Some School Districts Shift To Distance Learning Ahead Of Thanksgiving Break

Some school districts across Green Country are partially shifting to distance learning as COVID-19 cases rise and staffing needs become more severe.  

The latest district to make a move is Henryetta Public Schools, where the high school will switch to virtual learning starting Thursday.   

Sand Springs Public Schools said it will shift grades six through 12 to distance learning Thursday. Both districts will return to in person November 30. 

That is a part of a trend across other districts, like Union, Broken Arrow and Bixby Public Schools, making the call to shift some of their schools to distance learning starting this week, and returning four days after Thanksgiving. 

Districts said rising case and quarantine numbers, along with not having enough staff for every classroom, prompted their decisions.  

Union Public Schools, like other districts, said bringing students back into the classroom right after the holiday is top of mind for school leaders. 

"I don't think we're going to know immediately the impact. It's going to take us a few days,” Union spokesperson Chris Payne said. “And then it is always possible - I hate to think this - but if we would see numbers skyrocket after the holiday, it's entirely possible we would have to revert back to distance learning again.”

Glenpool Public Schools said it had to cancel Thursday’s football game after an athlete tested positive, prompting 75 students and a staff member to quarantine.  

The Collinsville playoff game has been canceled because of the COVID numbers at Durant.  

Owasso had their football game canceled this week because COVID-19 impacted the other team, but there are no school sites in distance learning at the moment.  

Jenks Public Schools also said for now, no school sites have needed to switch to distance learning.  

You can find information about COVID-19 in schools across Green Country in our constantly updated story here.