TPS launches summer programming

(TULSA, Okla.) Tulsa Public Schools will offer virtual summer programming opportunities for all students during June and July. Students will be able to participate in the district’s virtual Summer Academy, Senior Bootcamps, or virtual summer camps, and the district will continue to provide at-home engagement and enrichment opportunities on its website at www.tulsaschools.org/summer. “We know that students can lose up to 40% of their school year learning over the summer months,” said Superintendent Deborah Gist. “Given our current context and available resources, we are prioritizing summer learning for our most at-risk students while also ensuring that all children have access to high-quality at-home activities that keep them engaged during the break.” The district’s Summer Academy will run from June 22-July 17 with distance learning for 3rd grade students eligible under the Reading Sufficiency Act and for students in grades 9-11 who need to recover credits to stay on track to graduate with their peers. Virtual Senior Bootcamp will run from June 1-July 17 for high school seniors who need to complete graduation requirements. The district will also offer self-guided virtual learning camps for all students starting in June. Virtual camp sponsors include ahha Tulsa, Discovery Lab, the Tulsa Regional STEM Alliance, and the YMCA of Greater Tulsa.

Gist said: “We are excited that so many of our partners in education are stepping up to offer virtual summer camp experiences - parents will be able to find a camp that meets the needs and interests of every child.” In April 2020, school teams across Tulsa distributed more than 21,000 laptops to students to support distance learning. To help students access these summer learning opportunities, Tulsa Public Schools is allowing students who plan to return to the district in 2020-2021 to keep their laptops during the summer months. Parents of students selected for Summer Academy and Senior Bootcamp will receive more information before the end of May. Visit www.tulsaschools.org/summer for more information about the district’s summer programs.