Pandemic Preparedness Plan – A Message from the Superintendent

At Kiamichi Tech, we look forward to helping each student reach their career goals.  In the midst of a global pandemic, we remain true to our mission of preparing people for success. While we are excited to welcome you back to our campuses, we know that for some of you it may be a virtual welcome.  

Kiamichi Tech’s number one priority is the health and safety of our students, staff, and community stakeholders, while also providing a safe and productive learning environment.  We recognize this school year may be a very challenging one for all of us. Our team has been working diligently to develop plans that we believe will address the uncertainties of this pandemic.

Because of the technical nature of our programs, we understand the importance of the student on-campus experience and know that access to hands-on equipment and technology are key to student success.  These were strong factors in our decision-making; however, we also understand we need to do our part in minimizing exposure to COVID-19 in our communities.   

Kiamichi Tech’s Pandemic Preparedness      Plan provides guidance on campus operations, instruction for the fall semester, and aligns with the Oklahoma State Department of Education and Oklahoma State Department of Health’s COVID-19 Alert System.  We have integrated the COVID-19 Alert System’s color-coded risk phases into our plan to identify the most current county COVID-19 risk levels for each of our sites, with corresponding guidance in regard to instruction, health protocols, and activities for our campus and district operations.  The risk levels will be updated weekly, each Friday, based on updates to the Oklahoma COVID-19 Alert System.

Kiamichi Tech’s COVID-19 risk levels and their associated safety protocols are as follows:

• All levels will include social distancing requirements, daily symptom checks and temperature screenings
• Normal: In-person instruction allowed
• Low: In-person instruction allowed, social distancing required
• Moderate: In-person instruction allowed, face coverings required, meetings restricted 
• High: Distance learning required, face coverings required, meetings restricted, closed to the public

COVID-19 Risk Levels
Updated May 7, 2021

Administration Office: Normal
Antlers Annex: Normal
Atoka Campus: Low
Durant Campus: Low
Hugo Campus: Low
Idabel Campus: Low
McAlester Campus: Low
Poteau Campus: Low
Spiro Annex: Low
Stigler Campus: Low
Talihina Campus: Normal

Our goal is to minimize the potential for transmission of COVID-19 within the Kiamichi Tech District.  This requires the full cooperation of our students, employees, visitors, and the community.  Only through this cooperative effort can we establish and maintain the safest and healthiest environment at our campuses.

This pandemic situation is ever-evolving; therefore, our plan is subject to change.  Please know that while we cannot predict what this semester holds, we will do our best to adapt as needed while keeping the safety of our students and staff at the forefront of our decision-making.  Please review the Pandemic Preparedness Plan and additional documents linked below and check our website regularly for updates. 

I deeply appreciate everyone’s support as we move forward to ensure our students receive their career-tech training in the safest manner possible.  Regardless of the challenges we may face this school year, Kiamichi Tech is committed to fulfilling our mission of Preparing People for Success!

Stay Safe – Stay Strong – Stay Informed!

Shelley Free
Superintendent

*Varies by location, check with your local campus.