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

What continues to amaze me this year is the resiliency of our staff, students, and parents throughout an unprecedented year. Although Covid has certainly changed our routines and dramatically impacted our learning processes, our teachers and students continue the fundamental work of a school: teaching and learning.

Relationships are the foundation of any successful school. Our teachers and students work everyday to strengthen those relationships. I'm very proud of all of them. We are also incredibly thankful for the understanding and flexibility of our parents. Thank you!

As many of you probably already know, we are transitioning to a rotating A-B scheduling beginning Monday, 11/9/20. I've included specific information regarding this transition below. However, if you have questions or need clarification, please do not hesitate to reach out directly to me.

Thank you

Jason

Go Dragons!

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

sandersj@purcellps.org

405-442-0099

Congratulations to our November Students of the Month!

Hannah Buchanan and Kyle Ginn

Both students were chosen by their teachers for their positive contributions to the school and community. Hannah and Kyle are leaders in both academics and athletics and we appreciate their hard work!

• Students do not attend school on Wednesdays. All students are on distance learning. Lessons are assigned on Google Classroom or Odysseyware (for PL students) and teachers are available for help through email and Google Meet.
• Special education students will receive contact through their resource teacher for specific information regarding their schedules.
• Students on "off days" (for example Group B students on Mon/Tues) will be at home on distance learning. They will still have access to their teachers and will have the opportunity to communicate with teachers through email and Google Meet. Teachers will conduct Google Meets (through Google Classroom) with students on "off days" when relevant to instructional lessons.
• Students need to monitor their emails and google classrooms on a daily basis. It is good practice for students on "off days" to check emails at least twice a day.
• Please see form below to access meal service during A-B Schedule.
• Sports and activities will proceed as regularly scheduled
• Alternative Education (night school) and Vo-Tech students will proceed on a regular schedule.
• We are currently working on a plan to provide transportation for Morning Vo-Tech students on their "off days". I will update ASAP.
• Buses will run on a regular schedule. Students will ride buses on the days they are scheduled to attend school.
• Virtual students are not impacted by this change and will proceed as normal.
• Students can request a change to a different schedule based upon special circumstances or need. This changes must be approved by the principal.

Active positive cases at the high school: 6

Total students quarantined: 32

Total staff quarantined: 4

Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions. I've attached a link below for the lastest Covid updates from the State Department of Health

https://coronavirus.health.ok.gov/covid-19-alert-system

As students reach middle school and particularly high school, communication between school and home often diminishes. Of course this is the natural process of students growing and assuming more responsibility and autonomy. However the fact remains the most important single factor in determining student success in high school is a highly involved parent.

I always encourage parents to ask their students everyday how their day went at school. But I also thinks it's important to dig deeper. Students have amazing experiences everyday at school. Yesterday I watched students debate the Lizzie Borden murder case in Ms. Swifts Senior English class. The objective of the lesson was to help students determine how our personal biases can influence our perceptions of truth. Students also learned how to build persuasive arguments. However the most exciting aspect of the lesson was watching students who were highly engaged in the learning process and having fun at the same time.

Too often parents do not have the opportunity to fully appreciate the wonderful learning opportunities that occur each day at school. Please take a few moments to read the article linked below and learn more about your student's daily experiences at high school!

https://www.edutopia.org/blog/parents-fifteen-questions-replace-how-was-school-today-elena-aguilar

Teacher-student relationships are so important, particularly at the high school level. Last week I chose two student leaders to write a tribute to two teachers who have impacted their lives this year. Please take a moment to read these tributes below. I'm happy to include pictures of each teacher during halloween dress-up day!

Ms. Matthews is a teacher that everybody would be lucky to have. while her teaching is amazing, it is her ability to go above and beyond what is required that has changed so many students' lives and makes her stand out. She is always the first to show up and the last to leave, and will never shy away from consoling a student in need. If you need a problem solved, she won't stop until it is solved, and is extremely passionate about everything she does. Instead of just teaching the material, she connects with the kids and challenges them to be the best they can be. She truly is what it means to be a life changing teacher.

---Hailey Carpenter

There have been many teachers that have impacted my high school experience. I think everyone would agree that Mrs. Findley is one of the best! She is always willing to help students academically and socially. Students run to her because they know she can always offer a helping hand. She is sarcastic and dramatic, but it makes her classes love her even more because she is REAL with us. The seniors would be lost without the help from her and her sidekick, Mr. O'Neal. Everyone around her notices and appreciates her dedication and kindness. Thank you Mrs. Findley, for being an amazing teacher and role model.

---Carlee Dismuke

This week on Wednesday we will conduct a lock-in drill at 1:00 PM. This drill will be conducted in coordination with the Purcell police department and will provide an opportunity for us to review important safety procedures. This drill will practice securing the school in the case of an imminent threat to the school. PLEASE REMEMBER THIS IS ONLY A DRILL. Safety drills are not designed to create alarm or panic. In fact they are designed to do just the opposite: allow school officials to practice safety procedures with students and staff. This is also an opportunity to review communication procedures with district officials, parents, and emergency responders.

This week we reviewed and practiced our RAVE alert system which allows us to immediately contact first responders in case of an emergency. This was practiced in coordination with the Purcell police department.

We remain committed to continually reviewing and practicing safety procedures in case of an emergency. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions. The safety and security of your students is our top priority.

Jason

There has been a lot going on over the last weeks: Students and teachers working hard in the classroom, Halloween fun, huge football win @ Lexington, basketball kicking into high gear, cross-country @ state, Holiday food drives, Academic team preparing for regionals, STUCO planning for school improvement initiatives, softball players winning huge honors, and so much more. See plenty of pictures below

I would like to give a special shout-out to our teaching staff. We have a group of teachers who come up with creative costume creations each Halloween. It's so much fun and a great way for teachers to promote school spirit and connect with kids. This year they may have had their best as the "Tiger King" crew descended upon our school last week. Thank you teachers for making high school a fun place!

Senior and Individual Picture Retake Day Wednesday, November 18 in the high school gym beginning at 9am-1:30pm. Group Picture scheduled will be released on November 11. Senior boys will need to have a white t-shirt to put on under the tux. Senior girls will need to wear a white cami or tank to wear under the feather drape.

PLEASE READ IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM MS. FEROLI!

Freshmen AND Sophomores: Please remember that OKPromise applications are available for those who may qualify for this awesome program that ensures students who meet certain income requirements are able to go to a state college tuition free. To apply, go to https://www.okhighered.org/okpromise/.

Click on the link below for important information regarding scholarships!

COVID-19 is affecting us in so many ways, including how Purcell High School's National Honor Society chapter honors our veterans this year. Instead of having our moving assembly and lunch with veterans after, we will instead provide opportunities for students and staff to make videos, write poems, sing songs, create artwork, or play an instrument to express their gratitude for the service and sacrifice of our veterans. We will also be sending care packages to active duty alumni, and this is where we can use your help. If you know of an active duty military member that has a PHS connection, please let us know, along with their address. We will be putting the care packages together the week of November 9 and get them in the mail by the end of the week. Just last night I spoke with a former student who is serving in South Korea, so rack your brains and help us reach out to both veterans and active-duty members and reservists. We couldn't do what we do in our country without the sacrifice and service of our military men and women, and we'd love your help with these important projects. You may send names and information to me, Liz Leonard, at leonardl@purcellps.org. Thank you so much, and take care of each other!

Parents can now access student information on Infinite Campus (our new student information system) The link to parent portal is below.

IMPORTANT: you will need an activation key to access the parent portal. You must email Kim Cummings @ cummingsk@purcellps.org in order to get the activation key

https://okcloud1.infinitecampus.org/campus/apps/portal/authentication/account-activation-key?appName=purcell&appType=parents

https://kb.infinitecampus.com/help/campus-parent-portal

upcoming events

• November 23rd-27th - Thanksgiving Break - No School
  
• December 21st-January 1st - Winter Break - No School
• January 4th - Professional Development Day - No School
• January 18th - Martin Luther King Junior Day - No School
• February 15th - Professional Development Day - No School
• March 9th - Parent-Teacher Conferences 4-7:30 pm
• March 11th - Parent-Teacher Conferences 4-7:30 pm
• March 12th-19th - Spring Break - No School
• April 2nd - Snow Day
• May 13th - Last Day of School