Our Life Skills class took their learning on the road this week with an incredibly insightful visit to Ted Cox, CPA! 📊
The students dove deep into real-world financial literacy, starting with a great question about the best ways to file taxes. It was an eye-opening session as the class learned about the value of local expertise and the importance of understanding your paycheck.
The group walked away with some essential "tax hacks" for young workers:
Filing Smarter: Learning the difference between using a local CPA versus a big-name retail tax chain.
Withholding 101: Understanding how to properly fill out a W-4 to ensure they aren't having too much (or too little) tax taken out of their checks.
Self-Employment Tips: A great breakdown of the responsibilities that come with 1099 jobs, including setting aside money for Social Security and Medicare.
A huge thank you to Ted Cox for hosting our Dragons and empowering them with the skills to manage their future finances with confidence! 🐉💰
⏳ Don’t wait — once they’re gone, they’re gone!
Give your student something they can look back on for years to come. ❤️
👉 Order today at Balfour.com and make sure their memories last a lifetime.
Today, we celebrated two more Dragon athletes who signed to continue their athletic careers at the next level!
Landon Clarke is headed to Oklahoma Panhandle State to play Football!
Guillermo Martinez has signed with Randall University to continue his soccer career!
Both Landon and Guillermo have represented themselves and Purcell High School with great class, and we are wishing them continued success at the next level!
#GoDragons
Coach Matt Lohn would like to invite all 1st through 6th grade Dragons (boys) to join him at the Reimer Center on May 26th-28th as we grow the game during Skills Camp 2026. Cost is $50 per camper, and includes this year's camp t-shirt!
Please see attached flyer for further details, or email Coach Lohn at lohnm@purcellps.org.
GO DRAGONS!
HS and JH Baseball games have been canceled!
HS Slowpitch has been canceled as well!
We are thrilled to announce that Brian Fitzgerald will be joining us as the new Purcell High School Assistant Principal and District Athletic Director. Brian brings a wealth of experience and a deep passion for student success both in the classroom and on the field. We are excited for the energy and vision he brings to our administrative team and our athletic department. Please join us in giving Brian a warm Purcell welcome!
Being named to the Top 10% is a prestigious achievement that reflects four years of relentless hard work, late-night studying, and an unwavering dedication to academic excellence. These students have consistently set the bar high, and we couldn't be prouder of the legacy of scholarship they are leaving behind at PHS. Your grit and determination have paid off—congratulations on this incredible milestone!
📢 Attention Top 10% Seniors: There will be a brief, mandatory meeting Wednesday (4/15) during lunch in Mrs. Findley’s room. Please be prompt so we can go over some important information.
This week in Mrs. Resendiz’s class, students participated in a special "Show and Tell" to kick off their study of the novel The House on Mango Street. Students were asked to bring in an item from home that represents who they are or where they come from—mirroring the themes of identity and heritage found in the book.
Both Mrs. Resendiz and her students loved the experience! It was a powerful, interactive way to connect their personal stories to the characters they are about to meet. Great job, Mrs. Resendiz, on creating such a meaningful and fun lesson to launch this next novel!
This week, Purcell High School had two Seniors who signed to further their academic and extra-curricular careers at the collegiate level!
Jaxson Staggs signed with Murray State and will be joining their Show Team!
Dylan Smith signed with Butler College and will be joining their 2026 Football Team!
Congratulations to both Jaxson and Dylan, and we look forward to seeing the great things they continue to accomplish!
#GoDragons
What an incredible day for the Brew Crew! ☕️✨
Our students were at the top of their game Tuesday, providing world-class service and sharing the story of Dragon Brew with some very distinguished guests. The crew had the opportunity to serve coffee, frappes, and cake pops to Lori Chesnut (OSDE), Lisa Toth (The Hidden Workforce), RISE Staffing, and board members of Oklahoma APSE.
A major highlight of the day was when the students introduced themselves to Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond and sold him some of our famous Dragon Brew coffee! 🐉☕️
Beyond the sales, these students acted as true ambassadors for Purcell High School, sharing their personal experiences and the history of how our student-led coffee shop came to be. I am beyond proud of their professionalism, their hard work, and the way they represent the very best of our "Brew Crew."
Mr. Gray is a cornerstone of our social studies department, serving as the History Department Chair and bringing the past to life for our students. Whether he is diving into deep historical analysis or exploring culture through his History through Films class, he has a unique gift for making learning both engaging and meaningful.
His leadership among our faculty and his dedication to his students make Purcell High School a better place every single day. Thank you, Mr. Gray, for your expertise, your hard work, and your commitment to the Dragons!
Mayra is a vital part of our Dragon family, serving as our high school Spanish teacher and the dedicated sponsor of the Spanish Club. Her passion for language and culture, combined with her heart for her students, creates a classroom environment where everyone feels seen and supported.
Whether she is leading a club meeting or helping a student master a new conjugation, Mayra’s commitment to excellence and her "all-in" attitude for PHS make her so deserving of this honor. We are beyond proud to have her on our team!
Congratulations, Mayra! Thank you for everything you do for our students and staff! 🐉❤️
In addition to testing, it is Assistant Principal Week, and we want to give a huge shoutout to our HS Dean of Students, Mr. Aaron Dillard. Thank you, Mr. Dillard, for everything you do for our staff and students!
Our activities calendar is just as busy with Soccer, Golf, Track, FFA Speech Competitions, plus we are proud to host the Baseball Heart of Oklahoma Tournament (HOOT) starting Thursday, and much more. Let’s have a great week and show that Dragon Pride in everything we do! 🐉✨
At Purcell High School, we truly hit the jackpot. We are so incredibly grateful to be blessed with the very best, Amy Menhusen!
Amy does so much more than manage books—she is a vital resource for our entire building. From helping students find the perfect story to supporting our staff with technology and research, her dedication makes our library the true heart of the school.
Thank you, Amy, for all you do to inspire a love of learning and for the constant support you provide to every student and staff member who walks through your doors. We appreciate you!
Dragons, please join us in welcoming our new School Resource Officer Matt Haines!
SRO Haines brings a wealth of experience from the many roles he has served in, along with a strong background working with students and young adults. We are excited to have him join our team and look forward to the positive relationships he will build with our students. Read below to find out more about SRO Haines.
"Matt Haines is a dedicated law enforcement officer with over 12 years of experience serving his community with professionalism, integrity, and a strong commitment to public safety. He began his career with the Blanchard Police Department, where he served from 2011 to 2020 and was promoted to Patrol Sergeant. During his time there, he gained valuable experience working closely with the community, responding to calls for service, and supervising other officers.
Matt later served as a full-time CLEET instructor for five years, where he trained and mentored both new and experienced law enforcement officers. His work focused on preparing officers to make sound decisions, communicate effectively, and serve their communities safely and responsibly. He holds multiple instructor certifications, including firearms, defensive tactics, law enforcement driving, and active shooter response. In addition to his law enforcement duties, Matt has a strong passion for working with young people. While at the Blanchard Police Department, he created and led an Explorer Program that gave high school students the opportunity to learn about careers in law enforcement and the military. Through this program, he helped students develop leadership skills, discipline, and confidence while building positive relationships with law enforcement.
Matt also serves on the Mid-America Vo-Tech advisory committee for criminal justice, where he works with educators to help guide curriculum and ensure students are prepared for future career opportunities.
Outside of work, Matt enjoys staying active and involved in his community. In his spare time, he trains in jiu-jitsu, enjoys kayak fishing, and most importantly, spends time with his two girls."
We are thrilled to host this year's tournament from April 9th through April 11th. It’s going to be three days of high-intensity baseball, and we need the Dragon fans out in full force to pack the stands!
The Dragons kick off their tournament run under the lights:
📅 Thursday, April 9th
Opponent: Little Axe
⏰ First Pitch: 5:30 PM
📍 Purcell High School Baseball Field
Come out and support our boys as they compete for the HOOT title! 🐉🔥
Tammy King, Penny Richmond, Susan Bennett, and Rita Clark are the ultimate "behind-the-scenes" heroes at Purcell High School. Whether they are providing one-on-one instructional support, helping students navigate daily challenges, or stepping in wherever a hand is needed, their impact is felt in every corner of our building.
Their patience, dedication, and heart for our students make a world of difference every single day. We are incredibly lucky to have this team in our corner!
Please join us in thanking Tammy, Penny, Susan, and Rita for everything they do for our students and staff.
