Seminole Public Schools

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 10, 2022 Seminole Public School – Will Return To Classes Monday May 16, 2022 (SEMINOLE, OK) Due to the continuing efforts of community support in restoring and repairing the damages from the recent storms, Seminole Public School District (I-001) will delay the return to In-Person Learning until Monday May 16, 2022. We believe that the focus on recovery relief is the priority for Seminole Public Schools and the community at this time. School employees, students, parents, and community members throughout the area are involved in helping with these efforts, and while this is not the same as formal education in the classroom, it is truly learning life skills that will make lasting impressions for all involved. The current school calendar has sufficient hours built in that will allow the district to absorb these emergency closure days. We do not anticipate adding any additional days to the schedule. All end-of-the-year events will continue as scheduled for the final two weeks of the school year, and any special events that have been interrupted such as field trips, band concerts, banquets, etc. will be rescheduled if at all possible. Senior Graduation is set for Tuesday May 24th. at 8:00 p.m., and the final day of classes will be Thursday May 26th, both as originally scheduled on the calendar. The school is planning to offer in-person meals Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of this week (May 11, 12, 13) from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 Noon at the Middle School Cafeteria (located between the old high school and BLS). Shower facility will be available during this same timeframe, and grab-and-go meals will be distributed from this same site. The After-School “Chieftain Clubhouse” will resume on Monday May 16th, and continue through Thursday May 26th. Please contact the school if you have any questions. CONTACT: Dr. Bob Gragg, Superintendent of Seminole Public Schools Phone: (405) 382-5085 (Ext. 602) Email: bgragg@sps.k12.ok.us

Seminole Public Schools will be serving hot breakfast and handing out sack lunches at the middle school cafeteria Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Information Release 05/06/2022 Seminole Public Schools will continue to be Closed through Tuesday May 10, 2022. We know that efforts of community support is in full swing as we assist one another in restoring and repairing the damages from the recent storms. We believe that the focus on recovery is the priority for Seminole School and the community at this time. We are in hopes of returning to classes by Wednesday of next week, and will make an official decision as that time approaches. Respectfully, Dr. Bob Gragg Superintendent Seminole Public Schools

Due to the tornado damage to Seminole and surrounding areas, the school will be closed Thursday (and Friday). We will try our best to stay in communication with parents and students. Our prayers are with you and your loved ones as we pull together and begin to assess damages and make repairs to homes, schools, churches, businesses and infrastructure. Hoping you are staying safe from the storm. -- Bob Gragg, Superintendent Seminole Public Schools

April 27, 2022 Seminole Public Schools Parents and Guardians, Thank you for your support and cooperation as we canceled school today in the best interest of every child and staff member who enters the doors of each of our schools. We know that canceling school, especially at the last minute, causes many hardships, and we recognize that this likely caused disruptions to your day. Details were provided to us about a threat on social media earlier in the day yesterday surrounding the middle school. Police went to the person's home responsible for making the threat and determined it was a non-credible threat. Even though the threat was not considered credible, we increased police presence at dismissal for the peace of mind of parents and students. The same individual made an additional threat on social media later in the evening. We may never know if the second threat was credible or a veiled threat, but out of an abundance of caution, we canceled school for the day. Today, the police arrested both a minor (not registered in the district) and their parent. We cannot stress how important it is that you continue to discuss with your children that they say something if they hear or see something. Schools will be open tomorrow, and we will have additional police presence circulating throughout the campuses. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to get in touch with your school administrator. Sincerely, Dr. Bob Gragg Superintendent

Out of an abundance of caution Seminole Public Schools will be closed Wednesday, April 27, 2022 due to a student reported threat on social media. Our school is committed to the safety and security of all our students. All threats to our school or students are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly. If you or your child see or hear something, please notify any administrator or teacher. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

A child’s race and economic status should not determine their future. By supporting an Equity Focus School, you can help make education more equitable in our community. TODAY ONLY: Support an Equity Focus School and your donation will be doubled: https://www.donorschoose.org/donors/search.html?matchingId=2340

Due to the continued cold temperatures and icy road conditions, Seminole Public Schools will be closed for a "Snow Day" tomorrow (Friday February 25, 2022). The bus routes and school parking lots are not showing any indication of significant thawing or improvement in time to safely transport our students to school tomorrow morning. The day will be made up as a Distance Learning Day on Friday April 22nd. At this time, the regional basketball games for the high school teams are still on schedule to be played at Perkins HS Friday evening, with the boys game set to tip-off at 5:30, followed by the girls game at 7:00. These tournament playoff games are scheduled and regulated by the OSSAA. All other school activities are canceled for Seminole Schools, and plans are to reopen on our regular schedule on Monday. Please be safe if you must travel on the icy roads, and stay warm through this continued cold weather. Bob Gragg, Superintendent

Due to weather forecasts of ice and wintry mix, along with extremely cold temperatures Seminole PS will move to Distance Learning the next two days: Wednesday Feb. 23 & Thursday Feb 24. Decisions regarding Friday will be made by Thursday afternoon. Devices and or Learning Packets will go home with students this afternoon, for the next two days learning. The cafeteria workers are putting together grab and go meals for Wednesday-Thursday, to be ready for students to take with them as they leave the buildings this afternoon. Safety of our students, parents, staff and community are always foremost when we make decisions to move to distance learning and/or close for snow-days. This forecasts includes the possibilities of downed powerlines and tree limbs, broken pipes, and hazardous road conditions. We sincerely hope and pray that we are not subjected to any of these conditions, and if we err that we will have erred on the side of caution. Respectfully, Bob Gragg

JOM Parent Meeting 2/24/2022

Seminole School Employees, Students, Parents, Community: The weather forecasts for the next few days is calling for very cold temperatures and extremely cold windchill factors, along with freezing rain, sleet/ice, and accumulations of 3-7 inches of snow. In response to this forecast and in an effort to keep students and staff safely off the potentially hazardous roadways, we will make the following changes in our instructional schedule: Wednesday February 2, 2022: Will be a Distance-Learning Day for all SPS students. Thursday February 3, 2022: SNOW-DAY (No Classes)* Friday February 4, 2022: SNOW-DAY (No Classes)** Teachers will be providing instruction and guidance to students and parents regarding the Distance-Learning Day on Wednesday, and grab-and-go meals will be available from the school cafeterias to be sent home with students on Tuesday. The two Snow-Days will be made up as per the school calendar on Friday April 8th*, Friday April 15th** - and the make-up days will be planned in advance as Distance-Learning Days on those two Fridays in April. Please let us know if you have any questions or suggestions. We would prefer to be In-Person Learning these next three days, however we are making these changes based on the weather forecasts and in efforts of safety precautions for all concerned. Respectfully, Bob Gragg Superintendent Seminole Public Schools

JANUARY 14, 2022 TO: Seminole School Employees, Students, Parents, Seminole Public Schools is planning to return to In-Person Learning mode on Tuesday January 18, 2022 following the normal daily schedules. Please follow the recommended CDC & Oklahoma Health Department Guidelines as outlined below. If you have recently tested positive for COVID-19: you may return to school after 5 days of isolation if your symptoms are improving and you are 48 hours fever-free. However, you must wear a mask when around other people for an additional 5 days upon your return to school. If you cannot wear a mask or choose not to wear a mask, you should continue to isolate and not return to school until you have completed 5 additional days of isolation and your symptoms continue to improve. If you have not tested positive for COVID-19: due to the highly contagious virus of the current wave of COVID-19, it is strongly recommended that all students and staff wear a mask for the week of January 18-21, when distancing from others is not feasible. The health officials also recommend that if you are not fully vaccinated (including a booster - if eligible), then you should self-quarantine for 5 days, and wear a mask for another 5 days upon your return to school. Thank you for understanding and helping us navigate through this phase of the pandemic. Seminole School is not mandating any requirements for anyone, however we are asking for support and common sense in moving back to In-Person mode and taking care of one another in the process. We would also ask that you test and/or stay home if you are having symptoms. (The complete Guidance from the Oklahoma State Department of Health is attached, and also available on the school's website) Respectfully, Bob Gragg

Meals for all SPS students can be picked up at the Seminole Middle School Cafeteria on January 11, 2022 from 10:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. Meals for Tuesday and Wednesday will be ready for pick-up tomorrow. Please watch for updates regarding meals for Thursday and Friday.

Seminole Public Schools will be Covid testing from 2:00-4:00 p.m. on Sunday January 9th. No appointment necessary. Testing will be performed at SPS Administration 600 W. Strother. Please call 405.584.2342 for any questions or concerns.

Chieftain Clubhouse Enrollment: https://forms.gle/cun554SpbHHRxxVP9

Dear Families, Seminole Public Schools has become aware of a troubling post that is being shared this week on the social media platform TikTok. The post refers to a threat to school safety “for every school in the USA, even elementary,” on Friday, December 17. The post appears to be part of a national TikTok trend. While we do not believe the threat to be credible, we are closely monitoring the situation and taking it seriously. Additionally, the district has been in contact with the Seminole Police Department regarding the trending post. We may have an increased security presence in our buildings on Friday as an added precaution. This situation serves as a good example of why it is important to avoid sharing posts online that refer to school safety threats. Even if they are not credible threats, they can cause a great deal of stress and anxiety for our students, families, and staff. We ask our families to monitor their children’s social media activity and speak with them about proper behavior online. Threats are not only punishable according to the student code of conduct but could also result in criminal charges. If you or your child become aware of any potential threat posted to social media or anywhere else, please notify a school staff member or trusted adult right away. As always, thank you for your partnership as we work to ensure a safe, secure, and positive learning environment for our students. Sincerely, Bob Gragg, Superintendent Seminole Public Schools

Minor Bus Accident – No Injuries This morning after dropping off students at Wilson and Northwood, Seminole Public Schools, Red Bus was involved in a non-injury accident. The police arrived on site and released the bus back to the administration building. Parents are being notified.

Christmas Concert December 14th @ 6:00 p.m.

SPS will be offering free Covid-19 testing to children and adults November 15-19 and as needed during Thanksgiving Break.

Seminole Public Schools is hiring a full-time Spanish Translator/Interpreter/Tutor