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:

Last Saturday I had the opportunity to attend the high school basketball State Championship Saturday. It was with great pride that I watched our boys basketball team honored as 3A Academic State Champions. It was a reflection of the commitment and dedication of not only the student athletes, but our coaches, teachers, parents, and community.

The academic and athletic success of our boys basketball team reflect the values of commitment and dedication. Our students have achieved great success this year in many areas including academics, band, athletics, Stuco, leadership, and more. These successes are representative of the values instilled by coaches, teachers, parents, and community. Great success requires a commitment to a goal and dedication to the hard work required to reach that goal.

I'm also proud of our teaching staff who help instill these goals in our students. Our teachers at PHS understand the importance of investing in kids through establishing relationships. Watching our staff connect to kids is the best part of my job. Students are more likely to learn from people who they feel truly care about them. Students are more likely to work hard for teachers and coaches who invest in them. Students learn at higher levels when they want to be at school. Our staff sets that tone everyday by welcoming ALL kids and helping them feel connected.

Finally we cannot forget the importance of involved parents and community members. I'm grateful for every parent phone call and visit I receive. It means we have a parent who cares and is invested in their child's success. It's the most significant factor in a student's success. As a staff we feel the support of our community and parents and we are thankful.

DragonPride.

Jason

Go Dragons!

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

sandersj@purcellps.org

405-442-0099 ext 505

• We conducted our first tornado drill of the spring prior to spring break. The drill occurred at the beginning of 7th hour which is a busy and hectic time of day. I was very pleased with our staff and their efficiency at moving kids to our designated shelters quickly and calmly. Our students deserve credit for their seriousness and understanding of the importance of safety drills and preparedness. Students moved to shelter rooms in less than 2 minutes. We will conduct additional storm drills this spring.

• Please be weather aware this week and throughout the spring. There is an active spring storm season predicted and our top priority will be the safety of students and staff. This includes monitoring weather all after school events and taking all necessary safety precautions. Please review our Purcell Severe Weather Information linked below.
• Our school was visited by the Department of Homeland Security last week as part of a district wide risk assessment. I was pleased with initial reviews I received during a meeting with the officers after their review of our school and safety procedures. I also appreciated the feedback and suggestions for safety improvements to our school. School safety requires a continuous review of safety procedures and a commitment to always improving those procedures.
• We will conduct an unannounced intruder drill this week. This will either be a lock-in or a lockdown drill. A lock-in drill is when there is a safety threat to the general area. All doors are locked and students remain in classrooms however instruction continues. A lock-down drill is an immediate threat to the school. This is also referred to as a hard lock-down. Purcell Police Department will help monitor the drill and students off-campus (internships, work experience, concurrent,) will receive text notification.

I was pleased we had a larger than expected number of students take advantage of the ACT Prep course offered on campus last week. We also hosted students from Lexington. The prep course was conducted by ACT Power Prep and Carolyn Devane. She commented on the hard work and serious approach by our students. Great job!

This is a busy time of year for our counselor. Actually all year is incredibly busy for a high school counselor! We are fortunate to have Melissa Feroli and appreciate her hard work and dedication. Please review her counselor's newsletter linked below. The newsletter is updated regularly. The spring calendar is extremely busy for staff and students. I encourage all parents to remind students of the critical importance of remaining academically focused and working hard in the classroom. Here are some important upcoming dates for parents to keep in mind:

3/22: NWEA Math Assessments for Freshman and Sophs

3/23: Freshman visit Mid America Technology Center

3/24: NWEA Reading Assessments for Freshman and Sophs

4/6: All Juniors take the ACT on campus

4/12: All Juniors take the CCRA Science exam

4/13: All Juniors take the CCRA U.S. History exam

All parents should note that the ACT, Science, and U.S. History exams are part of the College and Career Readiness requirements. I've linked guides for parents below in both Spanish and English regarding the science and U.S. History exams. Please see information below from the Oklahoma State Department of Education:

Students enrolled in 11th grade will be given the College- and Career-Readiness Assessment (CCRA), which consists of two parts. For part 1, each district will choose to administer either the ACT or SAT, including the writing section. Part 2 consists of a Science Assessment which is aligned to the Oklahoma Academic Standards for Science and a U.S. History Assessment which is aligned to the Oklahoma Academic Standards for U.S. History.

Students are required to take the CCRA during the state testing window. This assessment will be used for state accountability purposes.

VERY IMPORTANT: All seniors and parents should review letter that was emailed last week regarding upcoming senior activities. I've copied and linked letter below. Please reach out to Michael O'Neal, senior sponsor, @ onealm@purcellps.org if you have questions.

Senior Panel Pictures: click on link: https://docs.google.com/.../1nx3iBg.../edit

Senior Remind:

All Senior students and parents are encouraged to join the Senior Remind Group. It will only be used to disperse Senior Class Info.

Remind Code: @phssr22

The last few weeks before spring break are busy times with lots of student activities planned. I would like to highlight two very important events that occurred over the last few weeks: ROAD Week and our FFA Bonus Auction. Both events are great causes that benefit our students and other community needs and causes. Both events also reflect an important value we seek to instill in our students: service to your school and community.

A huge thanks to our STUCO sponsors Krysta Matthews and Emma Rolin for their hard work and endless hours of planning for ROAD Week. The efforts of our STUCO helped raise money for our Students in Need fund and our Food Pantry. We also had a ton of fun!

Also a huge thanks to Erica Keen and all of our amazing FFA supporters and parents for a highly successful Bonus Auction. We are grateful for the support of our community.

Go Dragons!

This week we reported to the Purcell School Board the success of our growing PHS Internship program. Thanks to senior Kagan Davis for her help. We are grateful to our community partners. We are always looking for new partnerships. Please see contact info attached if interested. 35 PHS juniors and seniors participated in internships this year earning high school credit and valuable real-world experience. Amber Findley coordinates and directs our internship program. Please reach out to her @ findleya@purcellps.org if you would like to partner with us.

Congratulations to Kelsey Padilla who signed this week with Murray State College for Rodeo Team. Kelsey is a leader in our FFA chapter and just an amazing person and well-liked by all at the high school. We are thrilled for her success and this opportunity. Go Kelsey!

Congratulations to PHS Band for receiving straight superior ratings at the OSSAA District Concert Band Contest in Mustang. This qualifies them for state at the end of March. We are proud of these talented students and David Hilger and Bryson Tuttle.

The following Band students qualified Sat for OSSAA Solo/Ensemble State Competition. Great job to our kids and instructors!!

Solo:

Hailey Carpenter

Quetzali Huitron

Raleigh Savage

Zoey Leatherman

Allison Schlotthauer

Ensemble

Raleigh Savage, Dalton Holder, Cooper Hall

The PHS StuCo Spring Blood Drive is March 22nd from 8:30 am - 2:30 pm. Schedule your appointment at obi.org or email Krysta Matthews at

matthewsk@purcellps.org

Purcell High School Gymnasium

2020 N Green Ave

Tuesday, March 22nd / 8:30 am - 2:30 pm

The powderpuff game was a hit with some legendary performances and a big part of our ROAD Week fundraiser. Senior Nate Willis compiled a highlight reel I've linked below if your are interested in watching the action!

We are now taking orders for the 2021-2022 PHS Yearbook. Students may pickup an order form from Mrs. Trumbo in the library or may be purchased online at https://www.balfour.com/oklahoma/purcell/purcell-high-school

Please note that the price is $45 through January 31st and will increase on February 1st to $55. Personalization is an additional $5. Payment is required at the time of the order. Quantities are limited so order yours today!! If you have any questions, please email Mrs. Trumbo.

• Our PHS Baseball team is in full swing and off to a 4-3 start including 2-0 in district. Make sure you get out and watch this team with plenty of returning talent and some exciting newcomers
• Our golf teams had a cold but successful start to the season. Senior Grace Smith medaled in the Purcell Girls Invitational. PHS Boys and Girls participate in the Dickson Invitational this week.
• Track Season gets off and running this Friday with a meet @ Pauls Valley this week. Thanks to boys coaches Jake Deviney and Ray Samford for conducting a parent meeting last week. We were pleased to see so many parents attend.
• Our PHS Lady Dragons slowpitch season will get underway this Monday evening with a home game vs. Wayne. High School plays @ 5:45 and Junior High @ 4:30.
• Our weightlifting team qualified several athletes for the state competition:
• Our PHS Lady Dragons slowpitch season will get underway this Monday evening with a home game vs. Wayne. High School plays @ 5:45 and Junior High @ 4:30

Jose Tarango

Titus Mason

Adam Edelman

Rowan Ardery

Ziccorrie Davis

Noel Chavez (JH state)

Rigo Carrillo (JH state)

Andrew Anderson (JH state)

• Congratulations to Kenna Esparza and KK Eck for being named to the Canadian Valley Conference Basketball 2nd Team.
• Congratulations to Malachi Evans, Nate Willis, and Hayden Ice for being named to the Canadian Valley Conference Basketball 1st Team. Congratulations Lincoln Eubank for being named Honorable Mention
• Congratulations to Coach Roger Raper for being named Canadian Valley Conference Coach of the Year.

Please mark your date for this opportunity to honor Dragon athletes and coaches. Thanks to our sponsors: McClain Bank, First United Bank, OEC, Mama Dragons, and Dragon Fire All-Sports Booster Club

Cheer Clinic- March 21 & 22

Cheer Tryouts- March 25

Info packets will be handed out Monday at school.

Monday, 3/21

• PHS Cheer Tryouts; 3:30 PM
• PHS Baseball @ Christian Heritage; JV/V; 5PM
• PHS Slowpitch Softball vs. Wayne @ PHS; JH/HS; 4:30/5:45

Tuesday 3/22

• PHS Cheer Tryout; 3:30PM
• PHS Baseball vs. CHS @ PHS; JV/V; 5PM
• PHS Blood Drive

Wednesday 3/23

• PHS Boys Golf @ Dickson Invitational

Thursday 3/24--Saturday 3/26

• PHS Baseball @ Sulphur Festival

Thursday 3/24

• PHS Girls Golf @ Dickson Invitational

Friday 3/25

• PHS Cheer Tryouts; 3:30 PM
• PHS Boys and Girls Track @ Pauls Valley Meet

Saturday 3/26

• Daddy-Daughter Dance: 2:30 PM @ PHS

1. Go to: https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/

2. Search for Purcell High School at the top of the page

3. Scroll down and click on game you wish to view

4. Click subscribe to watch

5. Choose your subscription option

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

We are excited to announce we have partnered with Parchment to provide students past and present the ability to send e-transcripts to the schools and organizations of their choice. This is a free service to all users. This service is currently live and students can order transcripts online or make a request for our school registrar to send transcripts electronically to colleges of their choice.

How does it work?

• Click on the https://www.parchment.com/u/registration/20225/account to either create an account or order a transcript from PHS.
• This order link is posted to our website.
• You will have to create a free account to order a transcript. There are 3 easy ways to create an account and I'm linking an easy to follow help document here: https://parchmentsupport.force.com/s/article/Sign-up-to-order-transcripts?language=en_US
• We will email our current students a registration code this week for an easy account set-up for them.

This is for Native American AND non-Native American students. As long as a student is on Free or Reduced Lunches, they qualify. This program can really assist families with food insecurity. If you would like more information, please let me know.

Free meals will be provided to any student/family who wishes to receive one. Students can pick up meals as they leave campus on Friday. Please contact our office if you have any questions. Please remember food is always available in our food pantry. Please notify our counselor, Melissa Feroli @ ferolim@purcellps.org if you are in need of food assistance.