Schools to reopen using COVID safety measures

School districts in the metro area plan to reopen with either face-to-face education or online alternatives for instruction through the evolving COVID-19 pandemic. As of the time of writing, the following was the announced instructional plans of metro area schools.

Oklahoma City Public Schools

Schools officials voted to delay the start of school three weeks by opting for a nine-week virtual classroom beginning Aug. 31. The district had initially set Aug. 10 as its return. Administrators and the school board expect to review about halfway through the first nine weeks to determine to phase in face-to-face classes or remain virtual.

“We want to be as flexible in our decision making as possible,” said OKCPS Superintendent Dr. Sean McDaniel. “We will pay attention to our circumstances and listen to our health officials as we monitor the situation. We realize face-to-face instruction is best for both teachers and students. Delaying the start three weeks and beginning virtually is the safest and quickest route that we can make this happen.”

Every student in the district will receive either an Apple iPad or a Google Chromebook, depending on their grade level, to access online schooling. Households without home internet service will receive a mobile hot spot.

Students will participate in scheduled virtual classes with their teachers, the same educators as they would have if they returned to the physical classroom. Teachers will dictate the pace and progress of the class in this remote option.

OKCPS will utilize Canvas as the learning management system for teachers to host instructional content and to allow students 24/7 access to assignments and activities.

Teachers will spend three weeks before school starts to undergo additional training and discuss how to navigate the system.

Moore Public Schools

Moore Public Schools is offering three different options, allowing students to choose their educational experience when school starts Aug. 13. Masks will be required for all high school students.

Option one is the traditional method, allowing students to attend school and receive instruction on-site. Option two is a blend of traditional and virtual learning from home, allowing students to transition between the two options if needed for intermittent health concerns. Option three follows the distance learning educational experience, allowing students to receive instruction and complete all assignments from home. The first and second options are available to students in all grade levels, while the third option is available for students in grades 3-12.

Students would access their assignments through Canvas, the district’s virtual educational platform.

Edmond Public Schools

Edmond schools will be using a blended learning model instead of a traditional reopening. Schools will open Aug. 20 after initially announcing Aug. 13 as the start date.
Students will alternate between at-home learning and attending in the classroom into either an A schedule or a B schedule. A-schedule students will attend face-to-face classes on Monday and Tuesday. The B group will come to school on Thursday and Friday. All students will learn from home when they are not in the classroom. Wednesday will be reserved to allow a deep clean.

If a school or the district has to close, or if officials are required to limit the number of students that can be in a building, they are ready to implement either a remote or hybrid model of instruction.

Each student will be provided a device and internet at home to access online learning.

Yukon Public Schools

Yukon Public Schools, home to more than 9,000 students, pushed their initial opening from Aug. 13 to Aug. 20 for students opting for traditional learning. Virtual learning for those who elect that option will begin Aug. 26. All students opting for virtual learning will receive either a Chromebook or an iPad depending upon their grade.
A third blended option allows for high school students who have some outstanding circumstances or can document needs that make them unable to attend for the full day.

Mustang Public Schools

Mustang has introduced a plan called M.O.R.S.E.Y. – Mustang’s Options for Reaching Students & Educating Youth. Plans call for the school year to begin Aug. 14.
Mustang plans to offer a traditional model of instruction where students attend in-person, on-site, five days/week as its default model. High school students and staff will be required to wear masks. Other options include students who are accepted into the Mustang Virtual Academy will be able to complete all coursework through an online content management system.

Finally, students in ninth through 12th grades can apply for a blended module that combines both online and traditional school settings.

Norman Public Schools

Norman will begin its school year Aug. 24 with students learning in an online format. The intention is to reopen schools once COVID-19 cases abate to a sustainably low level. No timetable has been given on how long classes will be online.

The school district original planned to return with options for both face-to-face classes and online learning. The school district reconsidered when Cleveland County showed a steady rise in COVID-19 cases during recent weeks.

Putnam City Schools

Putnam City Schools will begin its first nine weeks in a virtual session when school opens Aug. 27. Though not in a classroom with their students, teachers still will have daily lessons in which they will take attendance and grade classwork. The district will provide a technology device (iPad or Chromebook) to each of its 19,000 students to access online schoolwork.

Students using the virtual platform will be 100% online. They will also be able to participate in extra-curricular activities. Online classes for students from kindergarten to second grade will be taught by Putnam City teachers. Students in grades third through 12th will have learning delivered through the OdysseyWare platform.

Western Heights Public Schools

Western Heights will begin its school year on Aug. 20 with a complete virtual format. The district has used the major part of the $1.3 million dollars in CARES funding to purchase laptops computers for the 3,400 students in the district.

Millwood Public Schools

Millwood will begin the first nine weeks in a completely virtual format when school begins Aug. 24. A combination of in-person and virtual learning is among the approaches that will be considered depending on COVID-19 data.

Millwood is offering technology to anyone who needs it through a grant. Before students return to traditional learning, there will be a number of changes implemented to keep them safe, according to Supt. Cecila Robinson-Woods.

This article originally appeared in the August 2020 edition of The Point.