School districts across the state performed surveys recently to better help them prepare for the distance learning initiative that will begin this week.

While the data had to be provided to the state Department of Education, school officials also needed it in order to map out their own plans.

“When people hear ‘distance learning,’ they automatically think online, but that’s not necessarily the case,” Kingfisher Superintendent Jason Sternberger said.

“Many of our younger students will need reinforcement through packets, so what our elementary teachers do will be different than what our secondary teachers do.”

Sternberger was pleased with the initial results of the survey.

During the initial push, in which teachers reached out to their individual classrooms, only 24, or 1.6 percent, of the district’s 1,460 students were unable to be reached.

Sternberger said teachers and staff would continue to make attempts to reach each and every student.

Of those initially surveyed, 1,281 (87.8 percent) had internet service at home.

Also, 1,173 (80.3 percent) had a device to work on at home other than a smart phone.

Individual schools contacted students and families who didn’t have devices available to schedule pickup times for Chromebooks.

The individual schools have also scheduled times this week for parents to pick up any packets and supplies that may be needed for their student(s) over the next five weeks.

It will also be a time when library books can be returned.

All schools ask that parents remain in their vehicles. Admittance will not be allowed in schools at this time (schools are working on times in the future to allow students to clean out their lockers).

Following are pick-up times at each school:

GILMOUR ELEMENTARY

Monday, April 6

9-11 a.m.: Pre-kindergarten – Front entrance (drive from Main Street on Chisholm Drive and use front circle drive); 2nd grade – South side (drive east on Werner Avenue from 13th Street and form a line next to sidewalk)

1-3 p.m.: Kindergarten – North side (drive east on Chisholm Drive from 13th Street and use circle drive); 1st grade – South side (drive east on Werner Avenue from 13th Street and form a line next to sidewalk)

Tuesday, April 7

9-11 a.m.: Kindergarten – North side (drive east on Chisholm Drive from 13th Street and use circle drive); 1st grade – South side (drive east on Werner Avenue from 13th Street and form a line next to sidewalk)

1-3 p.m.: Pre-kindergarten – Front entrance (drive from Main Street on Chisholm Drive and use front circle drive); 2nd grade – South side (drive east on Werner Avenue from 13th Street and form a line next to sidewalk)

Heritage School

Monday, April 6

9-11 a.m.: 3rd grade

1-3 p.m.: 4th grade

Tuesday, April 7

9-11 a.m.: 4th grade

1-3 p.m.: 3rd grade

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Monday, April 6

8 a.m.-noon: All grades, front entrance

HIGH SCHOOL

Monday, April 6

9-11 a.m.: All grades, front entrance