TULSA, Okla. — Several Jenks Public Schools students start in-person instruction today after weeks of virtual learning.
Officials reported two employees and four students are currently at home due to positive COVID-19 test results.
JPS originally started their school year off online and planned to go back to in-person instruction when Tulsa County reached a 'yellow,' low risk, level of COVID cases.
However, the district decided that may not be the best decision based on successful data in monitoring cases from surrounding school districts.
With nearly all Oklahoma school districts returning in-person, and managing COVID cases well, JPS officials said they realized the original plan was 'unrealistic'.
The district said the decision to return was made as Tulsa County's COVID case curve flattened.
Officials also announced it won't be feasible to check the temperatures of all 1,200 students and 800 teachers regularly. Instead, they plan to watch symptoms to protect staff and students, and send anyone home showing signs of COVID-19.
We spoke with a elementary school teacher, Kayla Clark, about returning in-person.
She said she's ready as she's missed seeing her students faces in-person this year.
“I absolutely feel a little bit of nerves but I feel that every year with the first day of school," Clark said. "Definitely excited to see them, get to know them better, and really get started with the school year.”
There are parents and staff members who disagree with this decision. It's why the district gave parents the option to remain online if desired.
The district said 85 percent of students will return in-person and around 15 percent will remain virtual.
For the details on Jenks Public School's return plan, click here.
If you need the safety protocols or frequently asked questions, click here.
For the website and updates on the plan, click here.
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