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January 14, 2022 Message from McDaniel | OKCPS Continues with Virtual Learning Districtwide for Tuesday, January 18th

OKCPS Families, Staff and Community, 

All OKCPS students will remain in the virtual asynchronous learning setting for Tuesday, January 18th. This will allow district leaders to use this time to assess our latest data and determine if we have enough staff to adequately sustain a safe and meaningful in-person learning environment for our students. 

We continue to believe that being in the schoolhouse is the best place for kids, and we currently plan to bring all or some of our students back to campus on Wednesday, January 19th. However, all OKCPS staff and families are encouraged to maintain your contingency plans for virtual learning to continue further into the week if that is not possible. The district will notify you no later than Tuesday evening (January 18th) if we are not able to return to in-person learning on Wednesday.

Next Tuesday, students should continue on the same asynchronous learning schedule they have been using this week. School staff will continue to be available to support students during this time.

A few reminders for families: 

  • Attendance is important. All students must login and complete your assignments each day in order to be counted present. 
  • If your student is having device or connectivity issues, please call the OKCPS Help Desk at 405-587-HELP (4357) Monday through Friday from 7:30am - 4:30pm to receive assistance. 
  • Curbside meal service, including a breakfast and a lunch, will be available at no cost to students at all OKCPS school sites from 10:30am -12:30pm each day.
  • Activities and athletics will continue for OKCPS students during asynchronous learning, while following existing COVID protocols. Please watch for additional information from your coach/sponsor.
  • Families also should watch closely for any additional information that may come from your child’s teacher or your school’s principal.  

OKCPS STAFF

  • All district staff should watch for additional information from your supervisor regarding expectations for Tuesday, January 18th. 

COVID-19 TESTING & SAFETY

It is very important for families and staff to continue reporting positive cases and exposures to their school or supervisor -- even while students are home for virtual learning. This data is critical for district leaders as they make decisions and assess our ability to safely reopen our campuses.

With our recent surge in COVID-19 cases, OKCPS wants to remind our staff and families that we have testing sites set up all over our district. If you are being tested due to an exposure, please wait 5 days after exposure before being tested. If you are symptomatic, do not come to school or work while you wait to be tested OR while you wait for your test results.

  • OKCPS COVID-19 testing is ONLY for OKCPS students and staff. 
  • A parent or guardian must be present for a student to be tested.

To schedule an appointment, please use the links below.

  • By making an appointment, you are giving consent to OKCPS to administer the test and for your results to be shared with OCCHD and/or OSDH. 
  • YOU MUST have an appointment to be tested at an OKCPS site.

A districtwide testing site has been set up at Taft Stadium, 2501 N May Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73107, which will have appointments available for staff and families next week. Additional appointment times will be added if needed and if staffing allows. You can make an appointment by visiting www.okcps.org/TaftTesting. 

The following testing sites are also available to students and staff during regular school hours -- even when we are in a virtual learning environment.  

 MONDAY

10am - Noon

*Note that testing at these sites will not be available this Monday, January 17th due to the MLK holiday.  

TUESDAY
9:00am - 11:15am & 1:30pm - 3:15pm

10am - Noon

WEDNESDAY
10:00am - Noon

9:00 am - 11:15 am & 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm

1pm - 4pm

THURSDAY
9:00am - 11:15am & 1:30pm - 3:00pm

10am - Noon

1pm - 4pm

 
FRIDAY
9:00am - 11:15am & 1:30pm - 3:00pm

1pm - 4pm

We realize asynchronous learning poses challenges for many OKCPS families. Please rest assured we will continue to do everything in our power to bring our students back together as soon as possible. A shift to remote learning -- even for a short amount of time -- is always our last resort.

As always, the health and safety of our students and staff is always our top priority. Thank you for your flexibility and continued support of OKCPS.