Stories

Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic began earlier this year, Boys & Girls Club of Durant Director Larry Long has been working closely with similar organizations throughout the state to help youths with their virtual schoolwork.

That endeavor has finally come to fruition with Gov. Kevin Stitt recently signing a bill to allot $15 million to help fund the project that is being labeled as Community Hope Centers.

“We’ve been working with the Department of Human Services and governor’s office since April trying to get something like this going,” Long commented. “They wanted to make sure that there were locations across as many areas of the state as possible. That will allow us three locations (Durant, Ardmore and Broken Bow) in our general area.

“There were so many parents concerned with their kids going back to school that the governor finally signed off on that funding.”

Long pointed out the success they have had at the Boys & Girls Club of Durant, which is located at 415 N. 5th Ave. Since reopening this summer, they have had no positive virus tests reported while following safety protocols each day.

The 15 club locations throughout the state have also prepared more than 100,000 grab-and-go meals for Oklahoma youths throughout that time frame.

“Ever since the pandemic hit, we’ve been figuring out a way to keep busy,” he said. “We’ve been open all summer here with no positive tests and are doing a really good job of screening.”

In Community Hope Centers, students who are registered will go through a normal school day similar to that experienced at a regular school campuses, with hours from approximately 7:30 a.m.- 3 p.m. dedicated to virtual learning. That will also include physical education classes.

With the governor’s funding, the Boys & Girls Club has been hiring certified teachers and youth development professionals to help students while also adding more computers and internet bandwidth in the process. Read more here. 

The state of Oklahoma unveiled its new digital learning initiative, which is set to provide online curriculum for a number of school districts across the state.

It's called "Learn Anywhere Oklahoma" and so far more than 100 public school districts are in the process of enrolling. State leaders said this program is set to assist districts during this unprecedented time.

“This program will allow families, school leaders make good decisions for their students,” said Rebecca Wilkinson, executive director for the statewide Charter School Board. “Keeping them enrolled in their local community schools, but also meeting their unique needs.”

The Learn Anywhere initiative is set to add flexibility and allow each district to transition a class to virtual learning if needed. One school district said this curriculum allows them to teach more than just the basics.

“This learn anywhere curriculum and the amount of courses that are offered will allow or us to offer art at home, computer science at home,” said Cecilia Robinson-Woods, superintendent for Millwood Public Schools.

Read more here. 

TULSA, Okla. — Gov. Kevin Stitt, Mayor G.T. Bynum and officials from Tulsa Public Schools and Impact Tulsa announced an internet access plan Thursday for Tulsa residents and upcoming programming for Tulsans impacted by COVID-19.

Stitt presented Bynum with a check for more than $30 million from the Coronavirus Relief Fund at a news conference in Tulsa.

“Mayor Bynum and his team at the City of Tulsa have done a great job coming up with innovative ways to use this money to continue to fight COVID-19, support local businesses and help educate our children.” Read more here.

OKLAHOMA CITY (Aug. 12, 2020) — Governor Kevin Stitt today announced the Bridge the Gap Digital Wallet initiative is now available to Oklahoma families. Bridge the Gap is a new initiative that will connect up to 5,000 low income Oklahoma families with $1,500 grants to purchase materials for students ahead of the 2020-21 school year. 

Bridge the Gap is an initiative that will allocate $8 million from the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund to provide Oklahoma families who fall below the federal poverty line with access to purchase technology, materials or supplies.   

“As our students face disruptions caused by COVID-19, and more schools are turning to distance learning this new school year, we must ensure all students, no matter their financial situation, have the supplies necessary to access their schoolwork,” said Gov. Stitt. “Bridge the Gap puts the power in Oklahoma families’ hands to choose what materials are most necessary to make sure their students are academically successful. This could be buying new technology, accessing online curriculum, or buying books and supplies for learning at home. We’re proud to offer this program that provides parents with the flexibility they need in order to meet the needs of their individual student.”  

Families must submit an application online in order to qualify. Families who meet the federal low-income level guidelines of less than $26,200 per year for a family of four will be given priority to receive the Bridge the Gap grant. 

“Bridge the Gap’s easy and secure access to funds will be essential in providing Oklahoma students with an opportunity to eliminate financial barriers that may prevent a successful distance learning school year,” said Secretary of Human Services and of Early Childhood Initiatives Justin Brown. “By having access to these funds, lower income students and families no longer have to worry about their child falling behind on their schoolwork due to a lack of access to technological and educational resources.” Read more here.