Skiatook Schools Say COVID-19 Cases Are Manageable, Evaluating Winter Activities

The superintendent for Skiatook Public Schools said the district is dealing with three new positive cases and nearly 50 students in quarantine. The focus on the rest of the semester is how to have winter activities while keeping everyone safe.

The district’s first significant run in with COVID-19 was about two weeks ago when a student tested positive and 40 had to quarantine. Superintendent Rick Thomas said those students are back in the classroom.

When a student has to quarantine, they take part in distanced learning for the recommended 14 days. Thomas said they strictly follow the advice of health officials, including the Osage County Health Department.

Thomas said administrators are always looking ahead and will evaluate the best practices for events like winter sports, choir concerts and FFA shows.

“As long as we don’t see a spike and don’t see a big increase, we can continue to go like we’re going,” said Thomas.

Two Skiatook football games were canceled as a result of the first batch of quarantined students. Thomas said the school is still working on how to make those games up.

The district is on fall break starting Thursday and the second half of the semester begins next week.