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Some Tulsa Public Schools parents plan protest to support in-person instruction

Posted at 11:28 AM, Oct 04, 2020
and last updated 2020-10-05 10:10:52-04

TULSA, Okla. — There is a tug-of-war between some parents and the Tulsa Public Schools district.

They are torn between distance learning and in-person instruction. There are some parents who want to go back to school and planned a protest called Rally for Choice. Those TPS parents will meet outside the Education Service Center, Monday at four p.m.

Mother of five TPS students, Jennifer Juarez, said, “I don't understand when we became a place where parents are no longer allowed to choose which type of public education for our children.”

Juarez is part of a group called TPS Parents for Choice. The group has almost 600 members.

“We want to be able to have the option to send our kids to school in-person,” Juarez said. “I know there are so many kids out there who do not have parents that are capable of helping them because they have to work or have other issues. they don’t have the motivation to help them.”

2 Works for You received a statement from the media relations manager for TPS.

"We want our students back in their classrooms with their teachers and peers as soon as possible, and we will make the decision on in-person learning based on data and in close collaboration with local health professionals and medical experts. We encourage Tulsans to continue to help reduce community spread by wearing their masks, washing their hands often, and practicing safe distancing."
Lauren Partain, TPS Media Relations Manager

Other TPS parents who want to continue virtual learning until it is safe to go back say they need “viable” distance-learning options.

TPS is the 2nd largest school district in Oklahoma and serves nearly 40,000 students.

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