WELLS PRESS

New to Catoosa for 2022-23, Austin Hughes teaches fifth grade math and science at Wells.

[photo by Brynlee Benton]

by Lily Ray and Rylin Thornton

The start of this school year has been an exciting one for Catoosa Public schools, with the tearing down of Cherokee Elementary and putting in a new school.

Since the district is building a new school, it had to put pre-K, third, fourth, and fifth grades somewhere, so the district put fourth and fifth in Wells Middle School and pre-K and third grade at Helen Paul Learning Center.

The fourth and fifth grade teachers say they are liking Wells Middle School so far.

“It’s a little difficult and exciting,” said fifth grade teacher Belinda Wood. “I’m kind of excited about having a change. I’m excited for having a new school.”

“It made us busy and made us realize that something good is about to happen,” said fifth grade teacher Stephanie Wendland. “I’m super excited for getting a new school. I see Catoosa thriving, killing it, and being awesome in five years.”

“I am liking the new building, it's set up very well, and everyone has been very helpful,” said fourth grade teacher Angela Gardener.

“It’s a completely new building,” said fourth grade teacher Ashton Sparks regarding the move to Wells, “new classrooms, new principal, new everything. It’s been an adjustment so far.”

The kids' table: Catoosa fourth and fifth graders now have breakfast and lunch in the Dome.

[photo by Dailynn Wilson]

Go directly to jail: Wells science teacher Shawnee Hodge created this temporary safe place for cell phones of students who repeatedly check their phones while in class. [photo by Eva Ortiz-Beccera]

by Alexis Xiong and Karley Reich

Many students and staff believe Wells' new phone policy for the 2022-23 school year was caused by online discussions stating they were a distraction in the classroom. Most students are very upset about the phone policy because they love using their phones. On the other hand, most teachers approve of the new phone policy since there is less distraction and students focus more on learning.

“I love the idea of having the phone policy because I feel like the students are able to be more focused on their academic curriculum,” said Wells math teacher Kim Dillard, “also not having to worry about their phone and just not needing to post stuff on social media.”

All Wells students were allowed to have their phones out last year. This year phones are to stay off and out of sight. Phones were a distraction to most kids during classes, so a lot of staff members wanted it to go.

“I did believe there were so many problems last year like students doing inappropriate things on their phone at school,” Ms. Dillard said, “and it's definitely causing discipline for the school and it will definitely eliminate that and also help the kids focus on their grades.”

“I don’t like it, I feel like we should always have our phones out at lunch, and I also feel like if someone needs to call their mom or something then we should be able to,” said seventh grader Hannah Sadler.

“I think the phone policy has some good and bad things too,” said Wells social studies teacher Rick Alexander. "I like to think that all the kids will get a lot better.”

Wells fifth grader Payge Henderson stashes her backpack in a locker assigned to her along the fifth grade hallway. [photo by Jaidyn Swarer]

by Ayden Burns and Jaidyn Swarer

The tied up lockers along the halls on the sixth to seventh side of Wells MIddle School have made some students angry, but some are also enjoying it. At Wells the lockers are zip tied for the sixth and seventh until the new Cherokee elementary opens in two or three years.

“So the reason six and seven don't have lockers is because, when we were going to house grades four through seven for the next two years," Wells Principal Mark McVay said, "we looked through a couple different plans to prioritize, first, the safety of all the students and the education of the fourth and fifth graders.

“So we had to split the building down the middle to give our fourth and fifth graders their elementary experience," Mr. McVay said. "The sixth and seventh ended up on the west side, and there are not enough lockers on the west side for everybody to have a locker. There are some inconveniences for these two years, but we're going to get this brand new building when it's all said and done, and that will be really great for the community.”

Some of the students don't like not having lockers and having to carry around their backpacks all day.

“Well I'm not a big fan of having no lockers. I don't like carrying around my bag. I have football and wrestling so sometimes it hurts my shoulder,” sixth grader Evan Boulware said.

“My bag is really heavy and it hurts my head,” sixth grader Jarrett Gruschin said.

However, Mr. McVay has a solution for weighed-down athletes. “Now there are some students who have the big bags like softball or baseball players that we still assign athletic lockers to as needed," Mr. McVay said. "We still have those athletic lockers on the sixth and seventh side, so they can put in their baseball bats or softball bats.”

The friendly faces of Wells: Attendance clerk Brandi Ballenger, left, and Secretary to the Principal Sheila Foxall -- both new to Wells this year -- usually are the first to greet families coming into Wells for the first time. [photo by Brynlee Benton]

by Laklyn Hale and Danielle Loomis

When new Catoosa students and their families came to Wells the first time for this school year, they found people working to get them everything they needed for starting their school year.

"Once we have them enrolled, we also meet with the counselor and get them everything they need to get set up, said Wells Principal Mark McVay. “Before we send them on their way, we highlight everything they need to know.’’

"The new students might struggle a bit as they may not have all of the friends that everyone else does," said Wells Assistant Principal Bryce Hauenstein. "We find some groups to plug them in and help them acclimate with the district and the building so that they are not only successful academically but also socially."

“It is quite scary because as a kid I was always terrified of going to middle school,” said sixth grader Gabby Valdez. “It did make a big difference in my life, but I am really happy to be a Catoosa Indian."

"We set up interactive notebooks, so that they don't fall behind," said fourth grade teacher Rhyan Oakes, "and find some really friendly students to help show them around and make them as comfortable as possible."

Fourth grader Roman Furrey, left, and his sister seventh grader Summer Furrey share a tender moment from opposite sides of the barrier that separates the hallway between fourth/fifth grades and sixth/seventh grades. [photo by Riley Miller]

by Summer Furrey and Riley Miller

No contact. Having no contact with family or friends is hard. Could you imagine not talking to your younger sibling? Even when they're just across the hall? Well this is true at Wells Middle School: Fourth grade and fifth aren’t allowed to have contact with the sixth and seventh grades.

Some of the students do not believe it is affecting our school in a positive way. Other student members believe it is a positive thing. Sixth grader Paxton York said he believes that this policy is good and that he wouldn’t change a thing.

Some people have speculated on why sixth and seventh graders may not talk to the fourth and fifth graders. “We can't talk to the sixth and seventh graders because they say cuss words,” said fourth grader Ella Michaels.

“You cannot talk to the fourth graders because there is a huge size difference between you, and we wanted to create a safe environment,” said fourth grade teacher Stephanie Wendland.

Wells Principal Mark McVay's said, ”Fourth and fifth grade are 9 to 11, as sixth and seventh are 12 to 14. So that is why they are separated in our building."

Fourth and fifth grade aren’t allowed all over the building. Where they are allowed is the east side of the building -- unlike the sixth and seventh graders who are on the west side. So contact is reduced.

"The only time the students leave the classroom is to go to the bathroom, and if they do go anywhere I take them,” Mrs. Wendland said. So the precautions on making sure that sixth and seventh graders don’t speak to fourth and fifth graders is that their teachers take them everywhere.

The fourth and fifth graders are at Wells because Cherokee Elementary is getting torn down, and the new one won’t be ready until a couple years. For that reason, 8th-12th are at the high school, and in the middle school is 4th-7th. The question some ask is “Why do the sixth and seventh need to be separated from the fourth and fifth?”

We think that Wells' counselor and principal are right and that we should be separated from the fourth and fifth graders out of respect for the parents and for safety. We understand that some students have friends that are in fourth or fifth, and the age difference isn't too far, but it's the mindsets of the sixth and seventh graders that are different.

Wells counselor Luanne Guerrero said, “I do feel like fourth and fifth does need to be separated from sixth and seventh. The reason being is sixth and seventh change classes, they're in the halls, and they're much older.

"Fourth and fifth graders need there own halls," Mrs. Guerrero said, "where they can go out and go with their peers; be with people their own age. And sixth and seventh need to be with their age group as well because sometimes the sixth and seventh are teenagers, and they are doing their teenage things. So it's always good that we keep the fourth and fifth separated, so they can still have that experience of being in grade school and sixth and seventh can have that experience of being in middle school."

"The new school that they're building for the district -- that's gonna be awesome for the elementary," Wells Principal Mark McVay said. "So it's different now when we have to keep the fourth and fifth graders on one side of the building, and have them on their own schedule. So they still get their educational learning opportunities like when they were at Cherokee.”

We welcome all the fourth and fifth grade students and teachers, and we’re all excited for the new elementary school coming out in a couple of years.

Catoosa's seventh grade volleyball team huddles with Coach Brandi Wilsey during the team's first match of the 2022 season. [photo by Brynlee Benton]

by Danyelah Gomez-Stephenson and Brynlee Benton

The Catoosa Indians volleyball team is back at it again, with new coaches Konner Johnston and Brandi Wilsey.

“Well I would say we are prepared,” said jr. high head Coach Johnston. “I mean it was a really short summer. You know with two new coaches coming in there was kinda the barrier where we really didn't know the young ones.

“I think at this level it's not all about winning games,” Coach Johnston said, “It's about development each day, each week, we get better and better. I mean if they're having fun that's good too, so I think those are the important things, and if we can keep touching on those things, then the season is going to go well.”

Seventh grader Katie Pruett said she is excited for this season. “Oh yeah I'm so prepared! I know I'm prepared, because last year I played, and I wasn't so bad, and I'm pretty sure I know the basics of volleyball.”

“I think the season is going to go well," Coach Johnston said. "We got a lot of talented girls, and I think they have potential to be really good in the future. They are just seventh graders. A lot of them are new to the sport, and some have been playing for a little bit, but you can see the potential, and I think the program has a bright future.”

Regarding Catoosa’s first jr. high match Aug. 11, seventh grader Sydnee Mcclure said, “The varsity did really well. The seventh graders won the second set, and it went pretty well.”

“For the first game we did good,” said seventh grader Jennifer De La Cruz, “but we could have done better.“

“I think it went as well as we could expect, with only a couple practices going in,” Coach Wilsey said. “I think they definitely learned some stuff along the way while we were in the middle of the match, and it has built up in our practices this weekend.”

“I think it went really well," Coach Johnston said. "The girls were really excited. They were a little nervous, which was expected since it was their first game of the year.”

“We’re young, and we’re playing the girls up because of the lack of numbers we had in the eighth grade level," Coach Johnston said. "I think they're getting the hang of things. Me, and Coach Wilsey are both new this year, so we're trying to come into a new environment, and I'm sure it is a little new for them, but overall I think it went really well..”

“I think as long as they're all dedicated to working hard," Coach Wilsey said, "we can have a successful season. And as long as they're having fun and playing and loving the sport, that is really what middle school sport is about, keeping kids engaged and loving it.”

Catoosa coaches conduct a morning workout with seventh grade players on the practice field.

[photo by Dailynn Wilson]

by Dailynn Wilson and Courtney Slavens

Catoosa’s jr. high football opponents may need to fear the Indians because Catoosa’s players seem to have a lot to be angry about.

Most of Catoosa’s jr. high players say the reason they play football is that it’s a way for them to vent their frustrations on the field.

“Because I get to hit people,” said no. 8 Ayden Monroe.

Other players claim they participate because they want to, or because their parents persuade them to. “My dad makes me,” said no. 5 Timmy White.

The majority of opinions from players sound encouraging. The players say they are all "pumped" for the upcoming football season.

These games are fiercely contested. Catoosa's seventh grade team appears prepared to compete. This year the team has a lot more new players, and the players say they remain optimistic and hopeful. “I think the team will do pretty good," said no. 0 Roman Bell, "only if we keep on practicing.”

Coach Sal Guerrero said when he thinks of football, he usually thinks of hard work and teamwork. “They’re good athletes; they work hard," Coach Sal said. "So I think they’re going to have a pretty good season.”

Academic team is a competitive club to test knowledge and trivia.

Reasons to join are:

• Make new friends.

• Learn a lot of facts and tricks.

• Travel

• Snacks can be provided.

• Superheroes do it (like Peter Parker).

• Looks good on job applications

• Gets you involved in school activities

• Will have a page in the year book

Meets every Monday 3:35 to 5 p.m. in Ms. Phillips' room. Questions? Ask Ms. Phillips jphillips@catoosa.k12.ok.us

Wells Press staff: Ayden Burns, Summer Furrey, Danyelah Gomez-Stephenson, Laklyn Hale, Danielle Loomis, Riley Miller, Paola Nunez-Mondragon, Trinady Olden, Eva Ortiz-Becerra, Lily Ray, Karley Reich, Courtney Slavens, Jaidyn Swarer, Rylin Thornton, Yecica Vasquez, Arianna White, Dailynn Wilson, Alexis Xiong.

Inquiries to kmcanany@catoosa.k12.ok.us