Good Afternoon,

Thank you to all Dragon families for your support of our school. We are grateful for your patience and kindness as we persevered through a year unlike any other. We have a busy final three weeks ahead for our staff and students. Please see below important information regarding, graduation and end of year activities, semester tests, and summer extensions program (summer school). I'm also sharing an article detailing the results of a recent major study emphasizing the importance of reading for fun.

I remember in grade school my grandmother constantly encouraging me to read for fun. Like many young boys I was sports obsessed and loved anything football related. My grandmother gave me a series of biographies about football legends. They were of course designed for young readers and I couldn't get enough of them. It ignited my passion for reading which soon broadened to other areas of interest for me.

Studies have long demonstrated that students lose interest in reading as they move to higher grades. The shift from reading for fun towards rigorous academic reading can often be to blame. Students who were once passionate about Harry Potter as pre-teens lose that passion when they turn their attention to academic textbooks and required reading. Of course high school students need to engage in challenging academic texts and content. But they also need to continue reading for fun or to indulge their own personal reading interests.

English courses are critically important to the success of any High School. They help develop language and communication skills, help students develop personal virtues such as empathy and kindness through the literary works they explore, and foster and encourage a life-long love of reading. Students who love to read become lifelong learners and open their minds to new opportunities and ways of thinking. I encourage all parents to join with your student's school and work to encourage our students to read for pleasure

Go Dragons!

Always feel free to call or email me if you have questions,

sandersj@purcellps.org

405-442-0099 ext 505

Great teachers make Great schools! With computers and technology playing an increasingly central role to education, it's easy to forget the power of a teacher-student connection. I was reminded of this once again today observing Jake Deviney teach freshman physical science. Jake didn't use a laptop or any other digital source. Yet every student was engaged and excited to learn about Einstein's' space-time theory. Jake Deviney teaches freshman physical science and coaches track, basketball, and baseball. We are lucky to have him at PHS!

PLEASE BE SURE TO CHECK MS. FEROLI'S COUNSELING INFORMATION. THIS IS UPDATED WITH EACH NEWSLETTER.

PLEASE NOTE: We have concluded our state testing and are grateful for the extraordinary hard work of Melissa Feroli during this challenging time. Ms. Feroli was able to lead our testing efforts while also meeting the demands of her most important responsibility: meeting the social and emotional needs of our students. I would also like to thank David Hilger, Kim Cummings and Jerry Swayze for supporting our technology needs and helping us navigate those challenges. Cara Simonton, Jana Rolin, and Candy Tuck deserve a ton of thanks for helping Ms. Feroli meet the logistic needs of scheduling testing. And of course a huge thanks to staff and students for their hard work and patience.

Freshmen:

• Reminder: Oklahoma’s Promise applications must be made before the end of sophomore year, but the sooner the better. In order to access requirements for this scholarship opportunity and determine eligibility, please visit the following link. If you qualify, please register with them! I’m happy to help or answer questions anytime!

• OK Promise Scholarship Information

Sophomores:

• Reminder: Oklahoma’s Promise applications must be made before the end of sophomore year, but the sooner the better. In order to access requirements for this scholarship opportunity and determine eligibility, please visit the following link. If you qualify, please register with them! I’m happy to help or answer questions anytime!

• OK Promise Scholarship Information

• Sophomore students enrolled for Junior year this week during their English classes. They should have copies of the choices they made as a preliminary wish as we look at building the schedule for next year. Junior year is the first year that allows a lot more choice for students, which includes options for concurrent enrollment, Internship, Mid-America Technology Center and more elective choices all the way around. For more information on concurrent enrollment at the high school, go here:

• PHS Concurrent Information.

Juniors:

• Juniors enrolled for Senior year this week during their English classes. They should have copies of the choices they made as a preliminary wish as we look at building the schedule for next year. Senior year typically allows a great deal of flexibility for students, including options for concurrent enrollment, Internship, Mid-America Technology Center and more elective choices all the way around. For more information on concurrent enrollment at the high school, go here: PHS Concurrent Information. Ask your student about their schedule to see what they’re thinking and please let me know if you have questions!

• Senior year is a scary but exciting time and there is much to do next year. Applications for college, career tech, financial aid, scholarships and general planning for life after high school is upon this group. I will be here every step of the way and while I will host a parent night in the fall and work with your students throughout senior year, I would love the opportunity to sit down with you and help plan the next steps. Email or call anytime if you’d like to set that up.

Boys State

• As a reminder, it is almost time for Junior (and this year Senior) boys to consider applications for Oklahoma's American Legion Boys State. The date this year is May 29-June 5. Boys State is normally limited to juniors, but seniors are included in the Oklahoma Boys State this year because they were not permitted to go last year due to the pandemic. However, they will not be able to attend Boys Nation. Boys State Application.

Girls State

• Girls State will be through the University of Oklahoma this year and will be a virtual event that runs one week in May, Monday-Friday, from 3-6pm. Cost is $50. Applications are not yet available but as soon as they open to us, I will post the link here.

Seniors:

• Please remember to visit the Googleslide as well as PHS Scholarship Information for the most up-to-date information concerning scholarships. If there are questions, I would love to help. Soon, I will be reaching out to each senior concerning what their final plan is for the next step, as well as to gather information concerning those plans for the awards ceremony. Please watch for that in the next newsletter.

Boys State

• As a reminder, it is almost time for Junior (and this year Senior) boys to consider applications for Oklahoma's American Legion Boys State. The date this year is May 29-June 5. Boys State is normally limited to high school juniors, but seniors are included in the Oklahoma Boys State this year because they were not permitted to go last year due to the pandemic. However, they will not be able to attend Boys Nation. Boys State Application.

• We will work with district leadership to monitor after school events scheduled this week.
• Please refer to Purcell Public School Weather information plan below. Remember schools will shift to a lockdown situation when we are under a severe weather warning (Tornado Warning). No students will be allowed to leave and will be sheltered.
• We will move to our emergency dismissal plan if we experience a rapid increase of parent check-outs in the case of impending weather.
• All junior and senior parents/guardians have the option to pre-submit a form that allows their student to check-out in the case of an emergency or sudden dismissal of school. This would also include a transition to distance learning. These forms are kept on file in the main office with our Attendance Secretary, Candy Tuck. Students would be able to check-out and leave campus without a phone call from parents.
• In the case of an emergency dismissal, all freshman, sophomore, and junior and senior students without the submitted check-out approval form, would require check-out through the main office as normal. Students can only be checked out by approved parents/guardians on Infinite Campus. Parent/guardians should be prepared to provide proper identification when checking out their student in person.
• During an emergency dismissal, all three main office secretaries will answer phones and coordinate check-outs with parents.
• If you are planning to check out your student in the case of impending threatening weather, please give yourself plenty of time to do so.

• Dates: June 7th -- 24th
• Location: PHS Library
• Staff: PHS teachers and support staff
• Times: 9:00 AM--12:30 PM
• Cost: FREE
• Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday: in person learning
• Thursday: Virtual learning (with check-ins with teacher)

Tier 1 Support: ALL Students

• All students will have the opportunity to complete the ACT PREP course through Odysseyware (PHS Online Learning Platform)
• This will be provide an opportunity for a .5 unit of course work (semester) of elective credit towards graduation.
• Although this available to all students, we will encourage next year's incoming juniors to strongly consider this opportunity.

Tier II Support: Incoming Sophs with Math/Literacy learning gaps / Credit Recovery

• This layer of support is designed towards our current freshman who have scored below average on Math/Literacy NWEA spring assessments. These assessments were given during our testing window in early April.
• Parents of these students will be contacted this week. We strongly encourage parents to consider this option for students with Math/Literacy learning gaps moving into their Sophomore year.
• This extension program will be through the Exact Path program that links to our NWEA assessments. This program can help identify specific gaps in student learning.
• We will also provide credit recovery options for students who have failed core content classes. This will an online learning option through Odysseyware.

Tier III Support: Special Education Students

• In-person learning that is goal focused and specific to IEP (Individualized Education Plan)
• Sped teacher on site during Summer Extensions

EL Support: English Language Students

• Ms. Munoz will provide online assistance for our EL students through a digital learning program. Students will meet prior to the program for enrollment and orientation.

Social and Emotional Learning;

• Our counselor will provide bi-weekly articles/activities for students throughout the summer. These will be posted to Ms. Feroli's Counseling Google Classroom. These will provide a preview of our Student Advisory Program that will begin next year. This will focus on topics supporting the social and emotional needs of students.

I would like to congratulate our girls slow-pitch softball team and coaches for their efforts this year. All players and coaches in every sport deserve our respect and admiration for working hard and competing during an incredibly challenging year to navigate high school sports. I was so happy to be able to attend Senior Night Activities and appreciate several softball girls who came to my office to personally invite me. Just a great group of young ladies!

I also had a chance to watch our Baseball team compete on a cold Tuesday night against Harrah. Although we came up short we competed hard and played well during difficult conditions. I was very proud of the sportsmanship our boys displayed throughout the game. This was not easy due to circumstances outside their control from the other team.I heard several team leaders/captains encourage their teammates to play hard and ignore the poor sportsmanship coming from opposing players. They represented their school and community extremely well and I was very proud of them.

Thanks to Coach Sharp and his coaching staff and his team leaders for their leadership.

This is a great opportunity for students to apply skills to real world experiences.

• Prom: We would love to see pics from this year's prom so please be sure to share them with Mrs. Trumbo trumboa@purcellps.org and they may appear in the yearbook.

• Yearbook:

Yearbook class will officially close yearbook sales on April 30th but we have an easy way for you to order. Go to https://www.balfour.com/oklahoma/purcell/purcell-high-school to purchase your book online with debit or credit card. They also have a variety of add-on packages for you to consider. You of course may continue to send check or cash to order on campus in the commons during 2nd hour, or any other time in the library with Mrs. Trumbo.

We have also extended the deadline for Senior Ads, so please email Mrs. Trumbo at trumboa@purcellps.org for more details.

If your business is interested in sponsoring a page or a few in the yearbook, we would be happy to send you information.

Thank you so much for your continued support of PHS and Yearbook!!

Current total quarantines (staff and students): 0

Active positives (staff and students): 0

The district-wide mask mandate remains in effect for all individuals inside the school building.

IMPORTANT: you will need an activation key to access the parent portal. You must email Kim Cummings @ cummingsk@purcellps.org in order to get the activation key

https://okcloud1.infinitecampus.org/campus/apps/portal/authentication/account-activation-key?appName=purcell&appType=parents

https://kb.infinitecampus.com/help/campus-parent-portal