More OKCPS Students Return To Classroom Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

OKCPS returned to in-person learning for all of its students Tuesday after several weeks of virtual learning.

OKCPS Superintendent Sean McDaniel said 20% of students have not logged on to their online school this entire year. This is a big main reason why the district returned to the physical classroom.

"As our superintendent has stated, when you go complete virtual, you have the least amount of risk, but you also provide the least applicable education when it comes to what our students need," said Jason Brown, OKCPS deputy superintendent.

Brown said he understands the risk everyone is taking by returning to the classroom.

At Monday night's school board meeting, teachers and parents protested against the plan.

"We are not comfortable being in the classroom with students, especially when numbers are rising outside of our schools as well," said an OKCPS teacher.

"How do we keep a virus out of schools that we couldn't keep out of the White House?" said James Harding, a high school OKCPS teacher. 

OKCPS is in the orange level 2 category, averaging around 30 cases per 100,000.

Despite record-breaking numbers of new cases in the state, OKCPS does not plan to return to complete virtual learning unless the county jumps into the red zone or 50 cases per capita.

"We do screening, cleaning, mask, we make sure they have PPE. We make sure we have good protocols in case there is a positive or presumptive positive," said Brown.

The students are learning on a blended model, but Brown said this will allow students a more significant opportunity.

"Just the two days will allow us to educate and groom them for what online learning looks like," said Brown.

At US Grant High School, around 700 students were in the building Tuesday. On Wednesday, the school will welcome the B group with a different 700 students.