Owasso Public Schools to reopen school buildings, return to in-person classes

OWASSO, Okla. — Owasso Public Schools announced the district will be returning to in-person classes in mid Sept.

According to the district's website, Superintendent Amy Fichtner said the district continues to believe the best learning experiences for children are in the physical classroom.

The data shows the trends for Tulsa County and the community of Owasso have reached a point that reflects where they were in mid-July, officials said. During that time, the district's intentions were to return to the classroom.

Therefore, the district will reopen school buildings for in-person classes starting September 17.

Officials said masks are required for all students in all grades in the building and on school buses. However, Pre-K through 2nd grade students will take more mask breaks then those students in 3rd through 12th grade, due to their ages.

Officials informed the community they would not return to in-person classes until they saw two consecutive weeks with Tulsa County in the Yellow or Green designation.

Officials said, "As we continue to monitor trends on a daily basis, it is becoming more and more apparent that the Yellow or Green tier may not occur for an extended period of time and that initial guideline we provided may now be unrealistic."

Owasso's Pivot to Home will still be used for individual classes, grade levels at specific buildings, and entire building or the entire district, officials stated.

On Aug. 4, district officials informed parents they have the option to pick an learning option for their child. If a parent wishes to change their child's learning option, they must follow the steps outlined below:

If your child is currently receiving instruction through Pivot to Home and:

1. You would like your student to return to the physical classroom on September 17, there is nothing further that you need to do. Your child will report to school on September 17 with the schedule that has already been provided by your child’s school. Should your child’s schedule be altered while we balance classrooms as a result of students moving from Acellus or Edgenuity to the physical classroom, you will be notified.
2. You would like your student to be enrolled in Acellus or Edgenuity rather than report to your child’s physical school, please fill out the respective form below by 10 p.m. on Wednesday, September 9. You will receive communication from the virtual learning administrators with important information including class schedule, log in information, etc., in the days following September 9.
   1. Acellus - Elementary Virtual Services Request Form for School Year 2020-21 (full-time)
   2. Edgenuity -Secondary Virtual Services Request Form for School Year 2020-21 (full-time)

If your child is currently receiving instruction through Acellus (elementary) or Edgenuity (secondary) and:

1. You would like your student to remain receiving instruction through Acellus or Edgenuity, there is nothing further that you need to do. Your student will continue to progress through the curriculum as they have been since August 24.
2. You would like for your student to return to the physical classroom, please fill out the respective form below by 10 p.m. on Wednesday, September 9. You will be contacted by your school in the days following September 9 with your child’s class schedule and your child will report to school on Thursday, September 17.
   1. Acellus - Elementary Virtual Learning OPT-OUT Form
   2. Edgenuity - Secondary Virtual Learning OPT-OUT Form

CLICK HERE to read Owasso's plan on returning to in-person classes in full.

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