In keeping with the latest guidance from the Cleveland County Health Department, the Oklahoma State Department of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and the American Academy of Pediatrics, vaccinations are strongly recommended for those eligible.

Vaccinations are not required for students or staff. 

The Oklahoma State Health Department has an online portal that Oklahomans can use to register for a COVID-19 vaccine. The portal can be found at: vaccinate.oklahoma.gov. 

Below are helpful resources regarding COVID-19 vaccinations. 

• Oklahoma State Department of Health: Vaccine Information 

• Cleveland County Health Department Zoom Call Recording

• OSDH: Vaccine FAQs 

• CDC: Benefits of Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine 

• CDC: What to Expect after Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine 

• CDC: COVID-19 Vaccination FAQs 

• CDC: Facts about COVID-19 Vaccines 

De acuerdo con las últimas pautas del Departamento de Salud del Condado de Cleveland, el Departamento de Salud del Estado de Oklahoma, los Centros para el Control de Enfermedades y la Academia Estadounidense de Pediatría, se recomiendan las vacunas para las personas elegibles.

No se requieren vacunas para los estudiantes o el personal.

El Departamento de Salud del Estado de Oklahoma tiene un portal en línea que los habitantes de Oklahoma pueden usar para registrarse para una vacuna COVID-19. El portal se puede encontrar en: vaccinate.oklahoma.gov.

A continuación se encuentran recursos útiles sobre las vacunas COVID-19.

•     Departamento de Salud del Estado de Oklahoma: Información sobre vacunas
•     Grabación de llamadas Zoom del Departamento de Salud del Condado de Cleveland
  
•     OSDH: Preguntas frecuentes sobre vacunas
  
•     CDC: Beneficios de recibir una vacuna COVID-19
  
•     CDC: Qué esperar después de recibir una vacuna COVID-19
  
•     CDC: Preguntas frecuentes sobre la vacunación contra COVID-19
  
•     CDC: Hechos sobre las vacunas COVID-19

Click here for information about protocols related to Covid-19 notifications, quarantines and returning to school after exposure or diagnosis. 

Haga clic aquí para obtener información sobre los protocolos relacionados con las notificaciones de Covid-19, las cuarentenas y el regreso a la escuela después de la exposición o el diagnóstico.

Click here to learn more about safeguards in our schools. 

Haga clic aquí para obtener más información sobre las salvaguardias en nuestras escuelas.

Click here for information from the Centers for Disease Control about COVID-19 in children and teens. 

Haga clic aquí para obtener información de los Centros para el Control de Enfermedades sobre COVID-19 en niños y adolescentes.

A flexible attendance policy will be in place this year, as students, teachers and staff are expected to stay home if they do not feel well. The district’s fever policy will continue to be enforced, and individuals with a temperature above 100.4 will not be permitted at school. Additionally, a virtual attendance policy will be in place for remote learning, as required by the Oklahoma State Department of Education. School principals will work with families under the guidance of our Executive Directors of Elementary and Secondary Schools to ensure appropriate attendance codes are used for absences related to COVID-19.

During periods of remote learning, we understand some students may not have the opportunity to participate in remote learning activities during the allocated times. All students will be counted present unless the student does not a) submit at least 90 percent of assignments b) log in and attend at least 90 percent of scheduled lessons or c) is not on track to pass the course. At least one of these must be met to ensure students continue to be counted present during remote learning. 

Este año habrá una política de asistencia flexible, ya que se espera que los estudiantes, los maestros y el personal se queden en casa si no se sienten bien. La política de fiebre del distrito se seguirá aplicando, y las personas con una temperatura superior a 100.4 no se permitirán en la escuela. Además, se establecerá una política de asistencia virtual para el aprendizaje remoto, como lo exige el Departamento de Educación del Estado de Oklahoma. Los directores de las escuelas trabajarán con las familias bajo la guía de nuestros Directores Ejecutivos de las Escuelas Primarias y Secundarias para asegurar que se usen códigos de asistencia apropiados para las ausencias relacionadas con COVID-19.

Durante los períodos de aprendizaje remoto, entendemos que algunos estudiantes pueden no tener la oportunidad de participar en actividades de aprendizaje remoto durante los tiempos asignados. Todos los estudiantes se contarán como presentes a menos que el estudiante no a) entregue al menos el 90 por ciento de las tareas b) inicie sesión y asista al menos al 90 por ciento de las lecciones programadas oc) no esté en camino de aprobar el curso. Se debe cumplir al menos uno de estos para garantizar que los estudiantes continúen contando como presentes durante el aprendizaje remoto.

The decision to close specific schools due to teachers out on isolation or quarantine is determined on a case-by-case basis, as no two schools are the same with respect to their enrollment and class coverage scenarios. We also work closely with the Cleveland County Health Department, who provides guidance for closures should they be necessary due to positive cases. 

La decisión de cerrar escuelas específicas debido a que los maestros se encuentran en aislamiento o en cuarentena se determina caso por caso, ya que no hay dos escuelas iguales con respecto a sus escenarios de inscripción y cobertura de clases. También trabajamos en estrecha colaboración con el Departamento de Salud del Condado de Cleveland, que brinda orientación sobre cierres en caso de que sean necesarios debido a casos positivos.

Remote Learning vs. Virtual Learning: Remote learning occurs when school buildings are closed, or if quarantines become necessary, and students learn from remote locations. Virtual learning, however, is designed for students who have enrolled in one of our full-time virtual learning options.

Aprendizaje remoto versus aprendizaje virtual: El aprendizaje remoto ocurre cuando los edificios escolares están cerrados, o si se hacen necesarias cuarentenas, y los estudiantes aprenden desde ubicaciones remotas. El aprendizaje virtual, sin embargo, está diseñado para estudiantes que se han inscrito en una de nuestras opciones de aprendizaje virtual de tiempo completo.

If you have questions about technology, damaged devices, or email issues please contact our iTech Help Desk at helpdesk@norman.k12.ok.us. You can also find many helpful resources at www.normanpublicschools.org/iTech. For emergencies please call 366-5810.

Póngase en contacto con nuestro servicio de asistencia técnica de iTech en helpdesk@norman.k12.ok.us. También puede encontrar muchos recursos útiles en www.normanpublicschools.org/iTech.

Families who indicated on enrollment that they do not have access to a device at home will be assigned one. Those devices will be equipped with filters that are compliant with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA). Additionally, we have secured two grants that will allow us to provide internet access via filtered hotspots that are compliant with CIPA to families who also indicated on enrollment that they did not have home internet access.

Families who indicated during enrollment that they do not have access to a tablet, computer or internet will be contacted by an NPS employee. Please contact your child’s school or helpdesk@norman.k12.ok.us with questions.

A las familias que indicaron en la inscripción que no tienen acceso a un dispositivo en casa se les asignará uno. Esos dispositivos estarán equipados con filtros que cumplen con la Ley de Protección de Niños en Internet (CIPA). Además, hemos obtenido dos subvenciones que nos permitirán brindar acceso a Internet a través de puntos de acceso filtrados que cumplen con CIPA a familias que también indicaron en la inscripción que no tenían acceso a Internet en el hogar. Las familias que indicaron durante la inscripción que no tienen acceso a una tableta, computadora o Internet serán contactadas por un empleado de NPS. Si tiene preguntas, comuníquese con la escuela de su hijo o helpdesk@norman.k12.ok.us.

Students with special needs will be provided services based on their IEP or 504 educational plan.

Los estudiantes con necesidades especiales recibirán servicios basados ​​en su IEP o plan educativo 504.

We are delighted to share that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has extended the free meal program. School breakfasts and lunches are free to ALL students, and to anyone 18-years-old or younger for the 2021-2022 school year.

All families are also encouraged to complete a free and reduced lunch application. Click here to view the many benefits of applying for free or reduced meals, then click here to apply (or click here to access the application in Spanish). For more information visit www.normanpublicschools.org/meals. 

También se anima a todas las familias a completar una solicitud de almuerzo gratis o reducido. Haga clic aquí para ver los muchos beneficios de solicitar comidas gratis o reducidas, luego haga clic aquí para aplicar. Para obtener más información, visite www.normanpublicschools.org/meals.

Extracurricular activities will continue with safeguards in place.

In keeping with the latest guidance from the Cleveland County Health Department, the Oklahoma State Department of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and the American Academy of Pediatrics, vaccinations are strongly recommended for those eligible.

Vaccinations are not required for students or staff. 

The Oklahoma State Health Department has an online portal that Oklahomans can use to register for a COVID-19 vaccine. The portal can be found at: vaccinate.oklahoma.gov. 

Below are helpful resources regarding COVID-19 vaccinations. 

• Oklahoma State Department of Health: Vaccine Information 

• Cleveland County Health Department Zoom Call Recording

• OSDH: Vaccine FAQs 

• CDC: Benefits of Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine 

• CDC: What to Expect after Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine 

• CDC: COVID-19 Vaccination FAQs 

• CDC: Facts about COVID-19 Vaccines 

View protocols for returning to work and/or school here.

Provided PPE and Cleaning Supplies

Each classroom has been equipped with BioVex disinfectant spray, hand sanitizer and a contactless thermometer. The district also provided two face coverings for every employee, as well as two for every student. Additional face coverings and face shields are available, as well as gloves, gowns and eye protection for our teachers and staff. 

Additional PPE and Cleaning Supplies

Educators and staff members may contact the school health professional for additional personal protective equipment, or the school custodian or principal for additional cleaning supplies. Each school principal can secure additional supplies from the district if the school’s supply is depleted. 

Classroom Cleaning after a positive case:

When an individual has tested positive for COVID-19, custodians are deployed for same-day, enhanced cleaning of the area, which includes the use of an electrostatic sprayer and/or an ultraviolet disinfection device. 

Enhanced Sanitization 

Enhanced cleaning and sanitization protocols have been in place since the onset of COVID-19. Equipment commonly used in hospitals such as portable, ultraviolet disinfection devices and electrostatic sprayers have been employed in school buildings. Plexiglass barriers have been installed in front offices, and hand sanitizing stations and touchless bottle fillers are available at each school. 

In addition to normal custodial duties, the following cleaning procedures occur each day:

• High-touch surfaces (doors, bottle fillers, light switches, push bars, soap/towel dispensers, trash receptacles, handrails, fire extinguisher cabinets, time clocks, etc.) are disinfected using Ecolab Peroxide Multi-Surface Cleaner and Disinfectant. This EPA-registered product disinfects in 3-5 minutes and has a kill time of 45 seconds, which is much faster than traditional household cleaners.  
• Desks, tables and restrooms are disinfected using Ecolab Peroxide Multi-Surface Cleaner and Disinfectant. Restroom fixtures are also sprayed with Victory Electrostatic Devices. 
• Victory Electrostatic Devices are used in classrooms covering 20 percent of the school each night. The entire school is completed each week. 
• Sanitizing stations and hand soap dispensers are monitored and refilled
• BioVex disinfectant spray bottles are emptied and replaced Friday evenings, or more often if needed. 

BioVex Disinfectant Information

We have received several questions about the disinfectant used in schools. BioVex, a Bio-Cide International product, is a disinfectant designed for professionals and must adhere to the strictest label rules. The active ingredient in BioVex is the same that the company uses in over-the-counter and prescription pharmaceutical products including many eye drops. The ophthalmic, dermal and oral toxicity of the product is minimal as compared to other commonly available disinfectants. Below are answers to commonly asked questions about BioVex. 

• Can it be safely used around children?
  • Yes, this product is very safe to use around children. The product is used in restaurants, casinos, school districts and other institutions all across the nation. In fact, one of the ClO2 formulations (that is actually double the concentration of BioVex) is sold as the best-selling, non-alcoholic mouthwash in retail stores such as Walmart and Walgreens. 
  • Bio-Cide International is headquartered in Norman and several of the company’s employees have children in Norman Public Schools. A Bio-Cide employee has stated, “Both of my children, along with many others from our company staff, attend Norman Public Schools and we absolutely believe that this is the best product to be used in their classrooms over something like a quat-based product, which has many downsides.”
• Are gloves required when using the spray?
• The label mentions the use of PPE such as gloves and masks due to the wide range of possible applications like fogging. These items are not required when using BioVex through a common spray bottle. 
• What is the kill time for COVID-19?
• While a disinfectant may kill some of the organisms immediately upon contact, it must be allowed to dwell on the surface for the time period stated on the chemical's packaging in order to achieve a 100 percent kill claim. At this time, the kill claim for the BioVex product is 10 minutes. In all likelihood, the time to kill this virus is much less and the company is quickly trying to develop more data to submit to the agency to reduce this time. 
• Does it need to be let to dry or can I wipe it up with paper towels? How long to let set?
• BioVex can be wiped on to a surface allowing the product to provide the needed technical effect without causing concern for the students. Please keep in mind that this is a product that will essentially break down into table salt.    
• If I don't want to wipe up with paper towels, can it be left to dry, without issue?
• There is no issue in letting BioVex air dry in place.
• How long is it good for?
• The un-activated product is good for one year from the date it is filled.  The active product is good in the spray bottle for 7 days. NPS custodians refill the bottles weekly.

Click here to view district COVID-19 reports.

As of July 1, 2021, there is no longer district-paid/provided COVID leave.  

• The federal government has not renewed any leave for COVID at this time.  
• As you may recall from previous newsletters and emails, the federally-provided leave (FFCRA) actually expired on December 31, 2020.
• Rather than make changes prior to vaccine availability, as many employers were forced to do in January 2021, NPS provided paid COVID leave for all employees through June 30, 2021.

Going forward, employee absences due to COVID or due to COVID quarantine will need to be entered using the employee's own, accrued sick leave. As of July 1, COVID absences will be handled just as any illness absences were handled prior to the 2020-21 school year.

As always, please contact your supervisor, or the NPS personnel office with any questions.

Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

If an employee has a need for long-term leave that qualifies under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), which now includes extended family medical leave for the care of children who have COVID or who do not have a care provider due to COVID, please reach out to Allie Polk in personnel. She can assist with qualifications and paperwork for FMLA.

• While on FMLA, an employee can run his/her earned leave simultaneously in order to be paid while absent from work, which is the federal law regarding FMLA.
• As a reminder, FMLA is 12 weeks of federal unpaid leave unless an employee runs accrued leave simultaneously.
• The intent of FMLA is to guarantee an employee his/her position after 12 weeks.
• FMLA packets are available to employees in the staff portal on the NPS website.

If I'm working from home, do I call in a sick day?

If you are able and willing to work from home, and your administrator has approved that, you will not need to use a sick day. One caveat: you may have to temporarily put one in if you have students still attending in-person, because that would assist with getting a guest teacher. However, all of that will be reversed to ensure a teacher who works from home loses no leave. A teacher or staff member needs to reach out to his/her admin, who can cancel the leave or work with personnel on reversing leave. An employee can also send an inquiry about leave days directly to the NPS Personnel Office.

Leaves of absence can be applied for using the district’s Leave of Absence form.  Employees are eligible for an Extended Period of Time Leave of Absence after being employed in the school district for a minimum of 3 years.  All leaves of absence but those exceptions by law shall be for 1 contractual year (or remainder of the contractual year if one has begun). A leave of absence is without pay. A doctor’s statement is required.

Please click here for more information about Guest Teachers and Classroom Coverage Volunteers. 

An important reminder during these ongoing and unprecedented times: our district's Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which is facilitated by the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS), is available to all personnel.

If you are experiencing increased and/or overwhelming feelings of anxiety, depression, sadness, addiction, trauma, and/or, unmanageable stress, please reach out to our EAP via the email address below. EAP emails are answered by professionals at the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health. Your information and privacy are protected.

• Services will be covered by most insurance providers including HealthChoice.
• Up to three sessions are provided by Norman Public Schools.
• ODMHSAS will work with you and, if necessary, provide additional referrals for follow-up care.

NPS Employee Assistance Program Contact: NPS.EAP@odmhsas.org

Initial questions for SeeSaw should be directed to your site level SeeSaw Pioneer, additional support can be found by contacting the help desk at helpdesk@norman.k12.ok.us. Initial Canvas questions should be directed to your site Innovative Learning Coach. You can also contact the help desk at helpdesk@norman.k12.ok.us.