September 18, 2020
During the longest spring break in history, due to Covid-19, we are thrilled to have students on campus again. As I shared earlier with you in our Return To Learn Plan, we are taking many precautions to keep our children safe during the pandemic. Our staff could not be more pleased how our students and the public have handled the changes. This “new normal” is very challenging but as we work together, we’ll get through this. As we have faced many adversities, our state is known for the “Oklahoma Standard”. No matter how difficult a situation may be, Oklahomans come together. This pandemic will be no different.
At Will Rogers Elementary, we have purchased several new programs to improve our curriculum— especially in reading. Our Reading Committee worked very hard last year in studying various curriculums and finding the ones that they feel will improve our students’ skills. Although many of the programs were expensive, the school board and I wholeheartedly endorsed their choices. Each grade level now has an appropriate program to bolster our reading abilities.
Our teachers need the one-on-one and group moments with our students to implement these programs. That’s why it is so vitally important that we are able to keep our kids physically in school. The steps we are taking requiring masks and social distancing, not only in class but at ballgames, are there to allow us to remain in school as long as possible. Students do not learn as well or as much online as they do in person with their teachers—especially elementary students.
We continue to purchase computer devices (iPads and Chromebooks) to eventually have one device for every student. Our lower elementary students received 152 iPads earlier this month. This brings our Pre-K through 8th grade students to One-To-One status. We are still waiting for 110 chromebooks for the high school to arrive. This number will bring our 9th through 12th graders to 1:1 as well.
Regarding our facilities, I’m happy to say that we have been able to use hail insurance funds to reroof the Lemke Gymnasium. Those funds have also allowed us to purchase new scoreboards for the softball, baseball and football fields. Furthermore, our Board has approved bids for the complete reroofing of both the high school and elementary buildings. The Lemke Gym is practically finished except for the final walkthrough. The remaining projects are now in the planning stages so starting dates are not available as yet.
Mr. Monte Ervin should be commended for the work he has done in updating our softball facilities. With insurance money and a great deal of donations, we have built a new backstop and cinder block dugouts. I hesitate to mention names for fear of leaving someone out but I’m going to try. Those companies and individuals that donated money, equipment or labor are B&H Construction, Xclusive Roofing and Construction, Lance Elmore, Edgar Baez, Jason Uecke, Brian Schneberger, Travis Selman, and many softball parents. These folks deserve our thanks for everything they have done.
As you can see, we have many positive things happening at our school. It is a blessing to have our teachers and students working together, again. I ask that you please be patient with us as we work through the many different scenarios that this pandemic has created and continues to produce. Let’s keep the “Oklahoma Standard” in mind.
Respectfully yours,
Larry R. Johnson,
Superintendent
Burns Flat-Dill City
Public Schools