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
Twitter: @purcellhsdrgns
Message from the Principal
The Power of Relationships
Good afternoon:
After a long day of school, festivities, pep rallies, basketball games and more, our STUCO hosted a Homecoming Dance in our library. It was a huge success and I enjoyed watching so many of our kids just have fun. Krysta Matthews, Emma Rolin, April Trumbo, countless students and staff volunteers deserve special recognition for their hard work and dedication. This is reflected throughout our entire staff. We have no problem finding chaperones and staff volunteers at PHS. More than 10 teachers stayed well after midnight, on their own time, because of the relationships they have with students.
Some may think I sound like a broken record when I preach the power of teacher-student relationships at the high school level. However the science of learning and child development has long pointed to the power of relationships between students and teachers. Think back to your own high school experience. Regardless of whether your experience was a positive or negative one (I hope it was positive), most likely what you most remember was a teacher or coach who impacted your life. Students are much more likely to engage in deeper learning (more meaningful learning) if they have established trusting relationships with their teacher.
Relationships are much more than just being nice to a student. It's going beyond greeting a student with a friendly "good morning". It's following up by asking them "how they are doing today?" Sometimes it's asking them if everything is ok or if there is anything they need. Those simple human connections create a sense of closeness and connectivity. Emotions and learning are highly connected and master teachers understand the key to student learning resides in the power of those relationships. If a student is in a positive emotional state, if they feel good about themselves and their teacher, new opportunities for learning are created.
You will find teachers like this throughout our building. They are kind, compassionate, caring, patient, and focused on relationships. Our teachers stand in the halls and engage, laugh, joke, and talk to our students. Our teachers follow up on our kids, they email or text me constantly making sure our kids are ok and provide me information that helps keep them safe. Our teachers regularly give up their personal time, without compensation, enduring 16 hour days, to ensure our students are safe and have a positive learning experience. Please keep in mind when I use the term teachers, I'm referring to classroom teachers, counselors, office staff, coaches, teacher aides, support workers and everyone who works to support our kids.
I've worked with high school kids and teachers for 25 years. I've witnessed countless learning trends, fads, new-age learning, fancy new technology, data driven learning outcomes, and on and on. In no way am I discounting the importance of data or innovations in learning. However what I know for sure is that the most important factor in student success is the power of their relationships with teachers. This is evidenced in the extraordinary number of our students earning honor roll recognition. Student grades are the strongest indicators of student success. Our students are succeeding because of the relationships our teachers foster and develop with them.
Relationships Matter.
Jason
cell phone number: 918-873-0354
PHS Virtual Learning Plans
Mr. Corea raising money for IPAD covers
From Mr. Corea's Donor Choose request
Graphic artists, painters, illustrators, fashion designers, interior designers, and other professional artists now utilize iPads for their occupations. They digitally draw, design, paint, and sketch more than they use utilize traditional mediums.
My students were recently given the fantastic opportunity to begin utilizing technology due to the art department receiving a classroom set of iPads and digital pens. These tools will add more real-world applications to their art.
The only hurdle they have before beginning to use the newly acquired resources is a way to protect the iPad devices. Your donation will be used to protect the iPads so that the learning process will not be disrupted by a broken iPad.
School Safety Updates: Tornado Drill / Upcoming Safety Meeting / Winter Weather
- We conducted a Tornado Drill this past week. This drill was conducted on Thursday at 1:30 PM. Students and staff quickly and safely moved to their secured areas. The school was placed in lockdown per policy. This is a good reminder for parents that the school will automatically go into lockdown if a tornado warning is declared for the area. No individuals can leave or enter the building once a lock down is declared.
- We will host a safety meeting on February 22nd @ 3:30 in the library. This safety meeting will be held as part of our Parent Advisory Council meetings. All parents are welcome to attend advisory council meetings. Thanks again to our permanent members who attend all meetings!
- Please keep an eye on the weather this week. I've attached a recent update to forecast. Do not forget to review the Virtual Learning Plan linked above.
- Safety is our top priority. Safety monitoring is a 24/7 responsibility and involves the entire school and community. We appreciate the help of our parents and the serious approach our staff and students take when we conduct our drills.
Counselor's Updates: Pre-Enrollment Update / Upcoming ACT Deadlines / SENIOR CPR Training
- WE HAVE ADJUSTED OUR PRE-ENROLLMENT TIMELINE. All students will receive an updated course catalog this Friday in advisory. We will review all options and any changes to course and program offerings with Fresh-Soph-Juniors.
- Student will select courses for next year after Spring Break. We have moved the date back to accommodate upcoming testing needs for the district.
- SENORS WILL RECEIVE STATE REQUIRED CPR TRAINING ON 2/3 AND 2/10 during Advisory.
- Registration for spring ACT date (4-15) is March 10. Please see ACT test dates below. REMEMBER ALL JUNIORS WILL TAKE ACT IN SPRING AT SCHOOL.
NWEA WINTER MAP Assessment Results
- ACT Winter MAP assessment results are available for all freshman and sophomore students in reading and math. These important results will demonstrate whether your student showed academic growth in reading and math from the beginning of the year. They will also give you a snapshot of college and career readiness based on ACT score projections. NWEA map assessments are accurate measurements of your student's readiness for the ACT as a junior.
- I will send each parent an individual family report over the next two weeks. Unfortunately this is still a time consuming process and will take some time. However you can reach out immediately to your student's math or english teacher by email for your students results.
ATTENDANCE REMINDERS - Chronic Absentee Report
As hard as it is to believe we have completed 4 weeks of school for the spring semester. I will share a chronic absentee report this week. You will receive an email if your student is considered currently chronically absent for spring semester.
What is Chronic Absenteeism?
A student is considered chronically absent after missing 10 percent or more of school days. This includes both excused and unexcused absences. Missing 10 percent of school days would be approximately 18 days in a normal 180-day school calendar - just two days per month.
Chronic absenteeism looks beyond truancy and average daily attendance to shine a light on how missing school days can affect an individual student's path to success.
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