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

Good Afternoon Dragon Family:

Dragon Success!!!

I'm extremely proud of our students and coaches/sponsors over the last few weeks. PHS has achieved so much success across multiple sports and activities. It's a reflection of the long hours and hard work from our students and coaches. From the band marching in the parking lot in pre-dawn hours to the endless hours of weight training for our athletes to the early hours of tending to animals for our FFA students (just a few examples), these Dragons are working hard. Here is a quick summary of the success:

• PHS Softball are Regional Champions.
• Dragon Football moves to 4-1 after their thrilling win last night
• FFA places several teams @ OK State Fair Judging Contest including a 1st Place Team
• Dragon Esports win their first ever game as a program
• PHS Academic Team sweep their last 2 contests to move to 9-2 on season.
• Boys Cross-Country finish 6th @ Newcastle Meet with freshmen Jayden Polk running a tremendous race to finish runner-up overall!
• Dragon Pride Marching Band won Fan Favorite Award at MOM Fest.

It makes me extremely happy for our students and staff to see them rewarded for their hard work. Students thrive in high school when they are involved in an extracurricular activity. We have strived to build our existing programs and offer new programs that allow EVERY student to find something they can connect with. Our revived choir and music theater programs are building something special and our new soccer program will offer even more athletes an opportunity to participate in a sport they love. It's our goal to offer every student a program they can join and find an opportunity to showcase their talent.

These extracurricular programs are the foundation of a high school's success. Our primary mission of a high school is student learning. We want every student to succeed in the classroom and find their pathway to success after high school. ALL students. Success in the classroom is directly related to students participating in extracurricular activities. Students are more likely to learn at a higher level when they feel a connection to their school and community.

Thank you PHS teachers and staff for supporting our students and helping them achieve their goals and find success in whatever pathway they choose.

Go Dragons!

Jason

Always feel free to call or email me if you have questions

-sandersj@purcellps.org

405-442-0099 ext 505

cell# 918-873-0354

Regional Champions!

They will play in super regionals this week with a chance to go to STATE!

Fall Severe Weather Season

We are well aware of the Spring Storm Season in Oklahoma and how important it is to prepare for the threats of severe weather. However many aren't aware of the second fall severe weather season. The truth is severe weather can happen anytime of year in Oklahoma. It's always a good opportunity to review severe weather procedures.

• I've linked below both the emergency dismissal form and the Purcell Public Schools Severe Weather Plan.
• The Emergency Dismissal Form allows you to provide permission for your student to check out without parent permission in the case of an emergency check-out. This would only happen if it was declared by the principal and we were experiencing a mass check-out. If you have already provided permission, there is no need to do so again. Just a reminder
• The Severe Weather Plan details procedures in case of Severe Weather Threats.
• It's important to remember that PHS will move to a lockdown status in the event that we are under a Severe Weather Warning.

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

Please note the next scheduled ACT date is October 28th. LATE REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS THIS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6TH

Thank you Melissa Feroli & Kirk Rushing for a very successful College & Career Night last week. We appreciate the colleges, career tech, and military branches who help make it such an informative night for students. We were also pleased to welcome students from Wayne High School as well. I've linked pictures below.

This month is College & Career Readiness Month @ PHS. We will meet in advisory this week and hear from 3 former Dragon graduates who have achieved success in the community. Each of these three individuals chose different pathways to their success and have found ways to give back to the community. We will also complete career surveys, internships, and post secondary opportunities including career tech, college, and the military.

Please encourage your students to think about their interests and what they may want to do for a career. The best advice I've ever received is find something you enjoy to do and see if someone will pay you for it!

The senior website 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

See dates below for 23/24 ACT Testing Dates and deadlines for registration. You can also find the link to register for ACT test and workshop opportunities. As always contact PHS Counselor Melissa Feroli with specific questions.

PLEASE NOTE THE LATE REGISTRATION DEADLINE FOR THE SEPT 9TH DATE JUST EXPIRED. REGULAR REGISTRATION DEADLINE FOR OCT. 28TH TEST IS 9/22.

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!

Next week we will hold Parent Teacher Conferences. This is an opportunity for freshmen and sophomore parents to visit with their student's teachers about their academic growth. The recent Fall MAP scores provide an important discussion point. I'm currently in the process of emailing every parent a copy of their student's recent scores (family report). All freshmen parents were emailed last week and all soph parents will be emailed this week. Keep in mind only freshmen & sophs take the MAP assessments.

The key point to look for is academic growth and not academic performance. The great thing about MAP assessments are they show student learning growth regardless of where students are academically. Furthermore, since students have been taking the MAP assessment for several years, you are able to see their learning growth over time. The goal is that all students are showing continual growth (see example growth chart below).

If you student is NOT demonstrating growth then it's important to communicate with the teacher. At that point we all need to work together to find the right solutions and possible interventions.

Remember all freshmen and sophomores are assessed in math, reading, and science in the fall, winter, and spring.

Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have questions or need help regarding the MAP assessments. Don't miss the opportunity to visit with teachers next week.

After school tutoring will be available @ PHS beginning October 23rd. Tutors will be available for all subjects including math. Tutors are PHS teachers. 3:30-5:00 PM Mon-Thurs. Snacks are available.

Celebrate their first win in school history for this new program!

Seniors: Kaydence Townsend & Payton Bounds

Junior: Franklin Linker

Hello! I'm Kyleigh Green. I am a junior at Purcell High School and I'm currently serving as the Purcell FFA Chapter Treasurer. This is my third year being involved in Ag. Currently I am involved in public speaking, livestock judging, veterinary medicine, Archery and showing pigs. During these past three amazing years, I have learned to love animals even more and decided to attend the Mid-America Technology Center for the Veterinary Assistant program to hopefully help further my passion for becoming a large animal veterinarian. After graduating high school, I plan on attending Murry State to get my undergraduates degree then transferring to Oklahoma State to get my DVM License.

• PHS Football improved to 4-1 on the season and 2-0 in district with a thrilling 35-34 come from behind victory over Lindsay Friday night. Great job Dragons

• PHS Softball are regional champions and will play in a super regional this week for a chance to head to the State Tournament. Look for game times on social media in the next few days.

• PHS Cross-Country finished 6th overall at the Newcastle Meet this week. They are having a great season and preparing for the postseason!

Follow all of our PHS sports team on their Facebook accounts linked below.

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