Some follow public schools, plan for Monday classes

Tim Cameron, headmaster of Metro Christian Academy, said the school had no power and was not accessible by road.

"The only two roads are covered with wires and trees," said Cameron of the school at 6363 S. Trenton Ave.

Like most Tulsa-area public schools, many local private schools have not been in session this week since the ice storm knocked out power to much of the region.

Jenks Public Schools students will be returning to class on Friday, although Tulsa, Union and Broken Arrow public schools remain closed.

Metro's Cameron said he has been communicating to parents and faculty through e-mail.

"When it's safe, we'll at least open up the building to let them (students) get their books," he said.

Finals, which were scheduled for Monday, will have to be rescheduled, he said.

Cameron said private schools must follow the same state requirements for number of days in school, and likely will have to make up this week's missed days at the end of the year, or possibly within the current calendar on a Saturday.

Metro's facility was not damaged, although the catering company that provides the school's lunches and uses its cafeteria had to move approximately $50,000 worth of meat to other storage, he said.

Cameron said his home still was without power, as were the homes of many students and faculty members.

He said he did not want to sound frustrated, but he is, and he knows many others without power are, as well.

"But you just commit it to the Lord and do your best," he said.

Dennis Demuth, superintendent of Victory Christian School, said in an e-mail that his school has power and was back in session, with 1,040 of its 1,300 in attendance.

Demuth said without bus routes to worry about, it was easier to get back in session than it would be for some public schools.

"The greatest challenge is with parents who may have students both at a private school and at a public school," Demuth wrote.

Bishop Kelley's facilities never lost power during the storm, but administrators decided it best not to schedule classes until Monday.

With so many students and faculty still without power at their homes, just getting ready for school can be an issue, he said.

"We've got too many families without," he said.

The school, 3905 S. Hudson Ave., usually follows Tulsa Public Schools' lead, but will be in session Monday, regardless, he said.

Weyland advised parents to check the school's Web site, cf,fgc www.tulsaworld.com/bkelleycf,ceno , to find out about Monday's classes in case weather becomes an issue over the weekend.

Holland Hall, 5666 E. 81st St., which usually follows Jenks Public Schools regarding cancellation, has canceled classes for the week, but will resume classes Monday, according to its Web site, cf,fgc www.tulsaworld.com/hollandhallcf,ceno .

The Rev. Bernard Scianna, headmaster of Cascia Hall, 2520 S. Yorktown Ave., said the school still was without power, but he hopes to have classes Monday.

"This has been amazing; it's really been a disaster," he said.

Finals at the school have been canceled, and if it is possible to have school next week, Wednesday will be added to the calendar instead of it being part of the holiday break.

Classes at Monte Cassino school have been canceled until Monday, according to Edana Brook, spokeswoman for the school, 2206 S. Lewis Ave.

Marquette School, 1519 S Quincy Ave., also will be closed Friday, as it remains without power, said Pete Theban, the school's principal.

Nora Froeschle 581-8310
nora.froeschle@tulsaworld.com

School district closings

Tulsa-area school districts that have canceled classes for Friday:

• Tulsa
• Berryhill
• Broken Arrow
• Collinsville
• Owasso
• Sand Springs
• Skiatook
• Sperry
• Union