Letter from Superintendent: Po-Hi Distance Learning from 11 to 24 November

Superintendent Shelley Arrott

PCPS Superintendent Shelley Arrott has issued the following statement and letter:

Regrettably, Ponca City High School has experienced a recent surge of COVID-19 positive cases.

Over the past 36 hours, we have been notified of seven new cases which have resulted in, not only isolations of the confirmed cases, but also a significant number of close contact quarantines at PO-HI.

As a result, all students at Ponca City High School will transition to Distance Learning beginning Wednesday, November 11 through Tuesday, November 24.

The Distance Learning transition is in addition to the isolation and quarantines already imposed at PCHS.

Currently, over 335 individuals are affected at PO-HI alone.

All other sites in the District, including Wildcat Academy, will continue with In-person Instruction.

Please see the Superintendent’s Letter, below:

November 10, 2020

Dear PCPS Parents, Staff, and Community Members:

Regrettably, Ponca City High School has experienced a recent surge of COVID-19 positive cases. Over the past 36 hours, we have been notified of seven new cases which have resulted in, not only isolations of the confirmed cases, but also a significant number of close contact quarantines at PO-HI. As a result, all students at Ponca City High School will transition to Distance Learning beginning Wednesday, November 11 through Tuesday, November 24. The Distance Learning transition is in addition to the isolation and quarantines already imposed at PCHS. Currently, over 335 individuals are affected at PO-HI alone. All other sites in the District, including Wildcat Academy, will continue with In-person Instruction.

High school students attending Ponca City Virtual Academy will continue as normal with coursework. However, if a PCVA student is currently in isolation or quarantine, they may not come to the Registration Center or Wildcat Academy to test. Teachers will reach out to those affected.

The Board of Education made the decision regarding extra-curricular activities for PO-HI during the days transitioned to Distance Learning. Only extra-curricular activities having a scheduled, official competitive event from Wednesday, November 11 through Tuesday, November 24 will continue with activities between those dates so as many experiences as possible can be maintained for our students. If a scheduled competition is not already on the calendar during this time, all activities associated with extra-curricular activities will not occur from November 11 through November 24. These activities include practices and scrimmages. All isolations and quarantines will remain in effect through the duration of the length imposed by the Kay County Health Department, and the same is accurate for any new isolations or quarantines imposed. These decisions only affect extra-curricular activities at Ponca City High School.

Currently, we are not experiencing significant COVID-19 cases at any other site other than Ponca City High School. Please refer to the PCPS Contact Tracing Totals Spreadsheet at www.pcps.us for specific details. I will continue to stay in constant communication with our families, staff, and patrons with updates.

Please practice wearing a face covering, watching your distance, and washing your hands frequently throughout each day so we have a better chance of keeping our students in school at all sites. Students or staff experiencing symptoms, such as a fever of 100 degrees or more, a cough or shortness of breath, or a lack of sense of taste or smell, should get a COVID-19 test and do NOT come to school while waiting results.

We appreciate your patience and understanding during this global pandemic. Our greatest priority is the health and safety of our students, staff, families, and community members.

Sincerely,
Shelley Arrott Superintendent, Ponca City Public Schools