On Wednesday, the State OBoard of Education unanimously approved an order that implements a Distance Learning Plan to complete the 2019-2020 school year for Oklahoma students without reopening school buildings. This approval was made 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 have 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.”

OSDE will provide distance learning frameworks and resources on its website in the coming days. The agency is exploring how federal assistance could help digital connectivity for some districts. OETA and OSDE are partnering and OETA will broadcast instructional daytime programming for the state’s Pre-K-12th grade students.

While education will resume on April 6 with distance learning, it will not be traditional, in-person instruction or extracurricular activities. Districts will follow safety guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control when referring 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 of Education took action on several 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.

Ponca City Public Schools are currently working to develop a schedule of daily activities with some options for online resources for all grade levels and for all courses. All PCPS 8th-12th grade students have a school chromebook and will have online options for delivery. Pre K-7th grade students will have online options as well, but they will also have activities that do not require a device, such as a laptop or Ipad. The most important thing right now is the health and safety of all students, staff, families, communities and the entire nation.

Teachers will be communicating with students and/ or parents at least once a week to provide support. Instruction details will be provided more on April 2. If interested, here are some local Internet Service Provider current promotions, but keep in mind the schedule of instruction does include some activities which do not require a computer or internet.

AT&T

AT&T will continue to offer Internet access for qualifying limited income households at $10 a month through the Access from AT&T program. Eligibility has been expanded to ACCESS from AT&T to households participating in the National School Lunch Program and Head Start.

Additionally, AT&T offers new Access for AT&T customers two months of free service. Offer two months of free service for any new AT&T Access customers who order by 4/30/20

More information can be found on the AT&T website https://about.att.com/pages/ COVID-19.html

Sparklight

A 15 Mbps Internet plan for $10 per month is available for the next 60 days to help low income families and those most impacted from coronavirus challenges, such as seniors and college students. No documentation is required to sign up for this plan.

Beginning March 13, 2020, Sparklight made unlimited data available on all Internet services for 30 days and committed to waiving late fees and deferring payments for 60 days for customers experiencing financial strain as a result of the coronavirus.

It is more important than ever to stay connected. Download the PCPS App and continue to monitor press releases. You can find them at www.pcps.us under the COVID-19 link on the homepage.

“For students, it likely will be sad and disappointing to receive confirmation that school as they know it will not resume this year. Please give them a safe place to express their feelings and to vent about the changes in their life. As you know, we are finding ways to communicate with them now.” said Superintendent of Ponca City Public Schools, Shelley Arrott.

“For our seniors and their parents, we know it is an especially difficult time. We will do everything possible to ensure their efforts are recognized and celebrated in special and unique ways. This is an unfair situation, but please reassure them that it does not diminish their achievements. In fact, it will become one more example of how they demonstrated their strength as a Wildcat. Our staff is experiencing a sense of deep loss and hurt as well. We all love your children like our own. Our staff is ready to work tirelessly to provide the most meaningful remote learning experience for your children,” added Arrott.