PHS Parent Newsletter

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

Setting Academic Goals Sets Students Up for Success

Following the Covid pandemic schools struggled to refocus students on the importance of attendance. Access to online learning made the situation even more challenging. We all needed reminders of how important school attendance was to student success. As a result we prioritized student attendance as one of our four primary school improvement goals. Students could gain exemptions from semester tests based upon a combination of good attendance and grades. We want our students to understand how important it is for students to attend school regularly and make good grades. Grades and attendance are by far the two most important predictors of their future success.

Students who set achievable goals in these two areas are more likely to have strong attendance and grades. A person must identify areas of personal improvement before they can experience growth. For example a student may look back on last semester and feel disappointment about their performance in the classroom. Maybe they made more C's than A's and B's. It's possible that poor attendance contributed to their classroom struggles. Setting achievable goals with attendance for the upcoming semester could be the first step in future improvement. However it's unlikely that improvement occurs without establishing clear goals for the future.

Setting attendance goals are simple measures that can easily improve overall student performance. Students who attend school regularly experience a more positive social experience which is a key purpose of school. They have more interactions with not only peers but also adults. They are a more regular part of the classroom communities that they join. Students who miss school regularly tend to become less connected to their peers and the classrooms they attend daily. Furthermore poor attendance habits don't stop at high school. They tend to continue in a student's job or profession and can lead to poor job performance.

One of the most important lessons we teach our students is the simple act of showing up everyday. I encourage good staff attendance as it models for students what we expect of them. You may have heard the saying, "90% of success is showing up everyday." I'm not sure if that's accurate or not but there is some truth with it. You have to show up in order to be successful. It's really that simple. Please encourage strong attendance habits with your students. Even though they can access work online doesn't mean they are receiving the full benefits of school. Far from it. Encourage your students to set simple and achievable attendance goals for the upcoming semester.

--Jason

Always feel free to call or text me if you have questions or concerns.

cell: 918-873-0354

email: sandersj@purcellps.org

Amber teaches senior English, is our senior sponsor, and is our Internship coordinator. She is pictured with two of her current seniors. Read a tribute from one of her colleagues:

Findley is a great example of Dragons First. She makes not only students, but colleagues, feel as though they have a voice, and gives them a chance to be heard and considered. She is a great advocate for staff and students alike, and is one of the most honest and open people I have had the opportunity to work with. She is an awesome leader and educator.

Rose is the daughter of Jenny Allen-Price & Eric Price. She is involved in Music Theater, Choir, Academic Team, Spanish Club, FCCLA, YAHL, and is the President of Key Club. She is a certified YNA Peer Mentor. Her favorite class is Music Theater with Cindy Donaldson. She plans to attend OU and major in Elementary Education or Theater.

We will conduct two safety drills this week:

• fire drill - Monday afternoon

• Lock-In Drill - Thursday morning

These are required drills that must occur within the first 15 days of the semester. The Lock-In Drill simulates a general threat to the area (not a specific threat to the school). We move all students and staff to secured areas, check our access points, and fully secure the building.

Winter Weather and our first real cold snap of the winter is forecast for the next 10 days. We will monitor the situation and always prioritize safety of staff and students. Be aware that we have snow days built into schedule but it's possible we could utilize virtual days if we experience any extended school closures.

Please be sure to stay updated on all things counseling from Ms. Feroli. Click on the Counselor's Corner tab below for all relevant info. This newsletter is updated throughout the year and includes many important resources and info including:

• ACT Info
• Graduation Requirements
• FAFSA info
• Oklahoma's Promise
• Curriculum Guides
• Graduation pathways
• and much more

1. Kirk Rushing will meet with Seniors and parents on 1/11 and 2/15, who have appointments. To make and appointment, email Melissa Feroli @ ferolim@purcellps.org. Students will need an FSA ID for both the student and one parent and copies of 2022 taxes to complete the application
2. MATC will conduct interviews for sophs and and any upperclassmen who are interested in a program for next year. MATC will be on campus 1/10 & 1/11.
3. Concurrent enrollment with OCCC begins 1/17.
   
4. Senior Scholarship season amps up in the spring. Pay attention to the Senior REMIND, scholarship page, and applications placed on wall outside Feroli's office.
   
5. Juniors: Horatio Alger Scholarship information has been emailed to you by Ms. Feroli.
   

We will offer a ACT Prep class on campus on March 26th. The class is conducted by PowerPrep and Carolyn Devane. Carolyn has hosted a class previously on campus and does an excellent job of helping prep students for the ACT. We will provide a registration link soon as well as more information regarding cost. Remember all juniors will take the ACT on campus in April. This is part of the state mandated College & Career Readiness Assessments. Juniors will also take assessments in Science and U.S. History.

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.

Senior sponsors:

Michael O'Neal: onealm@purcellps.org

Amber Findley: findleya@purcellps.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Rep. Brian Hill
Phone: (405) 557-7333

House Page Program Now Accepting Applications

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma House of Representatives High School Page Program is now accepting applications for the Second Regular Session of the 59th Legislature, announced Program Director Rep. Brian Hill, R-Mustang.

Each year, hundreds of juniors and seniors from each corner of the state take part in the House High School Page Program at the Oklahoma State Capitol in Oklahoma City. Students have a chance to view the legislative process up close and gain experience working in state government.

Pages are assigned for one week, Monday through Thursday, during the legislative session, which runs from the first Monday in February through the last Friday in May. Students serving as a Page work in the House Chamber during daily session, assist representatives and House staff with tasks, and take part in the House Page Mock Legislature on the floor of the House Chamber.

"Working with these talented students is always a highlight of my time at the State Capitol," Hill said. "Former Pages have gone on to become teachers, lawyers, engineers, and even elected officials themselves, but whether or not Pages pursue a public service career, I hope they each walk away with an improved understanding of the civics process and remain engaged with their state government throughout their lives."

Hotel accommodations and chaperones are provided for all students. House Pages are transported to and from the Capitol daily and are closely supervised at all times.

Interested high school juniors and seniors may visit https://former.okhouse.gov/Pages/ to submit an application or contact their state representative for more information. The Second Regular Session of the 59th Legislature begins Mon., Feb. 5, 2024.

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.

• All workshops are free to attend.
• A variety of in-person and virtual workshops are available.
• Some events focus on specific ACT solutions.

Sign Me Up!

As we begin the 2nd Semester I want to remind all parents to encourage your students to attend school regularly. Our attendance rate has improved significantly the last two years. Semester test exemptions based on grades and attendance remain in place for the 2nd semester. I've listed below our students who achieved perfect attendance for the first semester. This is a significant achievement and I'm very proud of these students.

By policy eligibility for extracurricular activities begins at the end of the 3rd full week of the second semester. We will run eligibility on January 26th.

All freshman and soph parents were emailed individual MAP assessment scores for their students. These assessments provide parents valuable information about their student's learning growth in math, reading, and science. Please email or call me if you have any questions.

• After school tutoring is available Mon-Thurs from 3:15--5PM. PHS teachers provide direct and individual tutoring including access to a Math teacher nightly. There will be tutoring available this week.
• Teachers are available to meet daily from 11:45 -- Noon in their classrooms. Students should make arrangements with teachers.
• There are outside tutoring options available (listed under parent resources at the bottom of the newsletter,

Reading Enrichment Programs --- see contact info below

Summer 2024

see flyers below in English & Espanol

Ann Carls

Program Director

phone: (800) 964-1600 ext. 4191

fax: (888) 296-5456

We closed out a the last week of the semester building a float, working basketball concession, shooting archery and a trip to Stillwater for cattle judging. It has been a great semester for our students!

Parents may now access the Balfour website and start purchasing Yearbooks at the sale price as well as Sr. Ads. Please let me know if you need any additional information.

https://www.balfour.com/oklahoma/purcell/purcell-high-school.

Contact yearbook sponsor Leigh Ann McGregor with questions: mcgregorl@purcellps.org

Winter Sports Update

• Purcell Dragon Boys Basketball played great at the Verdigris Tournament placing 3rd with a big win Saturday night over Wagoner. The Dragons improve to 5-5 on the season.

• Dragon Girl's Basketball defeated Bridge Creek on Tuesday night and lost in the Consolation Championship at the Verdigris Tournament. They are 8-2 on the season and currently ranked #12 in 4A.

• PHS Basketball will host Marlow this Tuesday and Lexington Friday night for Homecoming. Homecoming festivities will begin at 6PM.

• Lex/Purcell Wrestling will be in action this weekend at the Madill Tournament.

At high school athletic events, do you:

-Keep your cool OR come unglued?

-Show empathy OR criticize?

-Accept the officials’ calls OR shout obscenities?

Our character is ALWAYS showing. How does YOURS look?

#BenchBadBehavior

There are several major rule changes this year for basketball.

There is no more 1 and 1 bonus free throws. All bonus free throws are now 2 shots.

Team bonus now starts at the 5th foul per quarter. Each quarter, team fouls reset. Scoreboard will only show max of 5 fouls per quarter.

Again these are big changes for basketball. Please be patient with coaches, scoreboard operators, and officials.

Go Dragons!

Rank One Forms are now available to be completed. Visit rankonesport.com or scan the QR code to complete your athletic forms for the 23-24 school year.

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.

Please contact the high school if you are unable to access Parent Portal. This allows students and parents to access real-time grades 24/7, attendance information and update personal information. I include a parent/portal link for all parents/guardians on every Parent Newsletter. This link is located immediately below this message. It's very important all parents have access to parent portal.

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