A Message from the Principal. . .

Dear Choctaw Elementary Parents,

Welcome to Choctaw Elementary, home of the Yellowjackets!  Our theme this year is “CE Superstars”!  I would like to be the first to share with you what a “Superstar” staff we have.  They are committed to “polishing” your twinkling stars by providing a safe and nurturing environment and creating opportunities for your child to “shine”.

At Choctaw Elementary, we shoot for the moon and reach for the stars.  Our staff is committed to attaining high student achievement through their equally high expectations.  We base our curriculum on the state of Oklahoma's Priority Academic Student Skills (PASS).  These skills can be located by accessing the State Department of Education website, www.sde.state.ok.us.  We provide a strong curriculum in the regular educational setting with additional resources as needed.  Our special education department is staffed with a team that is second to none.  Our state report card and student achievement test scores reflect the high expectations we have for student learning.  Congratulations students, for a job well done on state testing. 

We are continuing as a "Schools for Healthy Lifestyles" and are excited about gaining new resources and training to increase awareness among the school community regarding maintaining healthy and physically fit lifestyles.  Teachers continue to discuss ways to build activities into the classroom routine that will provide students short mental and physical breaks, to allow them to refocus on the tasks at hand.  Learning and keeping fit can be fun!

This year, we will continue our full day Kindergarten program.  In addition, we have staffed and furnished an additional first grade classroom. Please join me in welcoming Mrs. Widener to the CE family.   Choctaw Elementary has seen a lot of growth over the summer.  The building was updated with new lighting, lowered ceilings and new tile as well as new signage.  We are also seeing fabulous progress on our new library and a lot of new construction that will soon be our new main entrance and office area thanks to your support of the bond projects.   The district has been very supportive in making sure that all of these new projects are going as smoothly as possible. 

Technology continues to be an area in which we strive to improve.  Beginning this year, we are starting with installation of state-of-the-art interactive projectors.  Our PTO has been very instrumental in helping us to obtain this high-tech equipment.  In addition a SMART Board, projector, document camera and other technologies were also installed in our Title I classroom.  Our hope is to continue fundraising, grant writing projects, and working with the P.T.O. to install more interactive projectors in the classrooms.  This technology will engage the students in interactive learning and provide for integrated learning opportunities.  With this in mind, I would like to invite all of our wonderful parents to become an active member in the PTO.  Our PTO is actively assisting teachers and students at CE in many different ways. 

Continuing this year, parents will be provided with a way to view their child’s grades throughout the year.  You will be able to go access your child’s account through the Power School Parent Portal to view not only their academic progress, but also their current lunch account.  This system is available for grades 2-5.  In conjunction with the district, we will also continue our Accelerated Reader reading program.  We are very excited about parents being able to log onto the Home Connect portion of the program from their home to see the books their child is reading, and how well they are testing on them!  You will be able to see a virtual library of your child’s reading selections, determine what new vocabulary words they are learning as they read, and monitor reading comprehension.  While it is our second year, it is still new to us, so please touch base with your child’s teacher if you have questions.

At Choctaw Elementary, the students, parents, and staff have been able to form close bonds.  As a small school of 375 students, we enjoy a large family-type atmosphere.  We know that parents are the first and foremost teacher in their child's life.  I appreciate the value you place on education and your willingness to work with the CE staff members.  Your willingness to collaborate with others in planning school events will create fond memories for you and your child.  With you, we will continue to build a community of life long learners.  Choctaw Elementary is a great place to be!

Sincerely,