Greetings Maroon Family!
Can you believe that we have just completed the first quarter of the 2022-2023 school year? Time flies when you are a high-performing, high-achieving, incredibly supported school!
It sure seems like we spend a lot of time talking about things that can be a distraction from teaching and learning, so I’d like to share an inside look at the positive things going on at Perry Public Schools. Let’s take a moment to focus on academics, athletics, activities, students and staff. In other words, I want to talk education.
Perry Lower Elementary School is diligently focusing on research-based instructional strategies that will have the greatest impact on accelerated learning to help bridge learning gaps most effectively and efficiently. Students are also learning self-efficacy strategies. They are taking on leadership roles such as speaking/performing in front of their peers in class and during monthly student assemblies. They work in small groups to collaborate on learning activities, such as reading, creative writing, and problem solving.
WIN (What I Need) time at Perry Upper Elementary School is proving to be essential in terms of learning. WIN is dedicated time set aside for students that need academic interventions, as well as academic enrichment to meet each individual student. Students get the instruction they need at their learning level and they also get the support they need to be successful. It allows them the opportunity to focus and work towards individualized learning.
The upper elementary also uses STAR reading and math assessments to monitor progress and benchmark data to support students based on their level of learning and again, provide appropriate interventions or enrichment. The growth our students demonstrate when school is in session is incredible.
Thanks to the Malzahn Family, representatives from Oklahoma State University have linked up with Perry Upper Elementary and Perry Junior High staff to incorporate STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education in these two buildings. We are the first school to partner with OSU to pilot this exciting new program. We just recently launched the program within the last month, so stay tuned for more updates coming soon!
Perry Junior High is taking full advantage of federal funds associated with COVID to work individually with students that may have experienced loss of learning due to the pandemic. This is proving to be extremely instrumental in terms of students “catching up,” and at the same time, allows the classroom teachers to move forward. We have seen an improvement in student learning and achievement by doing this. PJH has also transformed their lunch period by offering two lunch periods this year. This schedule has created an opportunity for students to get additional help and support, which is positively affecting the school climate.
We are always seeking to improve academically and are exploring potential new opportunities for assessments and growth. We have plans to work with NWEA to launch MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) testing at Perry High School. This will be a valuable tool for assessing our current status and charting growth as we seek to improve and enhance academically. We have just begun to have conversations regarding this initiative, but look forward to implementing it in the future.
Perry High School has 39 students taking concurrent courses this year, and that number continues to increase. Our high school students are impressive in and out of the classroom. Recently, the PHS Cheer team was named Academic State Champions for the third year in a row! Our Maroons are highly respected across the state, in all sports. Not to mention, the Perry Marching Band is second to none.
As you can see, Perry Schools has incredible staff leading these efforts and planning for the future. They are committed and caring. They show up each and every day, sometimes evenings and weekends! They work throughout the summer. They spend time collaborating with one another. They seek opportunities to grow professionally. All of this is done to provide the best education for the students that attend Perry Public Schools.
Great things are happening here and we could not do it without your support.
Our focus is on learning. It will always be on learning. After all - The Future of America Is Being Determined Here.