Dear Sandite Families,
We learned lots of new information today. I will try to summarize, briefly, in this letter. We have been extraordinarily busy this week trying to process all the changes! But, in true Sandite spirit, WE’VE GOT THIS! I love our team and our Sandite families!!
As you may know, the State Board of Education met this morning at 9:30. The big news is that schools will resume instruction as of April 6 with a DISTANCE LEARNING model. We understand there will be concerns, but we will work to the best of our ability to provide a quality program to our students. Know we will always put our students first. Please stay tuned to your email, district text messages, district social media sites and our website at www.sandites.org for updates. As we launch on April 6, perhaps the best connection for you will be your child’s teacher(s). The best way to access staff is through email. We appreciate your patience as we begin a series of professional development meetings with our teachers next week to collaborate and roll out our plan. Understand it will take some time for our staff to answer all the questions you may have.
We also know many of you may be eager to pick up your student’s personal belongings. Please arrange a time with your site administrator to pick these items up. It is best to arrange this through an email rather than a phone call. The COVID-19 link on the Sandite district website is still active and continually changing. New today is a letter from Mr. Trout for this year's graduating seniors. This was also posted on the district Facebook page.
I am happy to report our Child Nutrition Department served 567 breakfasts and 567 lunches today. Please continue to spread the word that these are available to students.
There were many waivers approved for districts this morning at the Board meeting as well. I will not go into detail here, but know we are working through each of these. The length of the instructional day and the school calendar were two of the approved waivers. We will NOT have to make up the two weeks of school closure. It is likely the end date for students on our calendar will remain May 21, 2020. There will be more clarification on this soon.
Please remember the overall goal of this abrupt change is maintaining public health and preventing the spread of COVID-19. Please, please, please continue to practice CDC recommendations with social distancing and hand washing.
We appreciate your patience in this time of uncertainty. It is an incredible honor to serve the students in Sand Springs and we will always strive to provide a quality program with a high degree of integrity.
Best to everyone,
Sherry Durkee, Superintendent
Sand Springs Public Schools