State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister Visits Sand Springs Public Schools 'Sandite Summer Camp'

Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister says the gaps in achievement caused by the pandemic could take several years to overcome.

She noted the federal government is directing extra funding into schools to help, and on Monday she toured a school in Sand Springs where summer enrichment classes are ongoing. Hofmeister said “It's very difficult to take a whole class forward when half the class is missing, so this opportunity in the summer is paramount” and she urged parents to get the Covid-19 vaccine to help lessen disruptions this fall for schools.

In Oklahoma, public schools cannot require masks this fall, even though children under 12 are not yet eligible for the vaccine.

“And so we have to be mindful that for them the pandemic is very real, even though the numbers are down, we're seeing flareups and we'll continue to see that if the adults who can be vaccinated, delay that,” said Hofmeister.

Sand Springs Public Schools is offering a full-day summer program for children from K-8th grade, with funding through federal Covid relief.