Impending Oklahoma Teacher Strike

If you've got children in public school, chances are good you've already heard about the threat of a coordinated walkout by our state's teachers. You might agree with it, or you might not, but either way, you need to be prepared with alternate solutions for your child's care and nutrition while it occurs (which is highly likely to happen).

Please note: Because this post has gotten so long already, we've decided to break it up into several additional posts. If you'd like to read about why the walkout is happening in the first place (and what it will take to stop it from happening), please go read our post Why Oklahoma Teachers Are Striking.

*I have to apologize, I've been referring to the events expected to occur on April 2nd as a strike, when they are, in fact, what's referred to as a walkout. However, so as not to lose my views when I change links, I'll leave the link and title as they currently are. Thank you for understanding.

I Can't Afford Time Off Work, or Daycare For My Child. What Options Do I Have?

There are several places offering options for families without the ability to cover care for their children during the walkout. If you are in a rural area, and don't see information for your area yet, please contact your school for details about the possibility that they and/or community partners are locating spaces to host children and donations to ensure they continue to be fed during school hours. You should also contact your PTA/PTO, local food banks, YMCA, United Way, local Charities, churches, and daycare facilities. This list is being updated as we get information, so please check back often.

Bryan County

Boys & Girls Club of Durant will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. during the strike, offering a safe place for students, as well as meals and activities, to the children of members. They require $10/day (or $40/wk) and there's a membership fee of $35 to join. Please call (580) 579-2423 with any questions. Please register your child to help ensure they have enough staff and supplies on hand. They also have locations in Hugo, Swink and Wright City.

Washington County

Bartlesville School District is working with community agencies to ensure that all students will have a safe place to go and food during the walkout. The Bartlesville Board of Education will be having a meeting at 5:30pm on Monday, March 12th. The meeting will be at the Education Service Center, which has limited seating in the board room and in the adjacent auditorium. Although citizens are welcome to attend, due to space constraints it may be better to watch it via the Examiner-Enterprise's Facebook page.

Woodward County

The Woodward Education Association is hosting a community meeting on March 26th to discuss ways to keep children safe and fed during the walkout. Please watch their event page for more information.

My Child Is On The Free Lunch Program. Where Can I Feed My Child During The Walkout?

There are many different food banks offering assistance during the walkout, and there are also community agencies, and even some restaurants, offering food.

Pittsburgh County

Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma is currently working on a plan to ensure families are taken care of. Current discussions include ideas for increasing the number of food truck sites, establishing mobile markets, and coming up with other delivery methods. There are currently no further details available, but we will update when those are available. You can call them with any questions at (918) 429-7755.

Looking for resources in Oklahoma County? Check here.

For resources in Tulsa County, please click here.

Do you know of any agencies or businesses offering assistance with food or childcare during the walkout? Please comment below and help parents in need! We will update as we come across new information to pass on.