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In light of recent circumstances concerning COVID-19 in Oklahoma, Seminole Public Schools made the decision to postpone their start date to August 21. Superintendent Bob Gragg, Ph.D., released the following statement to The Producer regarding the matter: “We are going to push the first day of classes two weeks to August 21 because of the State Board’s latest recommen dations based on the State Health Department’s color-coded alert system (and Seminole county in orange). We think we need additional ‘COVID Prep Days,’ and to ensure we have supplies and technology devices on hand.” This story is ongoing and subject to updates as it progresses.
Read moreWith many school districts around the state offering or mandating distance learning through virtual platforms for the upcoming school year, Epic Charter Schools, an online charter school, has seen increased enrollment and is now the largest school system in Oklahoma, according to reporting from The Oklahoman. There are 38,026 students enrolled in Epic Charter Schools as of Wednesday, surpassing Oklahoma City Public Schools’ projected enrollment of 34,867 students and Tulsa Public Schools’ predicted student body of 34,405 this fall. Epic, which opened in 2011, was listed as the third-largest school system in the Sooner State for the 2019-2020 school year. Earlier this month, enrollment in the virtual charter school began to increase at a rate of approximately 1,000 new students per day. Administrators project enrollment to reach around 46,000 students by October
Read moreThe Academy of Seminole (TAOS) released information earlier this week about the start of the 2020- 2021 school year, scheduled to begin on August 10. Superintendent Wren Hawthorne issued the following statement regarding the return to school:
Read moreA 40% increase in firstcall resolution helps more Oklahomans get their benefits Oklahoma Employment Security Commission (OESC) is entering its fourth week of in-person, socially distanced events helping more than 8,000 Oklahomans receive unemployment benefits at the Reed Event Center in Midwest City and Tulsa Fairgrounds. To continue serving Oklahomans safely and effectively, OESC has added more events in Ardmore on July 29-30.
Read moreWith rates of COVID-19 spiking in certain regions and different parts of the country in various stages of reopening, America’s emergency physicians and nurses have a message to the nation’s patients: do not delay care if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Though patient volumes in many of the nation’s emergency departments (EDs) have begun to return to traditional levels as communities reopen, capacity in our EDs has not gotten back to full visits levels. Health care professionals remain concerned that people who need treatment are still afraid to come to the ED. According to a poll from the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) and Morning Consult, 80 percent of Americans say they are concerned about contracting the virus from visiting a medical facility, and nearly one-third reported delaying seeking medical care as a result. Emergency care teams see firsthand the complications that arise when patients, especially those with chronic conditions, avoid getting the care they need. Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that in the 10 weeks following the onset of the pandemic emergency visits for heart attack patients was down 23 percent and down 20 percent for those suffering from a stroke. As they do every day in the emergency department, physicians and nurses have teamed up to remind their communities that ED are open and ready to safely treat all patients.
Read moreGovernor Kevin Stitt announced that Chief of Staff Michael Junk will transition out of the Stitt Administration to pursue opportunities closer to his family in Tulsa effective July 31. “Michael Junk has been a steady hand that helped guide us through a number of historic challenges throughout my first 18 months in office,” said Gov. Stitt. “The State of Oklahoma is better because of the long hours and tireless effort he has provided, and I cannot thank him enough for his service.”
Read moreOklahoma State University will require students living on campus to complete a COVID-19 test before checking in to campus housing. The university, in its effort to provide safe housing and move-in procedures, also is implementing a staggered move-in schedule for campus residents. All residents are assigned a specific date and time for their move-in. There will be no more than 850 people moving in on any given day spread throughout 31 residence halls. Residents are asked to bring no more than two people to assist during move-in.
Read moreOver 2/3 of pet owners say pets helped them with their mental health during lockdown.
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