Many Oklahoma school districts are gearing up for the first day of school, which is just a few weeks away.

Bixby Public Schools just released its plans for a staggered start to the beginning of the school year but said plans could change.

Bixby said although it is monitoring cases closely, the staggered start is not because of COVID-19. Staff said they're doing this to help parents and students get adjusted to the new year.

"It's going to bring back the whole sense of community in our school and being able to invite our families back in our classrooms again will be wonderful," said Bixby North First Grade Teacher, Stephanie Parker.

Parker is setting up her room for the first day of school and said she's so excited to see students walk through her door.

"I want them here in their desks and I tried to get some new things, so they'd be excited to be in a new space,” said Parker.

Bixby Public Schools is staggering their start dates and students will start in "cohorts" like they did last school year.

Students will last names A through K will go back August 16th and 17th and students with last names L through Z will start August 18th and 19th, then all students will go back on the 20th.

"We got a lot of positive feedback from both teachers and families about having that extra time just to build relationships with students with smaller groups and also to just get familiar with procedures,” said Bixby Superintendent Rob Miller.

Superintendent Miller said in compliance with the new state law, masks are not required, and quarantines will not be mandatory, but said if students want to wear masks it's their choice. He also said they're monitoring cases and will make changes if needed.

"I wish a month ago that the conditions that were there are continuing now but it is concerning so we are constantly looking at what we are doing and making sure we are doing all that we can to not only re open schools but to do it safely," said Miller.

The district said they'll continue to keep parents updated on plans for the school year through their website and will send out updates through their normal notification channels.

You can find the back to school information here.