Garfield STEAM Academy holds 4th-grade production of Yodehoo!

Submitted by Kelli Shockley.

On Thursday, February 27, 2020, the fourth graders at Garfield STEAM Academy, led by their music teacher, Mrs. Rebecca Stewart, performed a production of Yodeehoo! for the  students, faculty and parents. One of the play's composers, Greg Davis, a 1978 CPHS graduate, was on hand to watch as Garfield's fourth graders performed this humorous tale that teaches us not to judge others before we get a chance to know them. Every year, Mrs. Stewart chooses a play for the fourth graders to perform. Yodeehoo! is a favorite among the fourth grade teachers. This is the fourth time the fourth graders have performed this hilarious production over the past 15 years. The students worked hard to master all their lines, delivered in "hillbilly" accents, and all the songs that teach us to be careful about making assumptions and jumping to conclusions about people. The fourth graders, along with Mrs. Stewart did an outstanding job as they brought this production to life.   

Sand Springs Prom postponed till May 16 due to COVID-19 pandemic

The State Board of Education voted Monday to close all Oklahoma Public Schools through April 6th due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, Sand Springs Public Schools have announced that Prom will be postponed nearly a month.

Prom was originally scheduled for April 18th but will be postponed till Saturday, May 16th. It will be held at the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame in downtown Tulsa.

“Our primary focus is the health and safety of our students,” says a school announcement. “We would not hold a large public event like the prom against the advice of government officials and medical professionals. It is important to note that there is still a chance that we will not be able to have the prom on May 16. The coronavirus emergency has a very uncertain future with no definitive end in sight. We hope that by making the change in dates now, reservations and deposits can be changed and transferred with as little disruption as possible. We apologize for any inconvenience. As events unfold, we will continue to update all of you and to adjust our plans as necessary.”

Also on the horizon is graduation, which is scheduled for Saturday, May 9th at the ORU Mabee Center. It is unlikely that the district will be able to reschedule that event due to the number of school districts that also use that venue. No cancellation has been announced at this time.

Oklahoma Public Schools to remain closed till April 6th due to COVID-19 pandemic

The Oklahoma State Department of Education unanimously voted Monday afternoon to order all Oklahoma public schools to cease operations from March 17th through April 6th due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The State Board of Education met in an emergency session in Oklahoma City to vote on “an order for all accredited public schools to cease operations effective March 17th until April 6th. Cessation of operations to include all instructional services, grading, extracurricular activities, staff development, training, or conferences. Essential clerical and administrative activities such as business management, nutrition services, and maintenance may continue.”

The Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities Association recently announced that it would be indefinitely suspending all post-season tournaments such as the State Basketball Tournament, but that regular season activities like baseball, softball, and soccer would be left up to the individual school districts to decide if they want to continue the seasons.

The inclusion of extracurricular activities by the State Board of Education effectively ceases all regular season activities, and ensures that the OSSAA won’t be able to reschedule the State Basketball Tournament for at least three more weeks.

Oklahoma Senate approves sweeping licensing reforms

OKLAHOMA CITY – In an effort to continue growing the state’s economy and address the teacher shortage, the Senate approved two reciprocal licensing reforms Wednesday. Senator Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, is the author of the measures to recognize the out-of-state occupational licenses and teaching certificates of qualified individuals moving to Oklahoma.

“We cannot grow our economy without getting rid of the barriers that are deterring professionals from moving to the state. Qualified professionals who are licensed, accredited or certified in other states shouldn’t have to prove their competency by taking repetitive exams that are both expensive and a waste of their time,” Pugh said. “As long as they are law-abiding citizens who hold an out-of-state license or certificate that is in good standing in their profession, we want them to know that we look forward to welcoming them and their expertise to Oklahoma.”

SB 1891 creates the “Universal Occupational License Recognition Act”. It directs occupational boards and commissions to issue an occupational license in the relevant profession to anyone who takes up residency in Oklahoma and holds an occupational license or certificate that has been in good standing in another state for at least one year. Rep. Kevin Wallace, R-Wellston, is the principal House author.

SB 1125 will allow the State Board of Education to issue a teaching certificate to anyone who holds a valid out-of-state teaching certificate, with no other requirements except a criminal history record check. The teaching certificate will only be for those subject areas and grade levels most closely aligned to the subject areas and grade levels recognized on the out-of-state certificate. The bill will go into effect with the governor’s signature allowing districts to begin accepting teacher applications for the upcoming school year. House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, is the principal House author.

The bills will next be considered in the House.

Editor’s Note: SB1891 passed 36 to 9. District 37 Senator Allison Ikley-Freeman, representing Sand Springs, voted against the measure. SB1125 passed unanimously, 46 to 0. Ikley-Freeman voted in favor.

Click here to read the full text of SB1125.

Click here to read the full text of SB1891.

Junior Achievement of Oklahoma Receives $50,000 from the Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma

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William Cloud, President Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma, Bob Peters, Grand Master of Masons in Oklahoma, Brian Jackson, Junior Achievement of Oklahoma, Jo Wise, Junior Achievement of Oklahoma, John Logan, Executive Director Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma.

The Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma presented a $50,000 donation to Junior Achievement of Oklahoma Wednesday.

“These dollars will continue support for our efforts teaching the most important life lessons of budgeting, financial investments, philanthropy, and personal finances through Junior Achievement capstone programs like JA Finance Park-Mobile that provide the outreach necessary to serve rural Oklahoma students,” said JA Development Manager Brian Jackson in a statement.

Through hands-on classroom activities and site-based experiences, JA Finance Park students build a foundation for making intelligent, lifelong personal finance decisions. The program includes hands-on in-school activities that culminate with a visit to the JA Finance Park.

The JA Finance Park-Mobile will now include a new philanthropy kiosk named for the Masonic Charity Foundation. The Park-Mobile is dedicated to educating 7.000 Oklahoma middle and high school students in the basics of financial literacy, budgeting, investing, philanthropy, and managing risk, all while reinforcing the value of education and how it affects one’s future.

“The Masonic Fraternity is proud to support financial literacy education programs such as those offered by Junior Achievement,” says Masonic Grand Master Bob Peters. “The financial knowledge gained in this program will empower students to make good financial decisions as they begin their adult lives.”

JA Finance Park takes reality-based learning to a new level by placing students into authentic, tangible, real-world scenarios where they take control of their decisions. JA Finance Park will bring together teachers, community and corporate volunteers, and local businesses to prepare students for adult life.

Senate Education Committee Approves Teacher Retention Act

OKLAHOMA CITY – A bill to encourage and retain Oklahoma’s top educators has cleared its first legislative hurdle. Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman, is the author of Senate Bill 1127, the Teacher Retention Act of 2020.  The bill was approved by the Senate Education Committee on Tuesday.

The measure creates a process for teachers who complete their National Board Certification and meet other additional requirements to receive annual bonuses of $1,500 beginning in the 2020-21 school year.  Under the legislation, depending on available revenue, that amount could be increased in subsequent years until it reaches a maximum of $5,000.

“In both 2018 and 2019, we approved much-needed pay raises for Oklahoma educators,” said Standridge, R-Norman. “Senate Bill 1127 gives us another way to incentivize and reward educators who go above and beyond what’s required of them to enhance the educational experience of their students.  Rewarding those efforts will help us retain our best and brightest teachers.”

If approved, beginning July 1, 2020, the State Board of Education would provide annual bonuses to a teacher who has completed each of the following:

• National Board certification and is teaching full time in a public school.

• Received a district rating of “superior” or “highly effective” under the Teacher and Leader Effectiveness Evaluation System during the previous year.

• Is serving as a mentor teacher.

• Has been recommended for the bonus by their superintendent and principal with approval by the school board.

The measure next moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further consideration.

Sand Springs School Board recognizes bus drivers, CBMS students at January meeting

Sand Springs school bus drivers Renee Nance, Joanne Parker, Roger Anderson, Gary Dusina, Kevin Smith, and Transportation Director Sean Parker were presented with Sandite Pacesetter Awards for their work with special needs students.

According to Parker, the special needs fleet serves 50 students in an area of over 200 square miles, and does it with only 4 buses, meaning they can’t run a regular bus route. Parker also praised Special Needs Coordinator Bobby Hunt.

Clyde Boyd Middle School seventh grade studets Gavin Strout and Macie Willits were honored with Sandite Spirit Awards for their contributions to the Shop With A Cop program. Strout reportedly raised over $900 for the program, which aims to make sure poorer students in the Sand Springs area all receive Christmas presents. The district raised $8,125 overall, benefiting over 160 students.

Superintendent Sherry Durkee also surprised the Board with plaques recognizing their contribution to the district. The Board includes Jackie Wagnon, Whitney Wagers, Mike Mullins, Rusty Gunn, and Bo Naugle.

The Board approved out-of-state travel for Vo-Ag students to attend the MWI Welding Competition in Nevada, Missouri at the end of January, and for Transportation Director Sean Parker to attend Training on Medeco Key Systems in Ontario, California in February.

The Board approved a memorandum of understanding with the Sand Springs Fire Department for a Student Internship Program.

The Board approved the employment of a high school English teacher, a Special Education teacher at Limestone Technology Academy, a Special Education paraprofessional at Angus Valley Elementary, and Bobby Klinck as Head Football Coach.

Sand Springs student Sean Kuehn selected to serve on Oklahoma Student Advisory Council

Sean Kuehn (center) receives the August 2018 Sandite Spirit Award. Kuehn was recently selected to serve on the Oklahoma 2020 Student Advisory Council.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister recently announced that 104 Oklahoma high school students have been named to her 2020 Student Advisory Council, the fifth consecutive year the group has been convened to assist Hofmeister and the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) in matters of policy.

Charles Page High School student Sean Kuehn was among the selected representatives.

“As we continue to improve public education, it is imperative to gather feedback and insight directly from Oklahoma students,” Hofmeister said. “Each year I continue to be touched by the wisdom, hope and compassion of these amazing young people who represent their schools and communities.”

Dominant themes voiced by last year’s Student Advisory Council were the importance of personal financial literacy, increased awareness of student mental health needs, and how trauma affects chronic absenteeism and student success. Feedback from the Council has been instrumental in state-level initiatives to provide teachers more professional development in trauma-informed instruction, replace end-of-course high school testing with ACT or SAT, and pilot Individual Career Academic Planning (ICAP).

The students, recommended by their district superintendents, hail from across Oklahoma and represent rural, urban and suburban schools of all sizes. Twenty-four are returning members who have served on the council in previous years.

The first meeting of the Student Advisory Council is scheduled for 10 a.m., Jan. 29, in Room 535 of the State Capitol.

Cyber Monday deals on Sandite Pride photography - average markdown of 22%

Sandite Pride News will be marking down our photography collection by an average of 22% in recognition of the Cyber Monday holiday shopping event. All day Monday, December 2nd, from 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m., discounts will be available on prints, downloads, wall art, and keepsakes.

Sandite Pride’s photo galleries include high school sports (basketball, football, softball, volleyball, etc.), community events (Boo at Case Park, Great Raft Race, Meet the Sandites, Chillin & Grillin, Herbal Affair, etc.), and government meetings (Board of Education, City Council).

Our SmugMug photo site offers paper prints ranging in size from wallets to 30x50 inches, canvases, metal art, refrigerator magnets, coffee mugs, photo panels, keepsake boxes, puzzles, buttons, luggage tags, mouse pads, coasters, postcards, playing cards and more.

High resolution single-photo downloads will be discounted from $2.00 to $1.50.

4x6 paper prints will be discounted from $1.28 to $1.00.

16x20 paper prints will be discounted from $34.80 to $27.27.

5x7 traditional canvas prints will be marked down from $110.24 to $95.34.

16x20 high gloss metal wall hangings will be discounted from $164.32 to $128.79.

Large refrigerator magnets will be discounted from $15.13 to $11.86.

Mouse pads will be discounted from $17.30 to $13.56.

6x6 ceramic tiles will be discounted from $26.01 to $20.39.

Coaster sets will be discounted from $43.42 to $34.03.

Sand Springs City Council approves new park in historic African American district

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The Sand Springs City Council recently approved a new park to be located in the RiverWest Shopping Center. Zackery Park will be named for the Zachery family who lived in the area when it was still residential, and in particular for Bessie Zackery, who was a teacher in Sand Springs.

Bessie Zackery was class valedictorian at the Sand Springs Booker T. Washington High School in 1934, and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Langston University. She returned to Sand Springs and taught Art and Elementary Education at Booker T. Washington. Zackery reportedly spent summers at Colorado State Teachers College, Oklahoma State University, and the University of Tulsa taking graduate courses to keep Washington on the cutting edge. Zackery earned a Master’s of Teaching Arts from TU in 1959.

After 28 years at Washington, Zackery transferred to Limestone Elementary for the remainder of her career. She was named the Sand Springs Education Association 1978 Teacher of the Year, the Booker T. Washington Alumni Association 1981 Outstanding Alumnus, and the 1996 Sand Springs Hometown Hero. The Sand Springs Retired Educators Association and Oklahoma Retired Educators Association named her a Very Important Member, and in 1999 she was awarded the Ageless Hero Award by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma.

Zackery Park will be located at the southwest intersection of Alexander Boulevard and Booker T. Washington Avenue. The pedestrian sidewalk within the area will also be named “Rambler Way” in honor of the Washington High School mascot. There is currently a large pond adjacent to the future park, which is part decorative and part stormwater retention. The park will feature a steel trellis, informational signs, a concrete plaza, plants, and decorative masonry.

The RiverWest area is part of a revitalization effort by the City and was formerly one of the oldest and poorest residential neighborhoods in Sand Springs. The primarily African American district was demolished in the late 2000s, with the former Booker T. Washington High School coming down in 2010. Centennial Baptist Church is the last remnant of the historic community.

Since then, the district has added a new hotel, a minor emergency clinic, restaurants, a pharmacy, a grocery store, and a Starbucks. There are also a small strip center and a Tulsa Teachers Credit Union branch being constructed, with only a few portions of land still available.

The community has already been memorialized in the naming of its two arterial streets. Booker T. Washington Avenue was named for the high school, while Alexander Boulevard was named for Albert Alexander. Alexander reportedly immigrated to Sand Springs following the 1921 massacre of black citizens in Tulsa. His obituary reads that Alexander was “the unofficial mayor of the black section of segregated Sand Springs because of the respect that both sides of the railroad tracks had for him.”

Council also considered the name Marques Haynes Park, in honor of the Booker T. Washington alumnus and Harlem Globetrotter. The Sand Springs section of Highway 97 is already named Marques Haynes Memorial Highway.

In other news:

Council approved a specific use permit for a Medical Marijuana Dispensary at 430 West Wekiwa Road in the Cimarron Plaza shopping center. Herbal Cure, Inc. is owned by Adeel Nasir and already has one location in Okmulgee.

Council approved a permit for a Marijuana Growing Facility at 411 South Lincoln Avenue. XGrows, LLC will be located in the Morrow Gill Business Park.

Council approved a $41,500 contract with GH2 Architects for a full HVAC analysis and bidding for replacement of HVAC at the Sand Springs Cultural and Historical Museum.

Council approved a $26,608.00 expenditure to remanufacture a submersible WEMCO-Hidrostal wastewater pump and motor that recently failed at the Sand Springs Wastewater Treatment Plant. Replacing the 2001 unit with a newer model would cost approximately $80,000.00.

Council approved the hiring of Guy Engineering to perform ODOT-funded inspections on Sand Springs bridges for the next two years.

Council approved the use of a $96,303.00 Tulsa County Community Development Block Grant to replace a deteriorated 4” cast iron water line with a new 8” PVC water line along the west side of North Lincoln Avenue between 4th Street and 6th Street.

Council approved a specific use permit for a synagogue at 1124 East Charles Page Boulevard. Sar Shalom Synagogue previously opened in August of this year.

Council approved an $11,100.34 increase to an existing $71,569.62 contract with Garrow Construction. Garrow recently completed rehabilitation of the Lost City (L20) sanitary sewer lift station that was damaged by spring flooding.

Photo Gallery: CPHS Gold Pride Marching Band celebrates 24 on Senior Night

The Charles Page High School Gold Pride Marching Band celebrated 24 seniors at halftime of the Sandites’ last football game.

Andrew Berryman is the son of Neil Berryman and the grandson of Peter and Mary Berryman. Andrew has been in band for six years and plans to attend Tulsa Tech after graduation.

Chandler Blake is the son of April Boone and Nathan Blake. Chandler has been in band for seven years and plans to attend the University of Oklahoma after graduating.

James Collins is the son of Laurie and Greg Collins. He has been in band for seven years and is undecided on where he will go to college.

Korbyn Cowan is the son of Amber and Shawn Cowan. He has been in band for seven years and plans on attending Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology.

Kallie Cox is the daughter of Jessica Seawright, Kurtis Cox, and Vicki Seawright. She has been in band for seven years and pans on attending Tulsa Community College and Northeastern State University.

Steven Dorris is the son of Michael and Sheila Dorris. He has been in band for seven years and plans on enlisting in the United State Army.

Ben Hunt is the son of Todd and Chantel Hunt. He has been in band for seven years and plans on attending the University of Oklahoma.

Holle Keeth is the daughter of Travis Keeth and Cynthia Keeth. She has been in the band for four years. After graduating, Keeth plans on enlisting in the U.S. Army and pursuing a career as a writer.

Sam Keiper is the son of Eric and Michelle Keiper. He has been in band for seven years, and is undecided on his college destination.

Evan Kral is the son of Niki Counce and Dan Kral. He has been in band for seven years and plans on attending Youth America College.

Garrett Lincoln is the son of Rob and Kendra Lincoln. He has been in band for seven years and plans on attending Oklahoma Baptist University.

Klaire Pinson is the daughter of Melinda Smith and Staff Sergeant Clinton Pinson. She has been in band for seven years and plans on attending Tulsa Community College and Northeastern State University.

Tonja Pipes is the daughter of Heather and Robert Pipes. She has been in band for seven years and plans on attending Oklahoma State University.

Kristin Shipley is the daughter of Pam and Darin Shipley. She has been in band for six years and plans on attending Oklahoma State University.

Izzy Smith is the daughter of Daniel and Angela Smith. She has been in band for seven years and is undecided on her college destination.

Blakely Staton is the son of Celeste and Justin Thompson, and Jeremy Staton. He has been in band for seven years. After graduation Staton plans on pursuing a career in aviation and continuing to work at QuikTrip.

Haley Stuckey is the daughter of Erik and Kerri Stuckey. She has been in band on seven years and plans on attending Oklahoma State University.

Elie Summar is the daughter of Stephanie and Toni Summar. She has been in band for seven years. After graduation Summar plans on becoming an astrophysicist and working at NASA.

Jacelyn Trotter is the daughter of Jason and Mary Ann Trotter. She has been in band for seven years and plans on attending Oklahoma State University.

Luca Vaca is the son of Lana and Stephen Vaca. He has been in band for seven years. After graduation Vaca plans on saving sea turtles.

Amberly Watson is the daughter of Tristia Watson and Lance Watson. She has been in band for seven years and is undecided on her college destination.

Anabeth Wiebe is the daughter of Jesse and Jennifer Wiebe. She has been in band for six years and plans on studying biomedical engineering.

Elizabeth Whittington is the daughter of Amy Whittington. She has been in band for seven years and plans on enlisting in the U.S. Navy.

Wanageeska Nokose Williams is the daughter of Rodney and Sherri Williams. She has been in band for four years, and plans on attending the U.S. Naval Academy.

Sand Springs School District holds commemorative beam-signing at new 9th Grade Center

Sand Springs Public Schools officials, along with select members of local government and the Chamber of Commerce gathered at Charles Page High School Friday afternoon for a commemorative beam-signing event.

The high school is currently constructing a new $14.28 million freshman academy and STEM center that will unify grades 9-12 on one campus for the first time in decades. Currently the district’s ninth grade center is located in a century-old building, almost a mile from the high school. More than 75% of students are bused from the current ninth grade center to the high school every day for extracurricular activities and certain classes.

The new wing will be conjoined with the existing building through a central lobby, but will keep younger students separated from the upperclassmen for most of the day. In addition to housing the freshmen, the new building will also provide class space for expanded curriculum.

Construction was originally expected to finish in August of 2020, but is ahead of schedule and officials are currently expecting a July completion date. This year’s class of freshmen will be the last students to walk the halls at Central Ninth Grade Center, which was previously Sand Springs High School up till 1954. The historic building will be continue to be used for administrative purposes.

The Clyde Boyd Middle School 8th Grade Student Council was invited to the beam-signing as the first class of students who will occupy the facility.

CPHS Band Director Kyle Wright awarded OkMEA Exemplary Teacher Award, Sandites march in Tulsa Veterans Day Parade

Charles Page High School Band Director Kyle Wright was recently named as the upcoming recipient of the Oklahoma Music Educators Association (OkMEA) Exemplary Teacher Award. Wright will receive the award on Thursday, January 16, 2020 at the OkMEA Winter Conference at DoubleTree Hotel in downtown Tulsa.

To qualify for the award, teachers must have completed at least 15 years of active service as a music teacher and/or music administrator and must be a member of OkMEA for a minimum of 10 years. They must also demonstrate excellence in the teaching of music, as evidenced by competitions, awards, and peer or administrator statements. Exemplary teachers are nominated by their peers, recommended by the OkMEA Awards committee, and confirmed by the OkMEA Executive Boad.

Wright is married to Sarah Wright and has three children. Jack Molly, and Maggie Wright are all percussionists. Wright was a trumpet student of James Gilmartin and Ron Predi before graduating Muskogee High School in 1990. He holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from the University of Tulsa and has completed further study at the University of North Texas.

Wright’s performing career includes being a founding member of Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey with whom he performed nationwide before turning to a career in teaching band. He began his teaching career at Berryhill High School and led the group to an OBA Grand Championship for marching band (their first in the 3A classification). After studying at UNT, he taught for a couple of years in the Carrolton-Farmers Branch School District in Texas before coming to Charles Page High School in Sand Springs.

The CPHS Gold Pride Marching Band recently participated in the OSSAA East Regional at Northeastern State University last week. The band received an Excellent rating for their performance.

In their first performance of the year the Sandites placed 3rd in 6A and 6th overall at the East Central University Tigerpalooza Marching Festival. At the Branson Marching Invitational they were 4th in their class and 7th overall.

Most recently the Gold Pride marched in the 101st Annual Veterans’ Day Parade in downtown Tulsa.

Future events for the band include the December 6th Festival of Lights Christmas Parade in Sand Springs, and a December 7th performance at the Hometown Holiday Christmas Celebration in Sand Springs. The Fine Arts Winter Showcase is scheduled for Thursday, December 12th at the high school.

Three Sand Springs students receive national AP Scholar Award

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Three Charles Page High School students were presented with Sandite Spirit Awards at Monday’s Board of Education meeting. Will Bouchard, Brooke Hester, and Jasper Adams were recognized for academic excellence.

Hester and Adams recently received the AP Scholar Award for scoring a 3 or higher on three or more AP exams. Bouchard received the AP Scholar with Honors Award for scoring a 3 or higher on four or more AP exams, with an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP exams taken.

“It’s great for kids to make good grades at Charles Page,” said CPHS Principal Stan Trout. “But this is something that the best students in the United States do. AP credit is hugely important and it shows that they are competitive not just here, but nationally as well.”

Board of Education presents Sandite Spirit Award to Landon Durborow

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Angus Valley Elementary second-grade student Landon Durborow was presented with a Sandite Spirit Award at Monday evening’s Board of Education meeting. Board President Jackie Wagnon praised Durborow for his “servant’s heart.”

“He has developed wisdom beyond his years,” said Wagnon. “He knows the meaning of being a servant.”

“This little boy definitely has Sandite Spirit,” added Angus Valley Principal Angelia Noel. “He comes by it honestly. He comes from a great family full of great people. Every day when you see him he has a smile on his face. He stays after lunch and helps the custodians clean up. No one’s ever asked him to do that, he just does it because he’s sweet.”

Durborow is also a star on the elementary cross country team, placing in the top-25 at this year’s Case Cross Country Invitational and running a 7:23 mile at the Holland Hall Invitational.

Scott Watkins receives Pacesetter Award from Sand Springs Board of Education

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Charles Page High School Assistant Baseball Coach Scott Watkins was presented with the Pacesetter Award at Monday evening’s Board of Education meeting for his work in maintaining and improving the Sandite Athletic Complex where the Baseball and Softball teams play. Watkins is a CPHS alumni and former Major League Baseball player, who had stents with the Tulsa Drillers and the Minnesota Twins.

Not only has Watkins been coaching the baseball team and maintaining the Athletic Complex grounds throughout the fall Softball season, during which the Lady Sandites hosted a Regional Tournament, but he has also been working to restore his home, which fell victim to the historic flooding that devastated Sand Springs this past May.

“I was fortunate enough to play at the highest level of the game and play on some beautiful fields,” said Watkins. “I want our kids to feel the same way. To play on a beautiful field that’s well manicured. That may be the closest chance they ever get to play on a field like that.”

Gas services restored at Charles Page High School

Gas services have officially been restored to Charles Page High School following an extensive effort to install new gas lines and meters.

According to a statement from the district, “Oklahoma Natural Gas was able to complete the gas meter installation and our contractor was able to connect the new gas line to the meter. ONG completed a substantial amount of testing, and has now resumed gas service to Charles Page High School. Approximately 80% of the heaters will be turned on tonight.”

The school has been without central heat throughout the school year, a problem that reached its peak in the past 48 hours with outside daytime temperatures below 50 degrees. The district attempted to offset the conditions with space-heaters and stated Wednesday that classroom temperatures never dipped below 60 degrees.

State Board approves $3.29 billion common education budget request for Fiscal Year 2021

OKLAHOMA CITY  – The Oklahoma State Board of Education approved a Fiscal Year 2021 budget request of $3.29 billion for common education, which includes an increase of nearly $220 million over last year. The request seeks to restore critical instructional funding, including funds to reduce class sizes and hire additional teachers and school counselors.

“This proposed budget reflects the real needs of Oklahoma students,” said Joy Hofmeister, State Superintendent of Public Instruction. “We have made great strides in teacher pay and must now continue our investment in classrooms and student support. This budget request will help us reach the goals outlined in our 8-year strategic plan, Oklahoma Edge.”

This year’s request includes an increase of $117.9 million to the state funding formula, to be used to hire additional teachers to reduce class sizes. Rising health insurance benefit costs for school teachers and staff account for an additional $32.8 million.

The budget request also includes $19 million for a School Counselor Corps, a critical investment due to the state’s high student-to-counselor ratio, which, at 421-to-1, far exceeds the 250-to-1 recommendation by the American School Counseling Association. The corps will assist in providing the supports students need in elementary, middle and high school and will help meet the requirements for successful implementation of Individual Career Academic Planning, or ICAP. Beginning this school year, ICAP is a graduation requirement for all ninth-grade students.

Oklahoma has the highest incidence of childhood trauma in the country, including family violence, substance abuse and other challenges that adversely impact learning. The School Counselor Corps will be instrumental in supporting students who have experienced similar hardships.

The FY21 budget request also includes an additional $42.6 million for Support of Students and Teachers, a line item that directly impacts classroom programs and investments. Key areas that would receive additional funding include:

• Alternative education programs to reduce dropout rates and increase graduation rates

• School support, to provide resources that facilitate rapid school and academic improvement

• A competitive grant pool that will increase district access to a variety of reading, math, robotics and other student success programs

• Sooner Start Early Intervention program for children age birth through 36 months with developmental delays

• Required and enhanced assessments

• Development of a digital transcript

View the complete FY21 budget request here.

CPHS Gold Pride Marching Band places 6th at Bron Warren Tournament

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CPHS Drum Majors Alyssa Crutcher (left) and Kristin Shipley (right). (Photo by Shannon Crutcher).

Ada, OK - The Charles Page High School Gold Pride Marching Band competed at Tigerpalooza - The 11th Annual Bron Warren Tournament of Bands this past Saturday at East Central University. The Sandites took 3rd Place in their division and 6th overall in a field of fifteen bands.

Sand Springs scored a 1000 in the preliminaries, trailing Deer Creek (1130) and Norman (1046), but leading Midwest City and Putnam City in the Class 6A division. They improved to 1010 in the finals

The Sandites will compete at the 5th Annual Branson Marching Invitational on October 12th, 2019 at Branson High School’s Pirate Stadium. Sand Springs will be the only Oklahoma school represented at the event, which will feature high schools from Carthage, Hollister, Ozark, Sedalia, Forsyth, Seneca, Republic, Nixa, and Monnett, Missouri, as well as Van Buren and Prairie Grove, Arkansas.

Final Results
1146 Deer Creek (6A)
1107 Duncan (5A)
1073 Durant (5A)
1042 Elgin (4A)
1023 Norman (6A)
1010 Sand Springs (6A)
973 Del City (5A)
966 Putnam City (6A)
871 Ada (4A)
820 Lone Grove (3A)
819 Midwest City (6A)
799 Altus (5A)
713 Kingston (3A)
643 Ardmore (5A)

ODOC Adult Basic Education receives CareerTech's 2019 Outstanding Overall Achievement Award

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Jeana Ely, Oklahoma Department of Corrections correctional school superintendent, poses for a photo with, at left, Clint Castleberry, acting director of Populations, Programs and Strategic Planning, and Nate Brown, at right, ODOC Programs Director, on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, at the Oklahoma Adult Basic Education State Conference at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Norman.

Oklahoma Department of Corrections’ Adult Basic Education program has received CareerTech’s Outstanding Overall Achievement award.

The agency received the award Thursday during the annual Oklahoma ABE State Conference at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Norman. ODOC received the award out of the 119 ABE sites in Oklahoma.

Accepting the award for ODOC was Jeana Ely, correctional school superintendent.

The ODOC Education Program serves inmates at 24 facilities in the state, and helped 5,736 student inmates in 2019.

Over 58 percent of students improved overall skills after assistance from the program as shown in reports to the US. Department of Education. That is well above the state’s target of 42 percent for measurable skill gains.

Additionally, 949 inmates received their high-school equivalency in 2019.

Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Educations funding helps support the ABE program at ODOC and other sites through federal ABE grant and state funding.

Through the program, inmates can earn an education while they’re incarcerated to ease their transition to life on the outside once they release, helping them avoid returning to prison.