Charles Page High School Band raises $9,835 through mattress fundraiser

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Charles Page High School Band Director Kyle Wright was recently presented with a check for $9,835 from Dennis Gentry of Custom Fundraising Solutions at the band's Spring Concert.

The money was raised through the First Annual Sand Springs Band Mattress Fundraiser.

Click here to view our photo gallery from the concert.

CPHS Spring Concert Program

Adrift - Andrew Markworth
(Winter Drum Line)

Concerto No. 2 - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
(Jake Thompson, Horn. Pam Eubanks, Piano.)

Andante & Rondo - Antonio Capuzzi
(Dawson Allen Tuba. Pam Eubanks, Piano.)

Cole Minor Blues - Jeff Jarvis
(Jazz Band II, feat. Jacob Collins.)

What a Wonderful World - Rick Stitzel
(Jazz Band II, feat. Ethan Beard, Hannah Farias.)

Four - John Berry
(Jazz Band II, feat. Nathan Hall.)

Modulation - Jeff Queen
(Carter Nance, Snare Drum.)

A Cricket Sang & Set the Sun - Blake Tyson
(Tim Carroll, Marimba.)

C'Mon Back - Lennie Neihaus
(Jazz Band I, feat. Nathan Hall and Matthew Burton.)

Jamie - Sammy Nestico
(Jazz Band I, feat. Angela Firey.)

Confusion - Lennie Niehaus
(Jazz Band I, feat. Jacob Collins, Savanna Darland.)

Ecossaise - JN Hummel
(Mikeale Becraft, Kira McDonald, Rebekah Sutterfield.)

Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child - Rick Hirsch
(Matthew Burton, Joshua Stukey, Spencer Wright, Colby Neace.)

American Overture for Band - Joseph Willcox Jenkins
(CPHS Concert Band)

Black Horse Troop - JP Sousa
(CPHS Concert Band)

Exaltation - James Swearingen
(CPHS Concert Band, feat. Matthew Burton.)

NBDA Honor Band Members:
Josh Stuckey
Andrew Willhite
Jake Thompson

All-State 2nd Round
Josh Stuckey
Andrew Willhite
Jake Thompson

All-State
ake Thompson

State Solo & Ensemble
Bailey Delay
Emily Finnegan
Jillian Landers
Mikeale Becraft
Kira McDonald
Rebekah Sutterfield
Matthew Burton
Josh Stuckey
Spencer Wright
Colby Neace
Jake Thompson
Carter Nance

Concert Band

Flute
Victoria Baker
Kallie Cox
Bailey Delay
Emily Finnegan
Ben Hunt
Jillian Landers
Klaire Pinson
Haley Stuckey

Oboe
Stephanie Ayala

Bassoon
Elie Summar

Clarinet
Mikeale Becraft
Jamey Dorris
Kaylee Looney
Mira McDonald
Kayla Simms
Rebekah Sutterfield
Deanna Whitney
Breanna Wright

Bass Clarinet
Rebekah Schuler

Alto Saxophone
Dylan Bruton
Matthew Burton
Jordan Dirck
Xavier Kilgore
Zak Kizer
Brandi Sigala
Mason Singleton
Alexus Stevens
Amberly Watson
Elizabeth Whittington

 

Tenor Saxophone
Addison Baker
Josh Stuckey
Spencer Wright

Bari. Saxophone
Colby Neace
Tonja Pipes

Trumpet
Natalie Anderson
Erika Baker
Jacob Collins
Dathan Conder
Megan Conley
Bailee Dotson
Kristyn Fields
Nathan Hall
Jackson Noble
Miguel Palma
Kallie Rice
Chris Spellings
Ben Stowell
Jacelyn Trotter
Stephen West
Andrew Willhite

French Horn
Ethan Beard
Jake Thompson
Alexis White
Clayton Wright

Trombone
Chandler Blake
Hannah Farias
Garrett Lincoln
Montana Pitre
Lindsey Prince
Carson Scantling
Gabriel Wakefield
Anabeth Wiebe

Euphonium
Lauryn Barnes
Jasmine Schneider
Brian Scott
Luca Vaca

Tuba
Dawson Allen
Tyree Baker
Kristen Bolte
Sam Keiper
Laura Loomis
Griffin Slane

Percussion
Andrew Berryman
Stormi Blevens
Timothy Carroll
James Collins
Korbyn Cowan
Savanna Darland
Steven Dorris
Angela Firey
Zach Gougler
Jason Hall
Kellie Johnson
Evan Krall
Chrystian Marshall
Danny Murray
Carter Nance
Hanna Nelson
Nikole Sandberg
Izzy Smith
Blakely Staton
Erin West
Hallie West

Winter Drum Line Members

Front Ensemble
Angela Firey
Zach Gougler
Sara Nance
Quinn Paden
Kellie Johnson
Izzy Smith
Hannah Nelson
James Collins
Bryce Gregory
Elie Summar
Erin West
Steven Dorris
Korbyn Cowan
Meghan Charles
DJ Harper

Battery
Tim Carroll
Savanna Darland
Carter Nance
Blakely Staton
Chrystian Marshall
Nikole Sandberg
Danny Murray
Hallie West
Evan Krall
Jason Hall
Stormi Blevins
Jake Thompson
Clayton Wright
Jackson Noble

Winter Guard Members

Lauren Barkdull
Hannah Callahan
Kenzie Cypert
Trininty Dobson

Holle Keith
Rebekah Schuler
Adrianna Tapp
Ashley Tate

Jazz Band One

Natalie Anderson
Adison Baker
Lauryn Barnes
Jordan Dirck
Sam Keiper
Tonja Pipes
Blakely Staton
Luca Vaca
Ethan Beard
Jacob Collins

Jamey Dorris
Hannah Farias
Angela Firey
Nathan Hall
Braden Kizer
Samantha Pidcock
Brian Scott
Chris Spellings
Rebekah Sutterfield

Jazz Band Two

Chandler Blake
Haley Stuckey
Elizabeth Whittington
Dawson Allen
Matthew Burton
Tim Carroll
Jacob Collins
Savanna Darland
Angela Firey
Jason Hall
Nathan Hall

Chrystian Marshall
Colby Neace
Jackson Noble
Lindsey Prince
Griffin Slane
Josh Stuckey
Jake Thompson
Gabe Wakefield
Andrew Willhite
Clayton Wright
Spencer Wright

CPHS graduate and NASA engineer Tim Wright speaks to Sand Springs elementary students

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CPHS Class of 1988 graduate and soon-to-be Hall of Fame inductee Tim Wright speaks to Pratt Elementary students. (Photo: Scott Emigh).

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

"It seems like yesterday that I was right next door at Clyde Boyd (Middle School)," said Tim Wright to a packed gym full of Pratt Elementary students.

In fact, it was nearly thirty years ago that the Charles Page High School alumni attended Sand Springs Public Schools. 

Since graduating in 1988, Wright has moved on to bigger and better things than many people dare to dream of. 

From graduating the Florida Institute of Technology, to seeing his handiwork travel across the solar system, Wright has quite literally reached for the stars throughout his career. He is one of three Sand Springs alumni who will be recognized for their accomplishments Thursday evening at the 28th Annual Sand Springs Education Foundation Hall of Fame banquet at the CPHS Ed Dubie Field House.

SEE RELATED: CPHS Class of 1985 graduate Dr. Stacey Butterfield to be inducted into Sandite Hall of Fame

SEE RELATED: CPHS Class of 1967 graduate Larry Hurst to be inducted into Sandite Hall of Fame

Wright, who currently resides in Florida, returned to his hometown a few days before the banquet in order to speak to Sand Springs students about his journey and the future of engineering and space travel.

"I was an okay student," said Wright. "But if you said when I was your age that I was gonna be a rocket scientist, my friends would have said 'no way!' One day in high school I was working a construction job and I saw a jet fighter fly over. I was like, 'how does that go so fast?' So I got interested in that and talked to my CPHS councilors, who told me I should look into engineering."

Wright piqued the students' interest with talk of hover-boards, YETI tumblers, and LEGOs. After asking who liked to build their own creations with LEGOs without any instructions, nearly every hand in the building went up. "You just qualified to be engineers," he said. "You think outside of the box."

"I graduated Charles Page, and I was a proud Sandite. I was in my first day in engineering school and the teacher said to look at the person on my left and look at the person on my right. 'By the end of the year, one, if not both, will not be here. It will be hard,' said the instructor. I was from Oklahoma, and I was not gonna let that happen."

After graduating FIT with a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Wright got his first job at Cape Canaveral building launch pads for unmanned rockets. 

Wright has spend most of his career at the Kennedy Space Center, working with the Space Shuttle program. His job primarily involves reentry operations and returning astronauts safely to Earth. His contributions to that effort earned him the NASA Silver Snoopy Award in 2015 for his work on developing heat shields. 

In 2006 Wright worked as the Thermal Protection System Facility Engineering Manager with United Space Alliance and helped to develop the BRI-18 tile. The Boeing Replacement Insulation tile is now utilized around main landing gear doors, external tank doors, and nose landing gear doors. It was first installed on the Discovery shuttle, which was retired in 2011.

"I'm a thermal protection engineer. I deal with heat and cold and trying to protect things. We launched 135 shuttles during that program and lost two. One of those I was there for, and that was the Columbia accident. That was probably the worst day of my career."

"At NASA, often things don't go as you planned. You can choose to give up, or you can choose to say 'I'm gonna fight back and I'm gonna make things better.' We spend the next two years making new parts that were stronger, new cameras that could go around the shuttle after launch and look for damage. After that day we made space flight safer and better than it's ever been."

In December of 2014, Wright's team celebrated a successful mission by the unmanned Orion capsule they had developed. Orion slingshotted around the Earth to become the farthest-traveling space capsule since the Apollo era, then safely returned to the planet. The Orion is scheduled to make another unmanned flight on September 30, 2018, then will hold its first crew by 2021.

"Every day I go to work and I get to look at that NASA emblem and that American flag, and I get reminded of what my job is," said Wright. "Rockets are very dangerous and it's up to engineers to limit that danger."

"No one ever thought these things would be done, and they're happening every day out there. Right now the goal at NASA is to go to Mars in the year 2030. If you're ten years old now, you'll likely be finishing college when we reach Mars. If you do good in math, if you do good in science, and you go to college and get a degree in engineering or some kind of science, then you can be the ones to go to Mars."

Wright is the second Sandite to be named to the Hall of Fame for working with NASA. Colonel William R. Pogue was inducted in the inaugural Class of 1990 after participating in the Apollo 7, 11, and 14 missions in 1966.

The Hall of Fame banquet will be catered by Rib Crib and will feature a silent auction and music by the CPHS Jazz Band. Sand Springs Teacher of the Year Janet Johnson will also be recognized at the event.

CPHS Class of 1985 graduate Dr. Stacey Butterfield to be inducted into Sandite Hall of Fame

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Superintendent of Jenks Public Schools, Dr. Stacey Butterfield is one of three CPHS alumni being inducted into the Sand Springs Education Foundation Hall of Fame this Thursday.

The Sand Springs Education Foundation will be holding its 28th Annual Hall of Fame banquet this Thursday evening at the Charles Page High School Ed Dubie Field House.

CPHS Class of 1985 graduate Dr. Stacey Ford Butterfield is one of three Sandites who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame Class of 2017.

SEE RELATED: CPHS Class of 1967 graduate Larry Hurst to be inducted into Sandite Hall of Fame

After graduating from Sand Springs, Butterfield studied at Oklahoma State University where she obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and Master of Science degree in Curriculum and Instruction. She then attained her Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Oklahoma. 

While working on her own education, Butterfield spent her summers as a teacher aid at the now defunct Hissom Memorial Center which closed in 1994. She also worked as a substitute teacher for the Sand Springs Public School District.

Upon graduating college, Butterfield began her career with the Jenks Public School District, where she has remained ever since. 

Butterfield was initially hired as a first-grade teacher at Jenks East Elementary in 1989, and later served as a Building Principal, Communications Director, Human Resources Supervisor, Assistant Superintendent, and Deputy Superintendent before being named the Superintendent of the school district in 2013. 

As Superintendent, Butterfield oversees all operations of the district, which includes nearly 12,000 students and 1,500 staff members. She also serves on Governor Mary Fallin's Education Advisory Committee and State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister's Advisory Council.

Butterfield was named one of the 21 Women of Distinction for 2013 by the Tulsa Business Journal, and was featured in The Journal Record as one of "50 Making a Difference" in 2014.

The Hall of Fame banquet will be catered by Rib Crib and will feature a silent auction and music by the CPHS Jazz Band. Sand Springs Teacher of the Year Janet Johnson will also be recognized at the event.

CPHS Class of 1967 graduate Larry Hurst to be inducted into Sandite Hall of Fame

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By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Sand Springs Education Foundation will be holding its 28th Annual Hall of Fame banquet this Thursday evening at the Charles Page High School Ed Dubie Field House.

CPHS Class of 1967 graduate Larry Hurst is one of three Sandites who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame Class of 2017.

SEE RELATED: CPHS Class of 1967 - 50 Year Reunion

Hurst was a fullback on the 1966 2A State Champion football team, which holds the only State Championship in Sand Springs football history. The '66 Sandites finished the season undefeated at 12-0 in the second-largest class of competition. Hurst scored the winning touchdown on a 10-yard run to help his team defeat El Reno 14-7 at Taft Stadium in Oklahoma City. He continued his athletic career at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College where he competed on the Golden Norseman football and track teams and helped the football team to a NJCAA National Championship in 1967.

Hurst graduated the University of Central Oklahoma with a Master's degree in Education, then attained a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Oklahoma College of Law. He returned to football as a coach. He worked as an assistant at Del City, then took the head coaching position in Blackwell from 1978 through 1981 and held an 11-28 career coaching record.

After a brief stint as Deputy Attorney General for the State of Oklahoma, Hurst returned to education as the Assistant Principal at Edmond Memorial High School.

In 1998 Hurst was hired as the Principal of Sheridan Junior High in Wyoming. He then transitioned to the High School as an Assistant Principal until his retirement in 2013. During his time with Sheridan he also worked as an assistant varsity football coach, freshman coach, and junior varsity coach. 

Hurst passed away on May 31, 2014 at the age of 65 after being struck by an intoxicated driver while bicycling with his wife, Sara. Hannah Terry was convicted of aggravated homicide with a vehicle and sentenced to eight to twenty years in a State penitentiary. Larry and Sara were one year shy of their thirtieth anniversary. Sara maintains a legal practice in Sheridan.

The Hall of Fame banquet will be catered by Rib Crib and will feature a silent auction and music by the CPHS Jazz Band. Sand Springs Teacher of the Year Janet Johnson will also be recognized at the event. 

This Week in Sand Springs

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Monday

  • 4:00 p.m. Sand Springs Planning Commission - regular monthly meeting
  • 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Oklahoma Blood Institute blood drive
    • Sand Springs Church of Christ. 4301 S. 113th W. Ave, Sand Springs OK 74063
  • 6:00 p.m. Sand Springs Board of Adjustment - regular monthly meeting was CANCELED
  • 6:00 p.m. CPHS Baseball - road game
    • Bartlesville High School. 500 S Madison Blvd, Bartlesville, OK 74006

Tuesday

  • State and Federal Taxes are due
  • 8:00 a.m. CPHS Girls' Golf - Union Tournament
    • Lafortune Park. 5501 S. Yale Ave. Tulsa OK 74135
  • 5:00 p.m. CPHS Slow Pitch Softball - road game
    • Union Intermediate High School. 7616 S. Garnett Rd. Tulsa OK 74012
  • 6:00 p.m. CPHS Baseball - home game
    • Sandite Baseball Complex. 405 W. 55th St. Sand Springs OK 74063
  • 6:00 p.m. Sand Springs Cultural & Historical Museum Trust Authority - regular monthly meeting
  • 6:00 p.m. CPHS Girls' Soccer - home game
    • Memorial Stadium. 500 N. Adams Rd. Sand Springs OK 74063
  • 7:00 p.m. CPHS Band Booster Club - meeting and elections
    • Charles Page High School. 500 N. Adams Rd. Sand Springs OK 74063
    • Positions up for election: President, Vice President, Secretary, Co-Treasurer, CPHS Representative. Appointed coordinator positions also open.
  • 8:00 p.m. CPHS Boys' Soccer - home game
    • Memorial Stadium. 500 N. Adams Rd. Sand Springs OK 74063

Wednesday

  • Sand Springs Development Authority - regular monthly meeting

Thursday

  • 8:00 a.m. CPHS Boys' Golf - 6A State Preview
    • Karsten Creek Golf Club. 1800 S. Memorial Dr. Stillwater OK 74074
  • 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. Guns n' Hoses Community Challenge Blood Drive
  • 4:30 p.m. CPHS Baseball - road game
    • Cascia Hall. 2520 S. Yorktown Ave. Tulsa OK 74114
  • 5:00 p.m. CPHS Slow Pitch Softball - double header road games
    • Jenks High School. 1561 N. Birch St. Jenks OK 74037
  • 5:30 p.m. Sand Springs Education Foundation Hall of Fame dinner
    • Ed Dubie Field House. 500 N. Adams Rd. Sand Springs OK 74063

Friday

  • 3:00 p.m. CPHS Choir Trip - Branson "Music in the Park" Choir Contest
  • 3:00 p.m. CPHS Track and Field - Muskogee Track Meet
    • 3200 E. Shawnee Rd. Muskogee OK 74403
  • 6:00 p.m. CPHS Girls' Soccer - home game
    • CPHS Memorial Stadium. 500 N. Adams Rd. Sand Springs OK 74063
  • 8:00 p.m. CPHS Boys' Soccer - home game
    • CPHS Memorial Stadium. 500 N. Adams Rd. Sand Springs OK 74063

Saturday

  • 9:00 a.m. 28th Annual Herbal Affair & Festival
  • 10:00 a.m. Sand Springs OKUSA Freestyle/Greco-Roman Wrestling Tournament
    • Clyde Boyd Middle School. 305 W. 35th St. Sand Springs OK 74063

OSDE study shows minimal cost savings for schools with 4-day weeks

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OKLAHOMA CITY (April 13, 2017) –  A recent study by the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) casts doubt on the assumption that switching to a four-day school week saves money for districts.

For the 2016-17 school year, the number of districts on a four-day school week nearly doubled from the previous year. Ninety-seven districts have made the switch, many citing cost savings as a primary reason amid continued budget shortfalls.

The study, requested by Gov. Mary Fallin, analyzed expenditures of 16 school districts that have been on a four-day school week for six years. Results indicate that nine districts actually spent more money, on average, after the switch, while cost savings for the remainder were negligible.

When OSDE combined expenditures of all 16 districts, those districts spent on average $4,523 more on utilities, $2,714 less on food, $1,971 less on transportation and $8,542 more on support staff after switching to a four-day week than they had spent before the change.

“I appreciate the fact that districts are trying to cut expenses however they can,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister. “But we are very concerned about how this impacts children. We risk losing academic momentum when what we need is more time on learning, not less.”

To see the study and read more about the districts analyzed, click here.

“School boards care deeply about students, but it is important that they have accurate information,” said Hofmeister. ”There is a perception that there will be significant cost savings from a four-day school week, but the results of our survey were inconclusive, and the savings that did occur were very marginal. We believe the cost to students is far too great to consider the four-day week as a long-term strategy.“

A measure in this year's state legislative session, House Bill 1684, would require districts considering a four-day school week to submit a plan to OSDE detailing the goals that the district hopes to accomplish by shortening the school week. The measure is authored by Rep. Harold Wright and Sen. Eddie Fields.

“A plan would help spell out the anticipated savings,” Hofmeister said. “It will allow districts to go back and measure results. This is really about kids, and providing both local control and accountability. We want to make sure that schools have what they need and that our students are able to receive the best education possible.”

Jake Thompson receives Sandite Spirit Award, Board of Ed discusses curriculum/facilities

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All State Band member Jake Thompson is presented with the Sandite Spirit Award. (Photo: Scott Emigh).

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Sand Springs Board of Education met in a regular monthly meeting Monday evening and discussed budget cuts, facility renovations, and the future of High School education in Sand Springs. They also presented Jake Thompson with a Sandite Spirit Award.

Thompson was recently named to the All State Band for French Horn, and was also a member of the Winter Percussion unit that won their first State Championship this past weekend.

Thompson spent seven months practicing more than an hour a day in preparation for Districts to earn his way to the All-State competition. From there he was among a hundred musicians who competed for the twenty positions on the All-State Band. 

"In Northeast Oklahoma we have some of the best competitors in the country," said Charles Page High School Band Director Kyle Wright. 

Additionally, Thompson learned how to play symbols this past year for the Winter Guard and Percussion of Oklahoma competitions. 

Charles Page staff gave a presentation regarding the school's transition to a career-pathway style of teaching. In the coming years the school will be providing classes structured around different career paths with unique curriculum for each student. The presentation discussed trying to build a career-preparatory culture at CPHS with enhanced college and career counseling. The school expects all students to graduate academically prepared for either college or a career.

Part of the career-pathway presentation addressed "redefining the senior year" and allowing seniors to earn credit hours through part-time jobs, internships, or apprentice ships. Students who maintain a 2.0 GPA or higher with good attendance will be able to participate in the High Schools that Work pilot program. Students who participate will have to turn in weekly pay stubs and take a biweekly class tied into their on-the-job learning.

Superintendent Sherry Durkee gave an update on the SSPS facilities, including the former Twin Cities Elementary building and the Ed Dubie Field House. 

Twin Cities was listed for sale by owner last year, but has had little market interest. According to Durkee, the building is deteriorating and has substantial problems including mold. After consulting with Montie Box of Montie Box Realtors, they concluded the building's last appraisal was overly generous, and it's not worth the cost of restoration. Durkee believes the District's best option is to demolish the building and retain the property for future growth in that area. The Indian Education facility located next to Central Ninth Grade Center is also in rough shape and expected to be demolished in the future.

The Ed Dubie Field House has been without a playable basketball court for more than a month now after moisture cause the floor to warp. The CPHS Girls' Basketball team earned the right to host a Regional Playoff this year, but had to move to Broken Arrow after the damage was uncovered. The current floor was installed in 1978, making it about time for replacement anyways. Comparably, the National Basketball Association requires its teams to replace their floors every ten years. Hardwood installation typically takes about six weeks for a basketball court, and the district is hoping to remodel by July when volleyball practice begins. 

The Board approved a contract with Oklahoma LED for a $445,596 project to replace the entire district's lighting fixtures with LED strip lights. The LED lights are expected to result in major energy savings for the district in the future. Oklahoma LED projects electric savings of up to 80% in the first month.

CPHS Winter Percussion wins State Championship in first season of competition

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SUBMITTED.

The Charles Page High School marching band competed in Winter Guard and Percussion for the first time this season and capped their debut with a State Championship win. 

The Color Guard started the season in February with a fourth place finish out of ten teams in the Scholastic Regional B classification at Broken Arrow. They placed second in Equipment Analysis, third in Movement Analysis, fifth in Design Analysis, and fourth in general effect with an overall score of 58.020. The Percussion team was the only team in their category, receiving a 68.250.

The following week saw the Guard taking fifth place out of ten teams at Sapulpa. They placed third in Equipment, fourth in Movement, seventh in Design, and fourth in general effect with a total score of 51.940. This time the Percussion unit had a competitor and handily topped Royal Regiment 71.550 to 67.950 with top marks in Music and Music Effect.

The Guard placed sixth of seven teams at Catoosa. They placed third in Equipment, seventh in Movement, fifth in Design, and fifth in general effect with a cumulative score of 51.240. The Percussion team was alone in their category and scored a 76.500.

The season wrapped up with the Championship competition at Mustang High School. The Guard took thirteenth out of sixteen teams in Scholastic Regional B with a season-high score of 60.180. Percussion also recorded their highest score of the season at 79.100, beating Royal Regiment with 76.650 for the Scholastic Marching A title. The Sandites took first in Music, Visual, and Musical effect. 

This Week in Sand Springs

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Monday

  • 8:00 a.m. Charles Page High School Girls' Golf - McAlester tournament
    • McAlester Country Club, 1500 Country Club Rd. McAlester, OK 74501
  • 8:00 a.m. Charles Page High School Tennis - Bartlesville tournament
    • Hillcrest Country Club, 1901 Price Rd. Bartlesville, OK 74006
  • 5:30 p.m. Charles Page High School Baseball - road game
    • Muskogee High School, 3200 E. Shawnee Rd. Muskogee, OK 74403
  • 6:30 p.m. Sand Springs Parks Advisory Board Meeting
  • 7:00 p.m. Sand Springs Board of Education Meeting

Tuesday

  • 4:30 p.m. Charles Page High School Softball - Highway 97 Rivalry home game
    • Sandite Softball Complex, 405 W. 55th Street, Sand Springs OK 74063
  • 5:30 p.m. Charles Page High School  Baseball - home game
    • Sandite Baseball Complex, 405 W. 55th Street, Sand Springs OK 74063
  • 6:00 p.m. Charles Page High School Girls' Soccer - home game
    • Memorial Stadium, 500 North Adams Rd. Sand Springs, OK 74063
  • 8:00 p.m. Charles Page High School Boys' Soccer - home game
    • Memorial Stadium, 500 North Adams Rd. Sand Springs, OK 74063

Wednesday

  • 8:00 a.m. Charles Page High School Boys' Golf - Sapulpa Tournament
    • Sapulpa Municipal Golf Course, 1200 W. Dewey Ave, Sapulpa OK 74066
  • 8:00 a.m. Charles Page High School Girls' Golf - Bartlesville Tournament
    • Adams Municipal Golf Course, 5801 Tuxedo Blvd. Bartlesville, OK 74006

Thursday

  • 1:00 p.m. Charles Page High School Baseball - BA-Bixby Tournament
    • Broken Arrow High School, 1901 E. Albany St. Broken Arrow OK 74012
  • 2:00 p.m. Charles Page High School Track Meet
    • Moore High School, 300 N. Eastern Ave. Moore OK 73160
  • 3:30 p.m. Charles Page High School Baseball - BA-Bixby Tournament
    • Broken Arrow High School, 1901 E. Albany St. Broken Arrow OK 74012
  • 6:30 p.m. Charles Page High School Softball - road game (double-header)
    • Berryhill High School, 2901 S. 65th W. Ave. Tulsa OK 74107

Friday

  • 6:00 p.m. Charles Page High School Baseball - BA-Bixby Tournament
    • Broken Arrow High School, 1901 E. Albany St. Broken Arrow OK 74012
  • 6:00 p.m. Charles Page High School Girls' Soccer - road game
    • Putnam City North High School, 11800 N. Rockwell Ave. Oklahoma City OK 73162
  • 7:00 p.m. Chillin 'n' Grillin' Festival
    • Pogue Airport, 101 John Hess Dr. Sand Springs OK 74063
  • 7:00 p.m. Unity Praise 2017: Pathway to Greatness
  • 8:00 p.m. Charles Page High School Boys' Soccer - road game
    • Putnam City North High School, 11800 N. Rockwell Ave. Oklahoma City OK 73162

Saturday

  • 8:00 a.m. Charles Page High School Boys' Golf - Owasso Tournament
    • Bailey Ranch Golf Course, 10105 Larkin Bailey Blvd. Owasso OK 74055
  • 10:00 a.m. Chillin' 'n' Grillin' Festival + Harper's Hut Classic Car Show
  • Charles Page High School Baseball - BA-Bixby Tournament
    • 11:00 a.m. Fifth-Place Game
      • Broken Arrow High School, 1901 E. Albany St. Broken Arrow OK 74012
    • 1:00 a.m. Seventh-Place Game
      • Bixby High School, 601 S. Riverview Dr. Bixby, OK 7400
    • 1:30 p.m. Championship Game
      • Bixby High School, 601 S. Riverview Dr. Bixby, OK 7400
    • 1:30 p.m. Third-Place Game
      • Broken Arrow High School, 1901 E. Albany St. Broken Arrow OK 74012

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City Council commissions new sidewalks, murals, vacant property acquisition

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The Sand Springs City Council met in a regular monthly meeting Monday evening and handed out a series of mayoral proclamations recognizing the Charles Page High School Wrestling Team for their State Championship wins this season.

The City of Sand Springs was recognized by the Oklahoma State Department of Health Center for the Advancement of Wellness for achieving the certified healthy designation of "Excellence." They were also awarded the 2017 State Historic Preservation Officer's Citation of Merit for the exterior rehabilitation of Page Memorial Library, which now houses the Sand Springs Historical and Cultural Museum. 

Parks Director Grant Gerondale provided a presentation on ongoing Parks Department projects. The department has been executing controlled burns at the Keystone Ancient Forest over the past months to keep overgrowth under control. They are also establishing a controlled burn line and trail that will be approximately three miles long when complete. According to Gerondale, the forest receives approximately 3,500 visitors per year.

The River City Park renovation is well under way. The department has planted nearly 200 new trees in the largest re-foresting project in the history of the city. Two new playgrounds have been installed that Gerondale described as "second to nothing in the U.S." The disc golf course is being relocated deeper within the park and is being expanded to a full 18-hole course. There will also be a "Thunder Cares" Court built in the park.

The park is still seeing extensive use in spite of ongoing construction. The Will Ramsey Softball Park and Inez Kirk Soccer Complex both saw more than fifty teams apiece at tournaments this past weekend and the BMX track has seen increased use in the past year. The Jerry Adair Baseball Park and the Soccer Complex are both undergoing expansion with the addition of new fields. 

SEE RELATED: Sand Springs Town Development History

Council unanimously approved the transfer of $51,578 from the ODOC Home Fund to the Capital Improvement Fund. The ODOC Home Fund was part of a federal program established in the 1990s to provide low-interest loans to elderly residents for home repairs. That program has long since been defunct and the funds have sat dormant for more than a decade. The money will now be used to acquire and combine vacant properties where dilapidated houses once stood in older neighborhoods. 

Council unanimously approved resolutions authorizing the use of Community Development Block Grant funding for construction of a sidewalk on the south side of 10th Street between Adams Road and Ray Brown Park.

Council unanimously approved an agreement between the City and the Sand Springs Public School District authorizing the use of $47,862.00 for the use of enhanced security systems, including video camera installation. 

Council unanimously approved the use of $1,500,000 to construct a new building to replace Fire Station #2 in Prattville. The current building has undergone multiple remodels that have failed to improve upon chronic roof leaks, a history of mold issues, and an overall inadequate design.

This disused mill on old Highway 51 will soon serve as a welcome sign to the City. 

Council unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the execution of several projects, including the commissioning of a series of murals around the community. One location planned to be the recipient of a beautification project is the abandoned silo on the property of Riverview RV Park on old Highway 51 in Prattville. 

This Week in Sand Springs

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Monday

  • 5:00 p.m. Charles Page High School Varsity Baseball - road game
    • Bixby High School, 601 S. Riverview Dr., Bixby OK 74008
  • 7:00 p.m. Regular Sand Springs City Council Meeting

Tuesday

  • 9:00 a.m. Charles Page High School Varsity Boys Golf Tournament
    • The Canyons at Blackjack Ridge. 1801 N. McKinley Rd., Sand Springs 
  • 5:00 p.m. Charles Page High School Varsity Baseball - home game
    • 405 W. 55th Street, Sand Springs
  • 5:00 p.m. Charles Page High School Varsity Softball - home game
    • 405 W. 55th Street, Sand Springs
  • 6:00 p.m. Charles Page High School Girls' Varsity Soccer - road game
    • Booker T. Washington High School. 1514 E. Zion St. Tulsa OK 74106
  • 8:00 p.m. Charles Page High School Boys' Varsity Soccer - road game
    • Booker T. Washington High School. 1514 E. Zion St. Tulsa OK 74106

Thursday

  • 9:00 a.m. Charles Page High School Varsity Girls Golf Tournament
    • The Canyons at Blackjack Ridge. 1801 N. McKinley Rd., Sand Springs
  • 4:30 p.m. Charles Page High School Varsity Softball - road game
    • Broken Arrow High School. 1901 E. Albany St. Broken Arrow, OK 74012

Friday

  • 4:00 p.m. Charles Page High School Track and Field
    • Stillwater High School. 1224 N. Husband St. Stillwater, OK 74075
  • 4:30 p.m. Charles Page High School Varsity Baseball - Highway 97 Rivalry home game
    • 405 W. 55th St. Sand Springs
  • 6:00 p.m. Charles Page High School Varsity Girls' Soccer - road game
    • Enid High School. 611 W. Wabash Ave. Enid, OK 73701
  • 8:00 p.m. Charles Page High School Varsity Boys' Soccer - road game
  • Enid High School. 611 W. Wabash Ave. Enid, OK 73701

Saturday

  • 12:00 p.m. Charles Page High School Varsity Baseball - home game
    • 405 W. 55th Street, Sand Springs

Free community events are free to list and advertise with Sandite Pride.
Submit posters and information to SanditePrideNews@gmail.com

This Week in Sand Springs

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Monday

  • Regular monthly meeting of the Sand Springs Planning Commission has been canceled. 
  • 6:00 p.m. Regular monthly meeting of the Sand Springs Board of Adjustments
  • 6:00 p.m. Charles Page High School Varsity Baseball - road game
    • Moore High School, 300 N. Eastern Ave, Moore, OK 73160

Tuesday

  • 4:30 p.m. Charles Page High School Varsity Softball - Highway 97 Rivalry road game
    • 631 N. Brown, Sapulpa, OK 74066
  • 6:00 p.m. Charles Page High School Varsity Baseball - home game vs. Moore
  • 6:00 p.m. Regular monthly meeting of the Sand Springs Museum Trust Authority

Thursday

  • 8:00 a.m. Charles Page High School Boys' Varsity Golf
    • Page Belcher Golf Course, 6666 S. Union Ave, Tulsa OK 74132
  • 5:00 p.m. Charles Page High School Varsity Softball - home game vs Barnsdal
  • 6:00 p.m. Charles Page High School Varsity Soccer - home game vs Muskogee

Friday

  • 8:00 a.m. Charles Page High School Boys' Varsity Tennis - Muskogee Tournament
    • 3200 East Shawnee Bypass, Muskogee, OK 74403
  • 8:00 a.m. Charles Page High School Girls' Varsity Golf - Jenks Tournament
    • South Lakes Golf Course - 9253 S. Elwood Ave. Jenks, OK 74037
  • 4:00 p.m. Charles Page High School Varsity Track & Field - Broken Arrow meet
    • 1901 E. Albany St. Broken Arrow, OK 74012
  • Charles Page High School Varsity Baseball - Bartlesville/Collinsville Tournament
    • 2400 W. Broadway St., Collinsville, OK 74021
    • 11:00 a.m. vs Rogers
    • 4:00 p.m. vs Parkhill Christian Academy
  • Charles Page High School Varsity Soccer - Stillwater Tournament

Saturday

  • 8:00 a.m. Charles Page High School Boys' Varsity Tennis - Claremore Tournament
    • 2001 N. Sioux Ave, Claremore, OK 74017
  • 8:00 a.m. Charles Page High School Girls' Varsity Tennis - Muskogee Tournament
    • 3200 East Shawnee Bypass, Muskogee, OK 74403
  • Charles Page High School Varsity Baseball - Bartlesville/Collinsville Tournament
    • 2400 W. Broadway St., Collinsville, OK 74021
    • 12:30 p.m. vs Hillcrest
    • 5:00 p.m. vs Fort Osage
  • Charles Page High School Varsity Soccer - Stillwater Tournament

Free community events are free to list and advertise with Sandite Pride.
Submit posters and information to SanditePrideNews@gmail.com 

Limestone students experience day in the life of an adult at JA Biztown

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Sand Springs City Councilman Brian Jackson speaks to students before their day begins.

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

Students from Limestone Elementary School in Sand Springs got to experience a day in the life of adulthood this past week at Junior Achievement Biztown. More than forty students spent a month learning how to balance checkbooks, interview for positions, request loans, and more in preparation for the day-long trip to the indoor Tulsa pseudo-city. 

Junior Achievement is a non-profit youth organization with worldwide reach that aims to "inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy." The Tulsa Biztown location first opened fourteen years ago, and Sand Springs Public Schools have been sending their students there ever since. More than 100,000 students have visited the Tulsa program since it opened in April of 2004.

The Cox Radio DJ entertained throughout the day with song requests and commercials for the Biztown establishments.

The program uses sponsorships from local businesses to provide authentic career experience for students in fields they may very well find themselves occupying in the future. 

Before arriving at Biztown, students apply for a bank account through Bank of Oklahoma. They then learn how to endorse and deposit a check, and how to manage a checking account register. They are also taught the consequences of writing checks without sufficient funds. Focus is given to the difference between a debit card and a credit card, and students utilize debit, checks, and cash during their visit. Students fill out various job applications and practice interview skills, and elect a mayor before arriving.

Cherokee Phoenix employees hard at work on the daily paper.

Marketing is an important skill the students learn prior to their visit, and the various business teams come up with radio and newspaper advertisements to run during their visit. When they arrive the students fill out loan applications with BOK for their businesses and are expected to run a profit throughout the day and pay off the loan at the conclusion.

The students were broken up into three different groups that each had lunch/shopping breaks at different times. Employees of Arby's served drinks, cookies, and other snacks to the students during their lunch breaks. Employees of Reasor's and Linde sold various toys and activities. The Cancer Treatment Center offered brief physicals, and students could pick up copies of their own newspaper from the Cherokee Phoenix.

Cox Communications filmed the students throughout the day and sent the school home with the footage.

Cox radio employees a student DJ who takes song requests throughout the day and does commercials for the various businesses. They also had students shooting video throughout the trip and brought back the final product to school with them. At City Hall students were able to "vote" by filling out a survey on their visit. 

Students from every Sand Springs Elementary school visited Biztown throughout the year, but Garfield and Northwoods kids were almost unable to attend for monetary reasons. The school district experienced major budget cuts after last year's State revenue shortfall and the schools were forced to turn to outside help to raise the funds.

SEE RELATED: Sand Springs City Council members help fund Elementary field trip

Editor's note: 

I myself attended Biztown more than a decade ago when it was called Exchange City. Everyone in my class had a great time. I worked at the newspaper as the Senior Reporter and still have my copy of that paper to this day. Our Managing Editor, Shelby Lawson, went on to self-publish a book in the ninth grade, which I also keep a copy of. 

Sand Springs Board of Education recognizes excellence in students and faculty

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The Charles Page High School Wrestling Team starting lineup all received Sandite Spirit Awards for winning the State and Dual State Championships this last month. (Photo: Scott Emigh).

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

There were plenty of awards to go around at Monday night's regular monthly Sand Springs Board of Education meeting. The Board presented Rusty Vann, Elbert Moore, and the Charles Page High School Wrestling Team with the Sandite Spirit Award. Wrestling Head Coach Kelly Smith was presented with a Coin of Excellence, and Bob Jackson, Ryan Dannar, and Eric Hartley were presented with Pacesetter Awards.

The Sandite Spirit Award recognizes students and community members who have gone above expectations while representing Sand Springs Public Schools. The Pacesetter award is a similar recognition specifically for SSPS faculty and staff members.

CPHS alumnus Rusty Vann is presented with the Sandite Spirit Award.

The Sandite wrestling team recently completed a perfect 20-0 season. They won the Owasso Ram Duals, the District Dual Quadrangle, and the first 6A Dual State Championship in school history. They also won the Perry Tournament of Champions, the Jerry Billings Invitational, the 6A East Regional, and the 6A State Tournament. Riley Weir, Daton Fix, Jack Karstetter, Beau Bratcher, and Payton Scott all brought home individual gold.

Head Wrestling Coach Kelly Smith has been with the Sandites for fifteen seasons as a coach, and is also a Charles Page alumnus. The school has crowned nine individual State Champions during his tenure, and this was their first team State Title since 1971. 

Substitute Teacher Elbert Moore receives the Sandite Spirit Award.

CPHS Class of 2006 graduate Rusty Vann was presented with the Sandite Spirit Award. Vann graduated from the University of Tulsa before entering medical school at Lincoln Memorial University and DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine. He is currently in his second year of residency and often works with the Sand Springs special-needs students.

Substitute teacher Elbert Moore was also presented with the Sandite Spirit Award. "He is absolutely integral to our staff," said CPHS Principal Stan Trout. "You are not a substitute teacher, you are a part of our staff and community. He does everything we would expect out of a full time teacher and more."

Members of the SSPS IT Department are honored with the Pacesetter Award.

Bob Jackson, Ryan Dannar, and Eric Hartley were presented with the Pacesetter Award for their work in the IT department. After long-time Director of Technology Danny Wasson passed away last December, the other members of the IT department stepped up to make sure nothing missed a beat. Coworker Shannon Chapman nominated the three for the award, and did so with high commendation. "More than just coworkers, this is my family," said Chapman. "These guys are the foundation. Without them you guys wouldn't have internet in the morning." She also bestowed each of them with nicknames recognizing their varied strengths and character attributes. 

Board member Mike Mullins recites the Oath of Office.

Former Board President Mike Mullins was sworn into office for a new term after running unopposed. The Board also reorganized the various officers as they do every March. Church That Matters Pastor Rusty Gunn was named the Board President, Bo Naugle took over as Vice-President, and Jackie Wagnon was named Deputy Clerk. 

Following the awards presentations the Board also discussed matters of curriculum, finances, and political affairs.

Faculty members discussed the future of Sand Springs curriculum and the potential to focus instruction around career pathways with classes customized around certain career fields that students are interested in.

A report was given on the state of the Ed Dubie Field House gym floor. The floor has become slightly raised due to a potential leak in the slab, causing it to be unplayable. This resulted in the Girls Basketball Regional Tournament being moved to Broken Arrow last month. As of now, the floor is expected to be recoverable once the leak is fixed.

Superintendent Sherry Durkee gave an update on the ongoing plan to convert all SSPS properties to LED lighting. The district is currently considering using a company utilized by the Ponca City school district. LED lights are more expensive up front than traditional lighting, but last far longer, provide better quality lighting, and save on energy costs. The district is currently estimating between eight and ten-thousand dollars in monthly energy savings once the conversion is complete. 

Assistant Superintendent Rob Miller discussed the future of student safety precautions and the possibility of equipping school staff with a smart phone app called Crisis Go. The free app features a panic button, allowing teachers and staff to report a situation by sending a direct alert to the principal and security officer in the event that they can't reach their desk phones. SSPS teachers spend the time between classes standing in the halls to monitor the students, making it difficult to get back to their desks in the event of a fight or other emergency situation.

According to Superintendent Durkee, the district continues to be financially stable in spite of continued cuts to education funding, due to drastic measures taken during the last school year. She does not expect the district to have to make further reductions to staff in the next year, but remains concerned about the near-future as the State Legislature continues to grapple with a $900 million budget shortfall.

She also discussed current State Legislation that could be concerning for public schools, such as limiting bond elections to certain times of year.

The Board approved the hiring of a fourth grade teacher for the current school year.

Senate Appropriations Committee on Education approves teacher pay increase legislation

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Members of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Education heard six measures to raise teacher pay on Wednesday. (SUBMITTED).

The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Education met Wednesday and approved half a dozen measures to increase teacher pay in Oklahoma. Senator Jason Smalley, R-Stroud, chairs the subcommittee. He said with 48 members, there were several different ideas of how much the raises should be and how to pay for it.

“Six different pay raise bills were filed, and we gave the authors a chance to present their thoughts and ideas and advocate their positions,” Smalley said. “My next step will be to meet with our Appropriations Chair, Senator Kim David. Ultimately one bill will move forward so we’ll look at these six plans and try to mold them into the best possible legislation.”

The pay plans approved by the subcommittee included:

  • SB 8 by Sen. Ron Sharp, R-Shawnee
  • SB 97 by Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, R-Adair
  • SB 137 by Sen. J.J. Dossett, D-Owasso
  • SB 309 by Sen. Marty Quinn, R-Claremore
  • SB 316 by Sen. David Holt, R-Oklahoma City
  • SB 618 by Sen. Gary Stanislawski, R-Tulsa

“We heard teacher pay increase proposals ranging from $500 to $10,000. There are different ideas about whether it should simply be across the board or if the minimum salary should be raised. Some members have suggested that the funding could be found by targeting tax preferences or by increasing certain taxes,” Smalley said.  

“When you consider that just a $1,000 pay raise would be about $60 million, it can add up very quickly. We need to determine the size, how it will be paid for and if a phase-in plan is necessary,” Smalley said. “There’s a great deal to decide, so the time to talk about it is now and not wait until April or May.”

Sand Springs heads to the polls this Tuesday: a look at the candidates

/ Tulsa County Election Board/

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

Many Sand Springs residents will head to the polls this Tuesday, and some will have two ballots. Tulsa Technology Center Zone 5, comprising most of Sand Springs and Owasso, will vote between Roy D. McClain and Danny Hancock for the vacant Board of Education Office 5 position. Sand Springs Ward 4 will vote between Christine Hamner and Nancy Riley for the vacant position on the Sand Springs City Council.

The Board of Ed Zone 5 seat was previously held by John Selph, first elected in 2008, who resigned last June only six months into his second seven-year term. Board members meet once monthly and are compensated $25 per meeting.

Danny Hancock is a lifelong Sand Springs resident and Tulsa Tech graduate with 28 years in the construction industry. He is a member of the Tulsa Tech Education Foundation, a program advisor for Tulsa Tech and the Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology, and a construction manager at Cowen Construction. He earned a Plumbing Program Certificate from TTC and an Associate’s Degree in Construction Technology from OSUIT. He also serves on boards for the Plumbing Contractors of Eastern Oklahoma Association (PCEO), and was appointed by Governor Mary Fallin to his current term on the Oklahoma Uniform Building Code Commission (OUBCC).

Roy McClain is an Owasso resident, Oklahoma State University graduate, and currently works as a Community Business Development Manager for Barnes & Noble. He was a Personnel Administrative Specialist in the U.S. Army, a member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives serving District 71, and an Adjunct Professor for Community Care College. He has worked as a political advisor for Steve Gallo for State Representative and Steve Gallo for County Commissioner. He holds a degree in Economics from OSU and has been with Barnes and Noble since 2010.

The Sand Springs Ward 4 seat was vacated in December by John Fothergill, who was hired as Chief Deputy to County Commissioner Karen Keith. Fothergill was serving as Vice-Mayor at the time. City Council member is an unpaid position, meeting seventeen times annually. Terms are three years, with the Mayor and Vice Mayor being elected annually by the council.

SEE RELATED: To the people of Sand Springs, from City Council candidate Nancy Riley

SEE RELATED: To the people of Sand Springs, from City Council candidate Christine Hamner

 

Janna Burch named Frontier Valley Conference Coach of the Year

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By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

It was a special night for the Charles Page High School volleyball team Monday at the Sand Springs Board of Education meeting. The Board handed out several awards before getting down to official business. 

Ohio State University-committed junior Gloria Mutiri was recognized for being named Co-MVP in the Frontier Valley Conference, and Head Coach Janna Green was recognized as the FVC Coach of the Year.

When Burch took over the program in 2014, they were coming off a 14-26 season. Despite being a losing record, that was actually one of the school's best years ever. Now, for the first time ever, the Lady Sandites finished with a winning record of 23-13. They ended the year ranked No. 13 in 6A by the OSSAA with wins against Frontier Valley foes Muskogee, Union, Bartlesville, Bixby, and Sapulpa.

Additionally, Caleb Clark was presented with a Coin of Excellence, and Debbie O'Niell received the Sandite Pacesetter Award. 

 

Charles Page High School to host Oklahoma Blood Donor Challenge

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Jan. 27, 2017 ─ As flu season and winter weather impact the blood supply, Oklahoma Blood Institute urges Oklahomans to join the “Blood Donor Challenge” to make sure area patients have the blood they need.

Join Charles Page High School for a blood drive with Oklahoma Blood Institute on Monday, February 6 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the school’s small gym. Donors will receive a free Blood Donor Challenge t-shirt and health screenings at no cost. Donors can post to social media about their donation using the hashtag #blooddonorchallenge.

“As more people are hospitalized due to flu and other viruses, the need for blood increases,” said John Armitage, M.D., Oklahoma Blood Institute president and CEO. “At the same time, some regular blood donors are coming down with illnesses and temporarily can’t give. In addition to hazardous weather conditions, winter presents significant challenges to the life-saving blood supply.”

Whole blood donations can be made every 56 days. Platelets can be donated up to 24 times a year.

Oklahoma Blood Institute relies on donations from an average of 1,200 donors each day to meet the needs of patients statewide. One blood donation can save as many as three lives, and takes only about an hour. Those with negative blood types are especially urged to donate.

In 2017, Oklahoma Blood Institute is celebrating its 40th year of saving local lives. Oklahoma Blood Institute is a non-profit, independent blood center now serving 165 hospitals, medical facilities and air ambulances statewide.

Appointments can be made by visiting obi.org or calling (877) 340-8777.

*16 year olds must weigh at least 125 pounds and provide signed parental permission; 17 year olds must weigh at least 125 pounds; 18+ year olds must weigh at least 110 pounds

Sand Springs churches donate $4000 to Sand Springs Police and Fire for Christmas

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By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Sand Springs City Council recently held their regular monthly meeting and representatives from the Sand Springs Ministerial Alliance were present to present the Police and Fire Departments with a $4,000 donation for the purpose of Christmas bonuses. 

Harvest Church Pastor Steve Allen, HillSpring Church Pastor Brent Kellogg, and First Church of the Nazarene Pastor Rod Thelander presented the annual donation to Police Chief Mike Carter and Fire Chief Mike Wood. 

Oklahoma Municipal League representative Missy Dean presented awards to employees who have served the city for 25 years. Police Captain Jay Barnett, Captain Todd Enzbrenner, Lieutenant Gary Everett, Deputy Chief John Mars, Fire Driver Charles Bowman, Water/Wastewater Superintendent Kenneth Boswell, Water Maintenance Operations Supervisor Donnie Wicker, and City Clerk Janice Almy were all recognized.

Storm Water and Utilities Technician Jon Odle gave an annual address to the Council regarding the City of Sand Springs Storm Water Plan. Odle discussed the damage done by citizens dumping leaves, grass clippings, and other debris into the street and stormwater drains. He suggested the City find ways to educate the community about the subject. 

The Council unanimously approved Ordinance No. 1293 amending existing zoning code. Under new regulations, minimum aesthetic standards have been set regarding the amount of visible metal a building may be constructed of. Each side of a new building will be limited to certain percentages of visible metal, though exceptions may be granted through the Board of Adjustment. The ordinance does not apply to existing buildings and is modeled after existing regulations passed in neighboring communities. 

Council also approved Resolution No. 17-14, adopting a Safe Routes to School policy for the City of Sand Springs. The policy sets in place an outline for the City to follow when evaluating streets or other improvement projects that will provide safer and more efficient ways for pedestrians to travel to and from school. 

This was Vice Mayor John Fothergill's last meeting with City Council as he will be vacating his seat before the Spring election. The two-term Ward 4 councilman was recently approved as a chief deputy for the Tulsa County Commission and is legally unable to hold dual offices. 

Christine Hamner and Nancy Riley have filed to run for the vacant seat this Spring. Riley is a former Republican then Democratic State Senator. She also ran for Council against Fothergill and the late Pastor Terry Scott. She came in second in the primary election, defeating Scott, then lost to Fothergill in the runoff. 

Charles Page High School to receive Tulsa Tech funded Pre-Engineering program

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By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Sand Springs Board of Education met in a regular monthly meeting Monday, December 5th to conduct business and issue several awards and recognitions. Elijah Warren and Josh Taber were to be recognized for attaining National Merit Scholar commendations, but were unable to attend. Their awards were later delivered to them. All-State softball players Jessica Collins and Sydney Pennington were awarded Sandite Spirit Awards, as was Cross Country State Champion Cheyenne Walden. Administrative Assistant Beth Shope was presented with the Pacesetter Award, and Band Director Kyle Wright received a Coin of Excellence.

SEE RELATED: Sandite of the Week: Cheyenne Walden places 34th at Nationals; CPHS Cross Country runners excel in post-season
SEE RELATED: Sydney Pennington and Jessica Collins make All-State Fast Pitch team

Shope works as an assistant to Assistant Superintendent Kristin Arnold and deals with Federal programs. "I have never seen anybody work so hard or learn so fast as Beth Shope," said Superintendent Sherry Durkee. The Pacesetter Award honors Sand Springs Public Schools faculty and staff members who have gone above and beyond expectations in representing Sand Springs. 

The Charles Page High School band recently received Superior ratings at the OSSAA East Regional Marching Contest and was invited to lead the Tulsa Veterans' Day Parade. "I wouldn't want to do this with anybody else," said Wright. "When they do well they get the credit. When things don't go well, I'll take the blame." 

The Sand Springs Education community recently lost a long-time advocate in Director of Technology Danny Wasson, who passed away December 3rd. The 61-year-old was honored throughout the meeting. "I've never met a person more committed to work and the Sandite community," said Durkee.

Tulsa Technology Center Associate Superintendent and former Sand Springs Assistant Superintendent Robert Franklin addressed the crowd to announce that the Tulsa Tech Board will soon be voting to return a long-defunct pre-engineering program to Charles Page High School. According to Franklin, more than forty schools asked Tulsa Tech for the program but Sand Springs was selected, pending board approval. The program will also come with Tulsa Tech funding for a new teacher. 

CPHS Principal Stan Trout spoke to the crowd about a new Response to Intervention (RTI) initiative enacted at the school. The program recognizes three tiers of students. Tier One represents the 80% of students who are able to progress in their learning through core instruction and traditional class structure. Tier Two represents the 15% of students who require extra attention and supplemental instruction. Tier Three represents the 5% of students who require intense intervention, including but not limited to special education students and students with disciplinary issues. 

The fundamental belief of RTI is that schools shouldn't wait until students fall far enough behind to qualify for special ed or drop off the grid altogether before intervening. 

CPHS has also introduced a program called Inspire Challenge Empower (ICE). This is the second year of the program, which gives students an extra class period to pursue their own interests. On Tuesdays and Thursdays students are given time to visit teachers for extra help, work on makeup assignments, pursue hobbies and extracurricular activities, etc.

ICE was created in response to the school's restriction of off-campus lunch to upperclassmen. With split lunch periods, students were no longer able to hold club meetings and take makeup tests at the same time. Students have complete freedom of movement during ICE time, but are required to participate. Each student has an ICE card that is stamped by whatever teacher they visit and checked by their next hour's teacher.  Dozens of teachers host different sorts of activities that are posted online for students to view ahead of time. 

Trout invoked a quote from President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. "Do something. If it works, do more of it. If it doesn't, do something else." "We wanted to tie this in to our school culture," said Trout. The acronym references the school motto of "Challenge mind, inspire hearts, empower a community of learners." 

The Board also approved the hiring of a Title 1 Paraprofessional at Garfield STEAM Academy and a teacher at the Early Childhood Education Center.