WELLS PRESS

A conspicuous footprint: The yellow outline above shows the planned location of 14 classrooms for early childhood education. Passage of the bond on the Oct. 10, 2023 ballot is needed to cover the cost of constructing this wing of Catoosa's new elementary school.

by Isabella Borum and Karley Reich

Catoosa Public Schools is presenting to voters within the district a bond measure on the Oct. 10, 2023 ballot for added construction on the new school building that is under construction on Cherokee Ave.

"We're hitting important milestones almost every month," said Catoosa Superintendent Robert Schornick. "W e placed the last top beam in August, and the roof, doors and windows are starting to be installed. However, we're also facing the challenges of a massive construction project in the post-COVID economy."

Unforeseen, high-percentage-rate inflation on construction materials, plus 20-year-high interest rates all following the COVID-19 pandemic, forced postponement of construction on 14 early childhood education classrooms for the new school. This caused a major setback in plans for long-term cost efficiencies for the district and benefits to elementary students, Mr. Schornick said.

"Those 14 classrooms are a part of the overall square footage of the building," Mr. Schornick said, calling the building plan "an investment in the elementary learning experiences our students and families deserve. We have a chance to put a world-class comprehensive pre-K-fifth grade campus right here in our backyard," Mr. Schornick said. The campus design also provides improved traffic flow for student drop-off and pick-up.

While the proposed package includes a modest increase to tax rates, if passed, Catoosa's millage rates would continue to be among the lowest in the area.

The Catoosa community urges voters to get out and vote Tuesday, Oct. 10. “It's critical that every person in this community gets out to vote,” Mr. Schornick said. “Our mantra right now as it relates to the bond issue is 'Our School, Our Community and Our Future.''”

When the new school is finished, the district will keep Helen Paul Learning Center as an extra building. Despite its age of 82 years, it still is a good school and can hold a lot of kids.

“The district has decided to keep Helen Paul because they want our community to get bigger and better as time comes,” Mr. Schornick said. "When more people come, they will have Helen Paul as an extra school for when it does get bigger.”

Catoosa's jr. high cheerleaders are preparing for competition in October.

[photo by Shawnee Hodge]

by Nevaeh Alexander and McKenzie Hargrove

Catoosa middle school cheer, or CMS, is going to a competition this month. The team will compete with a routine that is fast and upbeat.

“It's really bouncy and really fun,” said eighth grader Sydnee McClure. Catoosa will host the competition at the activity center across from the high school. The competition day is Oct. 22 featuring middle school and some younger cheer squads from around the Tulsa area.

Catoosa team members say they are really excited about the competition. Most of the cheerleaders say they aren’t nervous, but seventh grader Katlyn McGrail said, “Yes because we have a new dance.”

Being the only sixth grader on the team is “nerve-wracking, but I like it,” said sixth grader Lalianni Michaels. It’s her first time cheering, and she is on a seventh and eighth grade team.

Seventh grader Olivia Calvin said about her stunt group, “They’re all my best friends.” Calvin said she isn’t nervous about the competition even though they are doing their halftime routine and the Catoosa fight song.

"I think they’re going to do really well because they have been practicing all summer,” said cheer coach Shawnee Hodge. “They have a really good chance of taking home the grand prize.”

GO! FIGHT! CURE! Sixth grade cheerleaders Emilee Ogle and Carson Waymire show off the official T-shirt for Catoosa's "Pink-Out" game for breast cancer awareness Oct. 12.

by Jailin Duran and Anlli Alcudia-Avalos

The "Pink Out" varsity football game is coming up Oct. 12 vs Miami. The game will take place at the Frank McNabb Field at 7 p.m.

“Everybody gets a chance to take a minute and recognize breast cancer awareness,” said seventh grade football head coach Joe Brown.

Fans of the Indians are encouraged to wear pink to the game and cause an all-pink "pink-out" in the stadium.

by Dakohtah Jordan and Jasmine Tucker

Be drug free, and remember to dress up for this Red Ribbon Week because it is coming at the end of this month.

This Red Ribbon Week's themes consist of starting the week wearing red on Monday, Oct. 23, Twin Day -- dress the same as your friend -- Tuesday, Oct. 24, PJs Day Wednesday, Oct. 25, and Neon Day Thursday, Oct. 26.

“At our school, we take pride in choosing to be drug-free,” said Wells Counselor Luanne Guerrero, who is overseeing Wells’ Red Ribbon Week this year. “That is something to celebrate, which is why we have fun with it. So blow everyone away with what you come up with.”

Fifth graders Emma Yang and Hawk Drake earned second place standing in Mrs. Wendland's class for August with 42 tickets each. [photo by Hailey Spears]

by Kynadi Carl

All six of the fifth grade classes at Wells have a ticket booth (that's actually on a bulletin board) throughout the whole school year. They earn tickets because it motivates good school behavior and teaches managing money. There’s a first, second, and third place in each class, based on number of tickets earned.

“In Ms. Carney's class, they buy stuff with their tickets,” said fifth-grader Sadie Pierce. “They earn tickets for being good, listening, and doing their jobs. They can buy things like sitting with their friends at lunch, also wearing a hat, and they can buy candy.”

“In Ms. Z's class, when they're good they can earn tickets like getting their planner signed or being kind and helpful,” said Kaztro Xiong. “The students can buy things like taking pictures with their friends, a homework pass, and more fun things.”

The fifth grade teachers say this teaches the students what life is like when you go to work. You earn money and buy things. Also, Ms. Carney's class has jobs and earns tickets for them.

Fifth grade math and science teacher Jamie Pursley (standing) moves around her classroom checking student progress on an assignment. [photo by Kamdyn Scott]

by Kamdyn Scott and Kamryn White

Fifth grade math and science teacher Jamie Pursley will be leaving Wells Four-Seven at the end of the first semester to take care of her baby that's due in January.

Mrs. Pursley will not be coming back for the second semester. Mrs. Pursley said that she wants her class to know all the expectations and rules before she leaves.

“I am going to miss her science experiments that she does,” Joseph Kloepfer said. Students from past years and this year have said they love her science experiments.

Mrs. Pursley said she is excited about taking care of her baby, but is very sad about leaving her students. “I am going to be worried sick about them,” she said.

The Wells community loves Mrs. Pursley, and is going to miss her.

Sub-er-star: Although she's not a full-time Catoosa staffer, Katherine Kelly's frequent presence in the halls of Catoosa schools causes many students to think of her as one of their teachers.

[photo by Jaidyn Swarer]

by Anna Smith and Jaidyn Swarer

Subbing is one of the hardest jobs in a school, but Katherine Kelly still seems to enjoy it. She was a sub for Wells teacher Evan Drake for three weeks. Coach Drake, who teaches computers and geography, was out for paternity leave earlier this semester.

Not all subs are respected, but Mrs.Kelly said, “I think anytime I go into the classroom and I have clear instructions for them that they will respect me. There's always going to be a couple that try to push buttons.”

Kids can show respect in many different ways, Mrs.Kelly said. “I think just doing their work, listening, and respecting others is how I know.”

Some subs like long term subbing better, but Mrs. Kelly said she likes both, although she seems to really like short-term subbing. “I do like the change so I can meet other students,” she said.

Creative space: Seventh graders work on projects during their second period art class.

[photo by Brooklyn McAnally]

by Yanely Olvera-Stephenson and Brooklyn McAnally

The Wells Middle School sixth- and seventh-grade art classes are a good place where kids can express themselves with their art. That's why most of the art students pick art for their electives.

“I had art last year, and it was super fun,” said seventh grader Natalie Fry.

“I loved art as a kid, so I decided to become an art teacher,” Jessica Scheffel said. The kids in art say they love Ms. Scheffel as their art teacher.

Seventh grader Katlyn McGrail said Ms. Scheffel “is fun, but sometimes she can be strict about what to do. But she is mostly fun.”

“I think that my class is going good so far, but sometimes can be crazy at times,” Ms. Scheffel said.

Is it a dance? Elementary school music teacher David Franklin, far left, leads fourth graders in a game of "Music Twister" that helps students learn line notes. [photo by Connor Russell]

by Connor Russell and Harlee Fox

After fourth and fifth grade do math, science, reading and social studies, they get to do "specials" -- art, music, and physical education. The students go to their specials every afternoon, and they rotate to a different specials class each day.

The teachers say they are happy to be teaching their subjects to Wells’ younger students.

“When I found my favorite job was open, I jumped on it,” said art teacher Allyson Richardson. “I will be here forever.

“We are working on art of our names,” Ms. Richardson said. “I will hang up artwork from fourth and fifth grade to show off what we are doing.”

“I love to do archery. It’s fun,” said fifth grader Jaydi Jones about her physical education class. She said she plans to try out for the archery team.

“In November, there are tryouts for archery, and the teams are made,” said coach Craig Hampton. “I am planning to bring a team to a contest against other teams when I put it together.”

”Fourth graders like their new music teacher," said Jadon Shnall about Wells music teacher David Franklin.

“In my class, we are working on ‘The Grand Old Flag.’ We will be doing a performance at an (all-school) assembly,” Mr. Franklin said.

by Izzy Holmes and Laveah Robertson

Hometown Halloween is coming up soon! It will be at the Catoosa High School Activity Center lot Oct. 31 from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

There will also be a city-wide house decorating contest. If you want to enter the contest, you need to enter by Oct. 25. You can enter by sending your name, contact number, and address to Catoosa Hometown Halloween's Facebook page, or sign up at Catoosa City Hall, 214 S. Cherokee Ave. Decorated houses will be judged Oct. 29, beginning of dark.

First place will receive a $200 Visa gift card, second place will receive a $125 Visa gift card, and third place will receive a $75 Visa gift card.

“My favorite part is walking around with my friends because it is fun," said seventh grader Olivia Calvin.

“My favorite part about Hometown Halloween is the candy,” sixth grader Karmen Bennett said.

Hometown Halloween is loved by a lot of people in the community. It is an event that the City of Catoosa has hosted for many years. It is something multiple people look forward to every year.

Sixth grader Quincy Bell said his favorite part about Hometown Halloween is “We have a parade.”

Hometown Halloween has many fun things to do. It could be going trick or treating at tables, going to get candy by playing games, drinking some hot cocoa, or it could be the inflatables to use or play on. For many in Catoosa, Hometown Halloween is definitely worth going to.

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, Anna Smith, Hailey Spears, Jaidyn Swarer, Jasmine Tucker, Kamryn White ... Send inquiries to kmcanany@catoosa.k12.ok.us