

Employees who come into close contact with someone who has a confirmed case of COVID-19 will be required to quarantine for 14 days. Close contact is defined as being within six feet of a person for more than 15 minutes, living in the same household, or being exposed to coughing, kissing, sharing of utensils, etc. They will not be required to stay home from work if they’ve been near an infected person, but not in close contact. They will also be allowed to come to work if they are showing some COVID-like symptoms, but aren’t feverish and haven’t knowingly been exposed to an infected person.

The district is encouraging parents to personally bring their kids to school, if possible, so that buses operate under capacity. Windows will remain open on the bus whenever possible and students will be socially distanced as much as possible. Cloth face masks will be required unless the student has a medical excuse documented by a physician.

Classrooms will be equipped with disinfectant wipes and teachers will be spending additional time disinfecting frequently touched surfaces throughout the day. Shared school supplies will be discontinued when possible.

Large group gatherings and assemblies will be avoided when possible, and masks will be required when events are held, with medical exceptions. Students will be discouraged from congregating in the hallways and lobbies before, during, and after school. The cafeteria will be limited to no more than 250 students at a time, and they will be allowed to remove masks while eating. Tables will be disinfected after each group exits.

Visitors will only be allowed to enter the school with prior administrative approval, and will be subjected to screener questions and temperature checks. Approved volunteers will be required to wear masks at all times. No parents or family members will be allowed to accompany their students into the building at any time. Assemblies at all grade levels will be limited to students and staff only.

Back to School nights, Meet and Greets, Parent Nights, etc. will be restricted to 250 people. Athletic events, band and choir performances, plays, etc. will be managed by the designated department leader.

Board members Mike Mullins, Jackie Wagnon, and Whitney Wagers voted in favor of the proposal, while Rusty Gunn and Bo Naugle voted against it. Immediately following the vote, Gunn donated 300 masks to the district and pledged 1,000 more.

For families that aren’t comfortable sending their children to school this fall, the district also offers virtual and blended learning. According to Virtual Academy Director Jay Rotert, elementary enrollment in the virtual academy has increased from 11 students last year to 162 for the upcoming semester.

Women's Chamber opens five Little Red Libraries at Sand Springs parks

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A partnership between the Sand Springs Women’s Chamber of Commerce and the City of Sand Springs Parks Department now allows residents of all ages to experience the joy of reading at five new Little Red Library sites throughout the City of Sand Springs.

A ribbon cutting ceremony will take place on Friday, July 24 at 9am, at the first Little Red Library installed on the grounds of the City of Sand Springs Case Community Park Splash Pad.

“We are so happy to support literacy and nurture the love of reading in this practical way,” says Teresa Smith, Sand Springs Women’s Chamber President.

Each Little Red Library will be filled with books for all ages. Take a book…return a book…leave a book, all a community effort to promote literacy in Sand Springs.

The Sand Springs Women’s Chamber is organized for the purpose of advancing literacy through charitable, civic and literacy programs in Sand Springs.

This is the first of five little red libraries to be placed throughout the Sand Springs community. Sites scheduled for library boxes are Sand Springs Case Community Park Splash Pad, Sand Springs Lake Park, Pratt Civitan Park, Sand Springs Inez Kirk Park and the Garfield Elementary neighborhood.

Sand Springs Public Schools officials discuss COVID-19 precautions for upcoming year

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Sand Springs Public Schools officials held a virtual “District Dialogue” session Tuesday night on YouTube to address the future of Sand Springs schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. Superintendent Sherry Durkee laid out a presentation of tentative guidelines for students and faculty during the upcoming school year.

While students will be strongly encouraged to wear masks, they will not be required to, nor will masks be provided by the schools. This guidance is subject to change, however, and Durkee indicated that they would be reconsidering it in committee if infection numbers continue to rise.

Parents are strongly encouraged to check their child’s temperature daily before coming to school, and to keep them at home if they have a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher, or if they display any other symptoms.

Teachers or students who become sick will not be named publicly by the district, and Assistant Superintendent Kristin Arnold cautioned the public to be respectful of people’s privacy and not share rumors about students or teachers who may be sick.

For students who miss school due to sickness, or who aren’t comfortable with attending school this fall, the district will remain involved. The district offers both full-time virtual school and blended options. In a blended curriculum, students could attend most classes online, but still participate in extra-curricular activities or attend school for one or two specific classes.

Even if masks aren’t required in schools, they may be required on the buses. Parents will be encouraged to transport their child to and from school if possible so that the buses aren’t packed, and students who live in the same household will be encouraged to sit together. Windows will remain open on the buses, when feasible, to allow for fresh air. Buses will be sanitized after each route.

Teachers will be arranging seating to allow for maximum social distancing. Restroom breaks for elementary students will be done in small groups, and the restrooms will be sanitized hourly. Surfaces like desks and doorknobs will be disinfected frequently. The district will be discontinuing communal school supplies, like shared crayons, whenever possible.

Cafeterias will be limited to 250 people or less, and tables will be disinfected after each group. Assemblies will be kept to a minimum, and will be limited to students and staff only. School parties will be suspended.

Volunteers and other adult visitors will be subject to temperature screening and will be required to wear masks. They will also have to call in advance and will need to attain site administrator approval. No parents or family members will be allowed to accompany their students into the building at any time, including meals, drop off, and pick up.

Large school events such as Back to School nights, meet and greets, parent nights, etc. will be restricted to 250 people. Extracurricular activities will also face restrictions. If held, athletics, band performances, choir performances, etc. will be managed by the designated department leader and will adhere to local health department guidelines.

Hofmeister’s Student Advisory Council shares thoughts on distance learning, systemic racism

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Paeton Watkins (left) and Joy Hofmeister (right).

OKLAHOMA CITY (June 30, 2020) – In a Monday meeting of State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister with her Student Advisory Council, high school students voiced their concerns about learning amid a global pandemic and how racism impacts the classroom experience. The group, which met through Zoom, consisted of spring 2020 graduates and members of the Class of 2021.

Mariah Martin (left) and Joy Hofmeister (right).

This is the fifth consecutive year Hofmeister has convened a student group to assist her and the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) in matters of policy.

Students said the abrupt transition to distance learning this past spring was confusing for many, with the closure of school buildings causing some students to lose focus and drive. Others said they were worried they might miss skills needed for college and sensed their teachers were unprepared to use technology for virtual instruction.

Paeton Watkins of Stillwater High School commended her school for having worked to give seniors flexibility that, in turn, eased the transition to a new style of learning.

“Normally, we’re used to being able to pick what happens in our lives, especially when it comes to school. We weren’t able to do that [with the pandemic],” she said. “My district battled that by giving seniors choices. I think that might be a good thing to look into for upcoming semesters – how can we give students a little bit more of that control back?”

Hofmeister said addressing internet connectivity is critical as schools prepare for the uncertainties of next school year.

“Connectivity is key, and that is our biggest hurdle. We are determined that internet service for all be a basic utility of life. Just like water and electricity, all students should have internet at home,” she said.

Hofmeister noted that $145 million in federal relief funding is available for districts to use on connectivity and devices to close the digital divide, and in the event of a district’s move to virtual instruction. In addition, the state is offering all districts an individualized e-learning tool, Exact Path, at no cost through June 30, 2021.

Trakel “Kel” Pinkston (left) and Joy Hofmeister (right).

Prompted by current events and nationwide protests, students also discussed their experiences with racial and ethnic identity in schools. Many suggested a new approach to teaching diversity and how to discuss such matters.

“Everyone in my class looked like me, and I wasn’t aware of the struggles other people faced. I couldn’t sympathize with it because I didn’t understand it,” said Mariah Martin of Ringling, who suggested a diversity course as a new high school requirement. “We’re really lacking the ability to have the hard conversations. We have financial literacy. How can we have ‘communication literacy?’”

Trakel “Kel” Pinkston of Putnam City High School pointed out the necessity of a clear-eyed view with such issues: “It’s like putting a Band-Aid on an open wound and not expecting bad results. We have to go back and face our problems. They won’t go away on their own.”

Students also talked about inequity of education resources and suggested an enhanced approach to expose different perspectives of historic events and discussions that include cultural context.

"We need a better curriculum to teach people the mistakes of our past and how we can do better going forward,” said Natalie Rojo of Oklahoma Virtual Charter Academy, who also stressed the importance of teaching students how to respect others.

Natalie Rojo.

Hofmeister said that the teaching of subjects like the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre has evolved over the years. She added that curriculum resources such as the OSDE’s newly released Oklahoma Social Studies Curriculum Frameworks and curriculum developed by the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission are equipping schools to more effectively teach students about historical events and the lingering impact of systemic racism.

“We are not bystanders,” Hofmeister said. “There’s power in youth, and we must change things.“

The students, recommended by educators and counselors in their respective districts, represent rural, urban and suburban schools of all sizes across Oklahoma. Twenty-four are returning members who have served on the council in previous years.

This year’s Student Advisory Council also met Feb. 21 at the State Capitol. For a list of members on the council and their home schools, click here.

Work underway at new Sand Springs park

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Sand Springs Parks staff have been hard at work on a new park in the RiverWest Shopping Center. Zackery Park will be named for the Zachery family who lived in the area when it was still residential, and in particular for Bessie Zackery, who was a teacher in Sand Springs.

Bessie Zackery was class valedictorian at the Sand Springs Booker T. Washington High School in 1934, and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Langston University. She returned to Sand Springs and taught Art and Elementary Education at Booker T. Washington. Zackery reportedly spent summers at Colorado State Teachers College, Oklahoma State University, and the University of Tulsa taking graduate courses to keep Washington on the cutting edge. Zackery earned a Master’s of Teaching Arts from TU in 1959.

After 28 years at Washington, Zackery transferred to Limestone Elementary for the remainder of her career. She was named the Sand Springs Education Association 1978 Teacher of the Year, the Booker T. Washington Alumni Association 1981 Outstanding Alumnus, and the 1996 Sand Springs Hometown Hero. The Sand Springs Retired Educators Association and Oklahoma Retired Educators Association named her a Very Important Member, and in 1999 she was awarded the Ageless Hero Award by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma.

Zackery Park is located at the southwest corner of the intersection of Alexander Boulevard and Booker T. Washington Avenue. The pedestrian sidewalk within the area will also be named “Rambler Way” in honor of the Washington High School mascot.

There is currently a large detention pond adjacent to the park, and staff recently installed a fountain in the middle that will soon be activated. There will also be floating LED lights around the fountain. A steel trellis was recently installed, along with a seat wall made from brick pavers that were salvaged from the old Booker T. Washington High School. There will also be a concrete plaza, informational signage, and decorative plants.

The RiverWest area is part of a revitalization effort by the City and was formerly one of the oldest and poorest residential neighborhoods in Sand Springs. The primarily African American district was demolished in the late 2000s, with the former Booker T. Washington High School coming down in 2010. Centennial Baptist Church is the last remnant of the historic community.

Since then, the district has added a new hotel, a minor emergency clinic, a TTCU branch, restaurants, a pharmacy, a grocery store, and a Starbucks. There is also a small strip center being constructed, and only a few plots of land are still available.

The community has already been memorialized in the naming of its two arterial streets. Booker T. Washington Avenue was named for the high school, while Alexander Boulevard was named for Albert Alexander. Alexander reportedly immigrated to Sand Springs following the 1921 massacre of black citizens in Tulsa. His obituary reads that Alexander was “the unofficial mayor of the black section of segregated Sand Springs because of the respect that both sides of the railroad tracks had for him.”

The Sand Springs Parks Department has several other projects underway around the city. The disc golf course in Case Community Park is getting a redesign by 2009 PDGA World Champion Avery Jenkins. The Canyons at Blackjack Ridge golf course is getting a major clubhouse remodel. There is a visitors’ center being constructed at the Keystone Ancient Forest, and an observation tower will be installed in the near future. New sidewalks are being poured in Case Community Park, and the parking lot at the park’s largest playground is being improved.

Gov. Stitt, Supt. Hofmeister announce $16 million in Incentive Grants to Oklahoma schools

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OKLAHOMA CITY (June 12, 2020) – Gov. Kevin Stitt and State Supt. of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister announced today they have partnered to give eligible Oklahoma school districts an opportunity to apply for $16 million in emergency relief funds through the federal Coronavirus, Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

Incentive grant funds were made available through $8 million from the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) set-aside amount from the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund and $8 million from the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) discretionary funds. Under the CARES Act, the OSDE funds must meet “emergency needs” of districts in response to COVID-19, while GEER funds must be expended to schools “most significantly impacted by coronavirus.” 

Hofmeister said the partnership will help educators bridge the “digital divide” and strengthen distance learning in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“As we plan for a new school year after the major disruptions we experienced this past spring, we must do all we can to ensure districts can provide digital instructional delivery and social-emotional supports to every student when needed. This is no easy task as districts grapple with budget shortfalls and various unknowns stemming from the pandemic. School leaders are rising to the challenge, however, and these incentive grants will go a long way toward helping fuel their heroic efforts.”

Use of GEER funds to provide additional connectivity for schools is critical, according to the Governor.

“I welcome this partnership with Superintendent Hofmeister and OSDE to maximize the impact of our federal dollars on students,” said Gov. Stitt. “Digital transformation has been one of my priorities since I took office and we are working on more projects to help ensure technology is an enhancement to learning rather than a barrier.”

In order to apply, districts must have opted in on their ESSER formula funds application and commit to spending at least 30% of those funds in at least two of five priority areas:

  • Expanding connectivity for students to enable distance learning accentuating digital transformation (i.e., purchasing devices, hotspots, access points, partnership agreements, etc.)

  • Purchasing a Content Management System (CMS) or Learning Management System (LMS) – either a new system or services added to an existing system to support students in distance learning

  • Providing mental health supports through social and emotional learning tools for students experiencing trauma due to COVID-19 

  • Providing compensatory services to students identified to be at risk as a result of the closure of school buildings in spring 2020 (i.e., English learners, students with disabilities, students needing credit recovery, etc.)

  • Providing training in the science of reading for teachers in Pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, with a specific focus on delivering instruction remotely (i.e., contract with a vendor for professional development, use of programs identified through What Works Clearinghouse, purchase of curriculum or materials to be used in teacher training)

Grants will be awarded in amounts based on student enrollment on Oct. 1, 2019:

  • Up to 500 students: Eligible for up to $50,000

  • 501 to 1,000 students: Eligible for up to $100,000

  • 1,001 to 2,500 students: Eligible for up to $200,000

  • 2,501 to 7,499 students: Eligible for up to $300,000

  • 7,500+ students: Eligible for up to $500,000

Districts will apply for Incentive Grants through the OSDE Grants Management System, and eligible expenditures must be reimbursed between July 1, 2020, and June 30, 2022. 

For more information on CARES Act-funded Incentive Grants, click here. 

State Department of Education releases school reopening framework

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State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister.

OKLAHOMA CITY (June 3, 2020) – The Oklahoma State Department of Education has published a framework for Oklahoma school districts as they plan for the 2020-21 school year. Return to Learn Oklahoma: A Framework for Reopening Schools includes a host of considerations for how districts can plan for a variety of contingencies that may impact the upcoming school year amid continued incidence of COVID-19.

“Educators know students will experience greater learning losses this year, given that the ‘summer slide’ has been compounded by the unconventional ending of the spring term,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister.

“As they plan for the new school year, our districts are now focused on how to recapture learning and ensure the safety and health of students, staff and families. The details of how that is determined will vary widely, based on the extent to which COVID-19 is impacting local and school communities and what processes are feasible and practical for districts. It is our hope that Return to Learn Oklahoma will be a valuable tool as educators work to make decisions that are in the best interest of their students.” 

The Return to Learn framework is built on four categories – School Operations, Academics & Growth, Whole Child & Family Supports and School Personnel. Each includes a checklist of actions and considerations districts can review to produce optimal safety and learning outcomes, given the challenges that may arise from COVID-19. Underpinning the information is guidance from health officials including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Oklahoma State Department of Health and others, with an emphasis on districts hewing to the CDC’s recommendation that reopening protocols be layered to mitigate risk in ways that are feasible, reasonable and acceptable in local contexts.

Sand Springs graduation to be held at Memorial Stadium with limited attendance

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Sand Springs Public Schools officials met in a Zoom meeting Monday evening.

Sand Springs Public Schools Superintendent Sherry Durkee announced in a Monday evening Board of Education virtual meeting that the Charles Page High School graduation ceremony has been moved from the ORU Mabee Center to the CPHS Memorial Stadium, along with other changes, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Because of Tulsa County Health Department guidance that recommends mass gatherings be kept to less than 250 people, the new graduation plan will be a series of small ceremonies at Memorial Stadium on June 27th.

“I think we will be lucky to get more than 200 students to participate in graduation,” said CPHS Principal Stan Trout. “I particularly think that once the public hears that it’s not going to be at the Mabee Center…that we will have a fairly large number of students and families, unfortunately, who will just say ‘we’re just going to sit this one out.’”

Students will be separated into four or five smaller groups of 50 for a series of 30-45 minute ceremonies, and each student will be limited to four family members in attendance. Students will receive their diploma and a final transcript.

The district is expected to make an official announcement with full details for the event on Tuesday.

Superintendent Durkee also addressed the likelihood of a return to normalcy during the upcoming school year.

“I’m not going to go on record of saying ‘we will start normally’ but I really feel strongly that going into the fall semester we’re going to start normally and be able to do that,” said Durkee. “We had a meeting with the State Interim Epidemiologist today who answered a lot of questions about reactions to a potential outbreak during the fall semester.”

“There’s still more time,” added Durkee. “We have eight weeks of summer left to make some real decisions but the more I hear, the more positive I’m getting about our ability to maneuver through this crisis in a way that gets kids what they need and at the same time protects the public health and the health of our students.”

“One thing for me that was extraordinarily clear is that teachers feel like face-to-face instruction is better. The delivery of content and standards is much healthier if students are present. I think people are ready for their kids to be back in class as a general rule.”

“I say that knowing full well that there are going to be folks that are going to be afraid to do that, and our intent is to offer that virtual option. We’re ramping up our Virtual Academy. We have space now at the old freshman center to have an off-site virtual academy for students that would provide a great amount of social distancing for people that are nervous about that, while at the same time offering that robust learning environment that our kids are going to have to have to stay on grade-level.”

When the schools closed due to the sudden spread of COVID-19, grades were partially frozen for Sand Springs students. They had the option to continue schooling online and improve their grades, but if they chose not to participate, they weren’t penalized.

“Rather than making this a period that was punitive and kids would be punished for not doing their work, we wanted to make it a learning experience where they could gain some insight…moving forward they could maintain or raise their grade without being punished,” said Shawn Beard, Executive Director of Curriculum. “As a result of that, some kids decided that they were fine with their grade the way it was and they wanted to just kind of not participate. We had some kids that really enjoyed being online, really thrived in that environment, while others did not.”

“I don’t think anyone really thought that that we’d be in this place where we are now…Teachers also noticed that parents were overwhelmed. Students and parents saw a lot of stress. We have a lot of kids who may have been working to support families during this time.”

“We also saw kids that thrived,” said Beard. Teachers reported that many introverted students loved online classes, while students without parental support were negatively affected. Some parents gained a better understanding of their kids’ weaknesses both academically and focus-related. “I think this gave parents and students some one-on-one time to work together, and for parents to really understand where their students may need help.”

A public hearing was held regarding the 2020-2021 Fiscal Year Budget, which was unanimously approved.

“When I built this two months ago, we thought the world was grand and wonderful and we were going to receive about the same amount of money we previously had,” said Chief Financial Officer Greg Morris. “Along came COVID in March and our world changed.”

“The last budget we had was about $37.8 million is what we were anticipating. Now we’re at $36.4, so we’re $1.4 million down. I would not be surprised to see that number drop some more before the year is out.”

In other news:

Resignations were accepted from Sherri Ward, Kenneth Gooch, Burgess Shaw, Cristina Abbott, Ashleigh West, and Brena Tiblow.

The Board approved a $77,408.80 quote for Newline Interactive Panels for the new Freshman center at Charles Page High School.

The Board approved $186,428.00 for Newline Interactive Panels for 3rd through 5th Grade classrooms.

The Board approved $343,064.00 for desktop computers and monitors.

The Board approved $9,295.00 for new laptops for Central Office staff.

The Board approved $119,625.00 for supplies, management licenses, and white glove enrollment services for Chromebooks for the 2021 Freshman class.

The Board approved $2,923.20 to install point-to-point WiFi access for the Baseball and Softball Complexes.

The Board approved $15,845.00 for renewal support and troubleshooting for the Mitel VoIP phone system.

The Board approved $3,000.00 for renewal of Adobe Creative Cloud licenses for CPHS.

The Board approved the hiring of a math teacher at CPHS, a special education teacher at the Early Childhood Education Center, a kindergarten teacher at Northwoods Fine Arts Academy, a speech pathologist at Limestone Technology Academy, and a Braille transcriptionist/paraprofessional at CPHS.

The Board approved a lease agreement with Olivet Baptist Church, allowing them to use the 2.89 acre section of land that was previously home to Twin Cities Elementary.

The Board approved Superintendent Durkee as Purchasing Agent for the district, Authorized Representative for all federal programs, and Designated Custodian for all funds and programs for the upcoming school year.

The Board approved a contract extension for Superintendent Durkee through the 2023 school year.

Hofmeister praises bills addressing dyslexia, school transparency

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OKLAHOMA CITY (May 22, 2020) – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister said the passage of five bills this legislative session will have a positive and meaningful impact strengthening student supports and improving transparency in education. Gov. Kevin Stitt signed all five bills earlier this week. 

“Taken together, these new laws will help push education forward and provide desperately needed supports,” Hofmeister said. “In the midst of the coronavirus crisis, our schools do not lack for challenges, but these measures will help ensure we maintain focus on all of Oklahoma’s more than 700,000 public school students.” 

State lawmakers filed more than 2,300 bills for the 2020 legislative session. The following were among those passed into law. 

House Bill 2804 requires schools to screen kindergarten through third-grade students for dyslexia if they are not reading on grade level at the beginning of the school year. Dyslexia screening will begin in the 2022-23 school year. The Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) will have until 2021 to develop the screening process. HB 2804 was authored by Rep. Mike Sanders and Sen. Stephanie Bice. (*Editor’s Note: District 37 Senator Ikley-Freeman and District 66 Representative Jadine Nollan both voted in favor of the bill).

House Bill 2905, also known as the Virtual Charter School Reform and Transparency Act, was authored by Rep. Sheila Dills and Sen. Dewayne Pemberton. Changes to instructional activities, truancy and a required student orientation will go into effect next school year. The OSDE will work to implement changes to the virtual charter school transfer process by 2021-22. (*Ikley-Freeman and Nollan both voted in favor).

Authored by Rep. Tammy West and Sen. Gary Stanislawski, House Bill 3466 requires the State Textbook Committee to use a three-tiered rubric when reviewing materials to be approved for the state list. The committee will be required to provide comments and/or justification for the rating given to each item and to share the rubrics with districts. HB 3466 goes into effect Nov. 1. (*Ikley-Freeman and Nollan both voted in favor).

“By improving transparency and efficiency in the adoption process for new textbooks, Oklahoma can better ensure teachers have high-quality instructional materials for every child they serve,” Hofmeister said.  

Senate Bill 212, authored by Stanislawski and Rep. Rhonda Baker, requires the initial allocation of state aid for statewide virtual charter schools to be calculated like that of all other schools, rather than using a weight of 1.333 for all virtual students enrolled as of Aug. 1. (*Nollan voted in favor of the bill, while Ikley-Freeman was excused).

Senate Bill 1436 creates a new micro-credential for special education teachers already certified in mild-moderate disabilities to become certified in severe-profound disabilities and allows the State Board of Education to issue a two-year provisional certificate as teachers work to complete the credential. SB 1436, which was authored by Stanislawski and Rep. Nicole Miller, also creates a new certification in the area of comprehensive special education. (*Nollan voted in favor of the bill, while Ikley-Freeman was excused).

Bill signed into law creating ‘Imagination Library’ for Oklahoma children

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(*Editor’s Note: District 37 Senator Allison Ikley-Freeman voted against the bill, while District 66 Representative Jadin Nollan was excused from the vote).

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma is on its way to having its own Imagination Library—a literacy program providing free books to encourage children to read. Sen. John Haste, R-Broken Arrow, and Rep Tammy Townley, R-Ardmore, are principal authors of SB 1803, creating the framework for Oklahoma’s Imagination Library, modeled after a program founded by entertainer Dolly Parton in her home state of Tennessee.  The governor signed the measure into law on Thursday.

“The Imagination Library is a public/private partnership that will mail every single child in Oklahoma one high-quality, age appropriate book a month from birth through age five, with no restrictions or financial limits for families to participate,” Haste said.  “This program has been proven to increase reading time, increase kindergarten readiness and is credited with helping children score higher on reading tests.”

SB 1803 creates a revolving fund for Oklahoma’s Imagination Library and places administration under the State Department of Education.  Haste said the first book mailed to each Oklahoma child will be “The Little Engine that Could.”

Haste said he was inspired to begin an Imagination Library after attending a meeting of the National Conference of State Legislatures in Tennessee in 2019, which included a presentation with Parton.  She founded the Imagination Library in 1995 for the children in Sevier County, Tennessee, with the program later expanding throughout the entire state. Today, Parton’s Imagination Library has partners in communities throughout the country, with statewide programs in North Carolina, Ohio, Arkansas and Delaware and has been adopted in Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom.

“Reading is the basis for all learning,” Townley said. “Inspiring a love of reading in children at an early age will help better prepare them to become life-long learners and give them a leg up when they start school. I’m thankful to have worked with Senator Haste to bring this program to Oklahoma and I look forward to seeing the impact this will have on our school-age children.”

Bill extending emergency certifications signed into law

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(*Editor’s Note: District 66 Representative Jadine Nollan voted in favor of the bill, while District 37 Senator Allison Ikley-Freeman voted against).

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma’s schools will soon have more teaching applicants thanks to a bill signed Thursday. The State Board of Education approved emergency rules in March to allow emergency teaching certificates to be renewed for up to three years, and the governor approved the rules in April. However, the legislature felt more must be done for Oklahoma schools, so Senate Bill 1115 removes the emergency certification renewal cap all together beginning November 1.

Sen. Ron Sharp, R-Shawnee, authored the bill to help address the state’s teacher shortage and shrink class sizes.

“In order to provide the best education to our students, we desperately need more teachers. So many schools have no other applicants besides these individuals so when their two years is up, the school is forced to leave the position open and increase class sizes,” Sharp said.  “There are many reasons that keep people from becoming fully certified and that’s their choice, but until we have more certified teachers seeking positions, we can’t continue to punish the schools by forcing them to let those with alternative certification go.  If they have a passion for teaching, we need to keep them in the classroom.”

Anyone who has been employed by a school district for at least two years can have their emergency teaching certificate renewed if the following criteria are met:

  • They have not successfully completed the competency exams.

  • They submit a portfolio of their work to the State Board of Education, including progress toward standard certification.

  • The local school district’s superintendent proves the district is unable to hire a teacher with a standard certificate to the State Board of Education.

Rep. Danny Sterling, R-Tecumseh, is the House author of SB 1115.

“Oklahoma has been dealing with a teacher shortage for years, and I hope this legislation will help meet a need,” Sterling said. “Allowing school boards to have the option of rehiring emergency certified teachers who have done well in their classrooms in lieu of qualified certified teachers will expand the hiring pool and bring more stability to our classrooms.”

SB 1115 exempts emergency certified teachers from protection under the Teacher Due Process Act of 1990.

Will Bouchard and Emily Schlehuber crowned Sandite King and Queen at Senior Parade

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The Class of 2020 from Charles Page High School has been dealt a unique senior year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Sandites had their prom canceled, their graduation postponed, and spent the last two months of their high school career at home and online.

Earlier this week the school district posted the Senior Slideshow on their social media platforms. Usually the slideshow is a dinner event that students attend and view together.

Graduation, which was originally scheduled for May, has been postponed till June 27th at 7:30 p.m. at the ORU Mabee Center. Senior Celebration, which is an overnight lock-in event, will immediately follow graduation and will be held at Case Community Center in Sand Springs.

Because graduation is being held more than a month after the school year has concluded, the district held a virtual “Salute to the Class of 2020” on social media and the district website. That event was held on May 16th and featured video speeches from various district personnel along with student photos.

On Thursday the district held their first in-person event in two months with a Senior Parade on the CPHS campus. Family and friends gathered with signs to congratulate the seniors, who drove their decorated cars down Frank Tillery Drive. The Gold Pride Drum Line performed, Captain Sandite (Frank Cooper) led the crowd in cheers, and the Sandite King and Queen were crowned.

Cloe Campfield, Sloan Goggin, McKenzie Harris, Emily Schlehuber, and Haley Stuckey were nominated for Sandite Queen, while Will Bouchard, Braden Dahl, Garrett Lincoln, Ethan Lonon, and Kiefer Massey were nominated for King.

Candidates were selected by district faculty based on GPA, leadership qualities, and extracurricular involvement. The school body then voted for Bouchard as King and Schlehuber as Queen. The two were crowned following the parade.

Click here to view our full photogallery.

Oklahoma to honor out-of-state teaching certificates under new law

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(*Editor’s Note: District 66 Representative Jadine Nollan and District 37 Senator Allison Ikley-Freeman both voted in favor of the bill).

OKLAHOMA CITY – This week, the State Board of Education must begin authorizing out-of-state teaching certificates after Senate Bill 1125 was signed into law Monday.  The bill, by Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, will help increase the number of teachers in the state by recognizing valid out-of-state teaching certificates, with no other requirements except a criminal history record check. 

“This is an exciting opportunity for Oklahoma to help get more certified teachers in the classroom this fall and help shrink classroom sizes,” Pugh said.  “Before we were requiring out-of-state teachers to jump through too many hoops to teach in our state. Under this new law, they won’t have to get recertified, take competency exams or any of the other unnecessary requirements that were keeping them from returning to the classroom.  Instead, Oklahoma will honor and respect their knowledge and expertise welcoming them with open arms.”

Pugh said he filed SB 1125 to follow his 2019 SB 670, which provided reciprocal licensing for military personnel and their spouses. Teacher licensing is under its own title of law requiring a separate bill.

Under SB 1125, the teaching certificate issued by the State Board of Education will only be for those subject areas and grade levels most closely aligned to those recognized on the out-of-state teaching certificate.  New teachers will be required to take competency exams for any other subjects or grade levels they decide to teach. Qualifying out-of-state teachers must have both a current Oklahoma and national criminal history record check on file. 

House Speaker Charles McCall is the House principal author of the measure.

College remediation rates down, Hofmeister says

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OKLAHOMA CITY (May 13, 2020) – Fewer Oklahoma students took remedial college courses in the most recent data released by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. Cutting college remediation in half is one of the six goals in the Oklahoma State Department of Education’s 8-year strategic plan, Oklahoma Edge. 

Among fall 2018 first-time freshmen, 34.6% enrolled in one or more developmental or remedial courses, down 2.5 points from 2017 and 7.9 points from its high point in 2011-12.  

“It is encouraging to learn we are positively impacting Oklahoma’s remediation rate,” said Joy Hofmeister, State Superintendent of Public Instruction. “We must capitalize on every day our students are in school, from pre-kindergarten all the way through their senior year, to build a foundation for success after high school. These results show the difference we can make when we work together to create new solutions and opportunities for kids.” 

Oklahoma families spend an estimated $22 million a year for remedial courses. These are classes taken in college to help students build their skills before taking college-level courses. Students receive no college credit despite paying for the class. 

“Through our ongoing partnership, the State Regents and the State Department of Education continue working collaboratively to strengthen college preparation and best position students for academic success,” said Chancellor Glen D. Johnson. “This latest data is reflective of our joint commitment and our progress.” 

Remediation rates in all individual subject areas have improved since 2015, with a 2.7% drop in English, 21.43% drop in math, 27.47% drop in reading and a 71.43% drop in science. This shows a reverse in an alarming trend requiring remedial classes in college,  revealing significant improvement in students' college and career readiness.

One of the main efforts between OSDE and the State Regents to reduce math remediation rates is a high school class, College Career Math Ready. The course, a fourth-year elective, is raising ACT scores for students. Right now, College Career Math Ready is offered at more than 50 schools around the state, and 148 teachers are trained to teach the course. The class has been available for three years. 

“Much of the success of this news comes from the hard work of teachers and students. Reducing the number of college students who need developmental courses is an indication that our efforts are working.” Hofmeister said. “We are excited to forge ahead as we continue to align Oklahoma’s academic standards and instruction to yield strong and positive outcomes.”

Legislature reaches Fiscal Year 2021 budget agreement

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OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislative leaders announced a Fiscal Year 2021 state budget agreement Monday designed to hold education funding harmless while limiting most budget reductions to 4% or less amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This is a far better budget than many expected and that should come as a relief to the citizens who rely on core services and the agencies that serve them, given the effect of both depressed oil and gas prices and the pandemic on state revenues,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City. “We successfully avoided the catastrophic cuts some had feared, and I thank the budget chairs and their committees for their hard work and leadership during this difficult time.”

Under the agreement, most of the $1.4 billion, or 17%, revenue hole Gov. Kevin Stitt projected last month is filled by using reserve funds, cutting one-time spending, temporarily redirecting non-appropriated money into the budget, and agency appropriation reductions of 4% or less in most cases.

“The Legislature is pleased to have an agreement stabilizing the budget to the fullest extent possible under the numbers Governor Stitt provided,” said House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka. “The Legislature is strongly united behind this agreement and will enact it quickly to provide certainty to state services at a time it is sorely needed.”

The agreement calls for a total budget of $7.7 billion, which is $237.8 million, or 3%, less than the FY 2020 budget.

Education

Education was prioritized above all else. With federal COVID-19 relief funds considered, common and higher education would receive no reduction next year – and may receive more money.

“The Legislature kept its promise and protected education. We are not letting a virus roll back the historic investments Oklahoma has made in education the past few years,” said Senate Appropriations Chairman Roger Thompson, R-Okemah.

Under the agreement, the State Department of Education’s temporary appropriation reduction is 2.5%, or $78.2 million, of its $3 billion appropriation. Recent teacher pay raises will not be impacted.

With relief funds considered, though, common education is projected to receive more money next year than this year. Oklahoma’s $200 million in COVID relief money for common education fully offsets the temporary state funding reduction of $78.2 million, or 2.5%, to common education.

“We are very pleased to agree on an innovative and creative budget that meets our goal to protect classroom funding from reductions. As the branch of government closest to the people, the Legislature is fully confident this is how Oklahomans want their tax dollars prioritized when times get tough,” said House Appropriations and Budget Chairman Kevin Wallace, R-Wellston.

State agencies

Most other agencies receive effective reductions of 4% or less, with core service agencies such as health care, public safety and transportation receiving smaller reductions in some cases, while other agencies with mandatory upcoming spending are held flat or slightly increased.

“The executive branch predicted significantly larger budget cuts would be needed to balance the FY 21 budget. The fact that the Legislature was able to keep reductions to 4% or less should come as welcome news to state agencies,” Treat said. “In addition to the work the Legislature has done, Governor Stitt has the ability to do more to mitigate reductions through many of the emergency funds at his disposal and his authority to innovate within the state agencies he manages directly.”

Oklahoma has received more than $1.25 billion in federal relief funds for COVID-19 expenses – far more than the $237.8 million spending reduction in the budget agreement.

“Now is a great time for Governor Stitt to use the strong management skills he pledged to bring to government. We expect Governor Stitt will make good use of his proven business acumen to help agencies maintain service levels to the public,” McCall said.

Outlook ahead

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, nearly every state has revised revenue projections downward and expects to enact reduced budgets due to COVID-19’s effect on the economy and state government revenues.

“As we look at the national picture, it is clear accurate revenue projections are simply impossible amid all this volatility,” Wallace said. “When revenue projections change as volatility decreases, state budgets here and everywhere should look better. In the meantime, the Legislature is enacting a workable budget with smaller cuts than other states are making.”

Legislative budget leaders said the $1.4 billion revenue hole projected by Governor Stitt was used in building the budget, but that the projection could change, allowing for midyear budget adjustments.

“We still remain circumspect about the data used to create the executive branch’s projections, but we worked off their numbers. We will consider supplemental appropriations to restore some of these reductions if revenues improve as we expect them to,” Thompson said.

The FY 2020 budget was the largest in state history, and FY 2021’s would be among the largest, as well.

“We’ve been here before, but today Oklahoma is much better positioned to face a fiscal challenge like this. Prudent actions taken in response to the last budget hole three years ago and decisions to save money last year left Oklahoma’s fiscal position stronger than ever and built up strong reserves that have been a saving grace during this unforeseen worldwide pandemic,” Treat said.

Under the legislative agreement, the state would head into FY 2022 with an estimated $600 million in savings funds, apportionment reforms and other flexibility to help stabilize the FY 2022 budget if necessary. In addition, agencies typically have close to $1 billion in agency-specific reserves at their disposal throughout every fiscal year.

“Unlike the last budget hole three years ago, this one won’t require revenue raising measures and should end when the economy restarts,” McCall said. “Oklahoma will bounce back strong and move forward.”

Oklahoma rises to top 3 for Pre-K access

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OKLAHOMA CITY (April 29, 2020) – Oklahoma climbs to third in the country for Pre-K access for 4-year-olds, according to a new report from the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER). In the same report last year, Oklahoma scored among the top eight states in the nation.

Oklahoma serves 86.5% of eligible 4-year-old children when public pre-kindergarten enrollment (76.3%) is combined with Head Start enrollment, the annual report states. Only the District of Columbia (87.3%) and Vermont (86.8%) serve more students.  

In addition, Oklahoma was named a leader in policies to support standards for high-quality Pre-K education for the second year in a row. Only nine states met at least nine of the 10 benchmark categories, which include academic standards, staff professional development and caps on class sizes.  

“Oklahoma has a long tradition of excellence in early childhood education and stands out in the level of professionalism and expertise of Oklahoma’s Pre-K teachers. Preparing our children to be ready to read by kindergarten remains a key priority here as we value the health and development of our youngest learners,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister.   

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, NIEER introduced a policy recommendation advising Pre-K programs to quickly develop guidelines to provide emergency services and educate young children remotely for the remainder of this school year and for the coming summer and fall. On March 25, Hofmeister and the State Board of Education unanimously approved an order that implemented distance learning for all grades, including a unique partnership with the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority to broadcast programming tailored to the Oklahoma Academic Standards.  

“Oklahoma education acted quickly and effectively to ensure that families with children in Pre-K programs had the resources and supports needed to foster learning in home environments,” said Debra Andersen, the executive director for the Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness. “Once again, the Oklahoma Standard shines bright for our Pre-K students.”  

NIEER recognized Oklahoma for its fully aligned academic standards for Pre-K to 12th grade in 2016 and for the Professional Learning Focus in 2018. Oklahoma is one of the few states requiring Pre-K teachers to hold a bachelor’s degree with teaching certification, and it ensures them equal pay with other grade-level teachers. Pre-K teachers in Oklahoma also have the same individualized professional development opportunities as other teachers at the state level.  

Oklahoma launched its Early Childhood Four-Year-Old Program in 1980, years ahead of the rest of the country. In 1998, Oklahoma became only the second state to offer Pre-K for all 4-year-olds, with 99% of school districts participating.  

Oklahoma’s commitment to early education is evident in the state’s eight-year strategic plan, Oklahoma Edge. The comprehensive education plan, required by the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), lists one of the state’s six primary goals as aligning early childhood education and learning foundations to ensure at least 75% of students are “ready to read” upon kindergarten entry.  

The NIEER report is based on data from the 2018-19 school year. 

Oklahoma schools to remain closed for duration of school year, distance learning to be implemented

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OKLAHOMA CITY (Date) – The State Board of Education unanimously approved an order that implements a Distance Learning Plan to complete the 2019-20 school year for Oklahoma students without reopening school buildings. The approval comes as numbers grow for positive COVID-19 cases in the state. 

“Oklahoma has tremendous educators – strong, dedicated, tenacious and smart. We have faith and confidence that our districts and teachers are committed to creative and innovative ways to continue learning for their students, and they will rise to this challenge,” said State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister. “Distance Learning Plans will look different from district to district. Many districts have used online tools for some time and will be able to hit the ground running. Others have little connectivity and communities with little or no access to computer technology. I know the hard-working educators in our districts will pull together to make this adjustment to benefit all learners.”

Beginning April 6, districts will be expected to provide distance learning for the rest of the school year. District leaders will also provide assurances to the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) of a Distance Learning Plan and ensure services continue for English learners and special education students.

“Our education communities are tough, resilient and committed. They know, as we all do, that we are all in this together. If this pandemic underscores anything, it is that we must help one another,” Hofmeister said. “We understand the challenges all Oklahomans are facing, and we know we can count on our schools to provide the best education possible in a way that ensures the safety and health of students and everyone in the school and community.” 

OSDE will provide distance learning frameworks and resources on its website in the coming days. In addition, the agency is exploring how federal assistance could help digital connectivity for some districts. OETA, Oklahoma’s educational public TV network, will also provide help. In partnership with OSDE, OETA will broadcast instructional daytime programming for the state’s PreK-12 students. 

While education will resume on April 6 with distance learning, there will not be traditional, in-person instruction or extracurricular activities. Districts will be expected to following critical safety guidance from the Centers for Disease Control with regard to social distancing for students, staff and school families. 

For the graduating class of 2020, each district will adopt a plan that establishes the assessment or assessments those students are required to take in order to graduate.  

The State Board took action on multiple waivers – ranging from school calendars to loosening current restrictions on funds – aimed at giving districts greater flexibility to respond to the needs of their students and communities. 

Hofmeister proposes State Board of Education approve distance learning for students starting April 6, school buildings to remain closed

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OKLAHOMA CITY (March 23, 2020) – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister announced today that she will propose a Continuous Learning Plan to the State Board of Education this week to complete the school year for Oklahoma students without reopening school buildings during the global pandemic. While the education of schoolchildren will resume with distance learning, there will not be traditional, in-person instruction or extracurricular activities, instead following critical safety guidance from the Centers for Disease Control with regard to social distancing for students, staff and school families.

The Board will hold a special meeting on Wednesday, March 25. Board members will meet virtually.

In the course of a week, Hofmeister noted, the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) has secured federal waivers removing the burden of statewide assessments and permitting the delivery or curbside pick-up of nutritional meals for qualifying students for the remainder of the school year.

"Our districts have begun planning their alternative delivery methods to support student learning as they prepare to reconnect students with their teachers in adaptive ways,” she said.

“We are determined to support our Pre-K through high school students as well as English learners, special education students and those who need reinforced skills or additional enrichment. We recognize this reality will present challenges for many families and districts, but these are extraordinary times that call for extraordinary measures. This coordinated, swift and thoughtful action will help safeguard the health and well-being of our communities, students and professionals in public schools. We must do absolutely everything in our power to reduce transmission of coronavirus.”

Beginning April 6, districts will be expected to provide distance learning for the remainder of the school year. How that learning occurs, Hofmeister said, will vary widely according to the capacity and needs of districts and their communities. Districts would start once they have provided assurances to OSDE of a distance learning plan as well as special services for English learners and special education students.

“I have faith in the commitment, innovation and creativity of Oklahoma educators and administrators,” Hofmeister said. “Many districts across our state have utilized online instruction already and likely will be able to hit the ground running. Other districts have significant technology limitations, while some might opt for instructional materials delivered to students. There will be a wide range of approaches and it will be far from ideal, but necessary as we embrace these changes and even sacrifice to protect the public health of our communities.”

She said the OSDE will offer a panoply of resources and guidance for districts to pursue distance learning. In addition, the agency is exploring how federal assistance could bolster digital connectivity for some districts. OETA, Oklahoma’s educational public TV network, will also provide help. In partnership with OSDE, OETA will broadcast instructional daytime programming for the state’s PreK-12 students.

Hofmeister noted the top priority for districts should be ensuring that high school seniors who are on track to graduate this school year receive the help they need. The State Board is expected to ensure district boards of education fulfill graduation requirements but in such a way that students are not negatively impacted by the pandemic.

Moreover, the State Board is poised to take action on a host of waivers – ranging from school calendars to loosening current restrictions on funds – aimed at giving districts greater flexibility to respond to the needs of their students and communities.

Late last week, the U.S. Department of Education granted waivers allowing the state to suspend standardized testing and Oklahoma School Report Cards for the 2019-20 school year.