Tulsa Public Schools will begin school year with distance learning

TULSA, Okla. — The Tulsa Public Schools Board of Education voted to approve a distance learning plan suggested by Superintendent Dr. Deborah Gist, to start the 2020-2021 school year.

Distance learning will now be in place for the first 9 weeks of the year, beginning on August 31st.

During the first 9 weeks, students will learn remotely through real-time virtual lessons, digital curriculum, and activities that can be completed at home.

The district would then access the situation using the updated COVID-19 numbers from health leaders to decide what to do for the rest of the year.

Dr. Gist released a statement saying she believes it is the best decision for the safety of students and staff.

“We recognize the challenges that this decision creates for the families of our students and for the working parents on our team,” Gist says. “We are continuing to work with our community partners to provide as much support as possible for Tulsa parents, families, and caregivers. We will be sharing more information about available resources for child care and for safe spaces for learning in the coming weeks.”

Gist says the district consulted with health leaders, community members, parents, teachers, and others before voting on the proposal.

“As I’ve shared with you, every person on the Tulsa Public Schools team would prefer to bring our students, teachers, and team members back together in-person. However, given our current rates of COVID-19 infection, to do so would risk the health and safety of our students, their families, our team, and our city.”

The meeting lasted for nearly 4 and a half hours.

Board members also approved using CARES act funding to purchase more than 10,000 mobile hotspots for students who may not have proper access to the internet to ensure they can participate in distance learning.

In addition, the board also voted to purchase PPE including masks and thermometers to allow the district to be fully stocked up, should kids return to class in November.

The district said it will have some options for people to access school buildings and they will continue to offer meals for kids.

The school year for students will begin on Monday, August 31st, 2020, and end on Tuesday, June 8th, 2021.

Visit www.tulsaschools.org/calendar to find the 2020-2021 school calendar that includes breaks.

Visit www.tulsaschools.org/tpsvirtual for more information on TPS Virtual Academy.

Visit www.tulsaschools.org/back2school for more information about planning for the 2020-2021 school year.

Cox Media Group