vide a variety of technology

devices that our teachers can

pick and choose from to put

together the best “toolbox”

for their classroom. We are

trying to stay away from a

“cookie cutter” approach in

equipping our classrooms.

Not all classes or teachers

operate the same, so what

works for one teacher and

classroom may not be the

best solution for another

classroom. With a well-

developed infrastructure and

a variety of hardware available

for each classroom, our teachers

will be more equipped to pro-

vide the best level of education

possible.

Future School Improvement

Projects

We will begin the process this

summer of looking at new pro-

jects to continue to improve the

look and function of our

schools. There are several pro-

jects that I have in mind, but

definitely would love to hear

from our community on pro-

jects that you feel would contin-

ue to move our school forward.

If you have any thoughts or

ideas on future projects, please

call or email me (Phone 918-

534-2241; email wil-

kins@dewey.k12.ok.us). Your

input is appreciated.

BOND ISSUE UPDATE

State Mandated Testing - Another Round The ongoing public conversation

the last decade about student

academic achievement measured

through student assessment has

grown to a local roar the past few

years. The controversy and con-

fusion generated in the process

seems to be unending as many

media reports confirm as well.

As we continue the statewide A-

F School District grading system,

it appears the annual tradition of

testing will continue for the fore-

seeable future. Our school dis-

trict grades for this past year

were delivered during the Fall

semester. All sites received a “B”

on their report card. ES received

a “B-”,MS a “B”, and HS a “B+”.

Testing for the 2014-2015 school

year already began again this year

in late November with retesting of

some High School students on

their required End of Instruction

exams. State Writing exams for

grades 5 & 8 will be administered

on February 24th-26th. All other

testing will begin in earnest in

April that will include Math and

Reading in grades 3-8, a few

other subjects in the Middle

School, and 7 End of Instruction

tests at the High School.

With the assessment of student

achievement being more high

stakes, both to the progress of

students and the evaluation of the

district, we continue to work with

both teachers, students and the

testing process to make sure we

have the best opportunity to

demonstrate all the good things

that are going on in the Dewey

School System.

January—February

March 2015

Volume

Public Schools

#1 Bulldogger Road, Dewey Oklahoma 74029 Ph. 1-918-534-2241 Fax 1-918-534-0149

Special points of

interest:

Bond Issue

Update

Snow Days

Student Testing

Yearbooks

OKCIS

Federal Funding

Inside this issue:

Gifted/Talented 2

Health Notes 2

Heartline 211 2

HS Counselor Info. 3

Directory Information 3

ACT 4

PreK-KINDERGARTEN 4

Technology in the Classroom

The projects associated with our

bond issue are quickly coming to

a close. The Baseball/Softball

indoor facility should be com-

pleted by mid-February and the

ag barn should also be finished

by spring time. I feel that the

remodel and additional facilities

are a great step forward for Dew-

ey Public Schools. Another step

forward that we will be taking

over the next year is the en-

hancement and further integra-

tion of technology in our class-

rooms. We have been working

to develop a plan for our infra-

structure that includes campus-

wide wireless internet, faster

servers and switches, and more

useful hardware that our students

and teachers can use in their

classrooms. Our goal is to pro-

Our gifted/talented program has undergone a

few changes this year under the direction of

Alyssa Henley. We now refer to the program as

GATE, Gifted And Talented Education. The

2014-2015 goal for GATE classes is to present

students with state of the art technology giving

them the opportunity to master skills that they

will need in high school, college, and future

careers. Our curriculum this year is set to intro-

duce and allow them to learn skill sets and be

comfortable with the building blocks of poten-

tial future college studies. We are currently dab-

bling in computer science (which reinforces

math, science, critical thinking and engineering

skills) and will be looking into graphic design in

the spring. Every week we work to utilize the

entirety of the class period to provide students

with a multitude of information allowing them

to build their foundation block by block. This

foundation will eventually assist them in making

educated and meaningful decisions for their

futures, career paths, and help them to prepare

their personal place in the global economy.

GATE is planning on evolving for High

School students. At this level, we will work to

develop a curriculum with provides these HS

students with opportunities for fieldtrips, confer-

ences, work-study days, and campus visits.

HOMECOMING Basketball Homecoming was Dec. 5th

Jaycie Nickerson- Queen

Blake Baughman - King Queen Attendant/Escort

Madison Brown & Spencer Hayes

Senior Attendant/Escort

Ceara Prather & Brian Black

Junior Attendant/Escort

Erin Herchock & Hunter Hines

Sophomore Attendant/Escort

Kiersten Vincent & Alfredo Lopez

Freshman Attendant/Escort

Morgan Richardson & Jacob Grauer

Crown Bearer: Madi Baughman

Basketball Bearer: Kanin Romesburg

HEALTHY?? Is it the “flu” or just a “cold”?? It

really does not matter since you

are going to feel lousy either way

and both just have to run their

course as they say.

A fever is more common with the

“flu”, as are headaches, aches,

pains and fatigue. While “colds”

more often have sore throats,

stuffy noses, sneezing and some

weakness. They both often have

coughing and chest pain. Some

general rules might help. Children

who are sick should be kept home

so that they can rest. Liquids,

some hot drinks can help. One of

the most important things that is

often overlooked is general hand

washing to stop the spread of the

virus and covering our mouths

when coughing. Also recommend-

ed is keeping hands away from

nose, mouth or eyes to avoid

spreading germs.

our “Career Plans” available on OKCIS for stu-

dents and parents to easily determine which

classes go with the students area of interest.

Research shows the earlier a student has a

“Plan” the more successful they will be at meet-

ing the requirements of that plan and of their

overall educational/career goals.

T o a c c e s s O K C I S g o t o

www.okcis.intocareers.org; our user name

is deweyps and our password is okcis587.

Once into the webpage you may set up your

own portfolio by clicking “my portfolio” and

establishing your own account.

For more information please contact,

Jack Golden, High School Counselor at 534

-0933, extension 232.

Career? College? Technical School? Interests? HS

Career Plans? What do all of these things have in

common? The answer is OKCIS or the Oklahoma

Career Information System. This is Oklahoma’s

newest comprehensive system that links career

explorations tools and career information. This

system allows students to gather information on

careers, colleges, universities, technical schools,

and to take self-evaluations to measure their inter-

ests and work values.

The OKCIS program is a wonderful tool for parents

and students to begin utilizing NOW. Students cre-

ate a portfolio in which they can save all their re-

searched material for future retrieval. Plus, begin

saving your community service, activities, awards,

and other valuable information to help with scholar-

ship applications before you are a Senior. Pre-

enrollment is coming this spring and we will have

Gifted/Talented Program

High School Offers OKCIS to all District Parents

“We make a

living by what

we get, we

make a life by

what we give.” Winston Churchill

Page 2

HEARTLINE 211 is a phone service partially funded through DHS to help

those in need make connections with those who can help. One call will pro-

vide an assessment of the family or individual needs and then they can help

make the connection to the right agency to help. This assessment usually

only takes 3 to 6 minutes to complete. For more information on how to use

this important tool please check out www.211oklahoma.org

Pennies for Patients campaign of The Leuke-

mia & Lymphoma Society for the entire Middle

School running from Feb. 16th to 27th — please

support us by donating some extra change.

8Th Grade Participate in Enrichment Activities Our school participates with local agencies to pro-

vide unique training opportunities for our youth.

The United Methodist Women of Dewey will host

the annual day of enrichment for the 8th grade girls

in March. This consists of various real life situa-

tions such as manners, etiquette, setting a proper

table, sewing, infant care, self defense, teamwork

and craft. While girls will be spending their day off

campus, the boys will also participate on campus

with similar activities. Various organizations are

invited to share in such activities as fly fishing, fly

tying, drug and alcohol, kite making, careers and

good choices. If anyone is interested in assisting or

bringing an organization to our school, contact To-

na Wood or Leta Moreland at 534-3800 x 5.

“Nine-tenths of wisdom

consists of being wise in

the use of our time.”

Theodore Roosevelt

A typical lightning bolt is two to

four inches wide and two miles long.

The world's first speed limit regula-

tion was in England in 1903. It was

20 mph

Any month that starts on a Sunday

will have a Friday the 13th in it.

If the sun stopped shining suddenly,

it would take eight minutes for peo-

ple on earth to be aware of the fact.

Ten inches of snow equals one inch

of rain in water content.

The metal instrument used in shoe

stores to measure feet is called the

Brannock device.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Will it be Technical Training, College or the

Military? Students need to consider options

to increase workforce skills. Parents can

schedule an appointment with the counse-

lor to discuss post high school options. The

old adage, “When we Fail to Plan, we Plan

to Fail” does really apply in life too.

Middle School News

SENIORS & GRADUATION

DIRECTORY INFORMATION

Under the No Child Left Behind

Act of 2001, schools are re-

quired to provide access to sec-

ondary school students’ name,

addresses, and telephone list-

ings when requested by military

recruiters and institutions of

higher learning. The student or

parent has the right to request

that the student’s information

not be released without prior

written consent. Parents must

file such a request with the office

if they do not want this infor-

mation released or will it be re-

leased upon request as noted

above. Schools are required to

provide military recruiters the

same access as is provided to

postsecondary educational institu-

tions or to prospective employers.

Consequences for school non

compliance includes notification

of state authorities and eventual

loss of federal funding. Any ques-

tions regarding this requirement

can be directed to the High School

office or High School counselor.

High School Counselor Provides Additional Information

The High School will also

participate in Pennies for

Patients campaign of The

Leukemia & Lymphoma

Society from Feb. 2-13. Be

generous as we count our

blessings and remember

those who face challenges.

Please view the HS school web

page for more information and

continual updates of useful

information.

The High School

Library has ACT

preparation

software for

student access in

the library,

computer lab and

counselor’s office.

Check it out!!

Page 3

Honor Society

The Dewey Chapter of the National

Honor Society will be inducting new

members from the Sophomore class this

spring, who are in the upper 10% of the

class or have a 3.5 overall grade point

average and are involved in the communi-

ty. Current local chapter membership is

around 20 students. Date and time of the

ceremony will be posted on the website

once it has been determined.

NHS sponsors Bowl for Kids Sake

and recently completed a Christmas Do-

nation Drive for the Concern Center.

Mr. Golden is Chapter sponsor.

“I Didn’t Know That!”

SCHOOL

INFO

GRAB

BAG

INDIAN EDUCATION: These programs provide in-

school tutoring for all grade levels, school supplies, and reim-

bursement for senior caps and gowns, A.C.T. and S.A.T test

fees. The Johnson O’Malley program requires a copy of the

student’s Indian card, or tribal registration card, each student

must have a copy of his or hers own Indian card. The Title

VII Federal program only requires that the parents fill out a

form stating the tribal ancestry of the student with no docu-

mentation needed. For information about these programs, con-

tact Shawn Matheson, at 534-3800, ext. 213.

YEARBOOKS: Parents of students in grades 9-12 should

have received, in the mail from Josten’s, a chance to purchase

a school yearbook. Students filled out forms marking yes or

no. If the student marked no, parents will receive one notice

in the mail to purchase a yearbook. Parents of students who

marked yes will receive 3 reminders in the mail. Parents may

pay using check, money order, or credit card. Contact the

yearbook staff at 534-0933, extension 235 with any questions.

KINDERGARTEN or PreK: PreK enrollment for 2014-15

school year for both Dewey residents as well as non-residents

will be held March 23 through 27.

A date for mandatory readiness screenings for all students, not

currently enrolled in Dewey Pre-K, entering Kindergarten for

the 2015-2016 school year will be announced soon. Please

check the Dewey Schools website or contact the Elementary

office. Students who will turn 5 years old before September 1,

2014 will be expected to attend this screening which will also

include vision and hearing assessments. Parents should call

534-3800, ext 220 to set up an appointment and receive a pre–

enrollment packet. Kindergarten students are required to have

5 doses of DTP, 4 doses of Polio, 2 doses of MMR as well as

2 doses of Hepatitis A, 3 doses of Hepatitis B and 1 dose of

Varicella (Chicken Pox) vaccine. The Health Dept. gives

these immunizations, free of charge, by appointment call 335-

3005.

ACT: Students interested in taking the ACT can access

the ACT website at www.actstudent.org. At the site, students

can check testing dates, registration deadlines and fees, and

register for upcoming tests. Dewey's school code is 371-055.

ACT Test Gear: Free ACT online program also available at

www.bridges.com Site ID # 0104563 password is “dewey”.

Other

School

Notices NO SMOKING: We would like to remind parents that

our school campus is designated as “Smoke Free”. We re-

quest that all parents and others observe the “No Smoking

Policy” while on the school grounds between the hours of 7

am to 4 pm. Especially while picking up students in school

parking lots, on playgrounds or other areas of the school

grounds. Please extinguish all cigarettes and properly dis-

pose of them before arriving on school grounds. Thank You.

NURSE NOTES: Unfor tunately, Mrs. Conn, our school

nurse, resigned prior to the Winter Break to pursue other op-

portunities. We are currently in the process of speaking with

candidates and hope to have a new school nurse on campus

soon. We wish all the best to Mrs. Conn and thank her for her

service to the students and families of Dewey Schools.

SNOW DAYS: Luckily we have not had to miss any days

this year due to inclement weather. We advise parents that in

the event we need to cancel school, although unlikely with

the additional minutes of instruction included in this year’s

schedule, extra days could possibly be added to the end of the

school year. Families should not plan end of the year trips,

vacations, activities, etc without some cushion as to when

the end of school will really occur, especially since our

weather in Oklahoma is so unpredictable.

Also, it should be noted that only in the most extreme cir-

cumstances would school be “let out early” as weather devel-

ops during the school day. Sending students home early pos-

es a greater problem for many working parents than keeping

their children at school until 3:15.

SCIENCE FAIR: Dewey elementary will host a science

fair on January 15th for all 4th and 5th graders. The public is

welcome to attend open viewing from 12:00 to 3:00 pm.

GENERAL CALENDAR NOTES: Grades cards for the

First Semester will be distributed on January 9th. January

19th classes will not be held due to Staff In-Service Train-

ing held that day. February 17 & 19 Parent/Teacher Con-

ferences will be held at all building sites from 4:00 to 7:00

pm each night. No School on February 20. No School March

13 for Staff In-Service followed by Spring Break March 16

-20. PTO Dad’s Breakfast March 25 from 7:00-8:15am.

March 23-27 Elem. Book Fair.