The Weatherford superintendent and principals gave their monthly updates on projects and activities happening in the district during the school board meeting Monday evening.
Superintendent Steven Callen said the district continues to be in good financial standing.
The bond projects also are making good progress, especially considering the recent uptick in supply prices and decrease in material availability.
“We could not have asked for better timing than when we passed the bond,” Callen said. “If we would have waited, it would have changed our whole bond process. We have the prices for the elementary schools locked in, so we feel really good about it.”
Callen also said the project managers are planning ahead to make sure the material is sourced and ready when needed.
The high school track and turf project also is progressing nicely. The timeline has a few days built in to account for inclement weather, so it still should be done in time for football season.
Bids for the concession stand and track and field house projects were opened Thursday. The board may call a special meeting next week to accept a bid.
The Weatherford Middle School gym, which was damaged during the freezing weather in February, has been completed and is being used.
Callen said while the principals would speak about the students’ recent accomplishments, he wanted to recognize the parents, especially the senior parents, for making it through the challenges of this school year.
“We could not have done it without good parents and community support,” he said. “I might say a little extra for the senior parents. The past year with their kids finishing high school has looked a little different, and I know they dealt with a lot, so I want to congratulate them as well.”
Burcham Principal Brooke Brown said this is the “fun” time of the year as students participate in a variety of spring activities.
The Burcham Carnival went smoothly and brought in more people and money than any previous year.
“I want to say a big ‘thank you’ to the faculty, parents, community and everyone who made that day so great,” Brown said.
Next up is the end-of-year reading award parties, which will continue into next week.
East Elementary Principal Brad Howl and West Elementary Principal Robyn Randol said the schools have finished up their ACT Aspire testing and state testing. Parents should be receiving letters regarding the reading sufficiency and other test results soon.
Students from East and West attended the middle school’s production of “The Little Mermaid Junior” last week, which Howl said was the first time many of them left the building for a school activity this past year.
For teacher appreciation last week, teachers were treated to long lunches and snacks.
Randol said the Deer Creek Conservation District was able to give a smaller version of its annual presentation at the school site. This event typically is held at Rader Park.
The Weatherford Middle School and High School bands had their annual concert Tuesday evening at the Performing Arts Center. The event originally was scheduled outdoors on the high school campus, but it was moved indoors due to weather.
WMS graduation was Thursday evening at the WHS gymnasium. It also was live streamed on the school’s Facebook page.
Principal Doug Gunselman said the school is having a retirement reception for Pat Lightfoot, Todd Gaunt, Laurie Crall and Bryan Flaming 4-5:30 p.m. Monday in the Performing Arts Center lobby.
The annual WMS Talent Show is 9 a.m. Tuesday at the PAC. Performances will include a bit featuring Gunselman, School Resource Officer Justin Bushong and other staff members.
The end-of-year day of awesomeness is Wednesday, which also is the last day of school for the 2020-21 school year.
Gunselman said Teacher Appreciation Week went well, and teachers received many cards and gifts. He also said faculty was treated to food, drink and candy all week long.
Fifth graders were able to visit the middle school in preparation for next year. The eighth grade class also had the opportunity to tour the high school.
High School Principal Garrett Smith said the school participated in SPUD Week, a fundraiser sponsored by Key Club. The proceeds would be used to purchase medical equipment for a local student.
Activities included an ice cream sale, talent show, softball games and powder puff football game.
Friday morning was the senior awards ceremony. The WHS graduation ceremony is 11 a.m. today at the gymnasium. Doors open at 10:15 a.m. and seating will be first come, first serve. The event also will be livestreamed.
The WHS ag program has had several state award winners and five seniors received their State FFA Degrees. For more information on these awards, see the May 15 edition of the Weatherford Daily News.
The WHS One Act team will compete in the state competition this weekend. The team qualified with “The Raven,” which was adapted from the titular poem by Egar Allen Poe.
Student Resource Officer Bushong also gave a quick report.
The district introduced the Stop It app this year for students to anonymously report incidents. Bushong said there were 15 total incidents reported this year, and all were taken care of within a couple of days.
He also said he has been talking with the Weatherford Police Department about creating information videos regarding the app to get the word out earlier next year than they did this year.
Traffic plans for next school year also are in the works.