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:

We are excited to welcome your students back to school! Please remember school starts Thursday, August 15. The purpose of this newsletter is to direct your attention to all the academic opportunities, requirements, and information relevant to parents and students. This is particularly helpful for all incoming freshman.

We want our students to have an amazing first day experience. The first day sets the tone for the entire year! First Days are an opportunity for students to reconnect with peers and staff and meet new friends and teachers. It's the first opportunity to establish those social connections that are pivotal for student growth and development. The First Day helps students establish a routine that includes learning schedules, expectations, and classroom procedures. A positive First Day can spark excitement for school and learning. Finally the first day can help some students overcome nervousness and anxiety that students can experience returning to school.

Parent Newsletters are my primary means of communication with parents. Parent Newsletters are sent directly to parent emailS and posted to social media sites every two weeks. The Parent Newsletter includes Dragon news, updates, academic news, sports news, counselors corner, and parent resources. It's designed to be a one-stop information shop for parents. I would encourage all parents to read the Parent Newsletter in order to stay informed with all things PHS.

We understand how important it is for parents to access immediate information. We are active on Facebook, Twitter (X), and Instagram. We provide regular updates to our social media sites and our website on a regular basis. Please be sure to follow us on social media. Finally be sure to check your email regularly for updates from the high school.

Most importantly always feel free to reach out to me directly. My cell phone number is listed -below and you should always feel comfortable calling or texting me if I can be of assistance.

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

Please note this year we have included 4 Virtual Learning days on the school calendar:

October 11th

January 24th

February 7th

April 18th

There will be more information provided in the coming weeks about Virtual Days but here are the basics:

• All staff report to work on Virtual Days while students work online from home.
• Attendance is taken as normal on Virtual Days and is based upon timely submission of assignments.
• All teachers assign/post work to Google Classroom.
• Students can work on their own schedule as long as assignments are submitted on time.
• Teachers are available for help on virtual days via email or google classroom.

PHS Bell Schedules are attached below. We have two bell schedules: Regular and Flex. Our flex schedule is used when we have advisory or assemblies. School still begins and ends at the same time. However you should take note of the different lunch times. Please remember Freshman parents: Freshmen are NOT allowed to leave campus during lunch.

Students are assigned advisors upon entering high school. They keep the same advisors throughout their high school career. Students meet regularly with their advisors for college and career guidance, school safety updates, receive important messages from principal, and students enroll through their advisory class.

Most importantly advisory is another opportunity to focus on an important goal: strengthening relationships between staff and students.

• Matt Lohn: Math Teacher/Head Boys Basketball Coach
• Tammy King: Paraprofessional
• Penny Richmond: Paraprofessional

We have worked hard to make accessing information easier for parents. This includes providing parents bi-weekly newsletters, the creation of a course/curriculum guide, social media enhancements, a revamped website, and more. No one wants to be inundated with constant emails. I've strived to create multiple avenues of information access for parents. Please note that our website is a one-stop shop for many pieces of information parents seek, including tabs on the home page to the following:

• social media accounts: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
• staff directory
• stopit anonymous reporting tool
• school calendar
• bell schedule
• course and curriculum guide
• student handbook
• athletics website
• online transcripts
• online ticket purchase to school events
• link to live streaming of sports events
• PHS Severe Weather Plan
• enrollment forms
• regularly updated photos
• live feed of all social media posts

I would urge parents to always go to the PHS Website when in search of information!

https://www.purcellps.org/o/phs

We urge you to always contact us if you have questions or concerns. All relevant contact information is located at the top of each newsletter and linked on the PHS Website. Of course you can always contact the front office directly by phone. However, school email is always the easiest way to contact teachers and coaches directly.

Please keep in mind that teachers and coaches are not able to respond immediately to requests or take phone calls throughout the day. They are busy teaching and supervising students. However we do expect all staff to respond to parent and student requests in a reasonable amount of time.

All concerns with a class or activity should ALWAYS be directed initially to the individual class/activity teacher, sponsor, or coach.

Please see link below for Parent Portal Access. This will allow parents to access important student information including grades and attendance.

Please keep in mind that Infinite Campus is separate from your student's google classroom. Infinite Campus is our student information system and teachers post grades and daily attendance to Infinite Campus.

All teachers are required to maintain a Google Classroom. Assignments are posted to google classroom as well as class resources. Students are able to access coursework online when they are absent as well as communicate with teachers. All teachers are also required to submit weekly agendas (week at a glance) for every class to Google Classroom by Monday morning of the upcoming week. Parents can of course access their student's Google Classroom by logging in directly with their students.

Although parents cannot join a google classroom, they can receive email summaries on a regular basis. Parents can only receive email summaries through an email invite from the teacher.

I've linked below an easy to follow guide for parents who would like to learn more about Google Classroom.

All students will receive a digital link to the 2024-25 Student Handbook. I've attached a link below to the updated handbook. Students will review updates and important parts of the handbook in their advisory class the first 2 days of school. Students will also sign and submit a form acknowledging information, rules, and procedures outlined in the handbook.

I've copied below specific information that will be shared with students regarding the following school policies:

• Sexual Harassment
• Bullying
• Hazing
• PHS Drug Testing Policy

• We strongly encourage all students and parents to be familiar with the Stopit APP. Students can access the APP at any time from the bookmark on their school computer, the school website and every parent newsletter. Students can also download the free Stopit app to their smartphone. The Stopit App allows any individual to report information directly to the school principal while remaining anonymous.
• The app allows the principal to communicate directly with the individual while they remain anonymous. Once students click on the link, they will see a message that asks for the name of the school. They type in Purcell High School and they are immediately prompted to the tip line. It's that easy.
  

Students and Parents are encouraged to review the 24-25 Student Handbook regarding school policy regarding attendance:

Here are key points to know:

Types of Absences:

• Excused (responsibility of parent to notify school by phone the morning of absence)

1. Personal or Family Illness

2. Medical Appointments

3. Legal Matters

4. Extenuating circumstances deemed necessary by the principal

5. Observance of holidays required by student's religious affiliation.

• Absence by Arrangement

1. A student may take 3 absence by arrangement per semester

2. all work may be made up

3. written request to principal required at least two days prior to absence

4. counts against semester test exemptions

• Unexcused Absence

1. Any absence not within the above categories

2. Work may be made up

3. 10 unexcused absences in a semester results in a No Credit grade.

• Activity Absence

1. Any absence either due to extracurricular activity or school trip

2. Students limited to 10 per Semester

3. Does not count towards semester test exemptions

Students can earn exemptions from Semester Tests if they meet the following attendance/grade criteria:

A and 3 absences or less

B and 2 absences or less

C and 1 absence or less

This policy applies to individual classes. For example: a student could be exempt in one class and required to take the test in another. All classes are required to administer a comprehensive Semester Test that counts for 20% of a student's semester grade. All absences, except Activity Absences and Principal Excused Absences count towards Semester Test Exemptions. The exemption list is provided to students at least two days prior to the first test each semester.

• Students may access their cell phones in the hallways & commons.
• Cell Phones are prohibited in the classroom. They must be silenced and put away.
• Teachers have the discretion to permit a student to use their cell phone in case of an emergency or special situation.
• Teachers may integrate cell phones into a classroom lesson but must notify administration.

• Access points. The front door to the school will be unlocked from 7:30 AM until 8:15 AM (morning) and from 11:45 until 12:35 (lunch). An administrator will be posted near the entrance of the school during these times. The front door will be locked at all other times and all individuals will have to buzz the front office with the door camera to access the school.
• All other access points to the school will be permanently locked and closed at all times. Teachers and staff will still be able to access doors with key fobs adjacent to the faculty parking lot. The only exception will be door on the east side of the school that provides access to the band room and gym. Students will be able to access this door from the junior high with staff supervision. However this door will remain locked and closed at all other times.
• ALL parents and guests must check into office and receive a visitor's pass to access the school. There are no exceptions to this policy.

• There will be safety meeting on August 21st that is open to all parents. Please see event below.

I've listed below all required safety drills schools are required to conduct each year. These are the MINIMUM requirements. We conduct additional drills if we deem them necessary. The purpose of drills is not to alarm students and staff, but to help them feel prepared in case of an actual emergency. I announce all upcoming drills to parents in my regular newsletter and review all safety drills as well.

Pursuant to Title 70, Section 5-148 and Section 5-149 of the Oklahoma State Statutes, all public Schools in the State of Oklahoma shall conduct the following school security drills each school year:

• Security Drills - No less than four (4) security drills are required per school and one of these drills must be performed within the first fifteen (15) days of each school semester. Security Drills are defined as, "securing school buildings to prevent or mitigate injuries or deaths that may result from a threat around or in the school." OSSI recommends that all schools incorporate their responding law enforcement agency in the performance of these drills.
• Tornado Drills - No less than two (2) tornado drills are required per school year and these drills must be performed in the month of September and in the month of March.
• Other Drills - No less than two (2) other drills are required per school year and the drills chosen should be consistent with the risks assessed for the appropriate facility. Other Drills are required to be reported to the OSSI; however, it is the school's discretion on which type of drill they would like to report. Other Drills include (but are not limited to): Earthquake Drills, Reverse Evacuation Drills, Hazardous Material in the School Drills, and School Bus Evacuation Drills.
• Fire Drills - No less than two (2) fire drills are required per school year and these drills must be performed within the first fifteen (15) days of each school semester. Fire Drills are not required to be reported to OSSI; however, schools are highly encouraged to submit these drill reports to our office for state documentation and school accountability purposes. OSSI recommends that all schools incorporate their responding fire department in the performance of these drills.

Parents can submit the form linked below to authorize their student to leave school without checking out in case of an emergency. This only applies to upperclassmen (Soph, Jrs, Srs) who have a valid driver's license and have registered their vehicle and purchased a parking pass. Parking passes can be purchased at Enrollment Confirmation and from the PHS office.

An emergency dismissal will ONLY occur when an emergency checkout is declared by the Principal. For example, this could occur when severe weather is imminent and we are experiencing a mass checkout. Students authorized for an emergency checkout will still sign-out in the office. However they will not be required to have a parent check them out.

If you have previously authorized your student for an emergency check-out you do NOT need to submit this form again.

I would like to provide parents a reminder that Purcell High School offers multiple learning pathways that are detailed in our updated Course and Curriculum guide that can be accessed with the link below. I've provided some information here about those pathway options. Please contact either Mr. Sanders or our high school counselor, Melissa Feroli, for more information.

PAVE Hybrid: PAVE Hybrid courses allow students to complete coursework online independently with the daily support of PHS teachers. Students report to our Dragon Success room and/or library where attendance is taken, students are supervised, and instruction is delivered primarily through Edgenuity. PAVE Hybrid is an excellent option for students who need more time to work independently during the day. It’s also an excellent way for students to experience elements of virtual learning while still accessing PHS teachers in an in-school setting. Obviously with a hybrid model, students can take a combination of traditional and online classes.

PAVE Hybrid courses are available for all students. PAVE Hybrid courses are not currently available for Math and advanced Science classes. Students must be approved for a PAVE Hybrid class by our counselor, Melissa Feroli and PAVE coordinator, Greg Dillard. Students must demonstrate a strong academic foundation, personal initiative and responsibility in addition to citizenship and maturity. Students do not need to complete a PAVE application or contract to enroll in PAVE Hybrid classes.

PAVE Virtual: Students are offered the ability to enroll in a full virtual learning platform. The curriculum is completely online and delivered through Imagine Edgenuity Online Learning: https://www.imaginelearning.com/products/imagine-edgenuity/. Students do not meet in traditional classes but do have daily access to PHS teachers both in-person and online. PAVE virtual students are supervised by Greg Dillard, PHS PAVE coordinator. There is a PHS teacher available at this time for every core subject. Some students may be required to attend in-person classes based upon grade deficiencies or lack of online progress in certain courses. Students and parents should access the PAVE Virtual Handbook and review policies thoroughly regarding virtual learning. Students are also required to complete an application and sign the PAVE Virtual Contract. All students are eligible to apply for PAVE Virtual Learning but must be approved by our PAVE committee: PAVE Application

Purcell High School Alternative Education Program: The Purcell Alternative Education Program is designed to provide an alternative means of education for students that are at-risk for high school failure for a variety of reasons. These reasons may include academic deficiency, behavioral difficulties, excessive absences, pregnancy or parenting, adjustment problems of juvenile justice involvement. The goal of Purcell’s Alternative Education Program is to be a school of choice for those that require a different style of receiving their education. Click on Click on link for more information.

Melissa Feroli; PHS Alternative Education Director

Purcell High School offers three pathways to graduation:

Honors Curriculum Path: see details below

College/Career Ready Path: students automatically assigned this path

Core Curriculum Diploma: Parents must opt out of College and Career Ready

• We strongly urge all students planning on acquiring a 4 year college degree to choose the Honors Curriculum Path.
• Please click on link below to learn more about each specific path and learn about specific Honors Curriculum Requirements.
• Also the PHS Course and Curriculum guide includes detailed information regarding courses, academic paths, learning pathways, CareerTech, concurrent and more.

*Please note the current SENIO class (class of 2025) is the first class eligible for the Honors Curriculum Diploma.

• Top Ten Percent
• PHS Honor Rolls
• Oklahoma Honor Society
• National Honor Society
• Academic Letter P
• Students of the Month

Please see information attached below for all guidance regarding academic and athletic eligibility. This includes semester and weekly eligibility, classifications by credits, and special provisions regarding eligibility of new students to the district.

Important information from our high school counselor is updated regularly in the Counselor's Corner newsletter. This update is included in each Parent Newsletter and linked to the PHS Website. I've linked it here below. This includes links to Fafsa info, ACT info, Oklahoma's Promise, and Scholarship info. The scholarship information is updated regularly.

There are links below to the Oklahoma's Promise website and to specific information regarding application process and income eligibility

You can also find a link to information regarding Concurrent Enrollment on campus. Please click on link for specific information about enrollment, eligibility, courses offered, etc.

***PLEASE NOTE CONCURRENT CLASSES WILL MEET AT THE PURCELL PUBLIC SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION BUILDING THIS YEAR.

See dates below for 24/25 ACT Testing Dates. You can also find the link to register for ACT test and workshop opportunities. As always contact PHS Counselor Melissa Feroli with specific questions.

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.

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.

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.

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