Correction: This story originally misidentified Hale Junior High School vocal music teacher Michael Broyles. The story has been corrected.
After more than 11 months of learning from home, Mason Smith has missed seeing his friends and classmates face to face.
But that’s not to say the Salk Elementary School fifth grader’s online learning experience has been all bad.
“It’s easier at home because I get help from my parents … and sometimes a calculator,” he said with a grin.
Along with other students across Tulsa Public Schools, Smith and two of his three siblings will have their first day of in-person classes Tuesday. Tier three and four special education students; fourth, fifth, sixth and ninth graders; and seventh graders at the district’s junior high campuses have the option to return to campus starting Tuesday morning or remain in distance learning.
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His oldest brother, an eighth grader at Thoreau Demonstration Academy, will go back in person on Thursday, along with other students in pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, first, second, third, eighth, 10th, 11th and 12th grades, as well as seventh graders at the district’s middle schools.
The four Smith children are enrolled at three different schools. Their father, Jared, took leave and eventually resigned from his job in part to oversee the children’s education while their mother, Sarah, continued to work full-time in information technology.
In order to accommodate the changes, the Cherokee, Muscogee (Creek) and Seminole family had to adjust its finances and received tribal assistance to cover the costs associated with upgrading their internet bandwidth in order to handle turning their home into a schoolhouse for four students.
Although he was used to being at home in the afternoons to help with homework prior to the pandemic, transitioning to a role comparable to all-day tutor has been a learning experience for Jared Smith.
Along with figuring out how to keep the boys engaged academically, it has meant remembering how to break down algebra problems for the oldest and explaining to the youngest learner how to tell time.
“My mother was a teacher for 40 years,” he said. “I have always respected teachers anyway, but this has taught me a lot more about the patience that is required to teach kids at multiple ages and multiple levels and with different personalities and learning styles.”
Although the family is excited at the prospect of in-person classes starting soon, the last 11 months have been a learning experience for everyone at the Smith house.
For the children, it has meant learning how to be more independent in the kitchen and how to better manage their time during the school day.
The abrupt shift in the spring meant both parents had to figure out how to help their children access their assignments in the first place, something that they say has gotten easier over time. It has also given them additional, extended insight into how each child approaches his schoolwork — whether it is primarily on his own like the oldest or, like Mason, with the occasional assist from a calculator.
“It has opened our eyes to how we can best help each of our children,” Sarah Smith said.
Across town, the last 11 months in distance learning have helped teach James and Brianah Dodson more about their children’s learning styles and needs, as well.
Prior to the pandemic, their three sons were on a transfer into Council Oak Elementary School. All three have sensory processing issues, which has made online instruction particularly challenging for their kindergartner, Jude.
While in distance learning, the Dodsons were able to confirm that he needs multiple breaks and extra time while taking required standardized tests, as well as additional practice building his fine motor skills — information they might not have ascertained quite as easily in a normal school year.
“Jude has really struggled, and that is something we will continue to work on, but it has helped me see how I can advocate for him better,” Brianah Dodson said. “Now I know especially where he is struggling.”
Despite acknowledging those challenges, the Dodsons’ three boys will finish the year online. The two older boys made that decision, in part because they had finally gotten into a routine.
“We just sat them down and asked them,” she said. “Both of them said they were fine with doing it this way and wanted to stay virtual. Since then, they’ve heard some of their friends are going back in person, and they’re kind of sad they made that choice because they miss their friends. Our fifth grader is sad that he is going to miss some of the normal fifth grade things. However, they just don’t want to be the reason that their grandparents get sick or wind up in the hospital.”
TPS students are not the only ones adjusting after 11 months of primarily relying on Zoom to interact with classmates and teachers.
Michael Broyles teaches vocal music at Hale Junior High School and neighboring Hale High School. Along with enforcing masks in class and social distancing as much as possible, he said he will be incorporating additional mitigation efforts this year. Sheet music will stay with the students rather than get reused among sections. There may be more small group numbers this year rather than having the entire choir sing together.
Even with the changes, he said he is eager to see his students face to face rather than via a laptop.
“My room is ready for kids — not 100%, but it is ready for them to be there,” he said. “I’m thrilled that they’re coming. I’m thrilled that I’ll see the kids in person. It’ll be difficult to not hug them, and I will have to keep my distance, but I am so excited to get to see them.”
Featured video: TPS superintendent thinks schools could restart in-person learning
TPS Superintendent Deborah Gist thinks Tulsa Public schools can resume in person learning in February. STEPHEN PINGRY, Tulsa World
More guidance for Oklahomans signing up through the state COVID-19 vaccine portal during Phase 2
Q&A: State vaccination portal help and other guidance as Oklahoma enters Phase 4
Who is eligible currently?
As of March 29, all Oklahomans 16 and older will be vaccine-eligible.
What determines how many appointments are available?
The state is reliant on COVID-19 vaccines supplied by the federal government; officials reportedly are notified of shipments one week at a time. The limited supplies make it logistically impossible to schedule vaccinations weeks in advance. Oklahoma officials hope for a policy change that resupplies be based on states' “burn rate,” of how many shipped doses are distributed promptly.
States and tribal leaders are receiving federal shipments of vaccines based on population, OSDH leaders have said. Oklahomans with a CDIB card would go to a tribal health care center for vaccines.
I signed up at vaccinate.oklahoma.gov but never got an email confirmation of any kind — what should I do?
Confirmation emails are sent out in batches; users should receive one within 24-48 business hours of registering. “Emails are sent out over a span of time in the order in which registrations occurred,” the state said. “As a result, some emails may be delayed.” If you've waited at least 48 hours without having gotten a response, it could mean a data-entry error was made by the user during registration.
State and county health officials also have said most of these issues are resolved when the user checks their junk mail folder for messages flagged as spam.
I’ve been told I can make an appointment, but I went to the portal and there were none available within 100 miles — what do I do now?
First, if the portal has a link that says "No appointments available," click anyway. Possible glitches in the system might result in that message showing up even when appointments might be open outside the user's immediate area.
If you're still coming up empty, bookmark and keep checking the “Click here” link emailed to you, says deputy OSDH commissioner Keith Reed. The link does not expire and is the only method to check for appointment availability. No further emails will be sent.
When will new appointments be added to the online portal as the state is updated on the supply of vaccines expected to ship from the federal government?
A new round of scheduling should be available on the portal every Thursday. Starting 5 p.m. Wednesday through Thursday morning, new appointments are uploaded for distribution pods, said Mindy Spohn, OSDH vaccine facilitator.
Tulsa Health Department did not add appointments Feb. 10-11 for the coming week due to inclement weather.
Someone I know is unable to go online to access the vaccination portal — how can they make sure to get an appointment?
The state recommends that those unable to access the online portal ask a family member or friend with internet capabilities to assist them with the registration process.
Some churches have stepped up to help people without internet access register on the portal, as well as those who need a foreign-language interpreter. State officials have said a Spanish translation is forthcoming for the online vaccine portal.
How are 211 and LIFE Senior Services trying to help?
Call center staff at 211 can help Oklahomans connect to resources they may need to physically access the vaccine distribution sites, but they cannot schedule appointments. OSDH helped add to 211 staff, who can collect patients' contact info to pass on to local health departments for phone scheduling.
LIFE Senior Services is helping callers get scheduled by signing them up on the portal and receiving emails for the patient. Pictured: LIFE Senior Services activities director Amberly Villegas and Geneva Boling.
Who else is trying to help people book appointments?
Josh Wright, software developer from Norman, developed a text-alert system for Oklahomans as a companion site for the state's COVID-19 vaccine portal.
The vaccine-alerts.com site has 41,000 users, who have received 1.25 million text alerts, as of Feb. 5.
Can I show up at a vaccination site without an appointment to wait for someone to miss their scheduled time?
No, Tulsa Health Department and other sites say those without appointments are not welcome at known vaccination sites. THD says if someone does miss their appointment, those shots may be offered to first-responders in the area who have not been able to get vaccinated yet.
What happens if I am unable to make my scheduled appointment? Can it be changed?
Asking that residents strive to keep their bookings as time slots are in high demand, the state has said that those who miss their scheduled time will need to make a new appointment. Cancellations or scheduling changes can be made through the portal. “There’s been some difficulty with that,” Spohn said. “Sometimes you have to wait 24 hours to be able to get back in and redirect your appointment because it locks up. … That’s among fixes we’re working on on our end.”
At what point do I schedule my second dose or "booster shot"?
The answer seems to change depending on which site a patient received their first dose.
Second-dose appointments may be scheduled at the time of the first shot. It is not required to schedule booster doses through the portal. “Follow the instructions given when you got your first shot,” OSDH Deputy Commissioner Keith Reed said.
Second-dose appointments may also be made via the state portal, and users will be asked whether they need the Pfizer or Moderna shot. Some clinics have had scheduling issues for second doses, Spohn said, so officials are working to ensure those sites aren’t filling up with only first-dose appointments.
Tulsa Health Department says: “You are able to walk in for your second dose without an appt, provided you come at the same time as your first dose. Must bring your vaccination card with you.” Director Bruce Dart said those who got a Pfizer vaccine through Tulsa Health Department should try to come back to the same site 21 days after the prime dose; those who got Moderna should walk back into the same site 28 days after.
In Wagoner County, second-dose appointments cannot be made until one week before the patient is due for the booster shot.
I can't get an appointment for my booster dose when I am supposed to — is it OK to take it any later?
Those concerned about getting appointments exactly 21 or 28 days after their first dose don’t need to worry; if you’re a little late, it doesn’t cause you to have to restart the shots. You may just take a few more days to reach 95% immunity.
The state says it may take longer for second-dose appointments to show up in the system as those cannot be entered into the system weeks in advance. Because the timing of booster doses means a three- or four-week delay, those scheduling their booster dose via the online portal are told not expect to set the schedule right after the prime dose.
Can I choose whether I receive a Moderna or Pfizer shot?
Some clinics have both Pfizer and Moderna available, but basically it’s whatever is available at the time of the appointment at the site.
Will I be able to drive-through to get my vaccination or will I have to go inside a facility?
Mindy Spohn said the state is trying at each location to help patients with accessibility issues to be able to drive-through. “The problem with drive-throughs … it does limit our throughput because you have a 15-minute observation period.” She said some sites may have found ways to offer drive-through with observation, "but their ability to reach large numbers is limited because of that."
If I have already had COVID-19, do I still need to consider getting the vaccine?
The short answer is yes. Dr. Jennifer Clark, who leads Project ECHO’s COVID-19 data sessions, said the human body’s natural immunity isn’t fully reliable and can be erratic. She said the response a person’s body will have from the vaccine will be more reliable and robust relative to the body’s natural immune response. Monks recommends waiting 90 days after recovering, especially if those who received monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma.
Do I still need to practice the three W’s after getting my vaccination?
Yes, it is vital for Oklahomans to continue to wear masks, wash their hands and watch their distance even after being vaccinated. The vaccine effectively protects recipients, but recipients may still be able to spread the virus to others. The CDC has not yet determined if or when it will stop recommending that people wear masks and avoid close contact with others to help prevent community spread.
Can you be a carrier of the virus after receiving a vaccination?
"We have to assume the answer is yes, you can. In other infectious diseases, this happens pretty commonly, though in others it does not. It won’t be known for another few months as we’ve gotten lots of people vaccinated and then tested with viral swabs," Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation President Dr. Stephen Prescott said.
Why do I have to wait 15 minutes before being able to leave after my vaccination, and what side effects are common?
Any adverse reaction that could endanger the patient's health should be evident within 15 minutes, so those receiving the vaccine must agree to observation during that time. Dr. George Monks, president of the Oklahoma State Medical Association, said possible side effects include mild pain or swelling at the injection site, true of any medicine injected into skin. Other possible side effects include mild fever, chills, tiredness and headache. Monks said side effects are almost always mild and are more common in younger people or when receiving the boost dose. Monks said one can think of the symptoms as a sign that the vaccine is working.
How many vaccine doses have gone to waste in Oklahoma?
State officials say there is no problem with expiring vaccines; doses arriving each week are already scheduled to be distributed the following week. “We don’t have any vaccine that’s sitting on the shelf,” says deputy OSDH commissioner Keith Reed. On Feb. 9, he said only 247 cumulative doses had been wasted due to broken or leading needles and vials.
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