WELLS PRESS

Recollection collection: Fourth grade students in Mrs. Rankin's math class review the knowledge they have accumulated over the past eight months of school. [photo by Harlee Fox]

by Harlee Fox

How have you been preparing for this year's state testing?

Seventh grader Julian Rodriguez-Gutierrez reported that his English language arts class has been writing essays and doing research. They are also working on spelling and punctuation for the reading test. For math, Rodriguez-Gutierrez said that his class is working on how to find the surface area, polygons, triangles and trapezoids. He said he has mixed opinions on having the state tests early, adding that he likes taking the tests, but thinks they take too long. He also said he thinks they are good for showing skills growth.

Seventh grader Jason Watkins said his teacher has been preparing his reading class for state testing by going over figurative language.

Sixth grader Felipe Camacho-Garcia said that his reading class is learning about the French.

Fifth grader Molly McConnell said that her teacher has been reviewing everything they have done in reading this year to prepare them for state testing. For math, she said they are reviewing fractions.

Fifth grader Jaydyn Woodruff said that his teacher is giving his class harder questions to help review for the state math test. He said he is not sure what he thinks about having to take the state tests yearly.

English language arts teacher Tifanie Chapman-Reed said she is using the state's practice test provided by school counselor Luanne Guerrero to help prepare her sixth and seventh grade students for the reading test.

Math and science teacher Kelley Carney said she is having boot camp to prepare her fifth grade students for state testing. She said like how boot camp prepares troops for the military, her classes are doing a math boot camp and a science bootcamp -- and they are reviewing everything.

English language arts teacher Stephane Wendland said her fifth grade classes are working on a lot of IXL online exercises to review multiple skills, plus daily reading reviews, and referring back to their notes.

Behind the scenes: Catoosa Theatre Director Gregory Landburg coaches sixth grade actors Rufino Sosa (left) and Isaac Armstrong during an in-class rehearsal for "The Greatest Showman."

[photo by Kamryn White]

by Kamdyn Scott and Kamryn White

Wells' middle school theater class is working on a stage production of “The Greatest Showman,” based loosely on the life of 19th century entertainer P.T. Barnum, co-founder of the Barnum and Bailey Circus. The stage musical is adapted from the 2017 film of the same name.

Performances of the show are scheduled for Tuesday, May 14 and Thursday, May 16 on stage in the Wells middle school theater/gym, each at 6 p.m. Admission is free.

Student performers and crew say they are having a lot of fun getting ready for the performances. “I just like how everyone works together, and how we've practiced so much for the parts," said sixth grade actor Isaac Armstrong. "I feel like we'll be able to pull it off really well.” Armstrong plays three roles: Mr. Bennet, Mr. Smith, and P.T. 's father.

Work started on “The Greatest Showman” right after Christmas break. The theatre class has been practicing after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays every week.

“I'm so excited that we are going to get to show our community the talent here in Catoosa,” said Catoosa choir and theatre director Gregory Landburg.

Catoosa's high school and middle school choirs will give a combined concert Tuesday, May 7 on the stage at Wells Middle School. The concert, scheduled to start at 6 p.m., is free and open to the public.

How do you get to the festival? Practice: Trumpet players Joseph Boyer and Nylah Smith take part in a rehearsal with other beginning band members preparing for the Heartland Music Festival.

[photo by Hailey Spears]

by Dakohtah Jordan and Kynadi Carl

The Wells Middle School beginning band will perform at the Heartland Music Festival April 27 in Oklahoma City. The festival provides young musicians the opportunity to perform and celebrate their musical talents -- from choirs to bands and orchestras of all ages and skill levels.

After the beginning band performs, they will be go to Oklahoma's biggest theme park Frontier City.

“I think our kids have come a long way, and I'm really excited for them to show the world how much progress they've made -- and to have some fun at Frontier City afterwards," said Wells Band Director Asher Shoopman. "I'm very proud of the kids and the effort they have put into the Catoosa band program."

“I’m really excited about the band competition," seventh grader Daniel Cothran said, "and I think that we’re going to place. Out of 10 I have been practicing 8/10." (On a scale of one to 10, one being the worst and 10 being the best).

”I am nervous about the band competition," sixth grader Alexis Hutchins said. "Also, I think we are going to get a place. Out of 10, I’ve been practicing 10/10.”

“I think that we will probably get a place," seventh grader Cheyenne McDowell said. "And there are so many good eighth graders in the band. Out of 10, I have been practicing 8/10. Even though I take some breaks, I still try my hardest.”

"A moment in our shared history ..." Everyone from all three Catoosa schools went out together to witness the solar eclipse the afternoon of April 8. Catoosa Superintendent Robert Schornick later called it "a moment in our shared history as a district team and family ... We might have missed totality by five percent, but we got 100 percent of the experience of coming together to witness an event that will not be visible to us again until our current kindergarten students have graduated college." [photo by Connor Russell]

Try to fly: Wells sixth grader Kaysin Morgan completes a long jump at the middle school track meet Catoosa hosted April 11. [photo by Anna Smith]

by Anna Smith and Jaidyn Swarer

When Catoosa hosted a middle school track meet April 11, everyone on the campus could hear the events announced on the stadium public address during the school day. Catoosa's team competed well that day and has throughout this season, head coach Mason Russ said.

The sport of track doesn’t have records kept as a team, but the athletes try to beat their personal bests, Coach Russ said. “I think we are doing great this year, and we are getting better each week,” he said.

Coach Russ said he also competed in track and field when he was in school. “In high school I threw shot and disc, and in college I threw disc and javelin,” he said.

“I run the 100, 200, and the long jump,” said sixth grader Madelynn Monroe. “I like that you get to do what you want to do, and you can get in shape.”

Opening ceremony: Danny Yang led Catoosa's contingent of athletes and coaches in the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics track and field competition Catoosa hosted for Tulsa-area school districts in April. [photo by Eugenia Alderman]

Turbo javelin event

James Alderman-1st

Gordon Brown-2nd

Kyler Wieckert-2nd

Also placing

Danny Yang

Erick Ramirez

Softball throw event

Hosanna Hernadez-1st

50 meters

Hosanna Hernandez-2nd

James Alderman-2nd

Also placing

Danny Yang

Erick Ramirez

100 meters

Kyler Wieckert-2nd

Gordon Brown-3rd

Catoosa volleyball is beginning the process of organizing its teams for the fall. Tryout dates haven’t been released yet, but there are interest forms to fill out. Paper forms are available from Coach Shawnee Hodge's classroom, or interested players can use the link https://tinyurl.com/24volleyball to submit their information online.

Wells Press staff: Anlli Alcudia-Avalos, Nevaeh Alexander, Bella Borum, Kynadi Carl, Jailin Duran, Harlee Fox, McKenzie Hargrove, Izzy Holmes, Dakohtah Jordan, Brooklyn McAnally, Yanely Olvera-Stephenson, Eva Ortiz-Becerra, Karley Reich, Laveah Robertson, Connor Russell, Kamdyn Scott, Kaylin Searcy, Anna Smith, Hailey Spears, Jaidyn Swarer, Kamryn White ... Send inquiries to kmcanany@catoosa.k12.ok.us