The Osage Nation Executive Branch is accepting applications for children to attend the Nation’s Schools Walk-out Support Plan, which is providing daytime activities and meals for students impacted by the Oklahoma teacher walk-out protests prompting closures at Osage County school districts.

The walk-out support service is open to students in grades K-12 affected by Osage County school walk-outs and is open to Osage children and other children, including those of Osage Nation employees, according to the Executive Branch. Osage preference will be applied in accepting applications for the program that will be available from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. during the affected school days.

As of April 4, two of four planned Walk-out Support Plan sites are open to accept applications and to take affected students in Pawhuska and Skiatook. The two other proposed sites in Hominy and Fairfax are accepting applications, but those two sites will open pending more applications to serve students in those areas, said Jodie Revard, Deputy Director of Operations for the ON Executive Branch.

It’s unknown how long the Oklahoma statewide walk-out activities will last. Protestors, including teachers, education professionals, and students, have demonstrated at the state capitol in Oklahoma City since April 2.

Interested parents and guardians may pick up applications at the Nation’s WIC clinic sites in Pawhuska (1301 Grandview Ave); Skiatook (519 Maplewood, Ln); Hominy (303 E. Main St.); Fairfax (261 N. Main St.).

The Pawhuska drop-off site for children is the ON Language Department at 222 W. Main St. following the application process. The Skiatook drop-off site is the Skiatook Community Center at 120 S. Broadway St.

Lunches will be prepared in Pawhuska and delivered by volunteers to the support plan sites, Revard said. After the Fifth ON Congress passed a $60,000 appropriation for the support plan on April 2, the Executive Branch sought volunteers who are ON government employees to help prepare lunches, accept applications at the WIC sites and other activities.

According to a statement by Dena Cosby of the ON Education Department: “While teachers work out their differences with the state, Osage Nation plans to hone in on math, reading, anti-bullying, history, wildlife, culture, language, health, and nutrition.  Not only will parents be able to continue normal work duties, Osage students will be supported, educated, and promoted through self-identity.” 

Applications (downloadable PDF format) and more information on the walk-out support plan are available online at: https://www.osagenation-nsn.gov/news-events/news/osage-nation-support-plan-%E2%80%93-public-schools-walk-out