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:

As we move into our second full week of school, I would like to take this opportunity to remind parents how important parental support is to student success. We've long known that the two most important factors that determine whether students succeed in high school is effective classroom teachers and strong support from home.

One of the most effective ways to increase parent engagement in school, is for parents to attend extracurricular events. Parents are passionate about their children's extracurricular activities whether it's athletics, choir, band, cheer, or FFA. These events provide parents an opportunity to visit the school, interact with teachers and staff, and enjoy their kids having fun and experiencing success. I encourage all parents to attend extracurricular activities and support not only their children but the school as a whole.

As extracurricular activities are one of the best ways to engage parents in our school, it's critical that we increase the number of students in sports, clubs, band, choir, FFA, etc. One of my primary goals as principal is to provide a wide range of opportunities for kids. We should offer something that appeals to everyone. That is our goal.

This year we have added Esports, Soccer, and Music Theater. We have added new curriculum including Aviation and AP Biology as we continue to increase our STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math offerings.) Our existing programs including FFA, STUCO, Leadership, Spanish Club, Academic Team, NHS, etc. continue to grow and thrive. Our athletic programs are strong and we are expecting success this year across multiple sports.

As important as it is for kids to participate in extracurricular activities, it's equally important for parents to attend events and support their kids and the school. One of the best ways for a teacher to build a relationship with a student is to attend a game, concert, or event in which they are participating. Often the best way for parents to support high school students is to attend their extracurricular event. So we hope you encourage your student to get involved in something. We also hope you visit our school and support their passion for something outside of the classroom!

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

Topics: Bullying & Student Safety / Start of Football Season

Guests: Katy Keith (Student Council President) Aaron Dillard (Dean of Students/Head Football Coach)

Thanks to the amazing generosity of First United Bank of Purcell, our brand new marquee and digital video board is fully operational this week. We are grateful for the ongoing support First United provides to Purcell Public Schools. They are an important community partner and vital to the overall success of Purcell schools.

Due to the efforts of community partners, alums, and district administration we were able to unveil our brand new Esports Lab. Our students will begin competing in OSSAA sanctioned Esports competition next month. The team will have an opportunity to compete for state championships and students can earn valuable college scholarships. I would like to thank the following organizations and individuals for their support.

• Jeff and Char Page Family
• Purcell Public School Foundation
• Amanda Jones Centeno and Gucci Wraps
• Dr. Sheli Mcadoo
• Jerry Swayze
• Purcell Board of Education
• Terry Howell and Tony Hailey
• Scott Walker
• David Hilger
• Rick Hammer
• Kassi Buchanan
• Kelton Clary
• Erica Estrada

Monday 8/21

• Softball vs. Dickson @ PHS; 5PM
• FFA/4H Booster Club Meeting; 6:30 PM

Tuesday 8/22

• Cross-Country Meet @ Purcell; 4:15 PM

• Softball @ Ada; 5PM
• Band Booster Club Meeting & Ice Cream; 7PM

Wednesday 8/23

• no events

Thursday 8/24

• Softball @ Dibble; 5PM

Friday 8/25

• PHS Pep Rally; 1:55PM
• PHS Football vs. Alva @ PHS; 7PM

Safety Drills:

Last week we conducted a security drill (lock-in drill). The drill was conducted at 9:07 AM which is immediately following the beginning of 2nd hour. Students and staff quickly moved to secured areas and locked doors. We were able to secure the building quickly and conduct a check of the entire school. A lock-in drill simulates a general threat to the area. Our main goal is to move all individuals into secured areas of the school and ensure all doors are locked. We also practice communication through the use of our RAVE app. As always we contact the Purcell Police Department prior to all security drills.

Fire Alarm:

We experienced a fire alarm the first day of school. This was a result of an overflow in a sprinkler system line. Students and staff evacuated the building immediately and we notified 911. The police and fire department responded and we were able to determine there was no fire. Students and staff were never in any danger. Nevertheless this provided us an opportunity to practice a building evacuation in case of a fire.

Safety Meeting

We held our biannual safety meeting on 8/10/23. We reviewed safety policies, discussed areas of needed improvements, and reviewed our school safety features including the RAVE app and STOPit APP. We also discussed strategies to decrease vaping issues in our school including supporting awareness campaigns to encourage healthy habits amongst our students.

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

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!

Freshmen and Sophomores will take their Fall Map assessments over the next few weeks. In addition to reading and math, we have added an assessment for science this year. Students will assess in their respective math, english, and science classes. THIS ONLY APPLIES TO 9TH & 10TH GRADERS.

• I've attached two links below which are brief but informative guides to MAP assessments for parents and guardians
• It's important for students to do their best on assessments so we gather accurate data.
• MAP assessments will tell you whether your student is on track for college readiness and at grade level in Math, Science, and Reading.
• MAP assessments focus on learning growth rather than only performance.
• All parents will receive a family report by email after the fall, winter, and spring assessment periods.
• Fall testing window ends September 8th

Beginning next week will run our first chronic absentee report. Students who miss 10 or more days (unexcused or excused) of school are considered chronically absent. Students who have 10 or more unexcused absences per semester receive no credit for that course regardless of their grade. Please support your student's education and encourage them to attend school on a regular basis. I've copied below district policy regarding truancy and chronic absenteeism.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE PRINCIPAL HAS THE AUTHORITY TO SUBMIT A TRUANCY REFERRAL FOR STUDENTS ABSENT UNEXCUSED 4 TIMES IN A 4 WEEK PERIOD OR 10 TIMES IN A SEMESTER.

L-R: Amber Findley, Candy Clark, Lynn Bayless, Michael O'Neal, Sam Resendiz

• Our fastpitch softball team is off to a fast start. They won their first 5 games including several by run-rule. This is an experienced group who are looking to make some noise this year! They are coached by Sarah Jones and Roger Raper. At the time of publishing this newsletter they were participating in the 1st Annual Heart of Oklahoma Tournament.
• PHS Football will open their season this upcoming Friday night at home against Alva. This will mark the beginning of the Aaron Dillard era at PHS. Coach Dillard is a Dragon alum and spent the past several years as Offensive Coordinator at Piedmont High School. We are excited for the upcoming season!
• PHS Cross-Country athletes and coaches have been working hard and will begin their season soon!

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