Seminole Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Bob Gragg has announced updated plans for student meal distribution and distance learning. Meal distribution will move to two days per week beginning on Monday, March 30, and the time frame to receive meals has changed to 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. The following is a statement about the situation from Dr. Gragg:

The Oklahoma State Board of Education (OSDE) has suspended school until April 6, 2020, at which time schools will begin delivering instruction via Distance Learning. It is Seminole School’s desire to ensure that no child is hungry during this unprecedented time. Seminole Schools is grateful to the OSDE for clearing the pathway through federal wavers in allowing a “Grab and Go” meal delivery method.

We will have seven meal pickup sites throughout Seminole. Breakfast and lunch will be handed out from 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. on Monday, March 30, and again on Thursday, April 2.

Monday “Grab and Go” breakfasts and lunches will include meals for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Thursday “Grab and Go” breakfasts and lunches will include meals for Thursday and Friday (and for students who normally receive a backpack for the weekend, those snacks will be distributed on Thursdays along with the Thursday and Friday “Grab and Go’s.”

The reason for changing to two days per week for food distribution, is that we want to minimize the exposure of those dedicated employees who are preparing the meals, and those distributing them.

These are the following sites for drive-by meal distribution:

1. Pleasant Grove School Site

2. Country Corner Convenience Store (formerly Breedloves)

3. Randolph Drive

4. Rolling Meadows

5. Betty L. Smith ECC bus lane

6. Wilson Elementary bus lane

7. Seminole High School bus lane

Food is available to all children 18 and under at the pick-up sites, even if they do not attend Seminole Public Schools. This would include toddlers, pre-school aged, and/or visiting children, and any currently enrolled student up to 21 years of age.

For those families who are unable to pick up meals from drop off sites, home delivery is available. Families can call the administration building at (405) 382- 5085 ext. 601 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and noon to leave their information to set up home delivery.

The Child Nutrition Information will be published for stakeholders via the following venues: school messenger; Facebook, including live video; newspaper; website; and Thrillshare parent application.

Parents should expect a phone call from one of the Seminole Public School Officials before Monday, March 30. We want to make certain all parents have the information regarding these changes in the Child Nutrition “Grab and Go” meal distribution. We also want to begin gathering information regarding our students’ ability to access the internet for the upcoming sessions of Distance Learning (internet, hotspots, access points, technology, etc.).

Distance Learning begins April 6 through the end of the current school year. We are still planning the details of Seminole Public School plan to deliver instruction by Distance Learning. We feel confident that we can provide students with relevance, rigor and distance learning relationships. The State Board of Education made the decision to continue closure of all schools through the end of this school year (mid-May 2020). This decision also means that all extracurricular activities will be cancelled for this spring semester.

Office hours are from 8:00 a.m. to noon on Monday through Friday.

All deliveries (UPS, Fed-Ex, etc.) need to be delivered to the Administration Building for the time being, at 600 W. Strother Avenue, between the hours of 8:00 a.m.-noon on Monday-Friday. We ask that deliveries other than the normal food service deliveries to school cafeterias all be delivered to the central office building until further notice.

The mandate from OSDE is that only essential personnel report until April 6. For Seminole Schools, the following personnel have been identified as essential: administrative staff, central office staff, cafeteria staff, food delivery drivers, maintenance and custodial staff and Technology Director.

Every person who is reporting to work or volunteering will have their temperature checked prior to beginning their workday.

Seminole School Board President Marci Donaho offered these comments regarding the current school closure status and the plans to provide the “Grab and Go” meals, along with the plans in progress to provide Distance Learning.

“Although this time presents many challenges for us all, the phrase I have heard the most recently is, ‘Let’s do what’s best for our students’. We know the best thing for our kids is to be in the classroom with dedicated educators. Right now, Seminole’s administrators and educators are working long and hard to provide the best for our kids under these circumstances. We hope patience and understanding prevail as we maneu ver through these difficult waters.”

We appreciate your understanding and your support. Seminole has enormous community support for our schools and our students. Please call if you have any questions.