When schools across Oklahoma went bell-to-bell without cell phones, Tulsa Public Schools staff quickly realized many students didn’t know how to resolve conflict without a screen.
“We started pretty early on in September, October, recognizing like, ‘Oh my gosh, kids don’t know how to have a conflict anymore,’” said Stephanie Andrews, executive director of Student and Family Support Services for TPS. “Like, they don’t know how to argue. Everything has sort of been on their phones, or maybe they argue on social media.”
While there were fewer instances of bullying or firearms than previous years, Andrews said, the district saw more fights between students — think yelling and physical conflicts — and an overall increase in suspensions. As students get ready to return to the classroom, TPS is preparing for another phone-free year with a “No Fight Zone” campaign.
“Irreparable damage can be done in the blink of an eye when disagreements or conflicts escalate. That damage can impact families, friends and futures,” wrote Superintendent Ebony Johnson in a Wednesday letter to families. “That’s why we’re reinforcing our expectations of no fighting, and offering additional supports to students to help them regulate emotions and de-escalate situations that have the potential to become tense.”
It’s not as though fights weren’t being discouraged before. There were “little pockets” of intervention efforts across TPS, Andrews said. Now, they’re being standardized with consistent training and expectations across schools.
“So when she says no fight zone, she means, like, we are gonna help your students know how to solve conflict, right?” Andrews said, referring to Johnson’s letter. “It just wasn’t very catchy to say that.”
Here’s what students can expect.
- Conflict resolution cards: A pass has been created for students to leave class and speak to an adult about a possible fight or outburst, like a counselor, social worker, dean or assistant principal. Every school site should now have the passes. Teachers are asked to make them easily accessible in the classroom.
- Parent or guardian pickup: Students can ask to go home if “they cannot safely remain in the situation,” per Johnson’s letter to families. This would be an excused absence.
- Wellness rooms: The district is rolling out designated spaces in each school building for de-escalation. Teachers will supervise students and give them a set period of time to step out, drink a glass of water, use soothing tools and then reenter class.
“That’s another thing is like, really having our folks really listen and making sure that we don’t do the thing that we’re just sending you back without giving you some tools to resolve that conflict,” Andrews said.
Middle schoolers are the greatest concern, Andrews said.
Last year, suspensions in sixth through eighth grades dwarfed those of other grade levels, according to TPS records. Nearly 3,000 suspensions were issued to 1,464 middle schoolers — more than 21% of the total student population. For Black middle schoolers, that rate climbs to nearly 32%.
“It is those middle years that we’re really trying to figure out, and so is probably every school district across the country,” Andrews said. “So I would like to be the first one to figure it out. How do we really support them?”
Suspensions or disciplinary efforts aren’t ending, though the district has pledged more behavioral support if students do escalate to a fight or other conflict. TPS is considering incentives for schools with fewer fights next year, or none at all.
The district’s first day of class is Aug. 19. For more information on orientation and meet the teacher nights, visit our back-to-school guide.
News decisions at the Tulsa Flyer are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.
