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SPS Staff and Families,

 

October is Principal Appreciation Month. This month, we celebrate our incredible principals who work tirelessly to create safe, supportive, and inspiring environments for our students. Principals play a vital role in guiding our schools, fostering a sense of community, and ensuring every child has the opportunity to succeed. During this time, we encourage you to join us in expressing gratitude for their dedication, leadership, and commitment to excellence. Please take a moment to send a message or stop by to thank your child’s principal for all they do to make Stillwater Public Schools a great place to learn and grow.

 

I Love Stillwater - Voting

As a former civics teacher, I’ve always been passionate about the importance of voting and how it shapes our society. One of the things I’m especially proud of in our community is our strong voter turnout. Stillwater has a history of active civic participation, and the upcoming election provides yet another opportunity for us to make our voices heard and shape the future of our community, state, and country. Whether it's federal, state, or local elections, your vote plays a crucial role in ensuring that our democracy remains strong.

I encourage parents to remind their children to register to vote if they will be 18 or older by Election Day, November 5. Even if they are 17 today, they can still register, as long as they will be 18 by the time of the election. This is a fantastic way for young people to begin participating in civic life and making their voices heard from the very start of adulthood.

Depending on where you live, exactly what appears on your ballot will vary, but all voters will see the presidential/vice presidential ticket, state corporation commissioner, judicial retention,  and state questions. Additionally, your ballot will likely include state senator and/or state representative elections, along with possible local propositions to consider.

No matter how you feel about specific candidates in any given contest, or how you think a particular part of the election will go, your vote matters, especially on those down-ballot issues that are more likely to be close contests. In some cases, ties even occur, and in some places, those ties are determined by a coin flip. Your vote is better than random chance, so please exercise that right.

As we approach Election Day on November 5, here are some important dates to keep in mind:

• TODAY! - October 11: Last day to register to vote.
• October 21: Deadline to request an absentee ballot.
• October 30 to November 2: Early voting period.

If you need more information on voting procedures, please visit the OK Voter Portal.

I’d also like to take a moment to express my appreciation for the Payne County Election Board for their diligent work in supporting our community's voters. Their office is located at 315 W. 6th Ave., Suite 207, Stillwater, OK 74074, and they can assist with any election-related questions or needs.

Let’s all make sure we’re prepared for Election Day and continue our tradition of high voter turnout. Every vote truly matters!

Capital Projects

At this month’s board meeting, Operations provided an update on various capital improvement projects.

OES (Operations and Educational Services) -----
Phase 1 renovations to our multifunction space at Perkins and Richmond Road continue. 

• Child Nutrition has moved into their new offices
• Technology’s space should be complete soon, allowing them to vacate the last of our Cimarron Plaza space in mid November and prepare that for demolition
• Plans are progressing on OES Phase 2, which will eventually relocate Transportation to that site

MAINTENANCE PROJECTS-----

• Richmond & SJHS roofing and mechanical projects are finishing up
• Fieldhouse, wrestling room, and stadium reroofing is complete
• PAC reroofing is at about 80% complete.

NEW SHS -----

• Public infrastructure improvements construction is ongoing
• All the piers on the main building are complete
• Starting on piers for the performing arts wing
• Foundations and plumbing work has begun
• Above ground structure construction should start soon

PERFORMING ARTS WING -----
In September, we shared some plans with the board for the new SHS’s Performing Arts Wing that should be opening midway through the ’26-’27 school year. The floorplan seen here is rotated 90 degrees (North is on the right). We’re excited to be able to include this portion at the new HS.

 

 

Pioneer Proud

Congrats to Softball on winning the regional tournament with back-to-back amazing games. They are headed to State! While Thursdays 7-5 victory over the Tigers was impressive and exciting, but I really want to highlight their Wednesday night victory. By the bottom of the third, the Lady Pioneers were down 14 runs. Most teams wouldn’t come back from that. By the bottom of the 7th, the Lady Pioneers had prevented their opponents from scoring and racked up 7 more runs, and in that last possible time to play, they scored an amazing 8 runs to win the game. It was an impressive lesson in never giving up and another reason to be Pioneer Proud!

 

First Responders and Military Appreciation Night

This Friday 10.11.24 is First Responder and Military Appreciation Night at Pioneer Stadium, You won't want to miss the helicopter delivering the game ball at 6:30!

Military/First Responders  -  Free entry for all current and past military and first responders along with one guest. Please enter through the fence gate at the south end of the track (closest to the high school). Those wishing to be recognized at approximately 6:40 during pregame may join us on the field.

 

 

Coming Up - Stillwaterschools.com/calendar

• Sat, Oct 12
  • Dussehra & Yom Kippur
  • Sangre Fundraiser - Tommy's Car wash
  • Marching Band - Renegade Review (Tulsa Union)
  • SPS Hispanic Heritage Event at SMS
• Mon, Oct 14
  • Indigenous Peoples Day and Columbus Day
  • HS - Football 9th/JV vs. Westmoore (9th 5:30 / JV 7:00)
  • MS Choir Concert 7pm
• Tues, Oct 15
  • HS - Cross Country COAC at Deer Creek
  • HS - Volleyball Regional at Moore
  • JH - Cross Country Conference at Deer Creek (TBD)
  • MS/JH - Football 7th/8th Grade vs. Mustang Central (7th 5:30 / 8th 7:00)
• Wed, Oct 16
  • No School - Fall Break Teacher Professional Development
• Thurs, Oct 17
  • No School - Fall Break 
  • HS - Football Varsity at Choctaw
• Thurs-Sat, Oct  17-19
  • Lady Pioneer HS Softball to State Tournament - Details TBA
• Fri, Oct 18
  • No School - Fall Break
• Sun, Oct 20
  • FFA-Cans 4 Community 5K Race

 

 

I love Stillwater,

 

Uwe Gordon
Superintendent 
Stillwater Public Schools