The Tulsa School Board has authorized a phased return to the classroom for district students that will be finished by February 25.

Special needs’ students; elementary students in grades 4-6; middle school students in the sixth grade; junior high students in the seventh grade; and ninth grade students will distance learning were scheduled to return to the classrooms on February 23.

Pre-kindergarten through third grade elementary school students; seventh and eighth grade middle school students; eighth grade junior high students; and 10th-12th grade high school students were set to return to class on February 25.

There will be in-class instruction on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays with distance learning on Wednesdays (so the buildings can be thoroughly cleaned.) Tulsa Virtual Academy students will stay in distance learning for the rest of the spring semester.

Parents and guardians have the option of keeping their children learning online.

The students have been online because of the Chinese coronavirus pandemic.

Students who return to the classroom must wear face masks and everyone will face a temperature screening when they enter a school building. Air filtration systems and scrubbers have been installed and hand cleaning stations are in place.

If a student, teacher or staff person feels sick, protocols have been set up that include contacting anyone who might have been exposed to the virus.

“While we will work to create as much safe distancing as possible during the school day, it is unlikely that we can provide the six feet of distance recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,” said TPS Superintendent Deborah Gist.

Gist recommends that parents drive their children to school rather than using the school buses.

The average number of positive tests for the coronarvirus in Tulsa County has dropped.

The board also said the last day of classes for the spring semester will be May 28. Memorial Day is May 31.