The Ponca City Public School District is taking the threat of COVID-19 very seriously. They are taking the lead from state and national health experts to take precautions to focus on their top priority, the safety of all students and staff. It is important to note there are currently no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ponca City Public Schools, and should there be a confirmed case, the Oklahoma State Department of Health will take the lead on decision making.
The current plan is for PCPS students to return on Monday, March 23, 2020. This situation is very fluid and is changing quickly, so the District will immediately notify families and staff if this plan changes. If the Oklahoma State Department of Education and Oklahoma State Department of Health issue an order for school closure, the District is prepared to implement an alternate method of instruction for all grade levels and will use an alternative approach to provide meals to students. PCPS custodial and maintenance personnel are taking further measures to thoroughly disinfect facilities and school vehicles. They have also provided more hand-sanitizing stations to provide the safest possible environment for students and employees.
The District is adhering to guidance from the Oklahoma State Department of Health, the Oklahoma State Department of Education and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and have created a webpage to keep everyone up-to-date. This webpage can be found on the district website homepage at www.pcps.us. Click on the COVID-19 Updates link.
Please note the following:
- Out-of-State school travel has been suspended through April 5, 2020, with the exception of two previously scheduled activities in Winfield and Arkansas City, KS. The District will assess the situation daily to make determinations of out-of-state school travel beyond April 5, 2020.
- The Teacher of the Year Banquet, previously scheduled for March 26, 2020, has been postponed. A decision regarding an alternative date, or alternative plan, will be made after Spring Break.
- OSSAA has postponed all OSSAA hosted events (regional and state competitions), and the District has not been provided a timeline as to when these events may be rescheduled.
- PCPS will continue with regularly scheduled in-state activities, practices, and events at this time. However, this protocol could change immediately based on the advice of health experts and the Oklahoma State Department of Education.
- If any PCPS employee or student is traveling to a COVID-19 High-risk Area within the United States as identified and updated hourly on the Center for Disease Control’s website, https://www.cdc.gov/
coronavirus/2019-ncov/index. html, additional monitoring and extra precautions should be taken. The employee or guardian must inform the school if they travel to these areas during Spring Break. - If an employee travels to a Level 2 or 3 Country as identified by the CDC, do not report to school on Monday, March 23. Contact the District at 580-767-8000.
- Should students need to be quarantined, the District will have contingency plans in place to deliver instruction. Guidance will be provided to staff regarding quarantines and leave via school email.
- Continue to practice effective hygiene.
Employees, students and PCPS families will need to check their email and District website regularly as this situation is changing rapidly. The District would like to thank everyone for their diligence and patience as they continue to focus on the safety of students, staff, and community.
