Shawnee Showcase
A Monthly Newsletter from SPS: November Edition
Shawnee Public Schools Indian Education Program Highlights Heritage and Showcases Students
Shawnee Public Schools Indian Education staff recently attended the 53rd National Indian Education Association (NIEA) Conference in Oklahoma City. This four-day conference focused on the importance of a solid Indian Education program, within the public school system, for Indigenous students. Presenters from around the nation provided insight into how best to meet the needs of Indigenous students in our district.
Shawnee Public Schools is proud of our robust Indian Education program. The ability to provide an Indian Education Advisor at every school site is a unique feature of Shawnee Public Schools. Our Indian Education Advisors work to ensure that every Indigenous student receives the support needed to thrive, and they also work to share the culture and heritage of our indigenous students through different activities and programs.
Shawnee Public Schools will host Native Dance Troop performances at every school site later this month. These performances provide an opportunity for SPS students to engage with and learn about the culture and heritage of the Native People. This year, all members of the performing Dance Troop are Shawnee Public Schools students.
If you would like more information regarding the Indian Education program or if you would like to serve on the Indian Education Parent Committee, reach out to our Indian Education Coordinator, Graham Primeaux at gprimeaux@shawnee.k12.ok.us. SPS encourages your attendance at the upcoming public Title VII - Impact Aid Public Hearing on November 16th at 6:30 p.m. An Indian Education Parent Committee meeting will be held immediately following the hearing. The hearing and the meeting will be held in the Shawnee Public Schools Board of Education Conference Room. Shawnee Public Schools is proud of our Indian Education program.
"Grand" Parents Day is a Grand Slam for Will Rogers Elementary
"Grand" Parents Day was a grand success. Held at Will Rogers Elementary on October 7th, "Grand" Parents Day allowed students to invite and welcome any family member they deemed "Grand" for juice, coffee, and donuts! Families could also visit the book fair and support the Will Rogers Library program.
Principal Molly Wilson states, "We have had so many school events not open to the public after the pandemic so we wanted to do something to say "Come on in, we're open!" Bringing families back into the school was our goal."
Expectations were exceeded, with over 500 people in attendance. On behalf of Will Rogers Elementary, we would like to thank those who waited in line patiently to be served or to purchase items at the book fair.
Will Rogers has many fun and exciting events in the future for families and students. November 15th is the Will Rogers Title 1 Reading Night featuring author Dennis Matthews. Families are invited to listen in as Matthews reads a riveting story. Students will have the opportunity to receive his newest book for free as well as a gift to go along with it.
Senior Conference Allows for Day of Learning About Life After High School
Shawnee Public Schools recently hosted the 3rd annual Senior Conference on October 21, 2022. The conference titled "Are We There Yet?" allowed SHS Seniors to learn like adults in different breakout sessions, hear from a guest speaker and attend a Career/College Fair. It was a day full of learning, activities, and fun.
The conference began with a welcome from Michelle Wallace, Career Development and Community Partnership Advisor. Ms. Wallace then introduced guest speaker Jeremie Kubicek. Kubicek is an international speaker, a bestselling author, and a consultant to executives and leaders worldwide; he aims to "inspire audiences through moving stories, humor, and tools that teach graphically and orally, with practical takeaways that go beyond the event itself." Jeremie Kubicek is also a Shawnee High School alum. He spoke to students on the importance of finding their peace and purpose.
Students then headed to series of different breakout sessions that aligned with their career and personal interests. Sessions included the following topics: Car Care Basics, Personal Safety/Defense, Table for One: Cooking for Yourself, Money Matters, Campus Connections: Finding Your Niche at College, Healthy Relationships, Connecting in the Digital Age/Personal Branding, a Career Panel, and more. Students also had the opportunity to attend a College/Career Fair featuring different colleges, universities and businesses.
Attendance at this conference also allowed seniors to meet some of their state required ICAP requirements. ICAP is a student-driven, ongoing process that actively engages students by enabling them to understand their own interests, strengths, values and learning styles; to create a vision of their future; to develop individual goals; and to prepare a personal plan for achieving their vision and goals after high school. The ICAP Process includes four stages; Awareness, Exploration, Preparation/Planning and Action.
We are thankful for our community members who volunteered their time and knowledge, and for our Shawnee High School counselors for making it all happen.
SPS Kids Soar to New Heights and Develop New Skills in After-School Programs
The Shawnee Public Schools Gifted and Talented program also provides an opportunity for students to enhance their strengths through enrichment. Currently, 700 students are enrolled in the Gifted and Talented program and 200 SPS students have been identified as being in the top 3% in the nation. The Gifted and Talented program is available for both Elementary and Secondary students. Elementary students can participate in activities such as icode, robitify, and academic bowl. Secondary students receive enrichment through honors classes and electives offered.
Shawnee Public Schools is proud to offer activities and programs that enrich the strengths of our students.
Vaccine Clinic
During November, Shawnee Public Schools will host a Vaccine Clinic for staff, their families, and students. Participation in this clinic is entirely voluntary, and Shawnee Public Schools will never administer a vaccine to a student without a parent or legal guardian physically present. Specific vaccines offered include the Flu Vaccine and the Covid Vaccine Booster.
"Shawnee Public Schools is grateful for the ability to offer this wraparound service for our students and staff," District Nurse Health Coordinator LaRita Haffey states.
SPS is excited to partner with TEAM Clinics and be given the opportunity to provide the Flu and Covid Booster vaccines to the Shawnee Public Schools community. This Vaccine Clinic is strictly voluntary, and all vaccines administered through this program will be done by either a Registered Nurse (R.N) or a Licensed Practical Nurse (L.P.N).
Students interested in participating in this clinic must register through TEAM Clinics and schedule an appointment. All student vaccines will be administered at Jefferson Elementary. A parent or legal guardian must accompany students to receive any vaccine.
Staff and their family members interested in taking advantage of this opportunity must fill out the form provided in your email and register via TEAM Clinics.
Any additional questions regarding the vaccine clinic should be directed to District Nurse LaRita Haffey at larhaffey@shawnee.k12.ok.us.
Shawnee Public Schools
Website: https://www.shawnee.k12.ok.us/
Location: 326 North Union Avenue, Shawnee, OK, USA
Phone: (405) 237-0653