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Multicultural Night 2024
Join in celebrating the many cultures that make up our community, while helping SMAC raise funds for Wings of Hope.
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April 19, 2024
Posted by Uwe Gordon on 4/19/2024SPS Staff and Families
It’s April, and there’s a dizzying amount of activities going on in our community, both in and out of our schools!
I Love Stillwater - Festivals
There are a lot of unique festivals and activities that enhance the Stillwater experience – Boomer Blast, the Mid South, the Remember the 10 Run, and OSU Homecoming. Some of our best events are festivals like this week's Festival of the Arts and Red Dirt Film Festival. Then coming up in June is Dancing Turtle , celebrating a slew of arts through interactive activities. And in October, Lexicon, a collaborative comic convention between the city, library, Prairie Arts Center, Community Center and other organizations returns to Stillwater.
These events and others are great activities for families to attend. Exposure to the arts is great for children's brain development and mental health. Fun activities and the chance to buy out-of-the-ordinary things can liven up a weekend. Importantly, these events bring guests through vendors, participants, and outside patrons to our town. The more successful they are, the more successful our local businesses, economy, and community will be. So invite some friends to town, take them out to dinner, and do some shopping at the festivals and our local businesses, or sign up to participate in the festivals yourself!
Prom
I’ll save a few people the trouble of asking in the community Facebook group… Young people are dressed up on Saturday because it’s Prom. To our community, please keep an eye out for additional young drivers late in the evening and into the night. To our families, please remind your children that they can always call you to pick them up for any reason from any situation. To our students attending, please use your best judgment, have fun, and stay safe.
Felicidades
On Thursday attended the 20th Anniversary celebration of the NOC/OSU Gateway program! Our very own Maritza Jireh Leon Cartagena was featured as the student success testimonial! When she first came to Stillwater, Maritza did not know how to speak English. SPS ELL Coordinator Stephanie Coca worked every day with her on the language. Maritza graduated from SHS in 2015, entered NOC, and now works with ELL students at SHS and is a PhD student at OSU. Talk about Pioneer Proud!
Difference Makers
March Difference Maker - Darin Williams. Nominated by a parent for making Guard a welcoming program for anyone who wants to participate, treating members with respect, and emphasizing the importance of their responsibilities in the classroom. Under Darin's leadership the guard program has grown rapidly in both the color guard, which accompanies the marching band, and winter guard which performs and competes on its own. SHS Winter Guard has grown so large it now has three teams and includes students from 8th to 12th grade.
April Difference Maker - Tammye Rogers. Tammy is an ASL interpreter for one of our hearing impaired teachers. Tammye is basically a co-teacher in the classroom and serves at the teacher's side all day long. She provides a needed service and does so with a positive attitude at all times.! Tammye is truly an asset to our staff and students.
Thank you both for your dedication and exceptional work, Darin and Tammy, and congratulations!
Expertise Recognized
It’s great to see the good thing our educators do going recognized throughout the state. Recently, SPS Substance Abuse Counselor Rachel Roberts, LPC-S, was selected to present at the Oklahoma Drug and Alcohol Professional Counselor Association or (ODAPCA) 5th Annual Spring Conference; Beyond All Limits. The conference was April 11-12 in Norman. Her breakout session was called "Substance Abuse and Our Youth: From a School Substance Abuse Counselors Insight". The session included information on youth drug trends, state data, resources for schools, and warning signs. Rachel has done great things here, and we’re happy she can help other schools battle substance abuse as well.
Career Day
Shoutout to Skyline Cub and Miss Oklahoma Ambassador Kansas Houle. She visited the Capital today to increase child abuse awareness. This Cub has a heart for philanthropy and advocacy! In addition to speaking at state level, she'll go to nationals in July to further educate about child abuse awareness.
Child Advocacy from a Child
Shoutout to Skyline Cub and Miss Oklahoma Ambassador Kansas Houle. She visited the Capital today to increase child abuse awareness. This Cub has a heart for philanthropy and advocacy! In addition to speaking at state level, she'll go to nationals in July to further educate about child abuse awareness.
Board Update
At the April Board meeting, Gay Washington was sworn in as a Board Member. As is standard procedure following the annual election, the board selected a president, now Marshall Baker, and a vice president, now Tim Riley. Additionally, my new assistant Tawni Hooten, who will replace Annette Jones when she retires this summer, began shadowing Annette to prepare for her role as clerk for the Board.
Pioneer Proud
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Congrats to Girls Tennis on claiming the COAC Championship!
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Congrats to FFA on 3 first place finishes at the regional speech contest and Quiz Bowl being named Area Champions!
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SHS Band had great performances at the Heritage Music Festival in Chicago! They received Gold ratings (the highest rating available), Outstanding Band (best band of the contest), and the Adjudicators Award (outstanding ensemble of the contest).
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