By Robert Medley
Managing Editor
First year Superintendent Josh Sumrall took the helm of Okarche Schools this fall in an unprecedented year, and he made the decision in July to reopen the classrooms for in-person learning during a pandemic.
Before he answered the question posted Wednesday as to whether any cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the pre-K to 12th grade school district with 395 students during the first two weeks, he quickly said, “Knock on wood.”
The answer is no. There had not been any students, staff, teachers or employees test positive for COVID-19 this fall as reported Wednesday morning.
But there have been several people in the district who have been in contact with COVID-19 positive people who have had to stay home under quarantine.
Parents have also kept children home who have complained of feeling bad, so there have been more absences this year than during a normal year, Sumrall said.
The district opened buildings for the fall on Thursday, Aug. 13.
“We’ve had some quarantined who have had contact with someone else outside of school who had symptoms, but we’ve not had anyone who is working or attending at school who has tested positive,” Sumrall said.
The Oklahoma State Department of Health Wednesday reported there have been 32 cases of COVID-19 in the Town of Okarche and 29 people have recovered with no deaths. In Canadian County, there have been 1,433 cases with 1,243 recoveries and 11 deaths. Kingfisher County has had 238 cases and 154 people recover with no deaths reported.
Meanwhile, if children are not feeling well they should stay home, Sumrall said. The district offers virtual, online learning and no one will be counted absent as long as they log-in.
“We recommend that if people are feeling bad not coming to school and staying home as the CDC does. Parents are doing a good of taking care of their kids when they are not feeling well. And we are adjusting as we go,” Sumrall said.
Sumrall said the district has a new band program for high school this year and the new band director is Russell Harris. The elementary school has a new music teacher, Stephanie Palmer.
The high school has not had band in more than 30 years until this fall.
The baseball and softball teams are also playing into their seasons. The baseball team has a 4-4 record and softball has posted a 5-4 record for the fall campaign as of Wednesday.
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