Oklahoma Teacher Walkout: Resources For Parents

The Oklahoma teacher walkout is into its second week, and we're working to make sure our resources list is up-to-date. If you have a resource that should be added to this list, please email us at ryan.welton@news9.net.

We'll start with the newest information:

The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma continues to feed families with school-age children and school personnel impacted by school closures. The nonprofit is teaming up with Bethlehem Star Baptist Church to provide 240 family boxes to Oklahomans impacted by the walkout. Each family-friendly box contains enough food for 20 meals.

When: Monday, April 9 from 4 to 6 p.m.

Where: Bethlehem Star Baptist Church, located at 2704 N.E. 24th St. in Oklahoma City.

Why: In Oklahoma, 61 percent of public school students participate in the free and reduced breakfast and lunch program. While schools are closed during the teacher walkout, the Regional Food Bank is committed to making sure impacted families with school-age children and school personnel have enough to eat. In addition to providing enough food to feed 136,000 Oklahomans every week, the Regional Food Bank is preparing an estimated 20,000 meals for students and 5,000 family pantry boxes to meet the increase in the need for food assistance while schools are closed. For more information visit regionalfoodbank.org/supportstudents.

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Del City Church of Christ, 1901 Vickie Drive, Del City,  is opening its Family Life Center daily from 10 a.m. to noon every day of the walkout. Kids can come for supervised activities and snacks. The church is a few blocks from Sunnylane United Methodist Church. Call 405-672-1311 for more information.

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Here are some notes from Oklahoma City Public Schools regarding the teacher walkout:
OKCPS is committed to doing everything possible to help meet the needs of our students and families while our teachers continue to advocate for fair funding for education and educator pay. Here are a few things you should be aware of:

Here are some notes from Edmond Schools regarding the teacher walkout:
Yesterday, Governor Mary Fallin signed legislation that provides pay increases for teachers, ranging from $5,000 for entry-level teachers to approximately $9,000 for the most experienced teachers.  The legislation adds money to the funding formula (approximately $1,800,000 for Edmond), provides funds for textbooks ($1,000,000 for Edmond), and establishes support employee raises.

While some teachers are pleased with the legislation, others believe that lawmakers need to invest more in classrooms and, therefore, plan to walk out on Monday, April 2. The results of an Edmond Schools teacher poll that concluded this morning show that 66% of Edmond teachers plan to walkout Monday, April 2 and beyond. Therefore, Edmond Schools will be closed Monday and possibly beyond. In addition, the district will not be able to offer before and after care at elementary schools.

We understand this walkout may present a hardship for some parents. Several groups have stepped up to fill the gap with camps and child care. We have listed some of these resources on our website, www.edmondschools.net. Local media outlets and area nonprofits also have resources on their websites.

Because we believe that no child should go hungry during a teacher walkout, we will be feeding students. Our high schools will offer meals to students who currently receive food through Edmond’s Child Nutrition program as well as their siblings ages 1-18. District child nutrition staff will prepare and serve the food, and supervision will be provided.

Meals:
Breakfast: Served from 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at all high schools except Boulevard Academy. Patrons must provide transportation for their students to the high schools.

Lunch: Served from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Buses will provide transportation from elementary schools ONLY and will pick up students of all ages at 11:00 a.m. Once lunch is complete, students will be returned to the elementary schools where they were picked up.

Athletics/Extra-Curricular Activities
Athletics and extra-curricular activities will go on as planned, providing the coach or sponsor of the sport or activity is available. Unlike an academic class which would be made up if the school calendar has to be extended due to the walkout,  the majority of academic and athletic competitions, as well as student organization events (FFA, DECA etc.), cannot be rescheduled due to conflicts and rental agreements.

Testing:
The ACT is required for all eleventh-grade students. It is scheduled for April 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, and 12, with a make-up date on April 24. If the walkout extends through these dates, ACT testing will continue as scheduled. In this case, all juniors will need to be at their high schools by 7:40 a.m. on the morning they were previously assigned to test. Buses will run for students who need transportation.

What Does a Walkout Mean for the School Calendar?
Currently EPS has six “banked” days of instructional time over the state minimum requirement. Edmond teachers can miss six days before additional instruction must be made up.  If a walkout lasts longer than six days, missed instruction will be made up by adding additional days at the end of the current instructional calendar.

I know this letter touches on just a few of the questions you may have. For additional details, I encourage you to access the “ frequently asked questions” document on the district website. We will continue to communicate teacher walkout information with you just as we would during inclement weather, utilizing district and school websites, social media platforms, the SchoolWay mobile app, emails to your Infinite Campus parent portal account and local media outlets.

Edmond is blessed to have teachers who have been enduring and patient in their efforts for increased school funding. Thank you for your support of our educators and your flexibility and patience as we navigate these uncertain times.
 

Here is a letter from Deer Creek Schools:

Parents and Staff,

We have surveyed our teachers several times throughout the last week and up through this morning regarding the legislative actions taken for educational funding.

At this time, we do not have enough substitutes to fulfill the number of teachers who will be out Monday advocating at the Capitol.

School will be closed Monday, April 2, 2018. 

If there is any further school closure for any reason, parents and staff will be notified. 

Please always check the news media stations, district emails, Deer Creek social media, and Deer Creek notifications.

Resources for Child Care and Lunch during the potential Teacher Work Stoppage:
1.  Henderson Hills Baptist Church in Edmond
2.  Click Here for Metro Family Magazine List of Child Care Resources
3.  Click Here for article regarding Recreation Centers and Zoo Resources
4.  Connection Pointe Church
5.  Spring Adventure Day Camp- Riversport Adventures
6.  Science Museum of Oklahoma 

Here are some FAQs from officials at Piedmont Public Schools:
Due to the significant number of teachers who plan to advocate at the State Capitol for adequate public school funding, there will be no school on Monday, April 2nd.  We will reassess the situation on Monday and make a decision about possibly resuming school.    

Why are Piedmont teachers participating in a Teacher Walk Out?
Piedmont teachers are advocating for adequate school funding for Oklahoma public schools.

How will we know when school will reopen?
We are in full support of our teachers and their continued participation in advocating for our children and schools.  School will resume as soon as possible.  The district will notify employees and parents via automated phone call, e-mail and the notice will be posted on the district website and social media accounts.

Will we have to make up days missed for a work stoppage?
Piedmont Schools has four "inclement weather" days available. For the first four days of the work stoppage, those days will not need to be made up. Any days missed beyond the first four will be made up by extending the school calendar or the school day.

Will the school cafeterias serve meals?
Sack lunches will be provided at two separate school sites. ANY Piedmont student may receive a sack lunch at either site.

Stone Ridge Elementary         10000 Memorial Road            11:00am-1:00pm

Piedmont Intermediate            977 Washington Avenue        11:00am-1:00pm
 

My child participates in the "Backpack Program". Will he/she still receive snacks?
Additional food items were sent home with participating students Thursday, March 29th.

Will Wildcat Clubhouse, the before and after school care program, be open?
Wildcat Clubhouse will NOT be open during the School Closure. Wildcat Clubhouse fees will remain the same for the March 26th due date on the payment schedule. Fees for the April 23rd due date will be pro-rated for the days school is not in session due to the Work Stoppage.

What about after-school activities and athletics?
All after-school practices, clubs, activities and events will be canceled, with the exception of OSSAA (Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association) VARSITY practices and games. Communication regarding these Varsity events will be communicated by the coach. Transportation will be provided to these Varsity games.

Will students enrolled in concurrent classes not have class during the work stoppage?
Concurrent classes will continue, as scheduled.

Will students enrolled at Canadian Valley Technology Center have class during the work stoppage?
CVTC classes will continue, as scheduled. The bus will depart PHS at the usual time each day.

My junior student is scheduled to take the ACT April 3rd, will that be rescheduled?
The ACT will be given, as scheduled, April 3rd, at Piedmont High School.

What about state testing?
State testing is scheduled to begin April 2nd, for third through eighth grades. The district is awaiting guidance from the Oklahoma State Department of Education regarding rescheduling.

As a parent, what can I do??
Please contact your elected officials. Visit www.oklegislature.gov/FindMyLegislature.aspx for contact information. 

Here is a statement from Putnam City Schools, which will be closed April 2 as an advocacy day:

Oklahoma is looking at the possibility of teachers walking out of their classrooms on April 2nd and taking concerns about education funding to the State Capitol. As a result, all Putnam City schools will be closed on Monday, April 2nd.

April 2nd will be an advocacy day in Putnam City, a day for teachers, staff, parents, students and supporters to contact their legislators and encourage solutions.

If issues are not resolved, the district is also making plans that would allow schools, if necessary, to be closed the rest of the week -- April 3rd through April 6th.

Each day April 3-6 district families will be notified whether there is school the next day. Notification will come to students and parents on district and school websites, social media and phone calls. Information may appear in local media as well.

We know this situation creates issues for families. Parents need information to make their plans of their own. Check for more information and updates by visiting the district website at https://www.putnamcityschools.org/Parents/TeacherWalkoutFAQ.aspx

Here are some notes from Moore Schools regarding a teacher walkout:

Yesterday, a revenue and pay plan that could provide funding for public education was finalized and signed by the Governor. However, there has been additional movement at the legislature that is unclear and certain funding sources remain unsolved. Due to the substantial number of educators from Moore Public School and patrons from our community who plan to advocate at he Capitol, Moore Public Schools will be closed April 2, 2018. Although school will be closed on Monday, the following will still take place:

- Extra-Curricular Activities -- We will host and attend events as normally scheduled. All practices will be scheduled by the coach and you will be notified of those times. Previously approved "out of state" school-sponsored trips will proceed as scheduled.

- Technology Center/Concurrent Enrollment - Students who are enrolled in on-site college classes, college campus classes and Moore-Norman Technology Center classes will still be responsible for attendance in those programs. Transportation will be provided to those who are in need. Individual site principals have been working on details. Please direct any questions to the principals at each high school.

- Child Nutrition - Students will be fed. Any child (birth to 18) who resides in the Moore Public Schools' attendance boundaries can take advantage of free breakfast and lunch by going to any of the following sitesL Central, Fairview, Southgate, Bryant, Kelley, Sky, Ranch, Kingsgate, Houchin, Santa Fe, Apple Creek, Plaza Towers, Northmoor, or Winding Creek Elementary School; Central Jr. High, Highland West Jr. High or Moore West Jr. High.

Breakfast goes from 8-9 a.m.

Lunch goes from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Our intentions are to resume school and instructional services as quickly as possible. We will continue to update our community each afternoon regarding the next day's outcome (regarding school closure). Thank you for your continued support and patience.
 

Here is some information regarding a possible teacher walkout in Norman:

The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma is supporting students during a teacher walkout:

From their website:

If school closures occur, the nonprofit will increase meal production though Hope’s Kitchen, which provides meals to children after school and during school breaks through partner Kids Café sites. The Regional Food Bank will also prepare, pack and distribute family boxes full of nutritious food in impacted areas through its network of community-based partner agencies in 53 central and western Oklahoma counties.

Click here to learn more from RFBO. You can also email them at supportstudents@regionalfoodbank.org.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Oklahoma County are supporting students during a teacher walkout:
 

• Memorial Park Club will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. starting April 2 if there is a walkout.
• Telstar Club will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. starting April 2 if there is a walkout.
• Cesar Chavez Club will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. starting April 2 if there is a walkout.

We talked with a representative for YMCA - Oklahoma City, and they sent us this information:

YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City will provide School’s Out Day Camp beginning April 2, 2018 should schools close due to a teacher walkout. This camp will be open to our nearly 1,000 currently enrolled Before & After School program participants first. If additional spaces are available, they will be open to our current membership on a first come, first serve basis. Registration is required. There will be a minimal fee for this program. Financial assistance is available.

Visit ymcaokc.org for a list of locations and phone numbers.

RIVERSPORT OKC will hold a 'Spring Adventure Camp' from April 2-6 in the event of a walkout:

In the event of a teacher walkout, RIVERSPORT Adventure Park in downtown Oklahoma City’s Boathouse District will hold Spring Adventure Day Camps starting Monday, April 2 for kids ages 8-14. Camps will continue weekdays through the duration of the walkout.

Camp will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and will be $29 a day. The list of activities includes beach volleyball, rowing, kayaking and climbing the Sky Trail.

Campers should dress for the weather and plan to spend most of the time outside. They should also bring lunch and a change of clothes. Light snacks will be provided.

Kids can be dropped off as early as 7:30 a.m. at the Finish Line Tower. Pick up will be at the same location between 3:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Registration is now open. Parents are encouraged to register their children the previous day. On-site registration will be accepted. Refunds will be provided in the event the walkout does not take place or ends prior to an already reserved day.

For more information, or to register, visit https://www.riversportokc.org/camps/spring-day-camp/.
 

Science Museum Oklahoma to offer day-camps:
In the event of a teacher walkout, Science Museum Oklahoma will host day camps for children from pre-K to sixth grade beginning April 2 at the museum located at 2020 Remington Place in Oklahoma City. Camps will continue on weekdays for the duration of the walkout.

Pre-K and kindergarten camps are from 9 a.m. to noon and are $20 per day for museum members, $25 for nonmembers, and children should bring a snack. Camps for grades 1-6 are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and are $45 per day for museum members, $50 for nonmembers, and children should bring a snack and a lunch. Drop off for camp begins at 8:45 a.m.

Registration for each camp is now open and closes at 5 p.m. the prior day or when full. Children may be registered for individual days or the entire week. Space is limited and advance registration is required. Refunds will be offered in the event the walkout does not take place or ends prior to an already reserved day. All other sales are final.

Camps are designed and taught by SMO’s museum educators. Pre-K and kindergarten camps for April 2-6 are:

• April 2, Let’s Investigate: Ever wonder how a seed grows? What about the power of physics using chain reactions? Children will investigate these curiosities and more.
• April 3, Let’s Get Messy: What does it take to make a reaction rocket? What about slime? Campers will explore the chemistry behind all the ewwy and gooey stuff.
• April 4, Time to Tinker: Let’s tinker ‘bout it! Children will make “moon sand” and explore drawing and Ozobots in SMO’s Tinkering Garage.
• April 5, Let’s Go: How do boats float? How do airplanes fly? Campers will discover answers to these questions by creating their own.
• April 6, Sudsy Fun: What is density? How does it work? How many different types of bubbles are there? Soap, gas, underwater — children will see them all.

Camps for grades 1-6 are:

• April 2, Take Flight: It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s all things that fly. Children will test their wings with the science of flight. Campers will explore reaction rockets, create an epic parachute and soar into outer space with a trip to the Kirkpatrick Planetarium.
• April 3, Captivating Chemistry: Why does chemistry matter so much? Campers will investigate the messy, sometimes smelly science of chemistry. Children will get down to the gross stuff with color-changing substances and explosive reactions big and small.
• April 4, Tinkering: Tinkering is serious business — seriously fun business. Children will work with power tools, draw with their feet and harness the power of electricity.
• April 5, Being Green: Go green! Campers will create a steam engine, build air-powered cars and peer through microscopes to see what is inside of plants and flowers.
• April 6, Super Cool: Spring is starting to warm things up, but in this camp children will keep their cool. Campers will learn how to make ice cream using cold chemistry, explore polymers with instant snow, experience endothermic reactions and feel the breeze on the Segway course.

Detailed camp themes for April 9-13 will be released the week of April 2 if needed. For more information or to register, call Science Museum Oklahoma at (405) 602-3760 or visit http://ecommerce.sciencemuseumok.org.

Science Museum Oklahoma is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Daily general admission is $15.95 for adults (ages 13 to 64) and $12.95 for children (ages 3 to 12) and seniors (65 and older). Annual memberships begin at $95.

For more information about Science Museum Oklahoma, visit www.sciencemuseumok.org.
 

Henderson Hills Baptist Church to provide free day camp for kids K-5th grade during teacher walkout:

The camp will run from 9 am to 3 pm, Monday through Friday. Lunch will be provided. Children will be well supervised by adults (with background checks) in a secure facility. The camp is open to all area students and there is no charge to attend. Registration is open online at www.hhbc.com/camp.

Rainbow Fleet has created a new page on its website to help families with resources. 

For an extensive list of places to get meals and childcare, visit http://rainbowfleet.org/

From Pathways Adult Learning Center:

In support of Oklahoma teachers, Pathways Adult Learning Center is offering 8:30am to 5pm enrichment program classes to students with special needs aged 16+ during the teacher walkout. Located at the Kirk of the Hills church (4102 E 61st Street) in Tulsa. Space is limited. Email cjohnson@pathwaysok.com for more info and to register. 

Community resources from OKCPS.org:

The Parks and Recreation Department and Oklahoma City Zoo will offer additional services for children beginning April 2 in the event of a teacher walkout in local public schools.  

OKC Parks will extend operating hours at nine recreation centers on weekdays from April 2 until the walkout is over, and the Zoo will host all-day camps.

Access to the recreation centers is free. The Zoo camps require registration and payment.

Recreation centers

From April 2 until the walkout is over, these nine recreation centers will be open for school children from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays:

• Douglass Recreation Center, 900 N Frederick Douglass Ave., (405) 297-1416 (EMBARK Route 022 to MLK and Douglass plus 3 blocks)
• Macklanburg Recreation Center, 2234 NW 117^th Street, (405) 297-1428 (EMBARK Route 005 to NW 188^thand Penn)
• Melrose Recreation Center, 7800 W Melrose Lane, (405) 297-1431 (EMBARK Route 038 to Council and Melrose plus 3 blocks)
• Minnis Lakeview Recreation Center, 12520 NE 36^th Street, (405) 297-1432 (EMBARK Route 019 to NE 36^thand Smith)
• Pilot Recreation Center, 1435 NW 2^nd Street, (405) 297-1438 (EMBARK Route 009 to Main and McKinley plus 2 blocks)
• Pitts Recreation Center, 1920 N Kate Ave., (405) 297-1440 (EMBARK Route 002 to NE 20^th and Lottie plus 2 blocks)
• Schilling Recreation Center, 539 SE 25^th Street, (405) 297-1442 (EMBARK Route 011 to SE 25^th and Central pluls 2 blocks)
• Sellers Recreation Center, 8301 S Villa Ave., (405) 297-1445 (EMBARK Route 016 to SW 82^nd Penn plus 6 blocks)
• Southern Oaks Recreation Center, 400 SW 66^th Street, (405) 297-1449 (EMBARK Route 040 to SW 67^th and Walker plus 3 blocks)

Full-time and part-time staff will rearrange their schedules and potentially work extended hours to make the longer operating hours possible, giving local public school students a safe and engaging place to go in case of a walkout.

OKC Parks is working on a plan with Oklahoma City Public Schools and the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma to provide meals for students at the recreation centers. The Food Bank is accepting donations and organizing volunteer opportunities to help feed public school students at regionalfoodbank.org/supportstudents.

The Parks Department intends to keep the extended operating hours until the walkout is over, or until May 29 when summer programming begins. Summer camps and other activities are planned to keep children engaged all summer long. Visit okc.gov/parks for details and registration for summer programs and activities.

Zoo camps and other activities

The Zoo’s Education Department will be hosting daily full-day camps on weekdays in April in the event of a walkout. These camps offer unique and wild adventures to interest children ages 4–11. Snacks are provided, but campers must bring their lunch.

Advanced registration and payment required. All campers are required to bring a copy of their immunizations. Full-day camps are 8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m., with drop-off at the Zoo’s Education Center from 8:20–8:30 a.m.

The cost is $45 per child per day. For additional information or to register, call (405) 425-0218 or visit okczoo.org.

The Zoo will also be open for regular admission during its normal operating hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day.

Students can find opportunities to learn throughout the Zoo, from wildlife and conservation signs located in each animal habitat to in-person presentations by the Zoo’s caretakers and observing some of the world’s most fascinating and critically endangered animals.

Regular admission is $11 for adults and $8 for children ages 3-11 and seniors ages 65 and over. Children two and under are admitted free.

Read Across America is also scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 3 at the Zoo. Author/illustrator Hannah Harrison is this year’s special guest. Children can participate in a variety of activities that promote reading and literacy, enjoy live music by Sugar Free Allstars and meet Nature Cat from PBS Kids – all while exploring the Zoo. The first 1,000 children to attend get a free book. Event activities are free with Zoo admission. Visit okczoo.org for details.

The Zoo, 2101 NE 50^th Street, is accessible by EMBARK Route 022.

EMBARK bus options

The recreation centers, Zoo and other family-friendly places in Oklahoma City are accessible by EMBARK bus service. EMBARK’s Haul Pass program provides free bus passes to high school juniors and seniors, and $10 monthly bus passes for students from middle school through 10^th grade. All students in the EMBARK service area are eligible. Download the registration forms and learn more details about Haul Pass at embarkok.com.

• Follow the City of Oklahoma City on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and more.
• Sign up for City of OKC news emails.
• Follow OKC Parks on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
• Follow the OKC Zoo on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
• Follow EMBARK on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
• Watch City Channel 20 on Cox Cable or live anywhere on YouTube.
• Download the OKC Connect smartphone app for Apple or Android.

OTHER RESOURCES:

Metro Family Magazine put together this list of available resources for child care and meal planning.

And the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy created its own list of resources for parents.