PHS 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
Twitter: @purcellhsdrgns

Parents & Guardians:

As we approach spring, a time of year filled with excitement and celebrations like prom and graduation, I want to bring your attention to a critical issue: teen driver safety. Unfortunately, we often see an uptick in accidents involving young drivers during this season, making it especially important to reinforce safe driving practices.

We routinely receive reports of students driving unsafely, including speeding, tailgating, and, most alarmingly, distracted driving. We must work together to address this serious problem and ensure the safety of our students.

Distracted driving, whether it's texting, eating, applying makeup, or any other activity that takes focus away from the road, can have devastating consequences. Getting behind the wheel of a car is one of the most dangerous things a person does, and it's a responsibility our teenagers need to understand.

I urge you to join us in emphasizing the dangers of distracted driving to your teens. Please have a conversation with them about the importance of focusing solely on driving when they are behind the wheel. Remind them that even a momentary lapse in attention can lead to a serious accident.

We all want our students to enjoy this special time of year, but safety must be our priority. By working together, we can help ensure that our teens arrive safely at their destinations and return home to their families.

Sincerely,

Jason

cell: 918-873-0354

Please stay weather aware this week. Dangerous cold and winter precipitation is expected Tues-Thurs. Students were instructed on Friday to take home chromebooks and chargers in preparation for possible virtual day(s) this week. Parents should monitor school social media (facebook, instagram, Twitter/X,) email, text notifications, and local news stations for school weather updates. Students should be prepared for possible virtual days this week. I've linked the most updated forecast from the National Weather Service below.

Purcell High School Junior Adylee Jurado was presented with the Good Citizenship Award today by the Sons of the American Revolution before our school wide pep assembly. Adylee was nominated by multiple staff members for her volunteer work this year through NHS and Spanish Club. Adylee also led an anti-vaping campaign in our school. We are extremely proud of Adylee for her commitment to service and helping others. She is a true leader in our building.

---Jason Sanders

Principal

Dear Parents & Guardians:

Non-Credible Safety Threat This Week

This is a brief update regarding a safety concern from last Tuesday's basketball game. Prior to the game, we received a report from a Purcell Junior High student about a potential threat made on social media by an individual outside of our district. The student's quick thinking in reporting this to us was invaluable.

Working in close partnership with the Purcell Police Department, we were able to swiftly investigate the source of the threat. With the assistance of the Pauls Valley Police Department, the individual was located and interviewed. It was determined that the threat was not credible.

We are incredibly grateful for the support and prompt response of the Purcell Police Department, as well as the Pauls Valley Police Department. We also appreciate the additional security presence they provided at the basketball game as a precautionary measure. The safety and well-being of our students and staff is always our top priority. We encourage students and parents to continue to report any safety concerns they may have.

MAINTAINING A FOCUS ON SAFETY

• Our most important tools in securing our school are locked doors and open communication with students. These are two areas of constant focus. We conduct regular door checks and strictly enforce our secure door policy throughout the high school. Additionally we emphasize strong staff/student relationships which helps maintain an open line of communications. AS ALWAYS WE ASK PARENTS TO ALWAYS ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO REPORT ANY INFORMATION OF POTENTIAL SAFETY THREATS TO A TRUSTED AND RESPONSIBLE ADULT.

-Jason

Purcell High School and Purcell Public Schools were recognized for our Comprehensive School Wellness policy. PHS would like to thank Superintendent Dr. Sheil McAdoo and the Board of Education for their support of this effort. This effort is led by PHS students as part of our Youth Action Health Leadership (YAHL) program. This is funded through a TSET grant (Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement). It helps raise awareness about key teenage health issues including anti-vaping, healthy food and drinking water, exercise for all students, and mental health wellness. PHS Senior Frankie Linker is our YAHL student leader and pictured below holding certificate.

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the United States and its territories. The 988 Lifeline is comprised of a national network of over 200 local crisis centers, combining local care and resources with national standards and best practices.

Counselor's Corner is a resource for all things counseling related. Please click on the link below to access relevant information including Academic Guidance, Student Supports, Scholarships, College & Career counseling, social and emotional supports, and more. This link is updated regularly. Seniors and senior parents can also access the Senior Website which is also linked below.

Highlights:

• Students are currently completing state ICAP requirements.The Oklahoma ICAP is a valuable tool that empowers students to take ownership of their future by providing a structured framework for exploring careers, setting goals, and planning for success after high school. Student will meet in their Advisory this upcoming week to continue college and career planning. I've linked below Oklahoma ICAP requirements. Please reach out if you have any questions about ICAP requirements for high school students.
  It's a collaborative process involving students, parents, and school counselors. If you have specific questions about your child's ICAP, it's always best to contact their school counselor or principal.

• Scholarship Information: Seniors & Parents should be aware of upcoming deadlines. Please see link below for specific scholarship information.

February Deadlines:

ESA Foundation Outstanding Senior High Youth Award

• Due to Counseling Center NO LATER than 2/12/24

• $1,000 award

• Must have at least a 3.0 GPA

• Essay required

• Must include a photo, 2 letters of recommendation and transcript

• Application outside Feroli’s office.

March Deadlines:

OSIG (Oklahoma School Insurance Group)

• Application can be found here

• Due 3/3/25

• 3 students per quadrant will be awarded a scholarship, ranging from $1,000-$2,000

CCOSA Student Scholarship

• Due 3/7/25

• Parent or guardian must be an active member of CCOSA

• Application here

Ann Wade Strength in Education Scholarship:

A one-time $2,000 ($1,000 per academic semester) scholarship to a student who plans to pursue a certified degree in education or in an occupation that directly supports the educational system and meets the following criteria:

• Graduating high school senior

• A resident of the state of Oklahoma

• Pursuing a certified degree in education or directly supporting the educational system

• Letter of recommendation

• Letter of application

• The School district must be a member of the Oklahoma ASBO.

• Click here for the Ann Wade Scholarship Application.

• Due 3/7/25

2. Security Benefit Strength in Benefit Scholarship

A one-time $2,000 ($1,000 per academic semester) scholarship to a student who plans to pursue a certified degree in education or in an occupation that directly supports the educational system and meets the following criteria:

• Graduating high school senior

• A resident of the state of Oklahoma

• Pursuing a certified degree in education or directly supporting the educational system

• Letter of recommendation

• Letter of application

• Click here for the Security Benefit Scholarship Application.

• Due 3/7/25

Koop Parsons/AT&T Pioneers Memorial Scholarship

The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education assists in the administration of the Frances Koop Parsons/AT&T Pioneers Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship program was established through the AT&T Pioneers to assist Oklahoma students in obtaining their educational goals. The recipients of this scholarship will receive a $1,000 cash award to be used at an eligible Oklahoma career technology center, two-year college, or four-year university. This scholarship is open to first-time freshmen with at least a 3.0 high school GPA and whose family income does not exceed $75,000. The 2025-26 application is available online and must be submitted on or before March 21, 2025 at the following link: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/eb968d906cc246719283b6dc66ce712d. Applications without high school transcripts or income documentation will not be considered. Please contact Linette McMurtrey, Scholarship Programs Coordinator, at lmcmurtrey@osrhe.edu if you have any questions.

Thanks,

Linette McMurtrey

Scholarship Programs Coordinator

Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education

655 Research Parkway, Suite 200
Oklahoma City, OK 73104

(405) 225-9131

• MAP Testing Information

We have been delayed in sending parents individual Family Reports from your student's recent MAP assessments in reading, math, and science. MAP assessments are administered twice each year to freshman and sophomore students and measure student learning growth and predict future performance on ACT assessment. Parents will receive a family report through email over the next week. Thank you for your patience.

High school seniors, even if you haven’t chosen your college yet, complete the FAFSA now. Don’t wait! Some types of financial aid are first-come, first-served. Learn more at:

https://www.startwithfafsa.org/

Get answers to some of the most common financial aid questions, such as:

• What is financial aid?
• Why is financial aid important?
  
• Who qualifies for financial aid?
  
• How do I apply for federal financial aid?
  
• When do I apply for financial aid?
  
• How often do I have to complete the FAFSA?

PHS Aviation 1 students under the direction of instructo Corryn Breidinger learn basic physics concepts and develop critical thinking and problem solving skills!

We recognized senior Parker Page at our recent pep assembly. Parker is a remarkable young man and exceptional leader in our school. We celebrated Parker's recent Congressional appointment and acceptance to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Additionally, later this spring we will recognize Parker's signing with the Navy Track & Field Team. We are incredibly proud of Parker and his decision to serve his country.

Go Dragons!

Go Navy!

Purcell High School TSA at the Edmond Mini-Conference!

Our Purcell High School TSA students had an amazing time at the Edmond Mini-Conference, connecting with fellow innovators, sharpening their skills, and gearing up for Regionals February 28th!

Students competed in Audio Podcasting, Dragster Design, Music Production, Technology Problem Solving and Video Game Design.

The following students medaled in their events:

Dragster Design-

1st Place Parker Page

2nd Place Greyson Lester

Video Game Design-

3rd Place Cole Guinn & Ezra Stell

We’re proud of their dedication and can’t wait to see what they accomplish next.

#PurcellTSA #FutureEngineers #STEM #Leadership

We had several senior leaders attend the Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc. Youth Leadership Summit last week. Students attending this year’s summit enjoyed a rewarding experience. The speaker this year presented an educational and motivational message. We appreciate this opportunity for our students.

Seniors pictured L-R: Emanuel Escobedo, Parker Page, Devan Martin, Hannah Whitaker, Kate Ginn, Payton Lawson, Ellie Feroli.

Purcell High School offers students both in-person and online tutoring opportunities. There are math & English tutors available Mon-Thurs evening. Our first Ineligibility list ran this Friday. Students failing courses will receive regular check-ins from advisors or administration. Students failing courses are encouraged to attend After School tutoring.

Below you will find information about Varsity Tutoring which provides students free, comprehensive, and unlimited access to online help. You can click on the button below this message to access Varsity Tutors.

Results from the Archery State Competition. I've also attached a picture of team members this year. Thank you to Coach Steve Clary for his hard work and the students who showed up twice a week after school until 4 and after since September.

The high school kids finished 5th at the state competition!

Individual results for students placing in top 20:

High School Boys-Breckon Burson 8th

Mason Holmes 10th

High School Girls-Alexis Swain 6th

Rylie Brindle 12th

Kamdyn Stokes 15th

We were honored to partner with First United Bank and celebrate Kindness Week. Our students focused on identifying simple acts of kindness that can improve culture and help individuals thrive and find meaning in their work and studies.

The Purcell FFA and 4H students would like to invite you to come watch them at our annual local show and bonus auction coming up next week. These students put in a tremendous amount of work throughout the year. They have been competing all across the state and country, but this weekend they will be right here in Purcell showing and would love to see you in the stands!

Grady is currently a freshman at Purcell High School. During his two years in FFA, he has participated in Livestock Judging, Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Public Speaking and numerous leadership development activities.

Email Leigh Ann McGregor for more information or call the front office: (405) 442-0099

mcgregorl@purcellps.org

Tryouts for the 2025-2026 PHS Cheer squad will take place in March! Tryout packets will be available next week!

An informational meeting will be held the week of February 17th-21st, to answer any questions and provide important details for prospective candidates (specific date/time will be announced ASAP).

To be eligible to try out, students must:
Be currently enrolled at Purcell Public Schools (grades 8-11)
Complete and submit the tryout packet paperwork (available in the school’s front office).
Attend the cheer clinic during the week of tryouts

Stay tuned for more information, and we look forward to seeing you at tryouts!

Purcell Dragons Esports Mario Kart team opens regular season with a 2-1 win over the Prague Red Devils! Our Mario Kart team consists of Captain Fatima Diaz, Brendan O'Donnell, Ezra Stell, and AJ Bennett. Way to start the season Dragons!

Purcell Esports Rocket League Team started their season yesterday losing 3-0 to a tough Edmond Memorial squad. Our Rocket League team consists of Brody Anderson, Brody Thurston, and Greyson Lester. We are excited for the start of the spring season.

Say “hello” to two-way messaging and classroom announcements in the Purcell app! With the addition of Rooms, our district app keeps getting better. Parents/guardians check your email and text messages tomorrow (9/3) with instructions to sign up and access new features.

To make sure you are ready to use Rooms, download the Purcell app today!

Download for Android https://aptg.co/Bp9PVp

Download for iPhone https://aptg.co/H7tnMs

Quick Access to Recent Updates

Families can view all recent messages and announcements for all children, across all teachers, in dedicated spotlight sections in new footer buttons.

• One Pager: Shares a summary of key updates (English)

• Help Articles: Provides more guidance to navigating the app

• Family Survey: Empowers families to share their feedback with Apptegy.
  

• VIDEO:

  English: https://youtu.be/zW9d0VzqDFI

  Spanish: https://youtu.be/W8Cnu-tgK9M
  

• Rooms Support

We are excited to invite your students and their families to a Group Tour at Paul Mitchell the School Norman on Saturday, February 22nd, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM.

This tour offers an exceptional opportunity for students to explore our programs in Cosmetology, Barbering, and Esthetics. They'll learn more about the creative career paths in the beauty and wellness industry, meet our team, and experience the vibrant culture that sets our school apart.

Please feel free to share this information with your students and their families. We’ve attached a flyer with all the details for your convenience.

Just a reminder: A high school diploma or equivalent is required for full enrollment in our programs. If students have any questions about eligibility, we’re happy to help!

If you have any questions or would like to RSVP, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at (405) 928-5207.

We hope to see your students and their families at the event!

Warm regards,
Raegan Douthit
Admissions Advisor
Paul Mitchell the School Norman
3030 William Pereira, Norman, OK 73072

Functional Family Therapy

The Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs is offering the Functional Family Therapy (FFT) program for highly at-risk youth and adjudicated youth in specific Oklahoma counties. FFT is an evidence-based treatment program designed to reduce at-risk behavior in adolescents with an 70%-80% effectiveness rate. FFT is the leading treatment to address adolescent substance use, delinquency, and family system change. FFT targets youth aged 11-18, younger siblings, and their parents/caregivers. Intervention ranges from, on average, 8 -12 one-hour sessions for mild cases and up to 30 sessions for more difficult situations. FFT is conducted over an approximate three-month period and is largely an in-home intervention that is provided at no cost to the family.

FFT is appropriate for youth ages 11-17 exhibiting frequent and high degrees of the following problematic behaviors: defiance of authority figures (home and school), aggressiveness toward other people, extreme sibling rivalry, running away, truancy, vandalism, negative peer association, poor academic performance, chronic absenteeism from school, frequent school suspensions/expulsions, current/history of arrest, bullying issues, gang affiliation, and or substance abuse.

Is FFT available to students in my county?
To learn if FFT is available in your county please click below. Counties are where FFT is available are highlighted in blue: Functional Family Therapy (FFT) (oklahoma.gov)

How to do I make a referral?
To make a referral, please reach out to your local county Office of Juvenile Affairs. FFT can be provided as a preventative intervention. You will have to make a referral to OJA services and request FFT if the student does not have OJA involvement.

Students can access Varsity Tutors platform on their school-issued Chromebooks through their Clever account. Students & Parents can also access Clever account @ purcellps.org by selecting the Student Learning Page from the menu.

You can learn more about the tools available to your student here.

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