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Greetings NPS Parents,

Summer is upon us and we are hard at work planning for next school year. We are closely monitoring guidance from federal, state and local public health officials and continue to prepare for a variety of scenarios with our first priority being the safety of our students and staff, as well as their families.

We have been gathering feedback regarding the upcoming school year in focus groups with our teachers, parents and students and have launched a Back-to-School Task Force that includes various stakeholders across the community. Additionally, the Oklahoma State Department of Education is working diligently to produce guidance for all Oklahoma schools as we all prepare for students to return. All of this information is critical as we put plans in place to accommodate the multitude of needs we anticipate our students and their families will have moving forward.

While we continue to focus on next school year, we have several timely updates regarding summer activities.

Athletics Update: High school student athletes will soon have the opportunity to begin summer training activities with restrictions and additional safeguards in place. We have worked closely with state and local organizations, as well as surrounding school districts, to develop a carefully considered transition plan that focuses on the safety of our students and staff and adheres to evolving CDC guidance.

Please keep in mind that participation in summer athletic activities is voluntary and students who choose not to participate will not be penalized. Additionally, while the plan focuses on high school athletic programs, middle school students may participate in summer training programs at the high schools should that high school coach choose to include those grades in their summer activities.

A high-level overview for June 2020 athletic activities is outlined below. Information regarding July activities will be provided when it is available. During all phases, coaches will be required to wear face coverings. Student athletes will be required to wear face coverings while indoors and are encouraged to wear face coverings outdoors if they cannot maintain a distance of six feet from others. Physical contact will not be allowed and tryouts will not be conducted until a later date. Drop off and pick up procedures have been modified and students are required to complete daily Covid-19 screenings prior to participation. Stringent cleaning procedures will also be in place.

June 1 - June 5: Coaches, sponsors and staff members who will be involved in summer activities will participate in professional development with regard to new safety protocols, sanitization procedures, protective equipment expectations and physical distancing requirements.

June 8 - June 14: Fall sports teams may begin conducting outdoor strength and conditioning activities in groups of 20 or fewer.

June 15 - June 21: All sports will be allowed to conduct outdoor strength and conditioning activities in groups of 40 or fewer. Fall sports teams may begin conducting indoor training activities in groups of 20 or fewer.

June 22 - July 2: All sports will be allowed to conduct indoor and outdoor training activities. Groups will be limited to 40 or fewer outside and 20 or fewer inside.

Coaches and sponsors will share specific information about each sport or activity directly with students involved in their respective programs. For additional information and specific details for each phase, visit www.normanpublicschools.org/athletics.

Fine Arts Update: Much consideration is also being given to summer activities for Fine Arts programs. Rehearsals for high school bands are scheduled for later this summer and protocols are being developed to ensure the safety of our participating students and staff.

Graduation Update: We remain committed to providing in-person graduation ceremonies for seniors. We continue to work with the University of Oklahoma to secure a date in early August to use Lloyd Noble Center. However, we are also considering the possibility of hosting in-person ceremonies that follow physical distancing guidelines earlier in the summer using our own facilities. More information will be provided as soon as it is available.

Student Meals: We continue to provide free meals for students in need. Please visit www.normanpublicschools.org/meals for details and to complete next week’s order form.

NPS ExpandED: As a result of Covid-19, many families find themselves in circumstances that require greater flexibility. If you are thinking about transitioning your child to an online school this fall, we encourage you to consider NPS ExpandED, which is a rigorous education solution designed to provide students with the flexibility to complete coursework outside of traditional school buildings and also participate in extracurricular activities. You can learn more about this program at www.normanpublicschools.org/expanded.

Distance Learning Dashboard: Although distance learning has ended, we will leave the dashboard up over the summer for families who wish to continue accessing the educational resources. Please feel free to continue visiting www.normanpublicschools.org/distancelearning to access the enrichment activities.

Student Safety and Mental Health: Please remember that our school counselors remain available to serve students and there are a variety of resources available to those who are experiencing anxiety, depression and trauma. Also, we encourage you to help keep our students safe by anonymously reporting abuse, suicide risks, bullying and more to Norman Crimestoppers at 405-366-STOP or submit a tip online at www.p3tips.com/1323.

We will continue to keep you informed of relevant updates and timely information regarding the upcoming school year. However, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s principal, teacher or school counselor if you have questions or need additional information. We are here to serve you, even during the summer months. Please stay safe and stay tuned for more information as we get closer to the upcoming school year.

Sincerely,

Dr. Nick Migliorino

Superintendent

Norman Public Schools