9GC Spartan Spotlight

October 2024

A Message from Principal Whiteley

9GC Families,

I hope this message finds you well. We’ve had a wonderful start to the new school year, filled with the enthusiasm and excitement that our students and staff have brought to the halls of the 9GC over the past month. Their energy has truly brought our campus to life.

As I’ve mentioned before, 9th grade is a significant milestone for both students and their families. There are many "firsts" that come with being a 9th grader: the first year of high school, the first time participating in pep rallies, and the first time in the 9th Grade Center building. This blend of excitement, and perhaps a touch of apprehension, is normal. At Bixby, we have a clear mission: ignite the potential of every student. We encourage all students to actively engage in their learning, embrace challenges, and seek opportunities for personal growth. But we also want them to remember that high school is not just about academic achievement; it's also about personal development and the friendships they will build along the way.

With that in mind, we hope you will join us in encouraging your student(s) to get involved—whether through extracurricular activities or the many clubs that Bixby offers. We believe there is something for everyone. Staying connected not only helps students succeed academically but also fosters their growth into young adults.

Thank you for your continued support. We are humbled to serve such a dedicated school community, and we know that our students' success would not be possible without your involvement.

Sincerely,

Curtis Whiteley

Principal

Bixby's Class of 2028

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Upcoming Events

October 7-11: Homecoming Week

October 10: Homecoming Parade @ 6:00 PM (Downtown Bixby)

October 9: Parent Teacher Conferences 4:30-7:30 PM - schedule a conference here.

October 16: Virtual Day (9-12 Only)

October 17-18: Fall Break

October 21: Professional Development Day (No School)

October 22: Picture Make Up Day

2024-2025 BPS School Calendar

9GC Bell Schedule

Homecoming Week Oct 7-11

We are excited to celebrate the best HOCO in Oklahoma! This year, the 9GC has chosen Monopoly as the theme. Many of our students have already begun preparing for our traditional hallway decorations, and a door decorating contest throughout this week. One of the highlights of Bixby's HOCO is the parade, which will take place on Thursday, October 10th, at 6:00 PM in downtown Bixby. Additionally, we will be collecting peanut butter donations for the Bixby Outreach Center (BOC), and the Elevate class that collects the most will win a breakfast reward.

HOCO Dress Up Schedule

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Assistant Principal Mr. Tew's Tip for Success

This month's tip for success is about school attendance. Attendance is crucial in high school because it directly impacts academic success and personal development. Regular attendance ensures students stay engaged in lessons, understand material in real-time, and build a strong foundation for future learning. It also fosters responsibility, time management, and discipline—skills essential for both academic and career success. Missing classes can lead to gaps in knowledge, lower grades, and falling behind in coursework, making it harder to catch up. Additionally, attending school consistently promotes social interaction, helping students build relationships and develop communication skills important for personal growth and collaboration. Furthermore, the BPS attendance policy requires students be in attendance 90% per semester in order to receive credit. This equals no more than 10 absences per semester. This does not include absences due to medical reasons that are documented with a doctors note, school activities, or other extenuating circumstances. Click here to see the BPS board policy on attendance.

9GC Highlights

Classroom Highlights

Pictured below is Mrs. Desaulnier's Honors Chemistry class that reviewed vocabulary by creating a pictorial dictionary. They looked around the school for items that represented their vocabulary and put their new Ipads to use by taking photos.

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Below is Mrs. Desaulnier's Honors Chemistry class working in the lab and learning about precise measurement and density.

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Mrs. Nevill's Spanish II class has been using puppets to work on dialogues. Each student created their own puppet, then spent time with a partner writing a Spanish dialogue. After this, they presented their dialogues to the class using the puppet stage.

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Leadership Highlights

Mrs. Phenicie's leadership class has partnered with the Chick-Fil-A Leader Academy. These leaders will have the opportunity to host community projects and learn more about serving those around them. Pictured below is their kickoff celebration. We are excited for this amazing opportunity for our students.

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College and Career Talk Highlights

Each Wednesday, the 9GC hosts college and career talks by various industry leaders during our 'Real World Wednesdays' sessions as part of Elevate. We use interest surveys to identify students who may be interested in specific career speakers. Below are a few pictures from our 'Real World Wednesdays' events in September.

OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine

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Business and City Government Talk with Bixby City Manager Jared Cottle.

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August Students of the Month

Ainslee Ferguson, Sophia Lua, Carter Storts, and Natasha Malott

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August Teacher of the Month

Mrs. Jamie Rangel - Spanish

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September Students of the Month

Ellis Mankin, Erich Bart, Juan Rodriguez, and Daniel Gutierrez

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September Teacher of the Month

Ms. Abigayle Bibeau - English

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Learn Well, Live with Honor, Go Spartans!