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Starting on time, but safely was the message provided by Hennessey Public School leaders.

“We are focused on the kids and our staff, said Superintendent Dr. Mike Woods. “We are trying to balance their educational, emotional and social needs, as well as their safety due to COVID-19.”

And yes, Hennessey plans to start school on time (Thursday, Aug. 6).

“We really don’t have an option since OSSAA is letting us play football,” Woods said.

Oklahoma City Public Schools has delayed its school start until Aug. 31 and will have virtual classes for at least the first nine weeks.

The state Board of Education met Thursday and Woods said during a late Wednesday afternoon KT&FP interview that he was “a little nervous about what comes out of that meeting.”

(Ed. note: See story on Page 1 of this edition for the results of that meeting and the direction given to school districts by the board’s vote.)

During the monthly meeting of county school superintendents, Woods said others said their schools would start on the usual times.

Screening for temps

Every entrance into the school will have thermal imaging cameras to detect if someone has a high fever, Woods said, “and if they have one they will go to the nurse’s office to determine the problem.”

Deep cleaning/distancing

He said the district hired two more custodians and purchased electrostatic disinfectant sprayers to clean classrooms after a class, or when children are out for recess.

Elementary classrooms usually have only 16 students and safe-distancing will be practiced as much as possible there, and in the higher grades, Woods said.

They also have three-sided clear plexiglass study carrels for three kids at a study table, he said.

There will also be large bottles of sanitizer in each classroom.

Students should bring their own masks, he said, but the school will have some in case a student forgets theirs.

Teachers worried

“Absolutely, teachers are worried,” said Woods. “We aren’t used to dealing with this,” he said. “It’s not the flu. It’s the unknown.

“We have three levels of masks and face shields for them in their classrooms,” he said.

To take some of the stress off teachers, the district is offering day care for their children.

The facility is located across the street south from the high school in the former administration office.

Day care is not free, is only available to school employees and will not be available until the first day of school.

Child care will be provided there July 28-29-30, and teachers will need to take lunch and materials for children those days, said the superintendent. Those three days are voluntary professional development sessions, he said.

New teacher training is July 27 and in-service meetings for all teachers are Aug. 3-5.

New and continuing substitute teachers will meet at 9 a.m. July 28 in the seminar room at the auditorium. Contact: Timberly Jech 405-853-4321.

Parent comments positive

Feedback from parents has been “extremely positive, and they have asked questions that we hadn’t thought about,” Woods said.

“Talk to us,” he said,

“with questions, or suggestions” via email mwoods@ hps.k12.ok.us.

He said this is a new experience for everyone so it’s best to ask questions.

Virtual classes better now

Woods said teachers and tech staffers have worked hard and are sure that virtual sessions will be much better than they were at the end of last school year.

“We’ve learned a lot since then,” said the superintendent, “and we have some excellent programs to help us.”

On-site/virtual/mix classes offered

Students continue to enroll online at the school’s website, or with Renee Curry (recurry@hps.k12. ok.us) and no numbers were available Thursday morning.

There are three learning options – virtual classes, on-site classes or a mix of the two.

Woods stressed that a student who takes only distance learning classes is not eligible to participate in extra-curricular activities.

All Hennessey students have school computers.

Students who do not have access to the internet, or live in areas where they get a weak signal, may be able to connect to the virtual classroom on a cell phone, Woods said.

A teacher may also record a video during the class, then put it on a jump drive for a student, he said.

There is also a learning option for a student who is in on-site classes and becomes exposed to the COVID-19 virus, then has to quarantine for 14 days.

Masks in hallways and buses a must

“Students are required to wear a mask in the hallways, in common areas and on buses,” he said.

Families are asked to sit together on the bus and seats will be assigned.

Bus routes changed

The school has added another bus to the routes and due to social distancing only students who live north of State Highway 51, south of 7th Street, west of Mitchell Road and east of Cemetery Road will be allowed to ride. If that is an issue, call 405-853-4321.

Masks not required in classrooms

Masks are not required in the classroom, but a student may wear one if they wish.

They are also not required at recess, but may wear one if they want.

“I am sure if a teacher sees them getting too close at recess they’ll let them know,” Woods said.

The superintendent said there would be times when a student would not wear a mask, such as speech therapy.

What about vocal music/ band?

He said the vocal music and band teachers will do their best to see that students aren’t too close together by conducting some classes outdoors, or in the auditorium where there is plenty of room.

PE/athletics

There is ample room outside, in the gym and in The Dome for social distancing, said Woods.

Vo-tech classes

No numbers of students signed up for Chisholm Trail Technology Center classes were available, but Woods said the school will provide transportation, but students or parents may also drive their vehicles.

Weekly administration meetings

Woods said principals, food-transportation-and-maintenance directors, counselors and other administrators meet every week to discuss plans.

If there are suggestions, or questions to pass along, Woods suggested you send them to him mwoods@hps.k12.ok.us.