College and Career Readiness News
March 2024
Welcome Spring!
The days are getting longer. The weather is turning around and maybe, just maybe, that groundhog was correct in his predictions! We know that spring break is right around the corner, and then it's almost a mad dash to the end of the year events (testing for juniors, finals for all and of course, graduation)! Counselors are busy finishing up the enrollment process and making sure all students are registered in classes for the fall. Soon (eligible) upcoming junior and senior students will be able to enroll in summer classes with the community colleges. More information about that below!
Let's meet the English I team!
Ms. Bannerman has been with Mustang HS for two years. She enjoys the bonds she makes with students.
Mr. Funk has been with Mustang public schools for a while, and has worked at one of the middle schools as well as the high school. He is known for his very dry sense of humor!
Ms. Jackson is passionate about many things: working with students to understand English and Reading better, working with her athletes to become not only better athletes, but overall strong young women, and spending time with her adorable son! You can also see her talents in the graphic designs for the MHS women's basketball teams and athletes.
Mrs. Ray is only in her third year in Mustang, but her 26th year teaching overall. She has a degree in Spanish but only taught it for six years before moving subjects. She has never been a fluent Spanish speaker, so she chose to no longer teach it and removed it from her certification. She taught 8th grade English at Western Oaks in Putnam City from 2006-2014, then moved to the Middle School of Piedmont from 2014-2021. She loves the awkward age group of 13-15 year-olds, so moving to 9th grade was not a difficult decision. She has the quote "It's not about perfection...it's about progress" on her wall to encourage students that they don't always have to get the perfect score. If they are improving, they are learning. Her daughter is an only child who is an adult now, and her dad (Mrs. Ray's husband) is also an only child, PLUS his dad was an only child. She thinks she would be okay with having an only grandchild someday too.
Ms. Robertson is in her first year at MHS as a teacher, but she has spent many years here as she graduated from Mustang HS. She loves that she works in the same school as her mother (Ms. Anna-senior secretary). She also gets to see her sisters everyday as they are students here.
Ms. Schneider works with many students in many different levels of ability. She enjoys working one on one with students to ensure they are understanding the concepts she is reviewing.
Ms. Syverson is in her first year teaching with MHS. She is looking forward to spending many more years here as she has enjoyed her time with this team and her students.
Ms. Walker has been teaching for nine years, and she has spent those years in Mustang. She's have taught the same subject in the same classroom the entire time. She is very involved in our school and our community as the head cheer coach, a senior class sponsor, and a prom sponsor. She is also a board member for Mustang Youth Football and Cheer.
Which colleges/universities are visiting MHS in March?
3/7 Redlands CC Nursing
3/11 Oklahoma City Community College
3/28 University of Oklahoma, Mid-America Christian University and University of Central Oklahoma
College planning workshop information!
Important dates to remember!
March 5th - 4:30-7:30 pm Parent/Teacher Conferences (come and go, no signups or appointments required)
March 15th-March 25th Spring break
Bronco Course Expo review
We had a great turnout for our Bronco Course Expo held on February 6th. Hundreds of parents and students in current grades 8-12 attended sessions on what parents need to know about HS, Concurrent enrollment, Scholarships and NCAA and a special session on FAFSA presented by OCAP.
Parents and students also visited with several of our core and elective teachers to find out about all the possibilities MHS has to offer!
If you missed the presentations, or just want to review them, they are located on the HS website. Many are under the enrollment information tab under the counseling header.
Get to know Minga
What is Minga? Why are we using it? Will it actually help me?
Minga is a campus management platform for school safety and engagement. Digital student IDs, digital hall passes, tardy management and more.
All students were given information about Minga at the beginning of the semester. Since that time we have seen a drastic decrease in the amount of students that are tardy to class. For example, a few weeks ago the drop from Monday to Friday tardies in 1st hour was 58%. The drop in 2nd hour tardies throughout the week was 48%.
We are also using it as a messaging platform for students. Administration posts information about bus changes, events on campus and more. Counselors are posting about scholarships, college visits to MHS, and other opportunities for students.
Although students do not have to have an app on their phone, many find it easier to work with so they can easily access their digital ID, get notifications on the go and make their own hall passes as needed.
Featured Scholarships!
Superpower scholarship
Have you ever wondered where you'd go if you could fly around downtown? Or maybe you daydream of secretly taking over the world - to each his own. For all of those hero lovers and villain enthusiasts, this super scholarship can give you the power to win free college money.
Frame My Future scholarship
Creativity counts! Diplomaframe.com is looking for 30-second video pitches from success-driven students who are passionate about their future pursuits. Upload your video and entry information for a chance to win one of five scholarships. Create & upload a video from your phone, TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube.
Mustang High School scholarship page
Just a reminder-we post scholarships weekly on the MHS scholarship page!
Featured Website!
Okcollegestart
This website is a one-stop shop for college and career planning. Take quizzes to find out what career path is right for you. Find a college or technical school that offers that program. Get free planning information for high school, college and beyond!
Concurrent enrollment information eligible (upcoming) juniors and seniors
This information was posted in one of our previous newsletters, but let's revisit it now!
Concurrent enrollment allows certain junior and senior high school students to take credit-earning college courses while in high school. Concurrent college enrollment refers to eligible high school juniors and seniors who enroll in college courses and earn both high school and college credit. Concurrent enrollment is an important academic decision and should be carefully considered.
*Students in grades 10 and 11 will need to attend an informational session presented by counselors on March 13th during resource time to learn more about concurrent. Students can sign up through the link on Minga or with any counselor in the counseling office.
Please check out the information on our enrollment page! Click the tab for concurrent enrollment for the entire presentation, contract and other forms.