SN)--Today, the State Department of Health reported that Garfield County has reverted back to “Yellow Level” for positive COVID-19 cases based on a rolling 7-day average. This means that Garfield is now in the “Low Risk” category, defined by the OSDH. As a result of returning to Yellow, EPS will conduct in-person instruction for ALL students who have chosen that option…for the first 7 days of instruction (August 13-21). Also, at our August 17th School Board meeting we will look at the possibility of making revisions to our current plan that, if approved, would: provide more flexibility, provide longer periods of time for parents to plan ahead more appropriately - with more advanced notice (rather than a week at a time), and would take effect on August 24th.
Guidelines for school districts being in the Yellow Level include:
*In-person instruction expected
*Masks required for teachers/staff
*Masks required for all students
*Pre-k thru 3rd grade students may remove masks in class
*Visitors restricted
*Follow all health orders and protocols, and adhere to district policies
*Building and campuses strongly recommended to limit public events.
You can find a map of Oklahoma counties that is updated to reflect COVID-19 cases every Friday at https://coronavirus.health.ok.gov/covid-19-alert-system. You will also find definitions of what the different levels mean with additional resources.
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CD)--The first death associated with COVID-19 involving an Enid longterm care facility was reported Thursday evening. The person was a resident at Kenwood Manor on West Pine. The report from the Oklahoma State Department of health shows 14 cases of the virus among staff or residents of longterm or nursing home facilities in Garfield County, with 13 recovered and one death.
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SV)--Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt is scheduled to be in Enid today. Stitt is expected to join Oklahoma Department of Commerce Executive Director Brent Kisling to tour and visit two local businesses, A.W. Brueggemann and No Man’s Land Food, which recently received funds through the various state COVID-19 relief programs. The visit is scheduled to conclude tomorrow afternoon with a Round table discussion with local business owners at Oakwood Country Club.
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CF)--A convicted felon arrested earlier this week by Garfield County Sheriff's Office deputies is facing more than 240 years in prison after deputies seized more than 20 guns from his home on South Imo Road. Enid News Eagle reports 42 year-old Miguel Angel Rodriguez II was charged Tuesday in Garfield County District Court with felony domestic assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, 24 felony counts of possession of a firearm after former felony conviction, and misdemeanor counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Rodriguez has prior felony convictions for second-degree burglary and knowingly concealing stolen property in Beckham County and unlawful possession of marijuana with intent to distribute in Jackson County. He was arraigned Thursday on the charges and appeared free on $10,000 bond, which was posted prior to charges being filed. Rodriguez was ordered to return to court Aug. 31 for a bond appearance.
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SS)--Secondary parents and students are asked to mark their calendars for Enid Public Schools’ schedule and mask pick-up. Secondary schools will have pick-up at the following times:
Enid High School
9th Grade August 7 1-4 p.m. (Freshman Orientation will be a later date)
10th Grade August 7 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
11th Grade August 6 1-4 p.m.
12th Grade August 6 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Middle Schools
6th Grade August 7 8-11 a.m.
7th Grade August 7 1-4 p.m.
8th Grade August 7 1-4 p.m.
Students will report to their respective schools to pick up their schedules and masks. EPS will host a Meet the Teacher day on August 11 for new students, returning students will meet their teachers virtually through google classroom. Visit enidpublicschools.org for information about going back to school. Classes begin on August 13.
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DD)--The City of Enid Parks and Recreation Department is making sure that every Enid dog has its day this weekend. Runners and dog owners are invited to come out to Crosslin Park Saturday morning for the Fast and the Furriest 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run. Pre-Registration and packet pick-up is at 5:30am at Pavilion #1 and the races begins at 6:30 a.m. The fee for the 1-mile run is $10 and $20 for the 5k event. For questions, contact the Parks and Recreation Department.
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PS)--Due to the COVID 19 Safety Protocol put out by the Oklahoma State Department of Health and adopted by the Enid Public School Board of Education the District has opted to go to an alternate A/B Schedule (while in Orange Level 1) to reduce the number of individuals in school buildings and ensure the opportunity for greater social distancing. In this scenario, students will only attend school in person on their assigned days. Starting school with an A/B schedule allows the district to accomplish the following:
· Reduce by half the number of students in school buildings and on buses to better ensure social distancing.
· Keep class sizes more manageable for teachers who will have numerous new procedures and safety precautions to learn and execute.
· Ensure time in the classroom for students to collaborate face-to-face on projects and lab activities.
· Provide elementary students crucial face-to-face instruction on the new learning management system appropriate to their grade level.
An A/B schedule involves splitting each school site’s student population into an A and B group. The initial split will be those students with the last name A-L being on the A schedule and M-Z on the B schedule. Due to the impossibility of equalizing all classes at all grade levels based on this one criteria, it will be imperative that building level administrators have the discretion to adjust the initial placement if needed. Attention will be given to ensure students from the same family/household are assigned the same days. As it stands right now, for the first two days of school, Thursday, August 13th, will be A day and Friday, August 14th, will be a B day. The new OSDH numbers come out each Friday, and EPS will send out updated parent notifications by the end of the day on Fridays (for the following week). If on Friday, August 7, Garfield County reverts back to the Yellow Level, students will attend in person on August 13 and 14 (no alternate schedule if we are in the Yellow Level). If Garfield County remains in Orange Level 1 on Friday, August 14th, the weekly A/B alternative schedule will be:
Group A
Monday and Tuesday In person, at school
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday Remote Learning
Group B
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday Remote Learning
Thursday and Friday In person, at school
You can find a map of Oklahoma counties that is updated to reflect COVID-19 cases every Friday at https://coronavirus.health.ok.gov/covid-19-alert-system. You will also find definitions of what the different levels mean with additional resources. EPS will continue to update families weekly on any changes reported from the OSDH.
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