We have already accomplished so many things in the 2022 school year, and we are continuing to push for excellence. Our HS ineligible list has significantly dropped since last year at this time. We contribute that to our new ZAP program and the parental support in reaching the students. We appreciate the parents’ efforts in helping with this endeavor. Our HS academic team went 3-2 at the Grady County meet, and Mr. Bauman, academic coach, said that is an improvement from last year as well. Our HS softball team had 3 members named for all-conference. Congrats to Triniti Black, Clara Wright, and Carma Tucker. The 3rd-6th grade basketball teams have made their basketball debut, and they have a short yet busy season ahead. The JH football team is about to wrap up their season. The HS football team has several games left to watch and Senior night will be Oct. 29th. The FFA/4H stock show members have already done well at the Tulsa State fair, and it’s just the beginning. Our BETA club and TSA is in full swing of leadership conferences and community outreach opportunities. As I mentioned, there are great and exciting things happening at APS.
October is a month for tests. The State Regents offered a free ACT for our 10th-12th graders, and we had 40 students sign up. I was very excited to have so many students take time out of their week to take the ACT. The students will be able to use these test scores for college entrance and concurrent enrollment. Several of the students are using a program called CERT to do ACT prep. We hope the knowledge they gain from that course will help them with this test and future ACT exams. Seven students signed up to take the The PSAT on Oct. 26th. The PSAT is a test to determine National Merit Scholars, and this test can be used for admission to concurrent enrollment as well. Early November, our Juniors will take the ASVAB which is a career exploration program. We will have several military branches here to administer that test.
Our School/Parent success meetings started last month. We had elementary and HS parents represented, but they were few in number. We would love for our number to grow for our October meeting which will be on Oct. 12th from 6:30-7:00. Next week we have parent teacher conferences on Monday and Tuesday from 4-8, so you will be able to meet with your child’s teacher and make it to the school/parent success meeting. During parent-teacher conferences I will be available to meet with you if you didn’t make it to our student success meetings held in August. I covered a lot of information pertaining to your child’s academic year. Please email me if you would like to set up a time to meet. We are trying to offer a number of avenues for our parents to feel welcome, and to be able to come together as a community.
October is also Fire Prevention Month. Our local volunteer firefighters have an opportunity to meet with our elementary students to discuss fire safety this week. They usually let the students see their truck and their gear. We appreciate our firefighters who come to make visits. It certainly helps in case they have to see them in an emergency situation.
As we continue to make strides in making 2022 the best year yet, we want to make sure we are meeting the needs of our students. Mr. Doty and I meet with large groups, small groups, and individuals to guide students academically, socially, and emotionally. I am starting up a “lunch with the counselor” this month. We will have a plethora of topics that will be discussed after a student/teacher needs’ assessment is returned. Students will be grouped by age. I look forward to spending more quality time with students and getting to know them even better. We always thank you for giving us the opportunity to teach and love your children. Teaching is a calling, and I can say, without a doubt, we have the best at Alex Public Schools.
Looking forward to a great Fall season,
Mrs. Byrne