PHS Parent Newsletter
October 5, 2025
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Purcell High School Contact Info
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
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/purcellhighschool/?hl=en
Message From the Principal: Goal-Setting is the First Step Towards Success
PHS Parents & Guardians:
At Purcell High School, our primary mission through our Advisory program isn't just to help students pass classes—it's to prepare them for a successful life after graduation, regardless of their chosen path: college, career tech, military service, or the workforce. The world of work is rapidly changing before our eyes; with the rise of AI, many traditional jobs will become obsolete. All you have to do is read recent local news and see stories of major companies replacing workers with AI. It's happening right now!
It's likely that the jobs of the near future will center around three areas: people who build and maintain AI (engineers, data scientists, cybersecurity), jobs that center around people (healthcare, educators, and social services), and those in the skilled trades (HVAC, electricians, mechanics, and plumbers). We aren't here to choose a direction for your student, but to guide them toward the pathway that ensures their economic success in this new landscape.
This is why our Advisory focus is now zeroing in on goal-setting. Establishing clear goals is the first step in charting that personal pathway. In the coming lesson, every student will be asked to define their yearly short-term and long-term objectives. A short-term goal might be practical, like achieving a certain grade in a challenging class or finding a part-time job that builds professional skills. A long-term goal could be as big as gaining acceptance to a specific college, completing an apprenticeship application, or obtaining a professional trade license. These concrete targets give their daily efforts meaning and help them connect their current classes to their future career.
As we prioritize this aspect of high school—whether through Advisory, our Transitions Program, or our upcoming Graduation Pathways—we are asking for your support. We always remind our families that the most important factor behind a student's success is the level of involvement of their parent(s) in their education.
Please take a moment to discuss the goals your student has established. Your interest, input, and encouragement will transform these simple acts into real-life commitments, helping your child move from simply planning for future success to actively making it happen.
Sincerely,
Jason
Principal,
Purcell High School
cell: 918-873-0354
PURCELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 25-26 CALENDAR
WEEKLY ACTIVITY SCHEDULE
PHS October Staff of the Month: Kenzie Hay
Congratulations to Our Staff of the Month!
We are thrilled to announce that Kenzie Hay, Special Education and Math teacher, is Purcell High School's Staff of the Month for October!
Kenzie is an outstanding educator who has served as the leader of our Special Education department for the past three years. Thanks to her exceptional leadership, this department has flourished into a stable, productive team that always places the needs of our students first and advocates effectively on their behalf.
Kenzie is a true team-builder and problem-solver, respected across our entire staff and faculty. She is highly skilled at managing complex situations, expertly balancing the needs of students, administrators, and parents with the utmost professionalism and kindness. While she is never afraid to voice her opinion, she always does so with a high degree of respect.
We are so excited for her future and the continued leadership she will provide for our school and district! Thank you for all you do, Kenzie! We appreciate you!
Event Information
Consent forms attached below. Parent signatures required for children (under 18). Forms are also available in the front office.
SCHOOL SAFETY UPDATES
PHS Anti-Bullying and Safety Message: Fostering a Culture of Kindness
Dear PHS Parents,
School safety is our most important responsibility, and a core component of that safety is fostering a culture where every student feels secure and respected. Our ongoing anti-bullying campaign directly supports this goal. When students feel safe and welcome, they are better able to learn, build positive relationships, and achieve their goals.
This month, through our Student Council, advisory program, and daily classes, we are promoting the values essential for a positive and productive environment:
Kindness: Allowing all to coexist with mutual respect.
Compromise: Promoting healthy conflict resolution.
Courage: The bravery to stand up and speak out when witnessing something wrong.
Our Clear Directive
Our message to all students regarding bullying is direct: "We don't do that in this school."
We are committed to equipping our students with the skills to address these situations and the ability to report them safely. We ask that you reinforce the critical need for your student to come forward immediately if they encounter or witness bullying.
Reporting Safeguards
To ensure students can report concerns with confidence, we have established safeguards, including the Stopit anonymous reporting system. This platform allows students to make confidential reports and communicate directly with the administration while remaining completely anonymous.
These safeguards exist for one reason: to keep our students safe.
Thank you for partnering with us to maintain a safe, welcoming, and high-achieving school culture.
Sincerely,
Jason
Counselor's Corner
Hello PHS Parents,
Please be sure to check the regularly updated Counselor's Corner linked below. Here are a couple of highlights including scholarship information and important FAFSA (financial aid) assistance, Native Nation's Day, and OU Teacher Bound
Kirk Rushing will be here to help fill out FAFSA for Seniors on 11/3 and 11/4. If you’d like to make an appointment with him, please stop by Feroli’s office or email her. Before that appointment, students and one parent need to create an FSA ID, which can be done by creating an account at studentaid.gov.
Please remember to visit the PHS Scholarship Info page for the most up-to-date information concerning scholarships that come through my office and to utilize okcareerguide and okcollegestart to search for and apply for hundreds of available scholarships to you. If there are questions, I would love to help.
Native Nations Day at OU–If you are Native and interested in OU, this would be a great event to register for and attend!
On Wednesday, October 29, 2025, the Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education (JRCoE) at the University of Oklahoma will host OU Teacher Bound on our Norman campus — a special preview day designed for high school students who are curious about becoming teachers.
- Juniors should look at the Youth Leadership OK Application for next year. Tremendous leadership opportunity (see graphic below).
To register and learn more, visit https://www.ou.edu/education/resources/students/teacherbound
Sincerely,
Melissa Feroli
PHS Counselor
OCTOBER COUNSELING CALENDAR
PHS BELL SCHEDULES
PHS CLASSROOM NEWS
PHS SENIOR ARON BARRERA NAMED OKLAHOMAN STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Our Aviation 3 Students Are Flying High!
Our Aviation 3 students have provided us with some needed and updated aerial shots of the high school! They also flew over and snapped some pics of the junior high and got a bird's-eye view of the new gym under construction!
These students aren't just taking cool pictures, they're preparing for their future! By the end of their junior year, they'll be ready to take their commercial drone licensing test! We are so excited to see our first group of students benefit from this extensive training, putting them on a pathway toward high-paying jobs in a rapidly growing industry
A huge thank you to Purcell aviation instructors Jack McNeely and Corryn Breidinger for their amazing grant-writing work! Because of their efforts, our Level 3 students have the chance to practice with commercial-grade drones. Talk about real-world experience!
Fly high, Dragons!
PHS Art Students Shine @ Lexington Chalk Art Festival
PHS Artists hit the pavement and excelled at the Lexington Chalk Art Contest! Our students truly rose to the challenge and brought home THREE major awards, demonstrating amazing creativity and skill! Thank you Lexington High School for hosting our students!
A massive round of applause for our Art Teacher Jon Corea! His incredible leadership and dedication are why our PHS Art program is absolutely thriving. Thank you for pushing our students to new heights!
Congrats to our award-winning artists:
Best in Show: Jacqueline Velasco, Isaac Cachero-Bayne, Foster Ruiz, Ivanna Ibarra
Best Halloween: Michelle Zuniga, Allie Blackwood, Kyndall Williams
Most Vibrant: Aylin Salazar, Alyssa Godwin, Carter Eck, Karsyn Thomas
Way to represent PHS with talent, teamwork, and professionalism! We are so proud!
Teacher Spotlight: Sam Resendiz
Teacher Shout-Out: Sam Resendiz! 🍎
We're so proud to celebrate PHS Junior English Teacher, National Honor Society Sponsor, and Dragon Alum, Sam Resendiz! 🐉
Sam is a fantastic example of the importance of finding and KEEPING great teachers in the classroom. She's creative, smart, and connects deeply with her students, serving as a true role model.
This week, her students took charge of their Romanticism unit! Sam's "think outside the box" approach led them outdoors to plan activities exploring how spending time in nature can be a form of escapism, making their learning hands-on and relevant and helping them make sense of complex themes of literature.
Thank you, Sam, for your compassion, dedication, and for making a huge difference in our school and community.
PHS SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER JENNY ALLEN-PRICE OSSAA TEACHER SPOTLIGHT!
Congratulations Jenny Allen-Price. She is the OSSAA COUNTRY Financial Teacher Spotlight of the month. Jenny is a dedicated advocate for kids and we are proud of her service to our students!
Jenny Allen-Price
Purcell High School
Special Education & English, Transition Coord.
Builds strong student connections and inspires growth in and out of the classroom
Read Her Story – https://tinyurl.com/y5xd2y46
PHS Junior Savannah Mauzerall Awarded Scholarship
PHS Junior Savannah Mauzerall was awarded a prestigious Heart of Oklahoma Kiwanis Club Scholarship this week honoring her hard work and academic excellence. What was most impressive was that Savannah was named the winner for all of Oklahoma and Texas. We are proud of you!
WHAT'S HAPPENING AT PHS?
PHS DRAGON PRIDE MARCHING BAND PERFORMS AT MUSTANG INVITATIONAL
What an amazing Saturday afternoon for the Purcell High School Dragon Pride Marching Band!
We are absolutely bursting with Dragon Pride over the fantastic performance of their 2025 show, "For All Mankind," at the Mustang High School Marching Band Contest!
1A - Bands of America Classification
Visual - Purcell
GE - Purcell
1st place - Purcell
We did not make finals (one of the smallest schools participating at a tough competition).Super proud of the kids!
Huge congratulations to our incredibly talented students and the best instructors in the state, David Hilger and Jacob Willing. The sheer amount of hard work, long hours, and dedication that goes into preparing a show like this is truly astounding, and it showed in every single note and drill step today. We are so incredibly proud of you!
A massive thank you to our amazing PHS parents and the tireless Dragon Pride Band Boosters. Your support and commitment are the fuel that keeps this program soaring!
Go Band! The sky is not the limit!
YEARBOOKS ON SALE!
Yearbooks Are On Sale NOW! Don’t miss your chance to capture all the memories of the 2025-2026 school year!
Order your Purcell High School Yearbook today at Balfour.com.
Sale ends October 31, 2025
Lock in the best price before it’s gone!
RECOGNIZING OUR CUSTODIAL STAFF ON CUSTODIAN APPRECIATION DAY!
SEE YOU AT THE POLE PROVIDES OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENT FELLOWSHIP
Over 100 students gathered this morning for the See You at the Pole event! It was a fantastic opportunity for fellowship and community building.
A big thanks to our FCA sponsor, Kurt Gray, and our local churches for helping to facilitate this event.
: Emmanuel Baptist Church Purcell
SPANISH CLUB CELEBRATES HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH & VOLUNTEERS @ LIBRARY
PHS STUCO NAMED AWARDED GOLD CHAPTER!
Huge congratulations to the Purcell High School Student Council for earning the prestigious GOLD CHAPTER designation! This incredible achievement is the result of countless hours of volunteerism and public service by our dedicated student leaders. Our school was announced as a Gold Chapter at the District 8 Convention in Mustang this week.
A massive shout-out to our amazing STUCO sponsor, Amy Menhusen! Her creativity, strong relationships with students, and non-stop positive attitude are why our STUCO and Leadership program thrives.
A strong STUCO is key to a strong school culture, and our students are stepping up to lead the way! We're so proud of them for embracing this role and strengthening our community! #GoldChapter #StudentLeadership #SchoolCulture #PurcellHighSchool
Kaden Pliler: AFR Youth Leadership Council
Last, but certainly not least, meet Kaden Pliler!
Hey Everybody! My name’s Kaden Pliler and I'm a senior at Purcell High School here in Central Oklahoma. These past four years I've been super active across the school. I'm starting my 16th and final season playing varsity football, I'm a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and FFA where I serve as our chapter’s Vice President.
I got a later start to my agricultural career than most. It wasn't until eighth grade before I began my journey. After attending my first leadership conference in 2021, I knew I had found my home away from home. Each opportunity like the AFR Youth Leadership Summit allowed me to develop a deeper respect and drive for this industry. It shaped me into the person. I am today. Now that I look back, I don't know where I’d be without agriculture.
I am so excited for the huge opportunity to serve on this year’s youth advisory council and I hope to make an impact on the youth of this organization and continue advocating for the industry that welcomes everyone, even students like me.
PHS CHEER & FOOTBALL WELCOME STUDENTS @ ELEMENTARY & INTERMEDIATE
Lil' Cheer Camp Registration is Here!
Lil' Cheer Camp Registration is Here!
Get ready to cheer on the Dragons! The Lil' Cheer Camp registration form was sent home in your child's Thursday folder! Open to Pre-K through 6th grade!
Key Details:
Registration Deadline: Thursday, October 9th
Performance Date: Thursday, October 16th @ Varsity Football Halftime
Cost: $35 (Includes a camp T-shirt for the participant!)
Want extra shirts? Additional T-shirts can be purchased for an extra cost.
Practice Schedule:
When: Tuesday, October 14th & Wednesday, October 15th
Time: 4:00 PM - 5:15 PM both days
Where: Purcell Public Schools Administration Building
Make sure to check those folders and register by the deadline! We can't wait to see your little ones shine!
EMERY BOURASSA: CHEER STAR OF THE WEEK
DRAGON ESPORTS FALL REGULAR SEASON HEATS UP!
Dragon Esports Update!
What a week for Purcell Esports! Our teams are fighting hard in the regular season!
Purcell Smash White had a tight victory, defeating Wayne Bulldogs Orange 7-6! Great job to Braeden Reeves, Gavin Woods, and Ezra Stell!
Purcell Smash Red put up a good fight but fell 6-0 to a tough Roland Rangers Black team. Keep your heads up! Purcell Smash Red teammates include Selena Olguin, Fatima Diaz, and Aden Gaddis.
Coming Up This Week: Watch for action from our Smash Red, White, & Fire teams as they face Mount St. Mary's and Guymon!
We love our Dragons! Great work to all the players and to Coach Kyle Perry! Team pics are coming soon!
DRAGONS SPORTS NEWS!
CROSS-COUNTRY EXCELS @ LEXINGTON INVITATIONAL
Cross Country Highlights!
Our runners traveled across the bridge this week to compete at the Lexington Invitational—and they showed out!
Junior High Boys:
Dylan Caralampio – 2nd place out of 120 runners!
High School Girls: All medaled!
Belen Resendiz – 9th place
Kori Doyal – 18th place
Lyrik Wilkins - 21st place
High School Boys:
Jayden Polk – 1st place in the 5K (16:25), a full 33 seconds ahead of 2nd
PHS SOFTBALL ENDS SEASON WITH TOUGH LOSS TO CACHE IN REGIONALS
🔥 That's a Wrap on PHS Fastpitch! 🔥
Our Lady Dragons' season came to an end at Regionals against Cache. Though they fell short, the team played with heart and showed incredible improvement all year long, especially with such a young squad! 💪
A huge thank you to ALL our players, managers, parents, and fans for your dedication! 🙏
Extra appreciation to Coach Cody Tutwiler and Coach Jason Tompkins for leading the way.
And a special salute to our amazing seniors: Mackenzie McKay, KK Vasquez, and Manager Emma Renfro! You'll be missed! ❤️
Great season, Dragons! We're already looking forward to next year! 🥎 #PHSFastpitch #GoDragons #Family #ThankYouSeniors
🏈 Purcell Football Update 🏈
The Dragons fell to a tough Kingfisher squad Friday night, losing 57-42 at Conger Field. The team battled hard against a strong opponent! 9th grade season continues as well with upcoming games this week. Dragons have big games upcoming as they seek a playoff spot in a rugged 3A District. We need your support as we move into the heart of district play!
Time to get ready for the next opponent! We hit the road next week to take on Anadarko. Let's go get that W!
#GoDragons 🐉 #PHSFootball
2025 DRAGONS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
PHS 2025-2026 VARSITY BASKETBALL SCHEDULE
PHS CROSS-COUNTRY 2025 SCHEDULE
PARENT & STUDENT RESOURCES
INTERESTED IN HOSTING A FOREIGN EXCHANGE STUDENT?
PLEASE CONTACT KELLY (SEE BELOW) IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN HOSTING A FOREIGN EXCHANGE STUDENT
If you currently accept exchange students, we thank you and your school for helping shape the future of our global community. We believe diversity of cultures is to be experienced and cherished. Providing someone with the opportunity to live and learn in another culture is very special.
Thank you for your help!
Sincerely,
Kelley Ridling Council for Educational Travel USA CETUSA Oklahoma Regional Director Phone: 580-530-0094 Email: kelley.ridling@cetusa.org
PURCELL APP - ROOMS
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
IMPORTANT PURCELL APP UPDATES & HELP RESOURCES FOR PARENTS
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
VARSITY TUTOR LIVE OFFERS STUDENTS 24/7 ONLINE TUTORING ACCESS
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.
Parent and Student Portal Access
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