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 to Parents About New Cell Phone Law
Dear Purcell High School Parents,
I want to extend my warmest wishes for a fantastic and restful remaining summer break! It was a truly remarkable year, filled with incredible achievements by our students, dedicated efforts from our staff, and invaluable support from our parent community.
We are proud of everything we have accomplished together. I'm looking forward to sharing with parents soon the impressive gains our school continues to make towards our long term learning, behavior, attendance, and school climate goals. These gains reflect the hard work of both students and teachers and their commitment towards a safe and and welcoming school focusing on building great future citizens for the community.
As you plan please keep an eye out for important information regarding key upcoming dates for the 2025-2026 school year, including enrollment confirmation details, fall sports and activities schedules, and new student/freshmen orientation. We will be sharing these dates via our school newsletter, social media, in the coming weeks.
Important Update Regarding New State Law: Cell Phone Ban
I am writing to inform you about a significant new state law that will impact our school operations, particularly concerning student cell phone use. This law completely bans students from utilizing cell phones from the first bell of the day (8:10 AM) until the final bell of the day (3:15 PM). This means phones must be silenced and out of sight during the entire school day, including during passing periods and lunch.
As an administrator, I want to be transparent about my views on this new legislation. My preference would have been for a policy aligned with what we had implemented over the past two years and what we anticipated from the legislature: cell phones prohibited in the classroom during instructional time, with students having access to their phones during passing periods and lunch (non-instructional times). I am also disappointed that school site administrators, who are on the front lines enforcing these new laws, were not provided an opportunity to give meaningful input.
We undoubtedly live in a digital world where individuals are constantly connected, and cell phones, for better or worse, have become an important tool for older students. Many of our high schoolers have jobs and after-school responsibilities that require the ability to quickly connect with employers or family. Students also engage in internships, work, and learning experiences throughout the school day that often necessitate quick connections and schedule adjustments. The world has changed, and high school students depend on the ability to quickly connect to manage their busy and complex schedules.
While I strongly agree that we need to limit the amount of time our students spend in the digital world, and I firmly believe cell phones should be removed from classrooms during instructional time, a complete ban on cell phones, particularly for older students, will present unforeseen challenges. Nevertheless, the law is now in place, and we, of course, will fully enforce this new mandate.
Exceptions to the Ban:
There are specific exceptions to this new ban:
Students with Special Needs: Students whose Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), 504 plans, or medical plans specify the need for a cell phone.
Emergency Situations: Students may access their phones during genuine emergency situations, such as natural disasters or medical emergencies.
Medical Monitoring: Students who monitor glucose levels or other essential health data with their cell phone will be allowed access to their devices.
Expectations and Consequences:
We understand that most students will likely still bring their phones to school. Our expectation is simple: Students must have phones silenced and out of sight whether in a pocket, locker, or backpack, from 8:10 AM until 3:15 PM. Students do have assigned lockers and are encouraged to place personal locks on these lockers to secure their belongings during school hours.
Students who violate this policy will be subject to consequences aligned with our discipline procedure matrix:
1st offense: One day of In-School Suspension (ISS).
2nd offense: Two days of In-School Suspension (ISS).
3rd offense: Administrator discretion, but will likely include the loss of the ability to bring a cell phone to school.
We understand that this new law will require adjustments from everyone. While I personally disagree with the scope of the law (completely banning cell phone access for high school students feels out of touch with the needs of a modern society), I do appreciate the opportunity this presents to significantly limit our students' screen time. This will undoubtedly be beneficial to their learning and mental health.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support as we implement this new state law. Please feel free to reach out to me directly if you have any questions or concerns. My cell phone number is listed on all school newsletters, and all parents are welcome to contact me directly.
Wishing you and your families a wonderful summer!
Jason
Principal,
Purcell High School
cell: 918-873-0354
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