Tulsa Public Schools Teachers Excited To Welcome Students Back To In-Person Learning

Tulsa Public Schools Students are getting ready to head back to in-person classes this week. 

The district said because the case counts continue to fall, they feel fully prepared to welcome students back to in-person classes this week. This will be the first time for some students to head back to the classroom in nearly a year and many teachers say they are so excited to see their students again. 

Kendall Whittier music teacher Rhonda Wyble went from drumming with her students every day to teaching 40-minute music classes on zoom. She said it's been a challenge teaching music virtually.

"They may have siblings around that want to play when the other child is on zoom in class, there may be dogs barking and just other noises in the home,” said Wyble. 

News On 6 visited Wyble's music class back in 2018. She uses a lot of instruments during her lessons, including African drums.

She said this year, her classroom will look much different.

"I've pretty much put all my instruments away because we need every bit of floor space to separate kiddos from each other,” said Wyble. 

The district said students in certain grades will head back to class Tuesday, while others will head back on Thursday. 

Tier 3 and Tier 4 students with special needs; elementary students in grades 4, 5, and 6; middle school students in grade 6; junior high school students in grade 7; high school students in grade 9; and Project Accept students will return to in-person learning on Tuesday, Feb. 23; and

Students in grades pre-K-3; grades 7 and 8 at middle schools; grade 8 at junior high schools; grades 10, 11, and 12 at high schools; Phoenix Rising students; and Street School students will return to in-person learning on Thursday, Feb. 25. 

They said all students must wear masks and complete a self-administered health screening before going into any school buildings. The district is also encouraging parents to talk with their kids about minimizing physical contact with other students and teachers.

Wyble said no matter the precautions, she's just excited to be back with her students.

"We can speak together, we can do body percussion, we can just be in the presence of other people and for our students that's really important. They really really need that,” said Wyble. 

The district is asking parents to stay in their cars in the pick up and drop off lines at all times.

If you have any other questions, TPS has a full outline of their protocols and procedures on their website.