Dear Families,
Our administrators and teachers are working hard to develop a continuous learning plan that will help our students finish the school year strong. As you can imagine, this planning has presented its own set of trials, as most of it has occurred digitally or at a distance so we can protect ourselves just as you are at home. Our students deserve a learning plan that will help them grow academically and we are determined to provide a good plan.
The last few weeks have made me even more proud to be the Superintendent of Tahlequah Public Schools. From delivering meals to writing plans and letters this community has worked to provide children with basic needs, and soon will be calling weekly just to check on students and lift their spirits. All of this has occurred while Tahlequah residents and district employees have also taken the necessary precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. There’s nothing we can’t accomplish when we work together as a team!
We know you and your child have many questions about what the remainder of the school year will be like. The purpose of this letter is to share what we know and to ask you for your help as we prepare for this significant transition. While this is not how we expected to end the school year, we believe our continuous learning plan will allow us to keep students on track, while also protecting what is most important – their health and well-being.
A change of this magnitude will not occur without bumps in the road; however, with your help, I am confident we can offer the best services possible for our students. There are several ways you can help us at this time:
- Contact Information – please contact your child’s school to ensure we have the most up to date phone number, email and address on file for your family. This will be important as we move forward and will need to be in contact with students and/or families.
- District & School Buildings Office Hours – if you have questions about the remainder of the school year or you need assistance with something at the building, please call your child’s school office between the hours of 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM Monday through Friday. We are happy to assist you on a one-on-one basis, so it is safe for you and members of our staff.
- Other Resources – Please visit our website at www.tahlequahschools.org for the most current information or check in on sites Facebook pages.
April 6, 2020 lunch and breakfast may be picked up at Cherokee Elementary. Also check the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at https://www.cdc.gov/ for the latest updates on COVID-19
Thanks to the hard work and dedication of our teachers and administrators, we will begin distance learning services to students on Monday, April 6, 2019 using our continuous learning plan. We understand this ongoing instruction cannot be delivered through a one-size-fits-all approach. We hope as you read the information below you can see how we are working to help meet the needs of all students:
Students that have internet and a device will be provided on line learning, others will be given paper packets to complete. Paper packets may be picked up curb site, at each students’ school between the hours of 10 AM – 2 PM, Monday, April 6, 2020.
Student work will be returned, each teacher will let students know how to return the work. In grades 3rd – 12th assignments will only be recorded in the grade book if it increases the student’s overall grade. In other words, from April 6 to May 8, when distance learning ends, no assignment will decrease a student’s grade, only increase the grade.
Teachers will have daily office hours in order that students/parents may contact them for questions or clarifications regarding an assignment. Sites will be posting office hours for teachers on social media. If you do not have access to social media, call the school which your child attends.
Schools are at their best when the community works together, and now is the perfect time for us to shine. You were and continue to be your child’s first and most important teacher. While our faculty and staff will be leading the way, we know you will be encouraging, supporting and teaching your child side-by-side with us.
We miss our students terribly, but we are trying to make the best of the situation for everyone. Thank you for helping us to rise to this challenge. We could not do it without you.
Sincerely,
Leon Ashlock
Leon Ashlock
Superintendent
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