Schools Reopen

OKLAHOMA CITY – The 2020-2021 school year started off with a lot of questions. What will this year look like with COVID-19? How will we keep the students and teachers safe? To mask or not to mask? How often do we need to disinfect everything? What happens if someone in the school tests positive? Educators felt like they were facing the impossible.

Beginning in July, we prayed, planned and prepared to open our schools, all the while fighting thoughts of doubt, uncertainty and even helplessness. We felt as though it would be impossible to reopen our schools. Through much prayer, even though we didn’t have all of the answers and we weren’t sure of the path we were being led on, all eight schools in our conference were able to complete plans that follow all applicable government guidelines and reopened for in-person learning. All students, staff and visitors are being screened before entering buildings; social distancing is being observed; desks that need to be close have teacher-made clear barriers; hand sanitizer is being used and everything within reason is being disinfected. Students are happy to be back amongst friends and teachers are happy to be back in their classrooms. Our teachers are able to teach and model what it means to have Jesus in their hearts. 

There are still a lot of unanswered questions, but we put our faith in God to lead us. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”

By Tim Kripps, Superintendent