A NASA astronaut is going to be coming to Henryetta.
School superintendent Dwayne Noble said the astronaut arrival January 28 is being provided by the Tulsa STEM Alliance. “He will be visiting with students in different grade levels,” Noble said. “What better person to have for STEM?”
At the January 14 board meeting, the superintendent announced the school received a $10,000 STEM grant. “We have had multiple STEM grants and it is nice to get extra money for our program.”
He described a recent visit to the STEM classes by administrators and teachers from the Atoka schools. “It was interesting to hear them talk about how far we have come in the past couple of years. They were impressed with our facilities and curriculum,” he said.
School board member Brandi Brown said there needs to be more information and publicity about the STEM program. Elementary principal Jaymie Matlock said there are plans to do a science fair for fifth graders this year.
The $129,156 donation from the Stubbs trust was officially received. That donation was made prior to the school dismissal for the Christmas holidays.
School officials will be studying uses for the money and have said they want the funds to have a positive effect on as many students as possible for years to come.
Board members also acknowledged receipt of $91,631 in state aid and federal funds. That money will be going to the school’s general fund.
High school principal Kelly Furer said there are plans to hold a college and career day for the students later this year.
“We want to have graduates from last year present to talk to our seniors and tell them what was challenging for their first year.” She explained that would provide information for the seniors to make a decision to continue their education.
The preliminary ACT scores from tests taken by junior and sophomore students have been received and Furer said teaches are trying to help those scores improve. “The scores are coming in at 17.3 average and we want to work toward maintaining a score of 19 across the board.”
She announced Kira Hardgrave was the teacher of the month for the high school.
Elementary principal Jayme Matlock said students participating in the Lions Club canned food drive far outdid expectations. The students had a goal of four cans each but instead provided over 3,000 cans. “The Lions Club is proud of us,” she added.
Elementary students will be competing in the local spelling bee Feb. 1 in the high school auditorium at 9:30 a.m.
Board members approved the resignation of Alissa Pucket from the elementary school effective Dec. 15, 2018. In her letter she said health reasons were the issue.
The board gave approval for middle school special education teacher Tina Berry to be an adjunct math teacher for three hours a day.