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6/18/21 Message from McDaniel | Update to Mask Mandate, Summer Learning and Enrollment Information
OKCPS families and staff,
Happy Juneteenth from Oklahoma City Public Schools! Yesterday, President Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, establishing June 19 as a federal holiday.
We commemorate June 19 (Juneteenth), when news of the end of slavery reached Texas in 1865 — two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. It is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending the institution of slavery in the United States.
While we celebrate the day that finally marked the end of this ugly and horrendous institution, we should also reflect on the journey for justice and equality since that day.
As a district, we will continue to be intentional about ensuring a more equitable and inclusive space for our students to learn and grow.
As we approach July, OKCPS has some important updates and reminders for families and staff.
OKCPS Mask Mandate
Effective July 1, 2021 OKCPS will no longer require masks to be worn while on buses, in a school or District building or on any part of a District campus.
Although our local public health officials and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) still recommend wearing masks in the school setting, Senate Bill 658, which was signed into law on May 28th and goes into effect on July 1st, states “A board of education of a public school district or a technology center school district may only implement a mandate to wear a mask or any other medical device after consultation with the local county health department or city-county health department within the jurisdiction of where the board is located and when the jurisdiction of where the board is located is under a current state of emergency declared by the Governor.”
As such, OKCPS staff, students, families, and visitors are welcome and encouraged to continue wearing a mask while visiting district properties, activities, and events but are not required to do so starting July 1.
OKCPS will continue with physical distancing, regular cleaning, handwashing and other protocols to manage the spread of the COVID-19 virus in our schools. Local conditions and advice from Oklahoma City County Health Department (OCCHD) will help to guide the decisions that are made regarding district-level protocols, and we will continue to keep our families and staff informed of any and all safety guidance.
COVID-19 Vaccine PODS
OKCPS continues to partner with OCCHD to offer the COVID-19 vaccine at no cost to OKCPS students who are 12 years or older, their families and our staff. You can find information on dates and locations on our website by visiting www.okcps.org/Page/7034.
Summer Learning
The June session of Jump! Summer Learning will end soon, however, please don’t forget that we have a July session that begins on July 6th. All students can Jump Into Canvas and complete modules all summer long, and students in grades PK-8th may sign up to participate in Jump into STEAM sessions at Britton Elementary and US Grant High School. Learn more by visiting www.okcps.org/SummerLearning.
2021-22 Enrollment
As a reminder, enrollment is now open! Please note that all returning students must complete Annual Enrollment Confirmation through the Parent Portal, and families who are new to OKCPS must complete New Student Enrollment.
- Online Enrollment: For instructions on how to complete enrollment online for new and returning students, please visit www.okcps.org/BacktoSchool.
- In-Person Enrollment Pods: Families who are unable to enroll online or who need help are welcome to attend one of our in-person enrollment pods. For more information, visit www.okcps.org/Page/7032 or call the enrollment hotline at (405) 587-0435.
- e3 Enrollment: OKCPS continues to accept registration for our online learning program, which provides a 24/7 online learning environment to meet each student’s unique needs. e3 Online Learning courses are monitored and supported by OKCPS teachers, counselors and administrators. Learn more or register for e3 Online Learning for next school year by visiting, www.okcps.org/e3
August 9th, our first day of school for the 2021-22 school year will be here before we know it! We will continue to provide you with updates as needed, but in the meantime, please enjoy your summer and we will see you soon!
Sean McDaniel
Superintendent