4/2/20
Good evening,
We have added an update to our COVID-19 FAQs, including tentative plans for a possible high school graduation and other senior class activities.
It is IMPORTANT to remember that these plans are contingent on the issuance of revised social distancing guidance by both the state and federal governments. To give our seniors the best chance for a physical graduation ceremony, we have pushed the dates into the summer in hopes that the COVID-19 crisis may dissipate to a level that will allow for these types of large public events.The safety of our students, families, and staff will remain the primary consideration for any planning.
These dates are being shared to provide students and families with as much time as possible to plan. While a June graduation is not ideal -- and may exclude participation from some students in the senior class -- we believe it is the best current option. Of course, if conditions improve unexpectedly over the next 30 days, these plans can be adjusted back to earlier dates.
The district will also be sharing our Distance Learning Plan with families tomorrow morning. Specific learning plans for each grade level will be published on our web page (www.bixbyps.org) on Monday, April 6 at 9:00 a.m. I want to publicly thank our teachers and administrators for their quick and purposeful work in developing these learning plans. They've done an extraordinary job given the circumstances.
Finally, I will be hosting a Facebook Live event from noon to 12:30 tomorrow to give another update and answer questions. If you are not able to view the event live, a recording will be made available later in the afternoon. Please continue to review the FAQs often to stay abreast of any changes.
Thank you for your continued support of Bixby Schools!
Rob Miller
Superintendent
March 31st, 2020
Supt. Miller has made several updates to our FAQ's!
Our teachers and administrators have been hard at work polishing our plan for distance learning! We will be rolling out our BPS Distance Learning Framework for Families later this week!
March 26th, 2020
View today's live video update here!
Updated FAQ's coming soon!
March 25th, 2020
Supt. Miller's Letter to Families
**Tune into BPS' Facebook page on Thursday 3/26 at noon for a live update from Supt. Miller including viewer Q&A**
March 23rd, 2020
Supt. Miller's Letter to Families
March 20th, 2020
Things We've Learned Today & Important Updates:
- Any update involving technology runs the risk of having hiccups! Unfortunately, issues out of our control with Facebook made accessing Supt. Miller's live update difficult.
- The good news is, you can view the video here and all of the update prior to Q&A can be seen and heard!
- During Q&A we began having issues with the broadcast! Not to worry, we have complied FAQ's here! This is a living document that we will update with current information as well as additional questions as they arise.
- Click here for information on Grab & Go Meals!
March 16th, 2020
6:00 PM Supt. Miller's Letter to Families
12:00 PM Supt. Miller's Letter to Families
March 13th, 2020
Letter to BPS Families from Supt. Miller
Parent resource for talking with students:
March 12th, 2020
Out of an abundance of caution and based on recommendations from the State Department of Health regarding large community gatherings, BPS has cancelled tonight's Intermediate Honor Choir Concert scheduled to take place at Northeast Intermediate at 6 PM. In addition, OSSAA has cancelled their state basketball tournament and playoff-level music contests. See the update from OSSAA here: http://www.ossaa.com.
BPS has also cancelled tonight's BHS Masterworks Choir Concert scheduled to be held at Tulsa’s Trinity Episcopal Church at 7 PM.
March 11th, 2020
Preparedness Not Panic
The health and safety of our students is always the top priority at Bixby Public Schools. At this time, CDC guidelines regarding mitigation activities according to the level of community transmission or impact of COVID-19 place our community in the “preparedness phase.” Essentially, this means we should monitor the situation closely, focus on prevention, and discuss our plan of action.
We are focused on what we can control at this time, which includes:
Remaining in frequent contact with health experts and prevention specialists
Maintaining cleanliness of facilities
Implementing proactive hygiene habits for students and staff
Communicating in a timely and effective manner with staff and families
Reassuring our students
Working proactively with school leaders to plan for various possible scenarios
We understand that our students, their families, and our employees have unique circumstances that may cause concerns about potential exposure to illness. It is our goal to be understanding and work with families as they make the best possible decisions regarding this situation.
If you have travel planned over Spring Break, be advised that new entry and exit control measures and even quarantines may be implemented by many countries - including the United States - with very little notice during the coming weeks. These actions could severely impact your plans or delay your trip home. Please take a few moments to check the travel advisories associated with any international destinations.
FAQ’s:
Should I consider sending my child to school in a mask?
Masks should be worn by sick people. Unless a student has a compromised immune system, there is no medical reason to wear a mask. Regarding coronavirus, the greatest concern is for someone who has been in CLOSE contact with an individual who has been out of the country or visited an area of the outbreak in the last 14 days. As a reminder, if your child is sick, keep your child at home.
Should BPS learn that any member of our school community has tested positive, how would we proceed?
Consult with local health authorities and experts
Ascertain the current level of community transmission and CDC guidelines for mitigation activities
Based on feedback from the above make the best possible decision related to student health and safety
NOT automatically trigger a district-wide closure
Will BPS be closed following Spring Break?
At this time, no. BPS is closely monitoring the situation. In the event of community transmission, our staff would follow the steps we have in place to track illnesses, notify health department officials, disinfect schools and buses, and keep staff and parents updated on any cancellations of classes or events using all platforms for district communication including texts, phone calls, emails, website, social media, etc.
Will BPS track the travel of its students and staff members over Spring Break?
No. At this time, there are no domestic travel advisories. Those traveling outside of the country are encouraged to check the list of travel advisories issued by the U.S. Department of State.
How will absences related to voluntary self-quarantine be handled?
Absences will be treated per district policy. Valid travel confirmation to a level 3 region or documentation from a physician must be provided for an absence to be excused.
How will academics be handled in the unlikely event of an extended school closure?
Elementary, Intermediate, and Middle Schools: Teachers and school staff are currently discussing the preparation of lessons.
9GC and High School: Teachers would use Canvas to provide assignments electronically to students.
March 5th, 2020
Bixby School Families,
In response to recent inquiries, I want to share our district’s current posture relative to concerns, plans, and preparations for the possible spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) into our state and local community.
We remain in frequent contact with local, state and federal health agencies to remain up-to-date on the evolving situation concerning the coronavirus. Earlier this week, the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) released updated information and guidance regarding the coronavirus. This article includes details of the national risk mitigation plan and the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) response to the virus to date. The Tulsa County Health Department also provides guidance for the public related to COVID-19 on their webpage.
In general, the district is following a "wait and see" protocol. For most of the American public, who are unlikely to be exposed to this virus at this time, the immediate health risk from COVID-19 is considered very low. Of course, this might change in the upcoming weeks and months so we are prepared to adjust our plans as necessary to meet any increased risk.
Today, the district is responding in much the same manner as in a serious cold or flu outbreak. With that in mind, we encourage the students, educators and families in our district to follow these best practices:
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. If a tissue is not available, cough or sneeze into your sleeve/arm, not your hand.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
If children are feeling sick, do not send them to school. Allow for proper time to rest and recover to help prevent infecting other students.
Per district policy, students who have had a fever of 100 or greater, diarrhea or vomiting must be symptom free for 24 hours, without the use of symptom reducing medication, prior to returning to school.
To enhance the cleanliness of our educational spaces, our Facilities Management Staff are following a practice for regularly disinfecting all of our buildings and classrooms using a Clorox Disinfectant Spraying machine. We have hand sanitizer readily available at all schools and encourage students and staff to follow good hygiene practices every day.
We will continue to work with the State Department of Education and local health agencies in the event that COVID-19 has a more direct impact on Oklahoma and our community. If you have any further questions, please feel free to reach out to us at the Administration Building at 918.366.2200.
Thank you,
Rob Miller
Superintendent