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Superintendent's Update on COVID-19

GCTC Shawnee Campus
As we begin distance learning on April 6, please refer to these Frequently Asked Questions for assistance:
 
  • What do students need to do regarding distance learning?
    • Each program will have its own plan, so contact your instructor for guidance. Gordon Cooper Technology Center will assist in connectivity when possible.

 

  • When and how will students receive learning materials?
    • Students who are not able to access lessons electronically, will receive learning packets via mail or home delivery starting April 6 through the end of the semester.

 

  • When can students pick up personal items?
    • Students are not permitted in the building at this time. We will arrange to deliver students’ personal items after April 6. We will revisit having students come on campus to pick up items from instructors in the parking lot by appointment only after April 15 and will reconsider allowing students access to the building after April 30.

 

  • How about postponed classes? Will I receive a refund?
    • We are working to reschedule and rework short-term classes. For questions or if you prefer a refund, please call (405) 273-7493 ext 2004.

 

  • What about next year’s enrollment? Will I be contacted?
    • Students accepted into the 2020-2021 school year will be contact around April 15.

 

  • When can I test?
    • The testing centers at the main campus and the aviation campus are closed until further notice. We will reopen them as the situation dictates.

 

  • How can I get my Pell check?
    • All student Pell checks will be mailed to the student.

 

  • When will students be allowed on campus?
    • We do not know at this time. We plan to close all buildings to the public until at least April 30 and will reassess after that date.

 

  • When will we be able to do clinical learning and on the job training (OJT) again?
    • We do not know at this time. There is a good possibility we will not be able to do clinical learning or OJT the rest of this semester. If that is the case, we will allow adult students to conclude clinical-learning or OJT work at a later time.

 

  • If a secondary student was on OJT prior to March 13, can they continue after April 6?
    • Under current order, all in-person instruction for secondary students ceased for the remainder of the school year (recommended to end between May 8 –15). Where school personnel is required in-person to supervise/facilitate OJT/clinical the instruction must cease for the remainder of the school year (recommended to end between May 8 –15). Beginning April 6, instruction will be delivered via distance education until the end of the school year. Consideration for any OJT/clinical beyond the school year must follow all national, state, and local requirements as well as CDC guidelines pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 

  • How is Gordon Cooper Technology Center getting information to students and other customers?
    • We will continue post statements and updates on the school’s website at www.gctech.edu

Governor Stitt outlined a plan this week to start reopening Oklahoma. As with everything else related to COVID-19, the situation is fluid and likely to change. We have exactly three more weeks until the end of this very unusual semester. Thanks for what you have done and hang in there.

 

I hope we are able to have some kind of end of year celebration for staff. It may be modified based on the current situation, but it will be nice to see you all again. 

 

The reopening of Gordon Cooper Technology Center’s campuses is contingent on direction from the Governor’s office, federal officials, the Centers for Disease Control and the Oklahoma State Department of Health.

 

Reopening plans are subject to change based on conditions.

 

Phase 1: (April 27, 2020)

  • Campus closed. Staff can come on campus as long as they abide by social distancing guidelines.

 

Phase 2: (May 18, 2020)

  • Students remain off campus until May 15.
  • Common areas and cafeteria remain closed.
  • Teachers can have students on campus in small groups to administer skills tests, prep for certification, make-up shop time or other instruction. No more than five people in an area at one time.
  • Supervisors develop an on-site work schedule to keep proper social distancing parameters (no groups of more than 10 and 6 feet spacing between people). Supervisor can still rotate staffs’ on-campus time and assign remote work.
  • Sanitize between groups/people.
  • No staff travel unless essential.
  • Off-site customized training can resume adhering to the social distancing guidelines.
 

Phase 3: (June 1, 2020)

  • All staff back to campus (per the Governor Stitt’s plan, personnel who are members of a vulnerable population may have special work accommodations).
  • All summer camps and other events that would congregated people is groups of more than 20 will remain cancelled.
  • Resume short training and customized training on campus or at industry sites (no more than 10 people in a room at a time).
  • Common areas and cafeteria open, but remove some tables and chairs for social-distancing purposes.
  • Open south entrance for visitors.
  • Resume short training and customized training on campus or at industry.
  • All visitors sign in and out at south entrance.
  • Staff can enter at their preferred entrance.
  • Groups of less than 20 (as long as seating allows for six feet between participants) allowed on campus, sanitize between groups.
  • Minimal staff travel can resume, with a log kept of where they go and whom they visit.
  • Remote work for only those individuals at risk or with prior approval. 

 

Sincerely,

Bob Perry

Superintendent

Dear Gordon Cooper Technology Center Students:

 

The State Board of Education and the State Board of Career and Technology Education have closed campuses for the remainder 2019-2020 school year as our state continues to fight the spread of COVID-19. They have recommended schools develop a continuous learning plan allowing students to complete the school year at home.

 

Your instructors and staff at Gordon Cooper Technology Center are working now to develop instructional plans to begin April 6, 2020. Each program and each student within a program may have a different plan. This is unprecedented, but I have great confidence in our educators, our system, and in you the student to continue great learning and results for future success.

 

Your instructor will be contacting you to in the upcoming days to give you information that is more detailed. These are historic times and we will learn from them.

 

Please stay safe and we hope to see you again, soon. Keep checking www.gctech.edu for the latest updates related to campus news.

 

Sincerely,

Bob Perry

Superintendent

If you are like me, you're tired to countless updates. Saying that, I do have some information to share. Oklahoma State Superintendent, Joy Hofmeister, is recommending to the State Board of Education the closing of all campuses for the rest of this school year, and asking schools to develop remote learning opportunities.

 

This is actually some good news, since it gives us direction about how to finish the school year.

 

There are a lot of rumors and speculation about this situation. I will try to give you the best information I can coming through official channels.

 

Thanks,

Bob Perry

The Gordon Cooper Technology Center campuses will be closed March 19-20 for our regular Spring Break closure. By the request of Governor Stitt and actions of the State Board of Education, all educational activities will be postponed until April 6 and the campus will be closed.

 

Beginning on March 23:

  • Only essential maintenance and business operations personnel will report for work.
  • Instructional staff does not need to report.
  • Other professional and support staff have been given work assignments to do at home, but will remain on-call.
  • Supervisors are requested to keep in daily contact with employees working from home.
  • Our switchboard will be moved offsite from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. until April 6 and will be able to receive and transfer calls and answer questions.

 

Thanks,

Bob Perry

We have been asked to close school and create as much social distancing as possible for the next few weeks. All full-time employees will stay employed during this time; however, we are asking as many as possible to work from home during this time.

 

Basic Guidelines

  • If possible, take work home and stay at home.
  • Stay in regular communication with your supervisor.
  • The campus will be closed to all visitors with the entrance doors locked. Patrons who need to access the campus should call their campus contact and make arrangements.
  • Staff will be permitted on campus during this time. Please stay in groups of less than 10 and maintain a 10-foot distance between people.
  • When staff members need to be on campus, we will have a limited number in any one building and maintain social distancing.
  • If you are sick, please stay away from others, and as you have heard many times, wash your hands regularly.
  • Supervisors will need to document their employees’ work hours from home during this emergency closure.

 

As things change, and they will, I will do my best to keep you informed. In the meantime, rely on guidance from your supervisor. I will be in daily contact with them.

 

Thanks,

Bob Perry

After a conference call, the Governor and State Superintendent are recommending the extension

of Spring Break and will have the State Board of Education take that action this afternoon.

 

Therefore, Gordon Cooper Technology Center will close all instruction until April 6, 2020.

 

What this means:

  • Instructors and students will not have classes (including online instruction) until at least April 6.
  • If conditions warrant, we may experience a longer shutdown.

 

This continues to be a very fluid situation. I will try to put out regular statements so you will know the latest decisions. Thanks for your patience and be safe.

 

Thanks,

Bob Perry

There has been a lot going on this past week. It is highly likely we will be busy this week as we make some unprecedented decisions related to finishing this school year.

 

We will make our decisions based on information from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Oklahoma State Health Department (OSDH), Pottawatomie County Health Department (PCHD), Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE), Oklahoma Department of Career and Technical Education (ODCTE) and other official information.

 

On Sunday, the CDC recommended organizers cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the United States for the next eight weeks. The CDC goes on to say this does not include businesses or schools.

 

Until further notice, GCTC will be canceling all public events of more than 50 people in accordance with this guideline.

 

Staff on campus this week will be learning the best sanitizing techniques and remote meeting practices.

 

I will begin weekly, if not daily, updates from the superintendent office to update decisions and create an official channel of communications.

 

Thanks,

Bob Perry