PHS Parent Newsletter
10/15/23
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Purcell High School Contact Info
Email: sandersj@purcellps.org
Website: https://www.purcellps.org/o/phs
Location: 2020 North Green Avenue, Purcell, OK, USA
Phone: 405-442-0099
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/purcellhs
Twitter: @purcellhsdrgns
Message from the Principal
Good Afternoon Dragon Family:
CONGRATULATIONS PHS LADY DRAGONS SOFTBALL --- 2023 OSSAA CLASS 4A STATE-RUNNER-UP
We are extremely proud of our softball players, managers, and coaches. Thank you Coach Sarah Jones and Coach Roger Raper for your leadership and commitment to the players. Congratulations to all of the players for your remarkable achievement. You brought so much joy to our school and community. Thank you for the managers who work so hard to support the players and coaches. Thank you to trainer Tim Arnold who spends countless hours helping keep our athletes safe and healthy. Thank you to Cole Harwell, PHS Strength and Performance coach who helps our athletes perform at peak condition.
We are also grateful for our parents and boosters for their support of the team. As a former coach I know how important these groups can be to a program's success. From cooking team meals and planning team celebrations, parents and boosters are critical to a team's success. I would also like to recognize the work of Athletic Director Rick Hammer. This role can often go unnoticed. However without the hard work of your AD, the lights aren't turned on, there are no officials, gateworkers, video stream, etc. We are grateful for all of Rick's hard work behind the scenes.
We are extremely proud of all PHS softball players but our seniors deserve special recognition: Kelly Anderson, Kailynn Helton, Paysi Constant, and Savanna Edwards. Student athletes make a huge commitment of time and effort when they play a varsity sport for 4 years. It becomes a way of life. It also becomes an opportunity to form bonds with teammates that create a lifetime of memories. We thank our seniors for all they have done for our school and community!
Losing a state championship game is tough. I know. I lost one myself. However it's only a small part of the journey of any season. A memorable one no doubt, but just a piece of the big picture. The experiences and memories created are what really matter. We thank our PHS Lady Dragons and their coaches for creating wonderful experiences and memories for so many.
Well done!
Go Dragons!.
Jason
Always feel free to call or email me if you have questions
405-442-0099 ext 505
cell# 918-873-0354
Kassi Buchanan: PHS Staff Member of the Month
Kassi serves as the PHS Registrar and Principal's Secretary. She is a great asset to both students and staff. Please read a tribute from two of her colleagues:
Kassi came back to PHS this year and it has been so glad to have her back! She does her job efficiently and always with a smile. No matter the problem or task I have, there is no hesitation to helping me or anyone else that comes across her path. Thank you Kassi for returning to us!!
Kassi knows what to do and works really hard to keep things running smoothly and is such a valuable resource for all teachers as well as office personnel.
Thank you Kassi for all you do for PHS!
Hannah Shea: Student of the Month
Gracie Pruitt: Student of the Month
Gracie Pruitt: PHS Student of the Month!
Gracie is the daughter of Melissa & Jason Pruitt. She is a captain of the Cheer squad, Senior Class Vice-President, State Qualifier in track, active in FCA and a NHS officer. She is a 3X Letter P Award Winner, Girls State Senator, Johnson O'Malley award recipient, Superintendent's Honor Roll, and member of Oklahoma Honor Society. Her favorite class is Calculus with Michael O'Neal. She plans to attend UCO to pursue a degree in Sports Medicine.
PHS Band finishes 2nd in Class 2A @ OBA State Marching Contest
Purcell Dragon Pride Marching Band had a great performance last night in Claremore at the OBA State Marching Contest. In prelims they placed 11th out of 23 and won "High Visual" in 2A. In the finals they jumped 3 spots (very uncommon) to finish 8th overall and 2ND IN CLASS 2A! Congratulations Band students, director David Hilger, assistant director Jacob Willing, and our amazing band parents and volunteers. These students work so hard throughout the year and we are incredibly proud of how they represent our school and community! I've included pics from their performance Thursday night @ Conger Field.
OBA STATE MARCHING CONTEST
INTO THE MADNESS
WE LOVE OUR BAND!
PHS ATHLETES OF THE MONTH
FALL BREAK OCT 19-23 -- NO SCHOOL!
FLU SHOTS @ THE HIGH SCHOOL
Tuesday, Oct 17, 2023, 1:00 – 3:00 p
PHS LIBRARY
PHS PEP RALLY - PATRIOTISM THEME
Wednesday, Oct 18, 2023, 02:00 PM
REIMER CENTER
School Safety Report
- We will conduct an unannounced SECURITY DRILL this week. This will be a lock-in drill that will occur during an unannounced unstructured time. Unstructured times are defined as times during a day when students are not directly supervised by staff. For high school students this is a considerable amount of time. As it should be. HIgh school students are transitioning to adulthood. Therefore we count on them to exercise good judgment and make responsible decisions. We will practice routines and procedures that will remind all individuals where to go in case of a lockdown during unstructured times.
- Representatives from YAHL were on campus on Friday (pictured below) helping our student leaders conduct health awareness lessons and conduct student and staff surveys. YAHL is an organizations, founded by TSET and the tobacco settlement, that encourages high school students to take leadership roles in their school promoting healthy habits. The main focus is nutrition and eliminating tobacco delivery devices (VAPES) amongst our youth. I'm very proud of our student leaders: Franklin Linker, Payton Bounds, and Kaydence Townsend. Thank you for promoting healthy habits amongst our students.
PHS Counselor's Corner
- ACT Info
- Graduation Requirements
- FAFSA info
- Oklahoma's Promise
- Curriculum Guides
- Graduation pathways
- and much more
College & Career Readiness
Last week we discussed important college & career readiness issues with our students during advisory. We also showed three videos of interviews with former Dragons who have achieved success in their respective careers. I would like to thank each of these individuals for taking the time to share with students their individual pathways to success: I've linked the videos below if you would like to view:
Taylor Van Oort
Jeff Page
Dr. Nicolle Carr
The senior website is complete and can be accessed by clicking on the link below. It includes important updates and information relevant to seniors and parents. I've also copied below information important to all seniors and parents.
Senior sponsors:
Michael O'Neal: onealm@purcellps.org
Amber Findley: findleya@purcellps.org
ACT FREE COLLEGE WORKSHOPS
Register Now for This Fall’s ACT College and Career Readiness Workshops
Start your 2023-24 school year off right with a one-of-a-kind opportunity to learn from college and career readiness experts and to network with fellow counselors in your region. We’ll cover trends, tips, and tools to help keep your students fully informed and prepared to start their post-high school journeys.
PHS ACADEMIC NEWS
Academic Updates: VIRTUAL DAYS
- Virtual Learning Days and Time Management
Last Friday was our first Virtual Learning Day of the year. We have four total virtual learning days this year. Our next virtual day is December 1st. A reminder that all students must submit virtual assignments for grade and attendance credit. We understand this is different than a regular school day but it offers an opportunity for students to learn without the rigid nature of regular school day schedule. Virtual learning days help students build a skill that is critical in a modern, technology-driven world: time management.
Face-to-face interaction with a skilled and knowledgeable teacher will never be replaced fully with online learning. The in-person interaction with a teacher is too critical to student learning. However learning is different than in the past. Students can learn anywhere and anytime thanks to technology as long as they have a good internet connection. This offers flexibility and learning opportunities that were once only available in the classroom. Schools must continue to evolve and provide students the flexibility the modern world requires while emphasizing the importance of teacher/student relationships.
The flexibility of virtual learning also requires students to build time-management skills. Students must have the self-discipline to manage their time and complete online assignments on a schedule that best works for them. Students have busy lives. After school activities, jobs, home responsibilities, concurrent classes, etc. Traditional school schedules (sitting in classrooms 6-7 hours per day) are not supportive of the modern teenage schedule. We must help them build skills that are necessary for the world they will soon inherit.
- Parent/Teacher Conferences:
Thank you to all parents and guardians who attended conferences last week. We had a strong turn-out especially considering the number of activities last week. We appreciate our parents and their commitment to their student's education. Many of our teachers have after school responsibilities and are unavailable during designated conference times. Please know you can always contact teachers via email (linked on this newsletter). Please remember teachers are expected to respond to all parent emails in a reasonable amount of time.
PHS AVIATION CLASS TAKES FLIGHT!
LIFETIME NUTRITION CLASS WORKS ON FOOD DEMO PROJECT
PHS After-School Tutoring Begins Oct. 23
PHS CAMPUS LIFE
Band & Cheer help lead Wal-Mart Grand Re-Opening
The Dragon Pride Marching Band was also surprised with the generous donation of $2200 from the local Wal-Mart. We are grateful and appreciative of your support of our students and school!
PHS Academic Team
Academic Team competed at OSSAA Academic Bowl Districts yesterday, and won both rounds against Washington and Lindsay. They are now District Champs and 14-2 as they head to the Conference Tournament on November 2nd and Regionals on November 11th. #phsdragons
Not pictured are Noah Gracey, Jennifer Velasco, Gavin Johnson, McKenna Martin, Paisley Nichols, Shiv Patel, Maverick Akerman, Rile Brindle, LJ Harmon and Ethan Jones.
PHS Choir Performs @ Country Music Show
FFA Doing Great Things!
FFA finished out the weekend with a great trip to Buck Cattle Company’s judging contest today. There wasn’t a team competition, just individual. It was a great working with some great cattle.
2nd Place- Carli Thomas
3rd Place- Chase Anderson
McClain County Fair
FFA @ State Fair
Winning FFA Pumpkin Decorator!
FFA Tulsa State Fair Results!
FFA Officer Profile: Haley Kretchmar
Purcell Wins the 2nd Annual Chalk Art Contest!
PHS ART Class
Talented Students
Way to go Art students!
FCCLA Giving Back to Community
Service is one of our core values @ PHS. Purcell FCCLA sponsor Stefanie Renfro does a tremendous job of embedding this value into her lessons and activities. Please read below:
Each year, PHS FCCLA members focus on ways that they can serve others in their community. This year, members have chosen to focus on the residents of Purcell’s nursing homes and care centers.
Today, FCCLA members volunteered at Purcell Care Center. The students planned, prepared, and organized a craft project to do with the residents with the hopes to provide fun, entertainment, and social interaction for the residents. The activity was a success for both the residents and the students!
Esports Success
Purcell esports competed in Super Smash Bros on Wednesday. Purcell had three teams compete. They played teams from Depew, Sallisaw, and Ada.
The team of Aidan Blankenship, Lj Harmon, and David Carrillo made an incredible comeback to win 3-2.
Dragon Esports
Thank you Coach Bryce Tuck
Best Esports Facility Around!
TSA Excels @ Leadership Conference
Our PHS Chapter attended the Oklahoma TSA (Technology Student Association) Lead Conference today in Guthrie. The purpose of TSA is to promote STEM and Leadership through competitions. I'm very pleased with the growth of our high school TSA program and credit our student leaders and sponsors April Trumbo & Paul Wollenberg. Sophomore McKenna Martin is a STATE OFFICER (state reporter) which is a pretty big deal! Way to go McKenna and all TSA students!
PHS LEADERSHIP CLASS SUPPORTS SCHOOL SPIRIT
PHS Blood Drive a Huge Success
Thank you PHS Cheer for all you do!
PHS Students Save a Trapped Kitten
Mr. Corea Trains Coffee Cart Crew
Mr. McNeely: Snake Wrangler
Band State Sendoff
Softball State Sendoff
Proud of our Lady Dragons!
Emma Rolin & Amber Findley
What a Season!
Way to go Sam!
THIS WEEK IN DRAGON ATHLETICS:
It was an amazing week for Dragon Athletics!
- PHS Softball makes an amazing run through the State Playoffs before falling to Newcastle in the State Championship game. They finish the season 29-10 and OSSAA Class 4A State Runner-ups!
- Dragon football defeated CCS 37-10 to move to 6-1 on the season and 4-0 in district. They will face undefeated Washington Thursday night in a critical district showdown.
- PHS Cross Country have been incredibly busy at they approach regionals on Saturday, Oct. 21st. I've shared below reports from their recent meets and upcoming information about regionals.
WAURIKA, Okla. - Yesterday the high school cross country teams competed in Waurika where the Dragons could have Regionals. The Purcell boys raced against 11 of the top 25 teams from class 3A and 4A with over 210 other runners. As a team the boys finished 7th overall in the 5k race.
Jayden Polk paced the Dragons with a 4th place finish in 17:29.85. Next across the finish line was Erick Suarez (27th) and Carlos Pacheco (37th) who ran a 18:50.97 and 19:08.74 respectively. Fernando Resendiz finished 87th overall with a time of 20:57.55. The last scorer for Purcell was Josh Hamilton. Josh finished 98th and cross the finish line in 21:08.47.
The displacers for Purcell were Landon Brown who finished in 21:19.58 and Cesar Suarez who dashed to a 22:15.82 finished.
Mason Rogers (135th), Ethen Berger (140th), Bryson Perkins (154th), Brayden Rowden (167th), Mason Agee (179th), Bodie Perigo (186th) and Rigo Martinez (213th) also ran at the meet.
Purcell had one girl runner at the meet. Alyssa Macarthur finished 162nd out of 196 runners. She crossed the finish line in 19:56.94.
Next up for Purcell is Regionals. On October 13th the Dragons will find out their Regional Assignment location.
The Regional Assignments have been released!
Purcell will travel Saturday, October 21st to the Waurika Regional and compete against other Class 4A schools to be able to go to State.
The Purcell Lady Dragons will run at 9:00 a.m. and the Purcell Boys are scheduled for 9:45 a.m.
For the full list of regionals: https://ossaaillustrated.com/.../CC_2023-24...
LADY DRAGONS @ STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
RankOne Information
PARENT RESOURCES
OKLAHOMA MATH TUTORING CORP IS NOW OPEN (GREAT RESOURCE!)
Registration is now open for the Oklahoma Math Tutoring Corps (OMTC) for the 2023-24 school year. This high-dosage tutoring program is available for Oklahoma students in grades 7, 8 and 9, providing 50-minute virtual tutoring sessions three times a week in groups of no more than four students.
Along with feedback from students and families, 78% of 7th and 8th grade students who participated during the 2022-23 school year had 2023 assessment scores within the same performance level as in 2022 or improved a performance level. Remaining at the same performance level is considered growth as the state’s academic standards increase in complexity each grade level. Please note, 9th grade does not have a state assessment, so we do not have testing information on them.
OSDE’s Math Tutoring Corps will host two sessions during the 2023-24 school year. The first runs September 17 through November 18, and the second in Spring 2024. Each session can accommodate up to 1,500 students and students are eligible to participate in one or both of the sessions. Families and students can register through this link. The OSDE will provide any needed technology or internet access, and tutoring schedules will occur during students’ free time outside of the school day.
2023-24 School Meal Prices
Parent and Student Portal Access
Please complete this form linked here if you are need of a Parent Portal Account:
https://forms.gle/kcw4yFh9UghpFKW76
If you have any problems accessing Parent Portal please contact the school directly: (405) 442-0099