Muskogee Students Return To In-Person Class With Options For Virtual, Blended

Thousands of students in Muskogee are back in the classroom today. They can choose if they want to learn in person, virtually, or both.

For the first time in months, five thousand Muskogee students could run into school with their backpacks, fist bumps their friends and teachers, and walk down the halls to class. That's why 8th grade English teacher Matt Catlett wanted to teach in person.

"I love being in person I love the relationships that we can build in person. It's just not the same whenever you see a little picture in a little box on the screen," Catlett added. 

"I chose in-person learning because I learn better when the teacher is there and she's able to help me," said 9th-grade student, Kate Gilliam. 

Gilliam got to return to a brand-new school Tuesday. Both the elementary school, as well as the 8th & 9th-grade school were both renovated and rebuilt thanks to a 100-million-dollar bond from 2019.

Muskogee schools also started up the Rougher Innovation Academy -- giving students the option to learn virtually as well as in-person 1 day week. 150 students are enrolled in the academy. One student says it's the perfect blend of socializing and safety.

"It was a better environment helping me learn and helping others with things she wouldn't be able to do at home as well," said the student. 

Superintendent Jarod Mendenhall says the district is encouraging but not requiring masks. 

He says 5 people associated with the district tested positive for COVID-19 before school started. He says district leaders is ready to go fully virtual if needed.

"It's crazy to think, there have been 17 months of people really being so careful, and now with a Delta very end and coming back we're really trying to be careful. Safety and security of our students and staff is the number one priority for me," Supt. Mendenhall added. 

The district plans to give an update on COVID numbers daily.