Classrooms are quiet and students’ desks are empty across Lincoln County and the state following a decision by the Oklahoma Department of Education on Monday to close all schools and cancel all school activities until April 6.
Most schools would be out this week for spring break, so the education department essentially extends it to a three-week break.
All extra-curricular activities are cancelled, too, including sports. The Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities Association had already postponed by the basketball state tournament.
The Oklahoma Youth Expo livestock show in Oklahoma City was curtailed, as well.
“Nothing is more important than the safety and well-being of Oklahomans,” said Joy Hoffmeister, state superintendent of schools. “It is critical that we do everything in our power to protect the health of our kids, their families, educators and all vulnerable populations. That need outweighs everything else. The OSDE has been working around the clock, and will continue to do so, to ease the burden of schools during this challenging time.”
Due to this mandated closure made by the Oklahoma Department of Education, students won’t have to make up the missed days at the end of the year.
“I encourage all of our citizens to take the precautions recommended seriously as you evaluate how these apply to your everyday lives,” Stroud superintendent Joe Van Tuyl said in an announcement on Facebook.
“Your positive and confident approach in the next few weeks is critical to our success at all levels.”