TPS releases plan to parents for distance learning that begins Monday

TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — Tulsa Public Schools sent a letter to parents ahead of distance learning that begins Monday and what that will look like for students.

TPS says while distance learning will look and feel different, they are continuing to focus on building strong student-teacher relationships and providing students with meaningful content that sustains learning through the end of the school year. Additionally, they will share online and offline resources for at-home learning activities that focus on reading, writing, and problem-solving.

What will the first week of distance learning look like?

During the first week of distance learning, teachers will call and “meet” with students, introduce the learning platforms, set up rituals and routines for the distance learning process, and engage in learning activities with students. Teachers and school team members will also connect with families to communicate schedules for online learning as well as at-home learning activities. We expect the first week may be a little bumpy as we all learn to "do school" together differently. If you do not receive a call, please reach out to your school directly to ensure that we have an updated phone number for you.

What can I expect during distance learning through the rest of the school year?

Your child will learn through a combination of recorded videos, television programming, and real-time video calls using Zoom. Students will use the web-based program Canvas to find lessons and complete assignments. Students will also have the opportunity to complete paper-based assignments. You can find links and resources related to distance learning at www.tulsaschools.org/distancelearning.

Will assignments during distance learning be graded?

No. Teachers will provide feedback on student work, but students will not receive official grades on assignments. Individual assignments will not be recorded in Powerschool.

Will my student receive a grade at the end of the year?

Student report cards for quarter three (the period ending March 12) will be available in late April. You will be able to access quarter three report cards through the PowerSchool app or by scheduling to pick up a printed copy from your child’s school. We will be sharing additional information about student grades in the next week.

Will high school students earn credit for their spring semester courses?

All high school students with a passing grade in a credit-bearing course at the end of the year will receive course credit. Teachers and counselors will work with students over the coming weeks to ensure that students who were in danger of failing on March 12 have the opportunity to improve their current course grade through assignments.

What will the learning day look like?

Classes provided through video, television, and video calls will take approximately 30-45 minutes each. Students will have additional assignments to work on during the day. Students are not expected to be sitting in front of a computer or television for a specific amount of time - distance learning is designed to be flexible. Students will also have regular check-ins with their teachers: daily for elementary grades and weekly for secondary grades. Your child’s teacher will contact you to share more information about learning schedules.

How can I prepare for distance learning?

There are some steps you can take to make sure that your child is ready to resume learning next week:

Pick-up a laptop from your child’s school. School leaders are scheduling opportunities for families to borrow one device for each child enrolled at Tulsa Public Schools. If you have not heard from your child’s school, please contact your school leader directly.

Update your contact information. Teachers will use phone, email, and postal mail to contact your students. Please make sure that we have an accurate address, phone number, and e-mail on file for you. Contact updatemyinfo@tulsaschools.org to update your information. Please include the name of your school in the subject line.

Bookmark their website. The Tulsa Public Schools website is being updated frequently with news, information, and resources for families.

I do not have internet services at home. How can my child participate in distance learning?

TPS will make printed materials available at all Tulsa Public Schools grab-and-go meal sites. You can find site locations and hours here. Additionally, there are companies and services that provide low-cost home internet or wireless internet free of charge. You can find more information about those options and about our “mobile hotspot” buses here.

What websites, programs, or applications will students be using?

The primary programs that students and teachers will use are:

Canvas: www.tulsaschools.org/canvas

Zoom: www.zoom.us/signin

Google Classroom: www.classroom.google.com

District website: www.tulsaschools.org