Tulsa Public Schools have moved the start of classes back to August 31 for the fall semester and moved the end of the spring term to June 8 due to concerns over the coronavirus. Also, regular classes will take place on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and Wednesdays will be devoted to “distance learning days.”

On Wednesdays, all students will participate in distance learning, and some students would have an opportunity for additional in-person tutoring.

“We know that this is a big change, and it is an important one,” said Superintendent Deborah Gist. “It provides time for custodians to clean and sanitize classrooms mid-week and for teachers to engage in planning, team collaboration, and professional learning. These distance learning days will also give schools the flexibility they need to provide academic support for those students who need it most.”

Over the next six weeks, Tulsa Public Schools will work with community partners to help support families with resources for in-home learning. The district will also continue to provide breakfast and lunch meal service on distance learning days.

“We recognize the need for child care on Wednesdays and will be working with local community-based organizations, child care, and faith-based organizations to support our families,” Gist said.

While the Board of Education approved the change to the 2020-2021 school year calendar, the district is planning for other scheduling options, including: learning in-person, a mix of in-person and distance learning, and distance-only learning.

The schedule will shift according to the perceived impact of the Chinese coronavirus pandemic.

“We will teach and learn together in person as much as possible next year based on current guidance from the Tulsa Health Department and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,” said Gist.

“While we will be prepared and hope to have our students back in person all year, we may need to shift to distance learning or to a mix of in-person and distance learning. Our focus is on keeping students and teachers safe, which means planning for the flexibility we may need given continued rates of COVID-19 infection in our city.”

The district also plans to offer a virtual school option – called TPS Virtual Academy – for students and families who are at high-risk for infection or who would prefer to keep their children home. Students in the virtual academy will continue to be students in their current schools, but will complete their studies virtually. If families choose this option, they will have the opportunity to return to in-person learning if their preference changes.