The Oklahoma State Health Department recently released 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 

• 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 

Criteria used to determine if learning can take place in person is based upon the COVID-19 Alert System, which was developed by the Oklahoma State Department of Health. Students who are enrolled in the traditional learning option will continue following a full-time schedule unless the Oklahoma COVID-19 Alert System reports Cleveland County in the Red Level. Regardless of the alert level, if school is in session parents may choose remote learning for their child, or enroll in any of the blended or virtual education options offered by the district.

Los criterios utilizados para determinar si el aprendizaje puede tener lugar en persona se basan en el Sistema de Alerta COVID-19, que fue desarrollado por el Departamento de Salud del Estado de Oklahoma. Los estudiantes que están inscritos en la opción de aprendizaje tradicional continuarán siguiendo un horario de tiempo completo a menos que el Sistema de Alerta COVID-19 de Oklahoma informe al Condado de Cleveland en el Nivel Rojo. Independientemente del nivel de alerta, si la escuela está en sesión, los padres pueden elegir el aprendizaje remoto para sus hijos o inscribirse en cualquiera de las opciones de educación virtual o mixta que ofrece el distrito.

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.

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.

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.

Many have asked how remote learning for students enrolled in the traditional/remote learning option or the blended learning option will be structured. Daily schedules have been designed to keep students engaged throughout the school day, without being in front of a screen for hours at a time. Click here to view district-wide remote learning schedules for all grades, as well as videos that provide some helpful information. 

Please keep in mind that each teacher’s class may differ slightly, and teachers will communicate directly with students and parents. Students enrolled in the blended learning option may follow the A.M. or P.M. section of the remote learning schedules. It is also important to note that students who are enrolled in full-time virtual learning will not follow the remote learning schedules. Rather, they will receive different schedules from their teachers if they are enrolled in a full-time virtual option.

Muchos han preguntado cómo se estructurará el aprendizaje a distancia para los estudiantes inscritos en la opción de aprendizaje tradicional / remoto o en la opción de aprendizaje mixto. Los horarios diarios han sido diseñados para mantener a los estudiantes comprometidos durante el día escolar, sin estar frente a una pantalla durante horas a la vez. Haga clic aquí para ver los horarios de aprendizaje remoto en todo el distrito para todos los grados, así como videos que brindan información útil.

Tenga en cuenta que la clase de cada maestro puede diferir levemente y los maestros se comunicarán directamente con los estudiantes y los padres. Los estudiantes inscritos en la opción de aprendizaje combinado pueden seguir el A.M. o P.M. sección de los horarios de aprendizaje remoto. También es importante tener en cuenta que los estudiantes que están inscritos en el aprendizaje virtual a tiempo completo no seguirán los horarios de aprendizaje remoto. Más bien, recibirán diferentes horarios de sus maestros si están inscritos en una opción virtual de tiempo completo.

Click here for information about alternate schedules. School principals will share more detailed information about alternate schedules and student group assignments with students and parents.

Haga clic aquí para obtener información sobre horarios alternativos. Los directores de escuela compartirán información más detallada sobre horarios alternativos y asignaciones de grupos de estudiantes con estudiantes y padres.

Remote Learning vs. Virtual Learning: Students who have enrolled in either the traditional/remote learning option or the blended learning option will begin the school year with remote 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. Remote learning will be vastly different than what students experienced in the spring, as we have had time to prepare for this learning environment.

Aprendizaje remoto versus aprendizaje virtual: los estudiantes que se hayan inscrito en la opción de aprendizaje tradicional / remoto o en la opción de aprendizaje combinado comenzarán el año escolar con aprendizaje remoto. El aprendizaje remoto se produce cuando los edificios escolares están cerrados o si es necesario poner en cuarentena y los estudiantes aprenden desde ubicaciones remotas. Sin embargo, el aprendizaje virtual está diseñado para estudiantes que se han inscrito en una de nuestras opciones de aprendizaje virtual de tiempo completo. El aprendizaje remoto será muy diferente de lo que experimentaron los estudiantes en la primavera, ya que hemos tenido tiempo de prepararnos para este entorno de aprendizaje.

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.

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. 

Grades will be posted following the same timeline as students would typically receive grades, assessment or feedback from their teacher. Teachers will outline expectations when school begins.

Entendemos que algunos estudiantes pueden no tener la oportunidad de participar en actividades de aprendizaje remoto durante los tiempos asignados. Todos los estudiantes serán contados como presentes a menos que el estudiante a) no 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. Las calificaciones se publicarán siguiendo el mismo cronograma, ya que los estudiantes normalmente recibirían calificaciones, evaluaciones o comentarios de su maestro. Los maestros delinearán las expectativas cuando comience la escuela.

Families of students with special needs will be contacted directly by Special Services staff and/or their special education teachers. Their learning options are being discussed and finalized collaboratively based on their individualized education programs.

El personal de Servicios Especiales y / o sus maestros de educación especial se comunicarán directamente con las familias de los estudiantes con necesidades especiales. Sus opciones de aprendizaje se están discutiendo y finalizando en colaboración en función de sus programas de educación individualizados y su deseo de ser estudiantes en persona o virtuales este año escolar.

Meals will continue to be provided for students in need, however, the distribution plan has changed. Click here for details.

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. 

Se seguirán proporcionando comidas a los estudiantes que lo necesiten, sin embargo, el plan de distribución ha cambiado. Haga clic aquí para obtener más detalles.

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, to the extent possible, as they have over the summer.

Las actividades extracurriculares continuarán con las salvaguardias en su lugar, en la medida de lo posible, como lo han hecho durante el verano.

The Oklahoma State Health Department recently released 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 

• 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 

Click here to view contact tracing and quarantine protocols. 

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, which are publisehd each Monday when school is in session. 

Families First Coronavirus Leave Act

Please remember that these are federal rules/regulations and were not created by NPS. When 100% of leave is not covered by FFCRA, NPS will apply a portion of another accrued sick day rather than dock an employee for the remaining 34% of the absence(s). Employees are granted 14-days of FFCRA or up to 80 hours of employer paid leave. Click here to apply for FFCRA.

• If you are filling out an application due to a close-contact quarantine, you may want to wait until you know whether you will be using 7 days or 10 days of employer-paid leave.  
• Reminder: returning after 7 days of quarantine requires a negative test result; returning after 10 days requires no test result, no symptoms to return to work.  

The following situations qualify under FFCRA:

• I am subject to a Federal, State, or local quarantine or isolation order related to COVID-19. (100% of leave days are covered for 14 days.)
• I have been advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine related to COVID-19. (100% of leave days are covered for 14 days.)
• I am experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and am seeking a medical diagnosis and/or test. (100% of leave days are covered for 14 days.)
• I am caring for an individual subject to an order described in (1) or self-quarantine as described in (2). (66% of a leave day is covered for 14 days maximum.)
• I am caring for a child whose school or place of care is closed, or the child care provider is unavailable for reasons related to COVID-19. (66% of a leave day is covered for 14 days.)
• I am experiencing any other substantial-similar condition specified by the Secretary of Health and Human services, in consultation with the Secretaries of Labor and Treasury. (66% of a leave day is covered for 14 days.)
  
  

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.

• You or a family member has COVID-19 or you have been required to quarantine based on a possible COVID-19 exposure:
  • Ultimately, you will apply for Families First Coronavirus Act leave (FFCRA)
  • Put your absence in Frontline with your own leave as only a placeholder to request a guest teacher through Kelly Education.
  • After a guest teacher picks up the job, please fill out the COVID/CARES leave application.
  • When your federal COVID/CARES leave is completed and approved, your leave will be reversed for the code COVID or CARES leave.
  • You will not lose any sick or personal leave you have earned.

• You are absent for COVID-related reasons. No Guest Teacher picked up the job and you cannot work from home: 
  • If you are unable to work from home, you must fill out the FFCRA form, even if a guest teacher did not pick up the job.
  • There is absolutely no expectation that anyone must work from home while they are legitimately ill and/or taking care of someone who is ill.
  • You are required to provide lesson plans for virtual students in SeeSaw or Canvas and to provide lesson plans for in-person students/your classes (as you have always been required to do while out on any type of leave).

• You are absent for COVID-related reasons. No Guest Teacher picked up the job and you want to work from home: 
  • You need administrator approval, so he/she knows of plans for your classroom. This will include communication to students and families about the plan.
  • Email Holly Nevels in personnel.
  • Your placeholder leave will be reversed, charging none to you.
  • No FFCRA leave will be used either.
  • The only time "Work from Home" is an option is (a) an employee requests and administrator approves; (b) student supervision is secured; and (c) the employee is required to quarantine and has no apparent symptoms.

• You do not have a COVID-related issue but need to be absent:
  • If you don't fall under the 6 federal categories defined by FFCRA, you must take your own leave -- as always -- for other absences, regardless of your ability to work from home.
  • Work from home is something accommodated at an employee's request during a-symptomatic COVID-related quarantine only.
  • Some employees have earned/accrued large amounts of leave in addition to what is given annually to be used in these instances.
  • This procedure has always been in place.

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.