FAQs about COVID-19 and our school closure
Posted on 03/20/2020
FAQ graphicThank you for accessing our frequently asked questions page. We will continue to update this page as new information comes available. 

When will the closure end?
On Monday, March 25 the State Board of Education approved a recommendation that schools remain closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year and that distance learning be implemented.

When does Distance Learning start?
Distance Learning will begin on April 6.

Do I need access to the Internet for Distance Learning?
No. We will have two options. One is for virtual learning and the other is for take-home assignments, which we refer to as learning menus.

Where will I be able to find information and resources about this Distance Learning strategy?
You will be able to access our Distance Learning Resources page on our website,

Will the days during the school closure need to be made up at the end of the school year?
No. According to the Oklahoma State Department of Education, schools are recommended to continue through at least May 8 through May 15. Sapulpa Public Schools has announced that May 15 will be our last day of instruction.

Is my child required to do classwork during the closure?
Not during the initial closure through April 5. The closure also applies to all school-related activities. Students will begin course work via Distance Learning on April 6.

What does the closure mean for state testing, AP Exams, ACT in April?
On March 20, the United States Department of Education granted the State's waiver request to suspend statewide student assessments this year. No students in Oklahoma will take state tests.

AP Exams are set by College Board and will be administered over two weeks in May: May 4-8 and May 11-15. However, College Board is working on a solution to allow students to test at home. Please see College Board’s newest guidance on AP Updates for Schools Impacted by Coronavirus.

ACT has a page with answers regarding its test dates and Coronavirus. Please visit it here.

How does the closure affect students who receive special education services?
The guidance we received from OSDE is that school districts should make every attempt to ensure parent participation for IEP, evaluations, and early childhood transitions using alternate means, including telephone or video-conference, which are allowable under the Individuals with Disabilities Act. If staff and/or parents are not available or believe their participation is impacted by the lack of an in-person meeting, we will document the reason and complete the meeting in a timely manner following the ending of school closures. If any meeting is unable to be held due to safety or accessibility concerns, we will conduct meetings as soon as school is back in session. Special education staff should be in contact with parents/guardians in regards to upcoming IEP evaluation or early childhood transition timelines. Please contact Katherine Stufflebeam, Director of Special Services, for more information.

How does the closure affect extra-curricular activities such as band, athletics, JROTC, etc.?
All of those activities are considered “instruction” and are not allowed. The Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association is “requiring that during this time all school personnel, including certified, adjunct or volunteer coaches are prohibited from engaging in any type of activity involving secondary students; no practice, instruction, training, weight lifting, tryouts, competition or travel is permitted.

Can my child use your facilities to continue practicing his/her extra-curricular activities?
No. During the closure, all school buildings and facilities will be closed to the public.

Are you providing free meals during the closure?
Yes. You will be able to access our drive-through curbside service in the bus loop at Holmes Park Elementary between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. beginning on Monday, March 23. The free meals are for children 18 and younger Monday through Friday. Children must be present in the vehicle. Those partaking in the free meal program will remain in the vehicle and the meals will be handed to you. More info can be found here.

My child has prescription medication, inhaler or EpiPen at school. How can I get it back?
Please contact Katherine Stufflebeam, Director of Special Services, at [email protected].

How will the closure affect high school prom on April 4th?
Unfortunately, prom has been postponed. It is scheduled during the closure window and under current guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, gatherings should be limited to no more than 10 people. We are looking at dates to hold prom later in the school year, if possible.

How will the closure affect high school graduation on May 22?
For now, graduation is still scheduled for the 22nd. It is our intention to continue with our traditional graduation ceremony. However, we're preparing a contingency plan if social distancing recommendations are still in place at that time. We will alert everyone as soon as we can if there is an update to share.

My child is concurrently enrolled at TCC. What does he/she do?
TCC Extended Spring Break for most classes, March 23–29.

All in-person/face-to-face classes are canceled during this time so that TCC’s faculty and staff can prepare should the situation warrant a decision to change how the college delivers classes.

Fully online classes will continue as normally scheduled. All campuses will remain open during March 23–29. Please check your TCC email for the most recent updates and information.

Is there an update on the State Basketball Tournaments?
The OSSAA stated it has canceled the State Basketball Championships for Classes 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A, and 6A.

How does the closure affect Fine Arts activities?
Those activities are considered “instruction” and are not allowed.

How does the closure affect spring sports?
OSSAA canceled all spring activities for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.

What about tryouts and summer activities?
OSSAA said nothing is permitted. A timeline for summer activities will be evaluated when the CDC, State, and Local recommendations allow for safe participation. 

Who can I talk with about dealing with the stress I’m experiencing in regard to the coronavirus news?
The State of Oklahoma has mental health resources available if you’re experiencing emotional distress. Call the Disaster Distress Hotline at 1-800-985-5990.

Where can I get the latest updates on the coronavirus in Oklahoma?
The Oklahoma State Department of Health has created a website specific to COVID-19 that will answer questions you may have.

Where can I get the latest updates and questions from the Oklahoma State Department of Education?
The OSDE has created a page on its website that includes with an FAQ.

Here is an article that addresses 10 questions parents may have about Coronavirus. The article is on The New York Times website, however, the paper has dropped its paywall for users to read Coronavirus-related stories. The page will walk you through how you can access your free subscription.