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Keeping the Broken Arrow community healthy this year will rely on all of us doing our part. Here are four things you can do to slow the spread of COVID-19:

• The Oklahoma Health Department encourages those who are eligible to obtain their vaccination.
• Not vaccinated? Feel sick? Mask up. Unless a state of emergency is declared, masking is not required, but is recommended by health officials.
• Anyone who wishes to mask indoors or outdoors may freely do so.
• Continue practicing healthy behaviors. Other behaviors, like frequent hand washing and staying home when you feel sick, should still be practiced, no matter the time of year.

In accordance with Oklahoma Senate Bill 658, effective July 1, 2021, Broken Arrow Public Schools may not:

• “Require a vaccination against Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as a condition of admittance to or attendance of the school or institution;
• Require a vaccine passport as a condition of admittance to or attendance of the school or institution; or
• Implement a mask mandate for students who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19.”

In accordance with Oklahoma law, Broken Arrow Public Schools is not requiring COVID-19 vaccines for faculty, staff or students.

Under Oklahoma State Law 70 O.S. 2011, Sec. 1210.190, Oklahoma state agencies, which includes Broken Arrow Public Schools, are barred from requiring a mask or COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of being allowed to enter a public school or office.

• “Require a vaccination against Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as a condition of admittance to or attendance of the school or institution;
• “Require a vaccine passport as a condition of admittance to or attendance of the school or institution; or
• Implement a mask mandate for students who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19. On or before June 1, 2021, all buildings and office space, owned or leased by the State of Oklahoma and open to the public shall rescind any mandate for the wearing of masks in order to receive government services.

Any person who wishes to mask indoors or outdoors may freely do so.

A mask mandate may be implemented in the event of a “State of Emergency” declared by the Governor and only after consulting with local and state health officials.

Broken Arrow Public Schools will try to promote social distancing protocols when possible. In accordance with the State Department of Health, guests are recommended to get their COVID-19 vaccination if they plan to attend any events on Broken Arrow Public Schools property. 

• Seating charts for students will be established the first day of the week and not changed again until the following Monday or first day of the next week.
• Students and staff will be encouraged to wash their hands and/or to use hand sanitizer when available before eating and throughout the day. 
• Students and staff may wear masks while at school or school functions, if these choose.
• Students and staff will be encouraged to use coughing and/or sneezing etiquette to prevent the spread of any germs.

The district will continue to proactively monitor the COVID-19 infection rate and stay in communication with State and local health officials. We will act in accordance with Governor executive orders and state and local health mandates. If the Governor declares a State of Emergency and/or the Oklahoma State Department of Health makes the recommendation for our district or schools in general to close, we will comply. Additionally, in an effort to reduce possible exposures, it may be necessary at some point in the school year for a school site or the district as a whole to close for a few days to clean if there appears to be a significant number of student and/or staff positive cases. Before making that decision we will work with health officials and communicate that decision with parents as soon as possible.

We remain hopeful, but acknowledge that the pandemic has taught us to be on alert to the possibilities of increased cases. To help us keep making strides forward, we encourage Broken Arrow parents, students and staff to take necessary measures to remain safe; to continue practicing healthy behaviors, including frequent hand washing, self monitoring and staying home when ill; and to keep supporting one another.

During the school day, staff are recommended to clean commonly touched surfaces inside classrooms and on school buses, while personnel will clean commonly touched surfaces in common areas periodically throughout the day. A CDC approved disinfectant agent is also sprayed through rooms and commonly touched surfaces in the event we have a positive case. Restrooms will be cleaned throughout the day by custodial staff. If there are confirmed positive cases of COVID-19, the room in which there was exposure will be deep cleaned with the Clorox 360 machine before classes resume.

If a student begins displaying COVID-19 symptoms at school, he/she should report to the nurse’s office immediately. Parents will be contacted to pick up their child as soon as possible. Parents will be asked to keep their child home for 24 hours and follow the protocol stated below.

• If a child is symptom and/or temperature free without the aid of Tylenol, Motrin or other medication they may return to school after 24 hours or by providing a negative COVID test. Children still exhibiting a temperature above 100° and/or respiratory symptoms after 72 hours are encouraged to see a doctor and obtain a negative COVID test and be symptom free before returning if they have NOT been in contact with a positive COVID case or received the vaccine. 
• If a parent, student or sibling is awaiting COVID-19 test results, we request all children living in the home stay home until test results have been obtained.
• Students with COVID-19 have reported a variety of symptoms - ranging from mild to severe. Symptoms may appear anywhere from 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Families should monitor children and should not send children to school if they have one or more of the following symptoms:
  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Cough
  • Headache
  • Loss of smell or taste
  • Sore throat
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Diarrhea

Any student who tests positive OR has symptoms and exposed to a positive COVID case may return to school after:

• No fever (100°) for 24 hours AND
• Respiratory symptoms have improved AND
• 5 days have passed since the first symptoms appeared

Any student who tested positive for COVID-19 but had no symptoms can return to school after:

• 5 days have passed since the test.
• Students are encouraged to wear a mask (if possible) for 10 days in the event symptoms appear.
• Students who start to exhibit symptoms during the 10 day window will be sent home.
• Parents who choose to keep their child home for 10 days will not be penalized.

In accordance with the Tulsa Health Department and Oklahoma Health Department, effective March 21, 2022, parents will no longer be notified via email or phone if their student has been in contact at school with someone who tests positive with COVID-19. Students are not required to quarantine/stay home. Students will be expected to continue to attend classes unless they become symptomatic or they are able to provide a note from a medical professional, as we do with other health-related absences. The health department recommends that a face covering be used up to 14 days after exposure in case transmission has occurred. 

Any student who tests positive OR has symptoms and exposed to a positive COVID case may return to school after:

• No fever (100°) for 24 hours AND
• Respiratory symptoms have improved AND
• 5 days have passed since the first symptoms appeared

Any student who tested positive for COVID-19, but had no symptoms can return to school after:

• 5 days have passed since the test.
• Students are encouraged to wear a mask (if possible) for the remainder of the 10 days.
• Students who start to exhibit symptoms during the 10 day window will be sent home.
• Parents who choose to keep their child home for 10 days will not be penalized.

If you are unvaccinated and experienced a known exposure, please notify the school nurse.

Not at this time. If you suspect that your child may have COVID, we recommend you see your pediatrician to get tested.

No. Under state law Title 70, Section 1210.190, students cannot be required to obtain a vaccine against COVID-19 as a condition of admittance to or attendance to school or instruction. 

No. All students and staff should continue to abide by safety precautions, including those who have been vaccinated. Broken Arrow students and staff should continue monitoring health symptoms and frequently washing hands to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Anyone who wishes to mask indoors or outdoors may freely do so.

Temporary distance learning will be utilized again this year in the event a student is positive for COVID-19 or a parent/guardian provides medical documentation their student was exposed to COVID-19. Those with a confirmed exposure and choose to quarantine will need to communicate with their school site administration and/or designee so that your student can progress academically.  We will utilize virtual platforms, such as Zoom, Canvas, YouTube, etc. Families in need of a Chromebook (Pre-K through 5th) should communicate their needs to the site administrator or designee. 

Teachers are expected to align instruction to the Oklahoma Academic Standards. Teachers will use the scope and sequence to pace instruction and ensure all standards are taught and assessed as aligned. 

Students are counted present as long as they are participating in online activities, responding to teacher communication, utilizing the learning platform and demonstrating progress on work. Students must make forward progress and complete and submit assignments. Interaction between the student and teacher may be counted as attendance as well as submitting work.

All school-sponsored activities and athletic teams will continue to adhere to guidelines put in place by the district and recommendations from state and local health agencies. Please reach out to your child’s coach or club sponsor with any questions or concerns. 

We continue to encourage vigilant hand washing and sanitization, the district disinfecting protocols, and providing a safe environment in which our students may participate in interscholastic athletics, fine arts and student activities. We will continue to monitor cases on a daily basis and follow district protocols on self-monitoring, quarantining, and returning following an exposure or positive diagnosis of COVID-19.

To help stop the spread of any germs, student athletes will not share drinking bottles.

B&A will follow Broken Arrow Public Schools' protocols unless the Department of Human Services (DHS), the regulation agency over the program requires additional protocols.

The guidance and procedures below are subject to change based upon OSDE, state and federal regulations:

• Please take your temperature before arriving at work each day. If you have a fever of over 100 degrees, please stay home and follow normal sick leave procedures.
• Employees are encouraged to wear face coverings over their nose and mouth if they have not received the COVID-19 vaccine, as an additional safety measure or have been advised to do so by their physician.
• Avoid sharing phones, desks, offices or other equipment when possible.
• Wash hands frequently.
• Use hand sanitizer when possible.
• Avoid touching your face.
• Cover mouth and nose with tissue when sneezing or use the inside of the elbow.
• Maintain at least 6 feet of distance from others when possible.
• Pay attention to in/out door signage and regulations for common areas.

Know how COVID-19 spreads:

• The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
• The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.     
  • Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
  • Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks.
  • These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
  • Some recent studies have suggested that COVID-19 may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms.

Please be aware of COVID-19 symptoms and monitor yourself daily.

COVID-19 symptoms:

• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fever (>100⁰) or chills
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea 

Emergency warning signs (seek emergency medical care immediately): 

• Trouble breathing
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion
• Inability to wake or stay awake
• Bluish lips or face

If you are sick or experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, please stay home and contact your healthcare provider. Notify your supervisor and input your absence into AESOP/Frontline.

If your illness is not related to COVID-19, you can be with others after:

• You have been fever-free for 24 hours and
• Symptoms have improved

OR

• Provide a release to work from your healthcare provider

If you test positive for COVID-19, you should stay home and away from others. You can return to normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, symptoms are improving overall, and if a fever was present, it has been gone without use of a fever-reducing medication.