Jenks Tribune Digital Issue 43 - June 5, 2020

FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2020

JENKSTRIBUNE.COM

CITY OF JENKS TO HOST ANNUAL FIREWORK SHOW JULY 4

DAIRY QUEEN EYES JENKS LOCATION EIGHT JENKS 2020 GRADUATES EARN NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS DANA EZELL WINS PRESTIGIOUS AWARD

807 East A Street Jenks, OK 74037

Call or text us 918-955-8152 biergartenjenks.com

City Of Jenks Steps Up, Ensures July 4 Festivities Will Happen

By Kyle Salomon As COVID-19 is forcing July 4 celebrations to cancel across the state and Tulsa metro area, the City of Jenks has made the decision to move forward with its annual event.

Los Cabos Mexican Restaurant typically puts on the “Boom Fest” every year, which includes the firework show that concludes the day, but this year, the City of Jenks will step up to the plate and deliver its citizens one of the more popular events of the year.

“People really need something to get excited about and really need something to celebrate and what better way to celebrate July 4 than with fireworks,” Shrout said. “It is a great opportunity to show our appreciation to local businesses and citizens for their support and their willingness to work with us during this pandemic. It would have been very tough on our local businesses and our citizens if we would have cancelled this event this year.”

The partnership between the City of Jenks, Oklahoma Aquarium and private donors will fund the July 4 festivities. Shrout said he anticipates the final cost of the event falling somewhere between $30,000 and $50,000.

The Jenks Chamber of Commerce will have its annual “Freedom Fest” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 4 on Main Street and the Oklahoma Aquarium will have its annual “Fish and Fireworks” celebration.

If you are interested in helping fund or sponsor the July 4 activities, you can contact Andrea Leitch with Jenks City Manager Chris Shrout said the city is the Oklahoma Aquarium at aleitch@okaquarium.org or currently working with the City of Tulsa to iron out the Josh Driskell with the Jenks Chamber of Commerce at final details for the event. josh.driskell@jenkschamber.com.

“We are still coordinating with the city of Tulsa,” Shrout said. “Even though the City of Jenks owns pedestrian bridge and 96th Street bridge, Tulsa will have to still close some lanes on Riverside Parkway.

We expect more people to watch it on the Tulsa side since the River Parks event was cancelled. We are still trying to figure out how to manage that. The fireworks will benefit both city of Jenks and city of Tulsa.”

Shrout added the City of Jenks is expecting a large turnout on the Jenks side of the Arkansas River as well.

Shrout said he believes the city is doing the right thing by having the annual July 4 celebration.

“If it’s safe according to the governor’s guidelines, and we can make it happen, we are going to make it happen.”

“We are anticipating quite a few people,” Shrout said.

“We usually have around 50,000 people on our side.

Since it is outdoors, people can still practice social distancing. Even though there will be a lot of people around, individual groups don’t have to be that big.”

Shrout said Jenks residents need something positive to celebrate after a tough spring.

State Board Of Education Approves Option For Saturday School In 2020-2021 School Year

During a special meeting May 28, the Oklahoma State Board of Education approved an option for Saturday school.

The option for Saturday school was passed with a five to two vote. The options gives schools the freedom to utilize Saturdays for teaching and to count for attendance purposes, so they may meet the school year requirements for the 2020-2021 school year.

Current state laws prohibit schools from utilizing Saturday courses to count toward the 180 day or 1080 requirement.

The choice to use Saturdays for teaching will be up to each individual school district and is not required.

State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister said this will provide flexibility to schools when they are making the upcoming school calendar and contingency plans.

FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2020

JENKSTRIBUNE.COM

Jenks Public Schools’ Administrator Dana Ezell Wins Administrator Of The Year Award

The Oklahoma Association of School Administrators (OASA) is pleased to announce Dana Ezell of Jenks Public Schools as the 2020 OASA District 5 Assistant Superintendent/Central Office Administrator of the Year.

Ezell will be recognized at the Cooperative Council for Oklahoma School Administration (CCOSA) Summer Leadership Conference Virtual Experience on June 4.

“I am honored to be recognized as the Oklahoma Association of School Administrators District 5 Central Office Administrator of the Year because it is a reflection of the work we are doing at Jenks Public Schools,” Ezell stated. “It is a privilege to be a part of our administrative team at JPS and I am so fortunate to work alongside so many people who are dedicated to meeting the needs of students and supporting the important work of our teachers and other staff members.”

Ezell, who has worked in education for 23 years, arrived at Jenks Public Schools in 1999 as the Library Media Specialist at the Jenks Freshman Academy. In 2002, the Konawa, Oklahoma native and graduate of the University of Oklahoma, began her administrative career as Director of Communications. Ezell moved to the Human Resources department in 2006 where she served as Director of Personnel before assuming her current role as Chief Human Resources Officer.

“Selecting Administrators of the Year is always exciting,” said Dr. Pam Deering, CCOSA/OASA Executive Director. “I am especially proud of these awardees this school year who have faced more challenges than any of us could have expected. They have worked tirelessly to ensure the most success possible for their students and school communities. Dana Ezell is among some of the best Oklahoma administrators. We’re so proud to recognize her efforts.”

OASA has 20 Districts that consist of multiple counties. Eligible OASA members are nominated and selected by their peers in their OASA District.

OASA annually recognizes outstanding administrators who: • Demonstrate successful experience in top level educational administration • Have a sound, dynamic and realistic philosophy of education • Can inspire and motivate people and give support and recognition for the contributions of others • Have a record which evidences continued professional and personal growth through appropriate training and experiences including skills in human relations and the stamina to cope with the pressures of the job • Have the ability to speak for education on all levels with special emphasis on the district level • Have made contributions to educational administration

Shop Small. Shop Local.

Hire 381 Creative For All Your Graphic Design And Marketing Needs!

Three Eight One Creative is inclusive and a proud ally for the LGBTQ+ community.

Jinger Wiesman Owner/Graphic Designer 381creative.com 918.813.0654

Dairy Queen Eyes Jenks Location

By Kyle Salomon

Residents of Jenks will soon get to experience “happy tastes good” in their hometown, as Dairy Queen plans on opening a location in the community.

Jim Kerr, Executive Vice President of Franchise Development for Dairy Queen, said the company likes what they see in the Tulsa market, especially in Jenks.

“I see the Tulsa market being very similar to the Oklahoma City market,” he said. “I believe we have strong growth that can occur there. We have good markets that we want to go after, but we need to attract strong entrepreneurs, who are quality candidates to be franchisees. We really are interested in those who are from the area, so they can connect with the community and have a higher probability of success.”

Kerr has been with Dairy Queen for 11 years, while the Dairy Queen brand has been around a little more than 80 years.

The company celebrated its 80th anniversary in March. He said Jenks has everything they are looking for to open a new restaurant.

“We do look for individuals or a group of individuals that want to work together that have financial strength and management capability,” he said. “We obviously want to find someone who has passion and commitment to our brand. We like to make sure if you have affection to our brand as a consumer, you have affection to our brand as a business leader as well. The other part of it is to have a good connection to the community. That is very important to us.”

When the new restaurants in the Tulsa region do get built, Kerr said they will be the new look Grill and Chill facilities.

“We are in transition to two different types of Grill and Chill’s,” he said. “We are beginning to build something we call our next generation facility. They are the same size as our other facilities. That is the type of facility we are going to build in the Tulsa market.”

Stay up to date with the Jenks Tribune to find out when and where the new Dairy Queen will be completed in the Jenks community.

“Jenks is one of the trade areas that we have focused on,” he said. “It has a strong population and proximity wise we like that it is close to Oral Roberts University. It also has great proximity to the toll road and the Highway 75 corridor. It is an area positioned well for growth in the Tulsa region. We feel Jenks could be one of the priority targets that could drive additional growth into other parts of Tulsa itself.”

Kerr said Dairy Queen looks at Tulsa as having two levels of geography. “We think of Tulsa and its suburbs and then look at the media market for Tulsa, which extends all the way south to McAlester and extends to the north all the way to Independence, Kansas. It covers a lot of territory,” he said.

Kerr noted that attractions, such as the Oklahoma Aquarium and the incoming Tulsa Premium Outlets make Jenks even more attractive.

“We want to attract people who don’t just live in that particular area, but those coming into that area for other attractions,” he said. Kerr added that it is important that they attract strong franchisee prospects and they do not have a location set for Jenks at this time.

“We have quite a few leads coming through our system,” he said. We have inquiries for the Tulsa market. As soon as we have a candidate, who has strong interest and lives in the area, our Franchise Developer Roger Schone will plan and tour with that individual to get it kicked off. We are pretty good once we start focusing on a market to identifying a candidate and moving to real estate right after that.”

Kerr said he would like to see four-to-six new restaurant openings in the Tulsa metropolitan area and four-to-six openings in area more outside of Tulsa. He added Jenks is one of the first locations Dairy Queen would like to see opened but finding the right franchisee prospect is crucial.

Founded, owned, operated and published by Hyperlocal LLC 329 S. Elm Street | Suite #201 Jenks, Oklahoma 74037 Phone: 918-528-7272 | Fax: 918-528-5605 | jenkstribune.com

Jenks Tribune Staff

Kyle Salomon Owner Hyperlocal LLC Publisher: Jenks Tribune

Jinger Wiesman Creative Director/ Advertising Executive Jenks Tribune

Office | 918-528-7272 Mobile | 918-231-0787

Office | 918-528-7272 Mobile | 918-813-0654

ksalomon@jenkstribune.com

jwiesman@jenkstribune.com

Jenks Tribune Mission Statement “We are the Jenks community’s hometown source for hyperlocal news, sports and information that the people of our community need to know.”

By Kyle Salomon

Eight Jenks 2020 Graduates Earn National Merit Scholarships

Jenks High School 2020 graduates Avery Acord, Hailey Hoog, Baylor Norris, Benjamin Diep, Samuel Hjelm, Zachary Magnuson, Morgan Pursell and Victoria Savage were recently selected as National Merit Scholarship winners.

National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced this week more than 3,300 winners of National Merit Scholarships financed by United States’ colleges and universities.

Officials of each sponsor college selected their scholarship winners from among the finalists in the 2020 National Merit Scholarship Program who plan to attend their institution. These awards provide between $500 and $2,000 annually for up to four years of undergraduate study at the institution financing the scholarship.

An additional group of Scholars will be announced in July, bringing the total number of college-sponsored Merit Scholarship recipients in the 2020 competition to about 4,100.

This year, 167 higher education institutions are underwriting Merit Scholarship awards through the National Merit Scholarship Program. Sponsor colleges and universities include 92 private and 75 public institutions located in 43 states and the District of Columbia.

College-sponsored Merit Scholarship winners announced today are a part of the distinguished group of about 7,600 high school seniors who will receive National Merit Scholarships for college undergraduate study worth more than $30 million.

Earlier this spring, NMSC announced winners of corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards and National Merit $2500 Scholarships.

Acord earned her National Merit Scholarship with Oklahoma State University and her probable career field is mechanical engineering.

Norris earned his National Merit Scholarship with Texas A&M University and his probable career field is mechanical engineering (automotive).

Pursell earned her National Merit Scholarship with Texas A&M University and her probable career field is biomedical engineering.

Hoog earned her National Merit Scholarship with the University of Arkansas and her probable career field is medicine.

Diep earned the David A. Burr National Merit Scholarship at the University of Oklahoma. Diep’s probable career field is radiology.

Hjelm earned his National Merit Scholarship with Oklahoma State University and his probable career field is mechanical engineering.

Magnuson earned his National Merit Scholarship with Oklahoma State University and his probable career field is medicine.

Savage earned her National Merit Scholarship with the University of Arkansas and her probable career field is international law.

In this time of uncertainty, let this be your assurance;

“I will walk you through your real estate needs whether buying or selling in the safest of manners for all public health.”

Please give me a call and let’s discuss.

Bringing the Best in Real Estate to Jenks Andrea Salomon

Sales Executive | Coldwell Banker Select 8990 S Sheridan | Tulsa OK 74133

Asalomon@cbtulsa.com AndreasHomeSite.com | 918.231.0957

By Kyle Salomon

Jenks Moves To Phase 3

The City of Jenks followed the City of Tulsa and the State of Oklahoma by entering Phase 3 Monday of its re-opening.

Phase 2 kicked off May 15, which said bars that do not serve food were allowed to open along with more people being allowed to gather.

Phase 3 means employers can resume unrestricted staffing of worksites.

Summer camps (church and school) can open.

Phase 3 does mention that visits to senior care facilities and hospitals should still be prohibited.

City officials still suggest wearing masks when out in public and to continuing to practice social distancing due to the continued threat COVID-19 poses.

Below are the recommendations issued by the City of Jenks regarding Phase 3: INDIVIDUALS All citizens over 65 years old and vulnerable Individuals should continue to follow safer-at- home policies.

All individuals should minimize time spent in crowded environments and continue following CDC guidelines regarding social distancing.

Visitations to senior care facilities, except for end-of-life situations, will be prohibited until affirmatively lifted by Executive Order.

Visitations to hospitals allowed within the guidelines provided in OURS Plan. More details under “Specific Employers”.

CITY OF JENKS EMPLOYEES AND FACILITIES City employees will follow current CDC recommendations regarding face coverings when on city property.

Special considerations for personnel who are members of a vulnerable population will be taken into consideration.

Utility Billing window in City Hall open with continued options to pay online, by mail, by phone or dropbox.

Community Room is open for reservations. People ages 65 and over and vulnerable individuals should avoid attending events in

Community Room per OURS Plan guidelines.

Jenks Parks open with social distancing still in effect. Playground equipment open; splash pads open; restrooms open; park

pavilions available for reservations.

Special Events permits for events can be submitted online. Decisions will be made based off current incident rates and change

based off current data.

SPECIFIC EMPLOYERS Summer camps (church and school) can open. This decision to open or not lies with the individual camps.

Visitations to senior care facilities, except for end-of-life situations, will be prohibited until affirmatively lifted by Executive Order.

Businesses operating by appointment only may begin operating by appointment or walk-in at their discretion.

Suggested guidelines regarding use of masks and other personal protection equipment in businesses can be found on the CDC

website or the OK Dept. of Commerce website.

Businesses can resume unrestrictive staffing at their worksites by observing proper CDC-recommended social distancing protocols

and are recommended to continue increased cleaning and disinfecting practices. Unrestrictive staffing is at the discretion of

the business.

SPECIFIC EMPLOYERS Visits to hospitals shall be subject to the following limitations: 1. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, health care facilities (hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, outpatient diagnostic centers, and clinics) are uniquely charged with protecting both the health of those they serve and the health of their caregivers. As an essential part of the front line to stopping the community spread of COVID-19, health care facilities should maintain compliance with current CDC guidelines regarding limiting visitation to their facilities through the establishment of policies that limit the number of people who may access their facility.

2. Depending upon the prevalence of community spread and number of suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients in the facility, in consultation with medical staff, the facility shall determine the visitation policies. If determined that it is safe for the patient and the staff, the following visitation will be allowed in Phases 2 and 3 of the OURS plan: • Each patient may be permitted one adult Patient Representative to support and assist the patient with receipt of care. The Patient Representative should be the same throughout the admission or visit.

• Additional Patient Representatives may be permitted if exceptional circumstances warrant consideration and in compliance with facility policy.

• Patient Representatives shall be subject to any screening procedures required by the facility including temperature screenings, observance of hand hygiene practices, and the wearing of their own mask at all times while in the facility.

• The facility may further limit access to patients when Patient Representatives fail to follow facility policy.

• Social distancing is required at all time

Jinger Wiesman Owner/Graphic Designer 381creative.com 918.813.0654

Three Eight One Creative is inclusive and a proud ally for the LGBTQ+ community.

Jenks Graduate One Of 50 Total Students To Receive Phillips 66 Scholarship Raylee Bussey, Jenks High School 2020 graduate, is among 50 high school seniors who will receive a $16,000 college scholarship from the Phillips 66 Dependent Scholarship Program.

The competitive program awards outstanding college-bound students whose parents work for Phillips 66 or one of its subsidiaries.

“Even in these unique times, Phillips 66 remains committed to the value of higher education and ensuring success for future generations through our scholarship program,” said Claudia Kreisle, Phillips 66 manager of Social Impact. “We congratulate Raylee on their achievements inside and outside the classroom and wish them every success in college.”

The awards are based on academic excellence, community service and financial need. The scholarship is another example of the company’s vision of improving lives and supporting the communities where we live and operate.

Scholarship America, a neutral, third-party administrator of educational assistance programs, selects the recipients and manages the program for Phillips 66.

Bussey is the daughter of Phillips 66 employee Jeffrey Davis.

Oklahoma Aquarium Turns 17 The Oklahoma Aquarium celebrated its 17th anniversary in Jenks May 28.

The aquarium thanked its members and visitors over the past 17 years for their support in a Facebook post.

The post also read the facility is looking forward to making a splash in the community for many years to come.

Everybody and their dog is reading the Jenks Tribune.

YOU SHOULD BE ADVERTISING!

Governor Stitt Signs SB 1269 To Create Statewide Flood Resiliency Plan, Fund Oklahoma Senate Bill 1269, legislation that directs the Oklahoma Water Resources Board to develop a Statewide Flood Resiliency Plan, was signed into law

by Governor J. Kevin Stitt on May 18. In addition to the creation of a statewide flood mitigation plan, the law creates the State Flood Resiliency Revolving Fund to fund both the development of the Plan as well as future flood hazard mitigation projects.

The flood plan will examine flood risks, and potential flood mitigation projects beyond the local level, along an entire runoff area within a larger watershed. The plan will examine the need for additional flood risk information, such as flood maps, and will ultimately feature a State inventory of specific flood control infrastructure projects that will include cost-benefit analyses. Flood risk needs and assessments within watersheds could also be coordinated between communities in those watersheds.

Authored by Senator Dave Rader of Tulsa, and sponsored by Representative Lonnie Sims of Jenks, the law was requested by the OWRB as the agency responsible for long range water resources planning and management.

“The by-product of Oklahoma’s unfortunate luck with natural disasters is that we are very well versed in how to deal with them and respond to them. We must now move toward a more proactive approach to hazard mitigation. This mirrors how FEMA and other federal agencies are beginning to approach disaster response – mitigating the damage before the event occurs.

In order to do that properly, and protect taxpayer resources as we do it, we must have a well-thought out plan is coordinated across communities and the state. I want to thank the state and federal agencies involved in this effort, and Governor Stitt for signing this legislation into law,” said Senator Dave Rader.

The OWRB and other hazard mitigation and infrastructure agencies – including the Oklahoma Floodplain Managers Association, Oklahoma Emergency Management, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Oklahoma Conservation Commission, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, Oklahoma Department of Transportation, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service – have already began initial collaboration for the plan.

“We place a very high priority on this legislation and see this flood plan as a significant piece that will strengthen the state’s long-term water resiliency planning moving forward. Past updates of the Oklahoma Comprehensive Water Plan focused largely on assessing drought resiliency and water and waste water reclamation infrastructure needs.

Today, especially as we see more frequent extreme flooding events, it is more important than ever to comprehensively understand our state’s critical flood control infrastructure needs and better collaborate at all levels to address these needs,” said OWRB Executive Director Julie Cunningham.

In the fall of 2019, Representative Sims conducted a Legislative interim study to review all aspects of the federal, state, and local preparation and response to the Arkansas River basin floods during the spring of 2019. Among other issues, the interim study highlighted the need to establish a coordinated plan to begin addressing Oklahoma's hazard mitigation and infrastructure needs. During the 2020 legislative session, Senator Rader and Representative Sims lead on a number of flood-related bills before the ultimate enactment of SB 1269.

“Flooding remains one of the worst types of disaster in terms of the loss of property and life. In 2019, much of Oklahoma, and especially the Arkansas River basin, experienced record flooding. Oklahoma has already experienced flooding in some areas during 2020. After reviewing the lessons learned and discussing proactive solutions, I’m honored to be a part of legislation that helps us proactively plan and mitigate for future flood events instead of only reacting and responding,” said Representative Lonnie Sims.

Jenks Public Schools Not Offering Sports Physicals Prior To 2020-2021 School Year

In a recent letter addressed to the Jenks Public School District, Jenks Public Schools Head Athletic Trainer Mike Catterson said due to concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, the school will not host its annual sports physicals or mass drug testing events as done in the past.

The letter goes on to say each student-athlete at Jenks Public Schools are still required to complete a physical prior to their first practice per Oklahoma Secondary Activities Association rules. For a physical to be valid for the 2020-2021 school year, it must be dated after May 1, 2020.

Catterson said his first recommendation is for the student-athlete to complete a physical with his or her primary care/family physician using the Jenks Pre-Participation Physical Evaluation Form and Medical History Form. Both forms can be found on the JPS website under Quicklinks/Athletic Forms. Once forms have been completed, they can be scanned and emailed to Michael.catterson@jenksps.org or kate.munger@jenksps.org.

RankOne Forms for the 2020-2021 school year are now available to be completed online as well, the letter says.

The link to RankOne can be found at jenkspublicschool.rankonesport.com.

Below is list of clinics and facilities that will also conduct sports physicals. The letter added information regarding drug testing will be made available later.

Clinics/Facilities for sports physicals: -Advanced Orthopedics, 6585 S. Yale Ave. Suite 200 in Tulsa, 918-494-2665 (Call ahead to schedule appointment with Dr. Shockley) -Jenks Family Physicians, 615 E. Main St. in Jenks, 918-299-8080 (Call ahead to schedule appointment) -St. John Urgent Care, 220 S. Elm St. Suite 100 in Jenks, 918-403-7146 (Walk-in available, no appointment needed) -Access Medical Centers Urgent Care, 9716 Riverside Pkwy in Tulsa, 918-528-4857, Cost is $25 (Once at location, call listed number and inform them you are there for a sport physical) -Warren Clinic Urgent Care Tulsa Hills, 7858 S. Olympia Ave. in Tulsa, Cost $25 (Walk-in available, no appointment needed)

Jenks To Open Athletics June 8 With Three-Phase Approach Jenks Public Schools released its plan Monday evening to re-open athletics June 8 following the May 22 vote by the Oklahoma Secondary Schools Association to allow sporting events to immediately commence.

Jenks Public Schools Director of Athletics Tony Dillingham, his Athletic Department staff and the district administration staff began working on a plan to jump start Trojan sports following the decision from the OSSAA. After the JPS administration’s approval, Dillingham met with his coaches Monday to discuss how Jenks athletics will come back amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Jenks will take a phased-in approach to bringing sports back, which will get underway June 8.

Here is a statement released Monday by the Athletic Department: “Jenks Public Schools in conjunction with state agencies, physicians, and the CDC (Center for Disease Control) has determined it is safe, as of June 8, to return to activities with restrictions,” the statement reads. “In order to ensure safety for all, the following must be in place at all activity facilities. All staff are expected to comply with each item outlined in this phased-in plan. This three-phase COVID-19 plan is fluid and adjustments may need to be made. During each phase, every person involved in an activity must complete a daily COVID-19 screening form. Vulnerable individuals should not oversee or participate in any workouts during any phase.”

Here is the phased-in plan Jenks athletics will take in bringing sports back: ATHLETICS & ACTIVITIES PHASE ONE - June 8 through June 21 On June 8, coaches may have face-to-face contact with secondary level students using the provisions provided below. Practices are not included during this phase. Sport specific camps or leagues will not be conducted at this time. Strength and conditioning programs are permitted during this time as well as sport tryouts with the approval of the athletic director.

INDOORS WEIGHT ROOMS • Each person entering the facility must have their temperature checked upon arrival. Any individual with a temperature registering 100.4 degrees or above will not be permitted to stay.

• Hands must be washed, or hand sanitizer used, prior to entering the facility and touching any equipment.

• Locker rooms and/or restrooms, if opened, must be sanitized before use, and at the conclusion of the workout.

• Two people maximum on any one piece of equipment.

• Spotters must wear a mask or cloth face covering.

• All groups must be a minimum of six feet apart; the total number allowed in a weight room must comply with the six-foot social distancing policy.

• Each piece of equipment must be disinfected between each user of the equipment.

• Hands must be washed, or hand sanitizer used, every 30 minutes.

• No shared hydrating bottles, towels, gloves, or any other personal equipment is permitted.

• Coaches, or other supervisory adults, must wear a mask or cloth face covering.

GYM/INDOOR FACILITY • Each person entering the facility must have their temperature checked upon arrival. Any individual with a temperature registering 100.4 degrees or above will not be permitted to stay.

• Hands must be washed, or hand sanitizer used, prior to entering the facility and before beginning any drills or handling of equipment.

• Locker rooms and/or restrooms, if opened, must be sanitized before each use, and at the conclusion of the workout.

• Each person must remain a minimum of six feet apart.

• No shared hydrating bottles, towels, gloves, or any other personal equipment is permitted.

• Hand must be washed, or hand sanitizer used, every 30 minutes.

• Any equipment must be disinfected every 30 minutes.

• Coaches, or other supervisory adults, must wear a mask or cloth face covering.

OUTDOORS • Each person entering the facility must have their temperature checked upon arrival. Any individual with a temperature registering 100.4 degrees or above will not be permitted to stay.

• Hand must be washed, or hand sanitizer used, prior toto handling of equipment.

• Locker rooms and/or restrooms, if opened, must be sanitized before each use and at the conclusion of the workout.

• Each person must remain a minimum of six feet apart.

• No shared helmets or equipment worn on the head including facemasks.

• No shared hydrating bottles, towels, gloves, or any other personal equipment is permitted.

• Hands must be washed, or hand sanitizer used, every 30 minutes.

• Any equipment used must be disinfected every 30 minutes.

• Coaches, or supervisory adults, must wear a mask or cloth face covering.

PHASE TW0 - JUNE 22 THROUGH JULY 14 (This time frame may need to be altered if the OSSAA maintains the previously mandated dead period) • Camps, and clinics may be conducted. All camps and clinics will be restricted to students who are enrolled in Jenks Public Schools. Strength and conditioning may also continue.

• All participants must maintain social distancing requirements and practices should be not-contact in nature.

• Players shall not participate in drills that are designed to cause direct contact with another person. There must be a form of protection between any player and incidental contact. Training devices such as air and standup dummies, tackling wheels, or blocking shields, which are non-attached as well as tires, ropes, boards, and any other equipment not requiring body contact may be used.

• Hands must be washed, or hand sanitizer used, every 30 minutes.

• Any equipment used, including weights, balls bats, helmets, etc. must be disinfected every 30 minutes.

• Only intra-squad participation is allowed.

• Tryouts are permitted pending athletic director approval.

• No shared hydrating bottles, towels, gloves, or any other personal equipment is permitted.

PHASE THREE — JULY 15 THROUGH AUGUST 9 • On July 15, unrestricted practice may begin for fast-pitch softball, volleyball, cross country, cheer, pom, marching band, color guard and other Fine Arts activities. Strength and conditioning programs may continue as well.

Oklahoma Aquarium, Jenks Chamber To Kick Off ‘Sharklahoma’ In July The Oklahoma Aquarium and the Jenks Chamber of Commerce will host their second annual “Sharklahoma,” a month-long celebration of all-things shark, with events at the aquarium and several other businesses throughout Jenks.

Sharklahoma kicks off in the month of July at the aquarium with weekly behind-the-scenes shark feed tours; a screening of Jaws with aquarium biologists debunking myths; Shipley the Shark mascot visits to local businesses; talks with celebrity shark experts; a staff shark dive; and more. Other community events include: Jenks America Freedom Fest; Boomfest, a fireworks show sponsored by the Oklahoma Aquarium; a screening of Finding Nemo at The Hive; and more.

The Oklahoma Aquarium is home to the world’s largest collection of bull sharks in the world. Ten of the “most dangerous sharks known to man” inhabit a 380,000-gallon saltwater tank and tunnel, along with three nurse sharks. This immersive exhibit allows visitors the chance to walk through tunnels beneath and alongside some of the most beautiful and deeply misunderstood creatures in the sea. This exhibit, amongst others, has earned the Oklahoma Aquarium media attention from around the globe.

The bull sharks have also participated in important research projects to help humans and other sharks in captivity.

“The Oklahoma Aquarium is grateful to the community and guests from around the world for their support of our nonprofit, particularly our sharks,” said Andrea Leitch, Chief Marketing Officer of the Oklahoma Aquarium.

“Sharklahoma allows us to partner with the community, while also raising awareness about importance of sharks and their ecological and economic impact.”

The Oklahoma Aquarium will also host its second annual contest where one lucky diver will swim with the largest collection of bull sharks in the world on Friday, July 26. The grand finale of Sharklahoma will give one contest winner the opportunity to swim with the sharks in the world-renowned tank. The winner will wear a 20-pound, $6,000 chain mail suit, and a GoPro to swim alongside scuba-certified aquarium staff.

Bull sharks are best known for their aggressive behavior and are considered to be one of the most dangerous species. They are found in warm shallow water but can also be found swimming in freshwater rivers. Bull sharks can live up to 16 years in the wild and can grow from seven to 11.5 feet, weighing between 200-500 pounds.

Currently, 10 bull sharks swim in the exhibit.

Since opening in 2003, the Oklahoma Aquarium has been a great source of pride and economic growth for the city of Jenks.

“The Oklahoma Aquarium has played an undeniable role in the development of Jenks,” said Josh Driskell, President and CEO of the Jenks Chamber of Commerce. “We’re excited to be able to partner with the Aquarium for this programming to raise awareness of shark conservation, the Aquarium and Jenks.”

Together, the Oklahoma Aquarium and the Jenks Chamber of Commerce hope to enhance the visitor experience to the area, particularly educating locals and visitors alike about the importance of shark conservation.

For a full list of events, visit Sharklahoma.com.

Thank you to all our readers, advertisers, and fans! We appreciate you all keeping up with us and the Hyper-Local news we deliver to you all!

- Kyle Salomon owner

and Jinger Wiesman creative director