Owasso Public Schools announced they will start the upcoming school year with distance learning.

In a news release, Owasso Schools made the following statement:

The first day of school for the 2020-21 academic year has been moved from Thursday, August 13 to Monday, August 24. Instruction for all grade levels will occur through our “Pivot to Home” plan and students will not be in the classroom with their teachers during this time.

This difficult decision was made after evaluating guidance and data from the Oklahoma State Department of Health and the Oklahoma State Department of Education. Since we first communicated with you about return to school procedures back on July 14, our county has continued to show weekly increases in cases of COVID-19 and our local health leaders have urged us to consider learning options other than the traditional classroom setting.

This decision comes with the goal of protecting our students, staff and community, while also providing the best educational experience possible.

What is “Pivot to Home”?In the spring of 2020, classes were abruptly halted due to COVID-19 and our team worked quickly to enact distance learning to close the school year. For the 2020-21 school year, “Pivot to Home” instruction will look much different from last spring’s distance learning. Assignments will be delivered by your student’s individual teachers - just like in the classroom. Grades can increase or decrease based on student’s academic progress - just like in the classroom. Teachers will be in their classrooms and will deliver instruction to students via Google Classroom. While the physical location is different, our teachers and district are committed to consistently moving forward with teaching and learning.

What are the Next Steps?Over the next several days, families who previously chose virtual learning with Acellus or Edgenuity will have the opportunity to opt out of that method for instruction. Families who choose to opt out of Acellus or Edgenuity would then receive instruction from their individual teachers through “Pivot to Home.” If you choose for your student to remain in virtual learning with Acellus or Edgenuity, you are committing to that choice for at least the first nine weeks. Parents will be able to review this option for each nine week period.

Elementary Acellus OPT-OUT FormSecondary Edgenuity OPT-OUT Form

We know that there are many questions to be answered about all aspects of the upcoming school year. You will receive more information and details in the coming days. Thank you for your patience as we continue to navigate this time together.

Please continue to check your email, our website, and social media platforms (Facebook & Twitter) for the latest updates.

Cox Media Group