![a balloon with a sun that says back to school]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1786391840/tulsaschoolsorg/kp2iriwphyyygkjute9l/BacktoSchoolBalloon.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1786391840/tulsaschoolsorg/kp2iriwphyyygkjute9l/BacktoSchoolBalloon.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1786391840/tulsaschoolsorg/kp2iriwphyyygkjute9l/BacktoSchoolBalloon.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1786391840/tulsaschoolsorg/kp2iriwphyyygkjute9l/BacktoSchoolBalloon.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1786391840/tulsaschoolsorg/kp2iriwphyyygkjute9l/BacktoSchoolBalloon.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1786391840/tulsaschoolsorg/kp2iriwphyyygkjute9l/BacktoSchoolBalloon.jpg","width":2200}])
Dear families,
The new school year is upon us! The first day of school is Wednesday, August 19, and we’re looking forward to seeing all our students’ smiling faces soon. Between now and the first day of school, please visit our website at www.tulsaschools.org/backtoschool to find important information like bell times, uniform requirements, bus routes, and more.
I’m including lots of other important updates related to the start of school in this message. Here is a quick checklist of what you will find below:
- Mandatory Return to School Form
- No Fight Zone
- Immunizations
- Attendance
- Free meals reminder
Mandatory Return to School Form
Each year, parents/guardians are required to update and confirm information for every TPS student before the first day of school. This process allows the district and school sites to access important information and communicate with families. You can access the Mandatory Return to School Form by logging into enroll.tulsaschools.org. If you’ve already completed a Registration Form for your student, you’ll just need to make a quick update to the Household Information section of the existing Registration Form. You can find step-by-step instructions here.
No Fight Zone
Nothing is more important than the safety and well-being of all our students and staff. Tulsa Public Schools is committed to creating and nurturing warm, welcoming, and inclusive environments that are conducive to learning. That’s why, starting this school year, we are deeming TPS a No Fight Zone. In our district, we don’t fight. We figure it out, and we find a way forward together. We will be putting processes into place to further support our students in learning how to navigate their complex emotions to avoid disagreements turning into physical altercations. Our principals and counselors are ready to provide help to students and families to ensure that we have a successful school year and peaceful school environments. You can read more about our No Fight Zone initiative at www.tulsaschools.org/nofightzone.
Immunizations
Students who will be entering pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and 7th grade require additional immunizations or an exemption form on file. Ensure that you’re ready for the first day of school by catching up on immunizations now. Community partners are holding many resource fair events and immunization clinics throughout the city. You can find details and dates for events like this at www.tulsaschools.org/calendar. To update your student’s immunization records, you can bring them to our Enrollment Center at 2819 S. New Haven Ave. or email them to StudentRecords@tulsaschools.org.
A list of required immunizations for the 2026-2027 school year can be found on the Oklahoma State Department of Health’s website. For inquiries about immunization exemptions or to complete an immunization certificate for exemption for medical, religious, or personal objections, please visit the Oklahoma State Department of Health website.
Attendance
We know that missing even a few days of school each month can have an impact on your child’s learning and cause them to get off-track. Together, we made meaningful progress in improving student attendance across the district last year, and I look forward to building on that success in the coming year. If attendance becomes difficult for your family, please contact your child's school as early as possible. Our school and district teams are dedicated to partnering with you to identify resources and remove barriers to regular attendance.
In accordance with Oklahoma law and Tulsa Public Schools policy, schools will work with families to address attendance concerns before additional interventions become necessary. Excessive absences may result in:
- Grade retention, when required by state law or district policy.
- Loss of transfer eligibility to a specialty or magnet school.
- Ineligibility for athletics or certain extracurricular activities, when applicable.
You can visit www.tulsaschools.org/attend to learn more about the importance of attendance and access resources for transportation, clothing, social services, and more.
Free meals for all students
Tulsa Public Schools will continue to provide free breakfast and lunch daily to all students this school year. You can visit tulsaschools.org/meals for information and menus throughout the year.
Cell phones and personal devices
Oklahoma law (HB 1276) prohibits the use of cell phones by all students during the school day. Devices may not be used at all during the school day in the 2026-27 school year. This is a continuation of the procedures that Tulsa Public Schools enforced last year. If you want to learn more about the law, you can access it here. Please reach out to the principal at your student’s school if you have questions or concerns.
I can’t wait to get this year started - I know it will be a year full of growth and opportunities for us all. As always, I’m grateful for your partnership as we work together to support our students’ success in their educational journeys.
Joyfully,
Dr. J
Ebony Johnson, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Tulsa Public Schools