Parent Newsletter
Purcell High School - March 26th, 2021
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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
Message from the Principal
Good Afternoon,
My best wishes to all Dragon families and hope everyone has an opportunity to enjoy some beautiful spring weather this weekend. I read an article that was posted on Facebook by one of our Dragon parents this past week and wanted to share my thoughts. This article, linked below, explores the importance of helping teenagers more effectively navigate an increasingly complex world of school demands, online learning, jobs, relationships, social media, and activities. We MUST do better to support the social and emotional needs of our students. Please know this a priority for me moving forward.
I first taught high school in the mid 1990's. The internet was in its infancy, classroom instruction was delivered teacher to students in a highly traditional manner. Students did not face the pressures of social media, cyberbullying, and information overload caused by excessive screen time. Smart phones did not exist. The world our students face today is completely different and highly complex. Throw in a global pandemic and it's painfully obvious we must do more to support our kids.
My vision as a school leader moving forward to support our students is two-fold: Support our students social and emotional needs by enhancing teacher-student relationships and help our students better understand and process the amount of information they encounter. Next year we will begin our Student/Staff Advisory Program. This program will assign every student a staff member as an advisor for their entire high school career. The advisor they are assigned as freshman, will remain with them through high school. This program will not only support students academically through college/career planning, goal-setting, and digital citizenship training, it will address the social and emotional needs of our students.
I would strongly encourage all parents to take the time to read the article linked below. It offers practical strategies to help students make sense of the highly complex world they must navigate. These are many of the strategies we plan to utilize to help students achieve success and happiness through our Student/Staff Advisory program.
Go Dragons!
Always feel free to call or email me if you have questions,
405-442-0099 ext 505
No School This Friday, 4/2/21: This was a scheduled Snow Day
Teacher All-Star: Roger Raper
Roger Raper teachers sophomore Government and Modern History. He also serves as our Head Boys Basketball Coach and Tennis coach. One of the first things I noticed about Roger is his support of all students and programs at PHS. He consistently attends other school activities and supports students outside of his own program.
Roger understands, as most veteran teachers and coaches do, that strong relationships are the foundation of all powerful learning experiences. Roger is quick to identify students who may need extra support and greet them in the hallway or just find a way to make a personal connection. This is so critical to the success of a school. Teachers and coaches can make a powerful impact by engaging students outside of the classroom and demonstrating genuine interest in their lives. Roger understands how importance this is to a school.
Our students are lucky to have Coach Raper and we appreciate his efforts to improve our school culture through building relationships with students. Don't take my word for it....read a comment one of his colleagues provided this year while nominating Roger for Staff Member of the Month:
Coach Raper is very supportive of all students and all programs throughout the school. He can always be found in the hallways between classes engaging students, even those not his own. He attends every school event and is quick to congratulate students for their successes on and off the courts and fields. Coach Raper puts kids first and always make sure they feel supported.
Coach Raper with his team earlier this year
Counselor's Corner with Ms. Feroli
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!
Freshmen students enrolled for Sophomore 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. Ask your student about their schedule to see what they’re thinking and please let me know if you have questions!
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!
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:
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 highschool 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.
State Testing
All Juniors take the ACT exam at school on 4/14.
All Juniors will take the Science and History portions of state testing on April 6th (Science) and April 7th (History)
Linked below is the OSTP Parents, Student, and Teacher guides. Parent, Student and Teacher Guides provide a list of test-taking tips, objectives covered in the test, and practice tests. Parents/guardians are encouraged to discuss these materials with their child to help prepare them for the tests.
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 highschool 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.
Important Information Regarding Upcoming Assessments
- March 30-31: ELL (English Language Learner) Access Testing
- April 5: NWEA Spring English Assessment (monitor progress for all Freshman)
- April 6: OSTP Science Test (Required college and career readiness test for all Juniors)
- April 7: OSTP History Test (Required college and career readiness test for all Juniors)
- April 8: NWEA Spring Math Assessment (monitor progress for all Freshman)
- April 14: ACT Exam for all Juniors
Spring Weather Safety Awareness
We will conduct this drill when the weather is clear and no threat of threatening storms to avoid confusion or fear. This is an additional drill to our previously conducted required tornado drill before spring break. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me with questions or concerns regarding safety procedures.
I certainly urge all families to review individual tornado safety plans during the upcoming height of tornado season for Oklahoma. I've linked below tornado preparedness tips for families.
Pre-Enrollment Updates
The enrollment window remains open and students can still make changes on their own. We will leave the window open until we complete all virtual enrollments, students who were absent last week and incoming Freshman. Every student was instructed to take a picture of their schedule to provide a copy for Parents. Please check with your student to view their course requests for the upcoming year. For incoming Juniors and Seniors, it's important for parents to inquire about enrollments in MATC, Concurrent enrollment, and Internships.
I've linked below pre-enrollment instructions specific pre-enrollment instructions specific to each grade level. Also your student should have a copy or picture of a pre enrollment schedule similar to picture below. Please meet with your student and discuss his/her course requests.
What's Happening at PHS!
Students of the Month!
- Congratulations to Lucy Wilson and Cade Smith for being selected by teachers as Students of the Month for PHS!
- Lucy's parents are Leon and Bernita Wilson. She is active in Band -drumline, Track (pole-vault), 4H, Key Club, NHS, Academic Team, and was recently named a prestigious Oklahoma Academic All-Stater. Lucy has been honored with Superintendent's Honor Roll, Letter P Recipient, and Governor's Award for Success. Lucy's favorite class is Calculus and she plans on majoring in Mechanical engineering.
- Cade Smith's parents are Paula and Ryan Smith. Cade excels in baseball and cross-country. Cade is a member of National Honor Society, and has also been honored with Superintendent's Honor Roll and Letter P recipient. Cade's favorite class is Calculus and he plans on attending college.
We are thrilled to honor both Lucy and Cade who have achieved great things both in and out of the classroom!
Congratulations Hailey Carpenter!
- Hailey was selected amongst high school juniors from across the state through a competitive application process. She will spend one week this summer developing her leadership skills with other Oklahoma high school juniors. Hailey is such a positive force in our high school and has an extremely bright future! We are very proud of her.
Emily Madden was selected to the OGBCA All-Region team!
Congratulations to Carol Testa!
Carol has spent the last two years in her current position and has been instrumental in helping lead our school through challenging transitions and upheavals to the learning process due to Covid-19. Carol is an excellent communicator who possesses impressive organizational skills and will be a huge asset to the Junior High. Most importantly Carol cares deeply for students and puts their needs first when making decisions for a school.
We will miss Carol but wish her the best of luck!
You still have time to purchase a senior ad for your favorite senior!
We have extended the deadline to secure your spot until April 16th, and will need pictures/letters by April 23. We have limited space, so please be sure to contact Mrs. Trumbo trumboa@purcellps.org ASAP.
The final day to purchase yearbooks is May 7th. You may purchase a yearbook during 2nd hour in the commons, or at any time during the day in the library. We also have an online store through Balfour which offers several yearbook options. Visit https://www.balfour.com/oklahoma/purcell/purcell-high-school to place an online order.
Baseball Season in Full Swing
Once again picture credits to Dru Smith
PHS Track Highlights
Pauls Valley Invitational
Track Meet
3-26-21
The Purcell Dragons traveled to Pauls Valley On Friday to run in the Jack Hayes Invitational Track Meet. I am very proud of the way this group is competing. 800m relay and the 1600m relay teams ran well for our first time out this year. We ran without one of our veteran runners in Kora keith.
I thought that our girls stepped up to fill that void very well. Gracie Pruitt got her high school career off to a good start by winning the 100m dash with a time of 12.69.
Purcell Times/Jumps
100m
Gracie Pruitt 12.69 1st place
Allison Goforth 14.64
200m Long Jump
Gracie Pruitt 27.85 6th place Amy Munoz 11’-7”
Liz Caralampio 28.80 Katie Carrillo 11’-2”
Jayden Blackwell 30.57
400m
Tate Quintero 1:07.3 2nd place
Kayla Skinner 1:09.7 4th place
Pole Vault
Lucy Wilson 6’-6” 4th place
800m Relay 1:55.48 3rd place
(Gracie Pruitt, Liz Caralampio, Jayden Blackwell, Tate Quintero)
1600m Relay 4:39.12 4th place
(Liz Caralampio, Gracie Pruitt, Kayla Skinner, Tate Quintero)
Dragon Athletics
Lifetime Nutrition Class Conduct a Stir-Fry Lab
Freshmen students are finishing the reading of Romeo and Juliet next week
This is their first experience with Shakespeare and they lived through it!!
Sophomore students are starting the study of To Kill a Mockingbird. This gives us a great opportunity to explore the many themes in this classic novel.
thanks Candy for your great work with our English deparment!
National Honor Society and Soph English Updates
* Traditional Sophomore Honors English is reading The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. Students are doing a selfie project around town, taking pictures of buildings, murals, and sidewalk stamps. When it's safe to travel, the class is hoping to take a field trip to the Woody Guthrie Museum in Tulsa and come home down Route 66, stopping in Arcadia.
Thank you Ms. Leonard for your work with NHS students!
GRADUATION AND SENIOR ASSEMBLY INFORMATION
Graduation Week is not far away. Please refer to updates below regarding important graduation events. Please note there have been changes to the Governor's requirements regarding covid restrictions. However we have NOT made any changes to our graduation plans regarding seating capacity or required face coverings.
- Graduation: Friday, May 14th, 6:00 PM in the High School Gym/Reimer Center
- Based upon current capacity restrictions, we anticipate an allotment of 8 tickets for each senior student. It is possible that could change if capacity restrictions are lifted or eased.
- We fully expect face masks to be a requirement for ALL individuals attending graduation and senior assembly.
- We will be releasing information regarding ticket allotment in the next week.
- Senior Assembly: Wednesday, May 12, 2:00 PM in the High School Gym/Reimer Center
- Due to seating capacity restrictions and the student body attending this event, tickets will be limited to 4 tickets per student.
COVID-19 Update
Current total quarantines (staff and students): 3
Active positives (staff and students): 3
I've copied a picture of the most recent covid alert map released on 3/23 by the state department of health. I've also linked below the link to the covid alert system. Our county numbers appear to have slightly dropped but seem to be remaining fairly stable. Although this number is considerable lower than from the peak of the pandemic, it remains relatively high. McClain County is at 8.8 cases per 100,000 residents. We were at 9.9 cases per 100,000 two weeks ago
Please remember we must reach 1.43 cases per 100,000 residents to reach the green level. This level means your chances of contracting the virus are significantly lower than where we are now.
Thank you for your continued support of our protocols including mask-wearing at school.
Food Resources Available for Students and Families
Parent Portal Information - Infinite Campus
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
IMPORTANT DATES
upcoming events
- April 2nd - Snow Day
- April 10th - PROM
- May 12: Senior Assembly
- May 13th - Last Day of School
- May 14th - Graduation