TPS Decision Leaves Some Parents Juggling Schedules, Futures For Kids

Many Tulsa Public School Parents are now trying to plan for the next few months after the school board announced it would wait to send middle, junior high and high school students back to in person classes in January.

Some parents said they’re frustrated with the board for only choosing to send some students back and not all of them. One mom even said she’s considering moving one of her kids to another school district.

A lot of Tulsa Public School parents have kids in elementary school and in middle, junior high or high school, meaning some kids are going back in November and others have to wait until January. Many parents are now struggling to figure out how to juggle having one child at home in distance learning while the other gets to go in person.

“I’m in complete shock,” said TPS parent Angelean Duron. “I really thought that middle and high school was going to be going back a week later and I just cannot wait until January 4."

Duron is one of many Tulsa Public Schools parents who has two kids in completely different situations right now. Her youngest son is a 4th grader at Hoover Elementary School and her oldest is an 8th grader at Thoreau Demonstration Academy.

“So far we are going to try to stick with the November 30th date for our 4th grader to start and we'll be looking at other places for my 8th grader,” said Duron.

Duron said her oldest son was hoping to go back to school with his friends this fall, but instead they're looking to move him to another school district.

“They have not seen or played with any kids for seven months and it’s really taking a toll on them,” said Duron.

Tulsa Public Schools said they understand it's a struggle for students not being able to see their friends, so they're adding care and connect hours for students. Superintendent Dr. Deborah Gist said this is a time when students will be able to go into the building in small groups to have access to resources they'd normally see in school.

“It’s a time for them to have different kinds of supports, graduation checks, help with college applications, some time for them to see friends and teachers, counselors, and other support folks on our team,” said Dr. Gist.

However, some parents like Duron, said January 4 is just too long to wait.

"I love Tulsa. I really do. I live here, I work here, I really love Tulsa but I am really becoming quite discouraged by Tulsa Public Schools right now,” said Duron.

TPS said more information about Care and Connect Hours will be coming soon.