Superintendent's Message

Spartan families and staff,

It's almost hard to believe it is time for us to share "All Things Back to School" with you! Whether you are ready to start planning ahead or prefer to file this away as you enjoy the last few weeks of sweet summertime, everything you need to know about our return is below!

Beginning in August, the district will prohibit the use of cell phone and other communication devices for students through ninth grade. High school students (grades 10-12) can access their cell phones only during non-instructional time. Students in all grades may still carry phones in purses or backpacks, yet they must be off and out of sight at ALL times during the school day. This ban also includes smart watches, smart glasses, ear pods, headphones, and all other personal wireless devices.

Due to the widespread use of cell phones at school, we have seen a significant rise in cyberbullying, sharing of inappropriate content, unauthorized recordings, loss of academic focus, safety concerns, and diminished social interaction. These issues, along with the ongoing power struggles over phone usage, have had a detrimental effect on school culture and supportive relationships. It is urgent that we address these issues with the new policy.

This decision is not made lightly. In past years, we have allowed students to access their phones outside of class time or with specific teacher permission in the classroom. However, with students now having access to school-issued devices, using cell phones to support instructional purposes is no longer warranted.

The arguments that support the removal of cell phones from schools are clear and compelling. Numerous academic studies and news articles have highlighted the detrimental effects of cell phone usage on students' academic performance, mental health, and social interactions.

According to a study published in the Journal of Educational Psychology, as referenced by the U.S. News & World Report, students who frequently use their cell phones during class score lower on learning assessments than those who do not. This study suggests that cell phone use during school hours can be a significant distraction that hinders learning and academic success.

Furthermore, excessive cell phone use can contribute to increased levels of stress, anxiety, and depression among adolescents. A report by the Pew Research Center found that many teenagers feel overwhelmed by the constant connectivity and pressure to respond to messages and notifications.

In addition to academic and mental health concerns, cell phones can disrupt social interactions and contribute to feelings of isolation and disconnection. Research published in the Journal of Adolescence Health suggests that excessive screen time, including cell phone use, can lead to social withdrawal and decreased face-to-face communication.

As parents, your support is crucial in creating a more focused and supportive learning environment for our students. By backing our initiative to prohibit cell phone use during school, you can help students disconnect from their devices and fully engage in classroom activities. This, in turn, can lead to significantly better academic performance, improved mental well-being, and enhanced social interactions. These benefits, which are the core of our decision, outweigh any perceived inconveniences of the new policy.

We understand that this transition may pose challenges for some families. However, we want to assure you that we are committed to working with you to prioritize our students' educational and emotional needs. We will provide resources and support to help students and families adjust to the new policy. Thank you in advance for supporting these changes.

On June 27, State Superintendent Ryan Walters issued a memo to districts requiring schools to incorporate the Bible in Oklahoma classroom curricula as an instructional support. Mr. Walter’s memo followed his comments at the State Board of Education meeting earlier that day: "Every teacher and every classroom in the state will have a Bible in the classroom and will be teaching from the Bible in the classroom.” I want to take a moment to address this memo and provide clarity as to what this guidance means for Bixby Schools.

First and foremost, the district vigorously defends the rights of students and employees to pray and worship at school. Students are already permitted to bring Bibles or other religious texts to school and worship. As the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1969, “Students do not shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate.” This principle will continue to guide our actions.

Furthermore, the district is fully aligned with the state-approved social studies curriculum in the current Oklahoma State Academic Standards (OSAS). These standards, adopted by the Oklahoma Legislature in 2019, recognize the significant influence of religion in shaping world history and culture. Supt. Walters, who was a history teacher with McAlester Public Schools at the time, was on the Executive Committee that helped draft these standards and strongly endorsed them when they were adopted. Our commitment to these standards remains unwavering.

It is also important to note that the 93-page standards document does not directly reference the Christian Bible and has only one reference to Christianity, which is found in World History Standard 1.2: Describe the origins, central beliefs, spread, and lasting impact of the world’s major religions and philosophies, including Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Confucianism, and Sikhism. 

In summary, the district agrees with Mr. Walters on the importance of studying the role of religion in historical and cultural contexts. However, we also maintain that teaching any specific religious doctrine or ideology is not part of the current state standards. Therefore, we affirm our decision to keep our current BPS curriculum unchanged, providing continuity and stability for our students and staff. 

Finally, at a public meeting, Supt Walters recently stated he would welcome lawsuits against his mandate requiring Bibles in schools and hopes those lawsuits would lead to the U.S. Supreme Court’s overturning previous rulings on the separation of church and state. His statement seems to be a tacit acknowledgment that this directive may not pass constitutional muster based on current statutes and legal precedent and may require a future review by the Supreme Court. As a result, Bixby Schools will continue to comply with existing case law to ensure that the rights of our students and employees are fully protected.