SPS Families and Staff,

We generally try to keep these weekly updates positive, but in asking my peers what my introductory statements should be this week, they invariably said, “You have to talk smack.” I'm a little hesitant to do so, but as a child of the 80s and 90s, I feel well equipped for the task and I've got a long list of things that need to be taken down a peg or two. So let me start with Coldplay, ranch dressing, the movie The Godfather, and people who don't like Weezer. These four things are everything that's wrong with…

 

What's that? I AM talking smack. Huh? Oh… S.M.A.C.! Got it. That I can do too. 

 

So, anyway…

 

It’s SMAC Week! Stillwater Makes a Change (SMAC) is an amazing student group. For 16 years, this student run philanthropy group has been fundraising for local non profits, and has raised more than $1,440,000 in that time. 

 

Along the way, the students who step up to lead the group develop incredible skills - event management, interpersonal and professional relationship building, and marketing skills, all things that will be incredibly applicable to many career paths and future endeavors.  This year at the SMAC Gala I was struck by how polished the hosts and presenters were. Having worked at OSU for 20 years, I've seen a lot of young people speak, and I'd put this group on par with any of the developed college speakers, and many seasoned professionals that I've seen over the years. 

 

This year’s SMAC beneficiary is Payne County Youth Services, which is a private, non-profit outpatient community-based and substance abuse treatment provider, emergency shelter, and crisis services.  PCYS assists children, youth, young adults, and families to improve their overall quality of life. It’s an amazing organization that changes and saves lives.

 

SMAC has loads of FUNdraising activities throughout the year with the bulk of those happening this week. Monday’s fashion show, Tuesday board game night, and Wednesday’s Mangeant is always exciting. Have you ever wondered about the painted reserved spaces at SHS? Well there’s a parking auction this Friday that determines who gets those prime locations. There’s also restaurant dine nights. If you need an excuse to not cook, it can be to help out a good cause.

 

How can you help? Attend the events, restaurant nights, and activities listed in the calendar at the end of this message with a giant SMAC on the event names.

 

Oh, and be sure to talk SMAC to your friends so they know how they can help support PCYS too! 

 

Go Pioneers!

Barry Fuxa
PR & Communications Coordinator
Stillwater Public Schools

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Measles?!

Each time I see measles in the news, the line “Don’t call it a comeback” from LL Cool J’s “Mama Said Knock You Out” pops into my head. Measles is one of the most contagious diseases on the planet and can cause pneumonia, brain swelling (including seizures and brain damage), and other infections. Before the 1960s, nearly every child in the US contracted measles, and about 1-3 of every 1,000 died as a result of this serious illness. It most definitely does not need to make a comeback. 

While we have not had any cases of measles reported in our area, our nurses and Health Department officials would like me to remind you to take precautions to protect you and your family. 

• So please, watch for symptoms:

• Check out some health department resources about measles: drive.google.com/drive/folders/1hvYzHI3lTZT3_S1kada931iMM0P9SPVX?usp=sharing 

• Be aware of the latest CDC data:

• And… maybe, avoid west Texas for a while where around 200 cases have been identified this year.

 

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We are known for our Wind around here.

Listen, both the SHS and the OSU Wind Ensemble are performing a shared concert on Tuesday, March 11 at 7:00pm. If you’ve never heard our Wind Ensemble perform, you are missing out. Throw in OSU’s and you’ve got a night of some impressive music. For free. You can’t beat that. This is the kind of thing that can’t happen in many towns or schools, and one of the reasons we’re a Best Community for Music Education 8 years in a row. So come pack the PAC and enjoy some tunes.

 

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Stunt!

Lee Majors has nothing on these girls when it comes to stunts. (Kids, ask your parents or grandparents about that reference). 

This Wednesday is your only chance to see SHS Stunt compete in town this year as they take on Blanchard and Jenks at the JV and Varsity levels. If you haven’t seen a stunt competition, it’s kind of like cheer mixed with a dance off and a little bit of a rap battle feel. It’s fun to witness the incredibly impressive athleticism on display.  So come cheer on some of the students that do so much cheering for their peers!

 

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#PioneerProud

Congrats to our Pioneers on these amazing recent achievements.

• Big shout out to the 83 SMS and SJHS students who submitted essays for the Civics Bee. This is a great level of participation! Those essays were judged by the committee at the US Chamber of Commerce, and 20 students were selected to participate in the Live Local Competition.

  • Leena Atiyeh

  • Lyla Barnes

  • Gracie Essary

  • Ava Haar

  • Elizabeth Heiner

  • Abigail Hicks

  • Lucas Huber

  • Jase Jackson

  • William Kiespert

  • Jennifer Ku

  • Kinley Nixon

  • Kaplan Novy-Bean

  • Sarah Park

  • Isaac Ringsmuth

  • Sara Roberts

  • Landon Rogers

  • Kelly Sanchez-Fuentes

  • Harper Scott

  • Jayden Smith

  • Gwen Surratt

They’ll compete Thursday, March 27 at 6:00pm, and first through third place will advance to the State Competition set for May 12. First place at that competition will win a free trip to DC for nationals! 

• Congratulations to the SMS team for winning the fourth place at MATHCOUNTS State Competition!

• Stillwater Special Olympics Cheer placed second at Broken Arrow and will compete again at the Special Olympics Summer Games. 

• Girls Golf took home first place at the Stillwater Tournament

• Kyriana Beard and Preslee Watley-Kindt - Preslee was named the Central Area Star in Agriscience while Kyriana was named the Central Area Star in Ag Placement. Both will go on to compete for State Star Awards as one of only five finalists in their areas. The winners of these State Star Awards will win $30,000 scholarships!

• Shout out to that kid who tied his shoes for the first time this week.

 

 

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Coming up- Details of events at Stillwaterschools.com/calendar

• Tuesday, March 11

  • JH- Tennis Boys at Union (9th Grade Center)

  • HS- Soccer vs Mustang (JVG 3:30/ JVB Gold 4:40/ VG 6:00/VB 8:00)

  • HS - Pom Tryout Clinic 2025-26

  • HS - JV Baseball Gold at Southmoore DH (5:00/7:00)

  • Stillwater Board of Education Special Meeting

  • SHS & OSU Wind Ensembles

  • SMAC Board Game Night

• Wednesday, March 12

  • HS- Tennis Boys V at Union (9th Grade Center)

  • SMAC Fundraiser: Raising Canes

  • HS- Boys Golf JV at Guthrie Tussle (Cimarron Trails)

  • HS - Pom Tryout Clinic 2025-26

  • HS - STUNT

  • SMAC Mangeant

• Thursday, March 13 

  • SMAC Fundraiser: Sweat Yoga

  • HS & JH Robotics - State Tournament

  • SMAC Fundraiser: Stilly Nutrition Fix

  • HS- Track at Edmond North HS

  • HS- Tennis Girls V at Edmond Memorial HS

  • HS - Pom Tryout Clinic 2025-26

  • HS- Baseball vs Ponca City

  • HS- Soccer Girls at Hilldale (JV & V 5:30)

  • HS- JV Baseball Gold at Broken Arrow

  • HS- JV Baseball Blue vs Ponca City

• Friday, March 14 

  • HS & JH Robotics - State Tournament

  • HS- Tennis Boys & Girls V at Shawnee HS

  • JH- Soccer vs Choctaw (Girls 4:00 & 6:30, Boys 5:15 & 7:45)

  • HS- Soccer Boys at Hilldale (JV 4:30/V 7:30)

  • HS - Pom Tryouts 2025-26

• Saturday, March 15

  • HS- Baseball at Grapevine

  • HS- Baseball at Flower Mound Marcus

 

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Spring Break
Next week is Spring Break! No school March 17-21, and our district offices will be closed on Friday, March 21.

 

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PreK Enrollment
Opens Tuesday, March 25, 2025 at 8am. See the process and documents you’ll need at stillwaterschools.com/enroll 

 

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Family Engagement Night
Mark your calendars for a fun and informative Family Engagement Night the evening of  April 7, details coming soon.

 

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View or translate this update at / Ver o traducir esta actualización en / عرض هذا التحديث أو ترجمته على / 查看或翻译此更新，网址为 / دا اپډیټ په کښې وویئ یا یې وژباړئ  Stillwaterschools.com

SPS Families and Staff,

What a beautiful week we had last week! I daresay we might (fingers crossed, knock on wood) be out of the kind of winter weather that can keep us out of school. Spring weather, please be kind. 

 

This week, I spent a little time in the middle school. I know in all districts  the middle school and junior high years can be a little awkward, and I think very few consider those years their favorite part of their school experience, but I love so much about our middle school and the things that happen there. And I LOVE that so many of our teachers feel called to work with kids in these important formative years.

 

Electives -  at SMS, kids, with the guidance of their parents, get to start charting a path, exploring careers, discovering their passions. For instance, as 5th graders tried out music options, I could see on some of their faces the click of “oh, yeah, I think this is for me” as they drew, blew, beat, or belted out their first note.

Competitions - Robotics, sports, and other groups start to give our kids ways to push themselves to outperform their peers at other schools. And as a ’89 &’90 Mathcounts competitor, I was really happy to see that particular group added this year.

 

The height differences - From tiny frames to those taller than my nearly 6 feet, the differing growth rates, really make it a unique place in terms of just walking down the halls.

 

Kids being kids - While they are growing up, middle schoolers are still very much kids. It’s fun to see them being silly, playing, and still holding on to some of the carefree innocence of youth. I love how much they enjoy the new playground. 

 

But the thing I love most about SMS is that it’s the place where the children of Stillwater come together for the first time as Pioneers. In my home town we had three middle schools, and we competed against each other in athletic and academic competitions, all during those formative and awkward teen years. After we came together in tenth grade, my high school still felt pretty divided along middle school lines. That’s not something I really feel or have heard about in Stillwater, and I credit the way SMS and its staff work to bring them together.

 

While we have three 6th grade teams and three 7th grade teams at SMS to create smaller communities and maintain strong supportive relationships within the school, that concept doesn’t seem to keep them from feeling the pride and connection of being one united school.

 

Having had one child go through SPS from PreK through graduation and another about to enter middle school. I’m glad we do things the way we do, and can’t wait to be a middle school parent again.

 

Go Pioneers!

Barry Fuxa
PR & Communications Coordinator
Stillwater Public Schools

 

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Taste of Stillwater

Bring the whole family and join us for dinner featuring some of Stillwater’s most beloved restaurants! Taste of Stillwater presented by BancFirst features over 30 local restaurants. Enjoy so many tasty offerings; from pizza toMexican food to desserts and drinks of all kinds! Ticket holders are able to visit all of the vendors as much as they’d like to sample all of the delicious food available!

 

Tuesday, March 4

5:30-7:30pm

Payne County Expo Center

 

Participating Restaurants:

7-Eleven • Arby’s • Bad Brad’s BBQ • Chick-fil-A • Chico’s Taco Cantina • Duncan Catering Co. • D.P. Dough • Dutch Bros Coffee • El Tapitio • Empire Slice House • Eskimo Joe’s • Fired Up Stilly • Freddie Paul’s Steakhouse • Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers • Fuzzy’s Taco • Shop • Granny’s Kitchen • Hatch • Hideaway Pizza • Homeland Bakery • HteaO • Mariachi’s • Mexico Joe’s • Nothing Bundt Cakes • Olive Garden • OnCue • Purdy Q Mobile Smoke Pit • Raising Cane’s • Red Rock Bakery & Deli • Roscoe’s Feed Shack • Sandwich Planet • Stillwater Sweets • Taco Los Primos • Texas Roadhouse • Whataburger

 

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Speaking of Stillwater Middle School…

Wednesday and Thursday, SMS  Theatre presents The Little Mermaid Jr.

 

March 5 & 6

7pm

Stillwater Community Center

 

Tickets at the door - $7 General Admission or $5 with an SPS student or staff ID. Cash or Check only. Come support these talented kids and have a great time with your family.

 

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#PioneerProud

Congrats to our Pioneers on these amazing recent achievements.

• State FFA Degree Recipients

  • Kyriana Beard

  • Gabe Campbell

  • Brandt Gazaway

  • Oakley Gross

  • Kyle Ruehle

  • Adria Spaulding

  • Preslee Wattley-Kindt

• 200 IM State Champion Swimmer Elias Mendez

• Lady Pioneer Wrestling State Tournament Placements

  • Abbie Rivero -2nd

  • Loyalty Lockett - 4th

  • Kahliyah Enko -4th

• Stillwater Wrestling, your 2025 Oklahoma State Champions, with 7 individual state champions, 3 runners up, and Dee Lockett being named the Outstanding 6A Wrestler! Dee Lockett 4x State Champion

• Winter Guard Gold took 1st at Piedmont

 

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Coming up- Stillwaterschools.com/calendar

• Monday, March 3

  • HS- Tennis Boys V at Union (9th Grade Center)

  • HS- Girls Golf V & JV at Stillwater Country Club

  • JH & HS  - Cheer Clinic 2025-26

  • Band Night at Chipotle

  • HS- JV Baseball Blue at Owasso

  • HS- Baseball vs Owasso

  • HS- JV Baseball Gold at Owasso

  • JH HS Choir Concert

• Tuesday, March 4

  • Maintenance Workers Day

  • Mardi Gras

  • Taste of Stillwater

  • HS- Tennis Boys & Girls JV at Ponca City HS

  • HS- Soccer vs Choctaw (JVG 3:30/ JVB 4:40/ VG 6:00/ VB 8:00)

  • JH & HS  - Cheer Clinic 2025-26

  • HS- Baseball at Jenks

  • HS- JV Baseball Blue vs Jenks

  • HS- JV Baseball Gold vs Jenks

• Wednesday, March 5

  • Ash Wednesday

  • HS- Tennis Boys & Girls JV at Union (9th Grade Center)

  • JH & HS - Cheer Clinic 2025-26

  • SMS - Spring Musical - Disney's The Little Mermaid, Jr.

  • Stillwater Community Center

• Thursday, March 6

  • HS- Track at Deer Creek

  • HS- Soccer JV Gold Boys @ Edmond Memorial (5:30/7:00

  • JH- Soccer vs OKC Storm (Girls 6:00/ Boys 7:30)

  • SMS - Spring Musical - Disney's The Little Mermaid, Jr.

• Friday, March 7

  • HS- Tennis Girls V at Jenks HS

  • HS- Soccer @ Coweta Cup (JV Girls & JV Boys) (TBA)

  • JH & HS - Cheer Tryout

  • HS- Soccer vs Edmond Memorial (JVB Gold 4:40/ VG 6:00/VB 8:00)

  • HS- Baseball vs Enid (at Owasso Invitational)

• Saturday, March 8

  • Winter Guard at WGI Tulsa Regional

  • HS- Girls Golf V at Bixby (South Lakes- Jenks

  • HS- Tennis Boys V at Jenks HS

  • SMAC Pickleball Tournament

  • HS- Soccer @ Coweta Cup (JV Girls & JV Boys) (TBA)

  • HS- Baseball vs Oktaha (at Owasso Invitational)

 

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PreK Enrollment
Opens Tuesday, March 25, 2025 at 8am. See the process and documents you’ll need at stillwaterschools.com/enroll 

 

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