🔬 Science in Motion! 💨
Mrs. Yeager’s 8th grade science students have been learning about Newton’s Laws of Motion through hands-on experiments and plenty of investigation!
Before diving into Newton’s Laws, students explored “Phenomena Stations,” observing different phenomena and recording their observations and ideas about what was happening from a scientific perspective.
Now, they’re putting Newton’s Laws into action! 💥
Newton’s 1st Law: Washers helped demonstrate inertia.
Newton’s 2nd Law: Cans of vegetables helped students investigate the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration.
Newton’s 3rd Law: Balloon rockets took off down the middle school hallway!
Who says learning physics has to stay in a textbook? Our Yellowjackets are seeing science in action! 💜💛
Mrs. Yeager’s 8th grade science students have been learning about Newton’s Laws of Motion through hands-on experiments and plenty of investigation!
Before diving into Newton’s Laws, students explored “Phenomena Stations,” observing different phenomena and recording their observations and ideas about what was happening from a scientific perspective.
Now, they’re putting Newton’s Laws into action! 💥
Newton’s 1st Law: Washers helped demonstrate inertia.
Newton’s 2nd Law: Cans of vegetables helped students investigate the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration.
Newton’s 3rd Law: Balloon rockets took off down the middle school hallway!
Who says learning physics has to stay in a textbook? Our Yellowjackets are seeing science in action! 💜💛
🏈 Middle School Football Update: Thursday’s game vs. Lincoln has been moved from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM. The game will now kick off at 6:30 PM on Thursday, September 3.
Checking out the latest Ozark Connections? You might spot a few familiar faces! 🐝✨
Some of our Westville students and staff are featured in the September/October issue, and we are beyond proud!
Digital edition here: https://tinyurl.com/4zy8bzf5
#DoRight #WestvillePublicSchools
Please take a moment to read the following letter from our Superintendent regarding the results of Proposition 1.
Proposition 1 has passed! Thank you to our community for your support of Westville Public Schools.
🏈 FOOTBALL TIME CHANGE
The Yellowjackets’ football game at Lincoln on Friday, September 4 has been moved from 7:00 PM to 7:30 PM due to the heat.
The time change is being made at the recommendation of the Arkansas Activities Association to help keep our athletes, coaches, and fans safe.
📅 Friday, September 4
⏰ 7:30 PM Kickoff
Thank you for your understanding, and we’ll see you Friday night! 💜
The Yellowjackets’ football game at Lincoln on Friday, September 4 has been moved from 7:00 PM to 7:30 PM due to the heat.
The time change is being made at the recommendation of the Arkansas Activities Association to help keep our athletes, coaches, and fans safe.
📅 Friday, September 4
⏰ 7:30 PM Kickoff
Thank you for your understanding, and we’ll see you Friday night! 💜
It’s officially the ‘BER months! 🍂💜 And with a new month comes a few important dates to keep on your calendar. 📆👇
Monday, Sept. 7: Labor Day - All schools and district offices closed.
Friday, Sept. 25: Professional Development Day - No school for students.
Have a great day, Yellowjackets! 💜🐝
Monday, Sept. 7: Labor Day - All schools and district offices closed.
Friday, Sept. 25: Professional Development Day - No school for students.
Have a great day, Yellowjackets! 💜🐝
Check out this week’s schedule and see what’s happening across Westville High School & Middle School.
Come out, support our students, and help us make it a great week! 💜💛
#WestvilleYellowjackets #DoRight #YellowjacketPride
Come out, support our students, and help us make it a great week! 💜💛
#WestvilleYellowjackets #DoRight #YellowjacketPride
Picture Proof QR Codes will be sent home with students today!
Ruth Kelly has started a new way of viewing and purchasing school pictures. Instead of sending home physical proofs, parents/guardians will receive a QR code to scan and view their student’s pictures online. From there, you can choose the package you would like to purchase. Please watch for the QR code coming home today!
If you have any questions or need assistance, please email Crissy Williams at cwilliams@westville.k12.ok.us
Ruth Kelly has started a new way of viewing and purchasing school pictures. Instead of sending home physical proofs, parents/guardians will receive a QR code to scan and view their student’s pictures online. From there, you can choose the package you would like to purchase. Please watch for the QR code coming home today!
If you have any questions or need assistance, please email Crissy Williams at cwilliams@westville.k12.ok.us
Today, Coach Rector’s Intro to Officiating class welcomed a special guest speaker, Harold Fox, a longtime OSSAA basketball official and future OOA Hall of Fame member.
Mr. Fox spent time with our students sharing his experience, knowledge, and perspective on officiating.
Last Friday, the class also welcomed Mr. Grant Gower, Director of Officials for the OSSAA, who spoke with students and shared his insight into the world of officiating.
Intro to Officiating is a new class being offered at WHS this year in an effort to introduce students to officiating and help address the shortage of officials here and across Oklahoma.
We appreciate these experienced officials taking the time to invest in our students and help inspire the next generation of Oklahoma officials!
Mr. Fox spent time with our students sharing his experience, knowledge, and perspective on officiating.
Last Friday, the class also welcomed Mr. Grant Gower, Director of Officials for the OSSAA, who spoke with students and shared his insight into the world of officiating.
Intro to Officiating is a new class being offered at WHS this year in an effort to introduce students to officiating and help address the shortage of officials here and across Oklahoma.
We appreciate these experienced officials taking the time to invest in our students and help inspire the next generation of Oklahoma officials!
Over the summer, Stefanie Mitchell was one of four Oklahomans who participated in the 40th annual Community Development Institute (CDI) at the University of Central Arkansas, successfully completing her Year 2 training!
CDI is a premier three-year program designed to equip community leaders with the tools to strengthen local economies, leverage community assets, and build impactful partnerships.
“I had a wonderful experience completing Year 2 at the Community Development Institute!" said Stefanie. "Rural community development definitely has its unique challenges, but this program reminded me that Westville isn't alone. I’m bringing back a wealth of information to support our school district and town, along with connections to a fantastic network of individuals and organizations doing this vital work across the region.”
We are incredibly proud of Stefanie and can’t wait to see the positive impact her new insights and connections will bring to our school district and community!
CDI is a premier three-year program designed to equip community leaders with the tools to strengthen local economies, leverage community assets, and build impactful partnerships.
“I had a wonderful experience completing Year 2 at the Community Development Institute!" said Stefanie. "Rural community development definitely has its unique challenges, but this program reminded me that Westville isn't alone. I’m bringing back a wealth of information to support our school district and town, along with connections to a fantastic network of individuals and organizations doing this vital work across the region.”
We are incredibly proud of Stefanie and can’t wait to see the positive impact her new insights and connections will bring to our school district and community!
We want everyone to have a successful voting day.
If you are asked to vote with a Provisional Ballot, it most likely means you are trying to vote in the wrong precinct. You must vote at the precinct that you are registered in.
If you vote provisionally, you MUST use your 911 address, NOT a rural route or PO Box. If you do not use your 911 address, your vote will most likely not count. Per the Election Board, there are some cases where it could still count.
You can check your correct polling location at https://okvoterportal.okelections.gov/
If you have any problems voting, you can call the Adair Co. Election Board at 918-696-7221
If you are asked to vote with a Provisional Ballot, it most likely means you are trying to vote in the wrong precinct. You must vote at the precinct that you are registered in.
If you vote provisionally, you MUST use your 911 address, NOT a rural route or PO Box. If you do not use your 911 address, your vote will most likely not count. Per the Election Board, there are some cases where it could still count.
You can check your correct polling location at https://okvoterportal.okelections.gov/
If you have any problems voting, you can call the Adair Co. Election Board at 918-696-7221
Important Information Regarding School-Based Therapy Services
A message from our Director of Social Work, Jenna Sitsler:
Some of our families may have recently received our School-Based Therapy flyer. We want to clearly reassure you that your child will NEVER receive mental health therapy without your knowledge and full consent.
Here is how school-based therapy works at Westville Public Schools:
Outside Partners: Westville partners with CREOKS and other trusted outside mental health agencies to provide specialized services.
Parent Involvement Required: Parents/guardians must actively participate in the intake process and provide formal consent before any ongoing therapy begins.
The School’s Role: WPS simply helps connect families to these services and helps facilitate session times on campus.
Counselors vs. Therapy: Our school counselors regularly check in with students for routine academic and emotional support, but ongoing mental health therapy is always handled by licensed outside agencies with full parent approval.
We are here to partner with you to support your student! If you need support or would like to make a referral, visit the Family Support page for resources and referral forms. https://www.westville.k12.ok.us/page/family-support-center
Check out this week’s schedule and see what’s happening across Westville High School & Middle School.
Come out, support our students, and help us make it a great week! 💜💛
#WestvilleYellowjackets #DoRight #YellowjacketPride
Come out, support our students, and help us make it a great week! 💜💛
#WestvilleYellowjackets #DoRight #YellowjacketPride
Q: How do a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) and the '85/15' model protect taxpayers from construction cost overruns?
A: These are contract-level legal protections built directly into our construction agreements to shield taxpayers:
• Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP): The school district utilizes a fixed-price GMP contract with the builder. Under this agreement, the general contractor is legally obligated to complete the projects at a locked maximum cost and must absorb any material price increases, labor shortages, or cost overruns themselves. Taxpayers are 100% shielded from rising construction costs.
• The 85/15 Contingency Protection: In accordance with professional public finance standards, the project budget is divided so that hard construction contracts are capped at 85% of our funding. The remaining 15% is locked in a strict contingency reserve to handle unexpected site discoveries or structural conditions without exceeding our voter-approved budget limits. The school cannot divert funds from this contingency to fund unrelated projects.
If you have questions, please submit them here: https://www.westville.k12.ok.us/forms/bond-faqs
A: These are contract-level legal protections built directly into our construction agreements to shield taxpayers:
• Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP): The school district utilizes a fixed-price GMP contract with the builder. Under this agreement, the general contractor is legally obligated to complete the projects at a locked maximum cost and must absorb any material price increases, labor shortages, or cost overruns themselves. Taxpayers are 100% shielded from rising construction costs.
• The 85/15 Contingency Protection: In accordance with professional public finance standards, the project budget is divided so that hard construction contracts are capped at 85% of our funding. The remaining 15% is locked in a strict contingency reserve to handle unexpected site discoveries or structural conditions without exceeding our voter-approved budget limits. The school cannot divert funds from this contingency to fund unrelated projects.
If you have questions, please submit them here: https://www.westville.k12.ok.us/forms/bond-faqs
Q: What strict safeguards are in place to prevent misappropriation of bond funds?
A: The Board of Education takes the stewardship of public funds with absolute seriousness. Oklahoma law and school district policies have built-in legal blockades to ensure every penny is protected:
1. Strict Legal Ballot Lock: Under the Bond Transparency Act of 2017, the school district is legally prohibited from spending bond proceeds on anything other than the exact physical projects listed on the voter ballot. It is a felony offense to divert these funds. The school district cannot divert funds from a project to another project.
2. Sinking Fund Separation: All bond proceeds are placed in a completely separate, dedicated "Sinking Fund" bank account. They are never mixed with the school's general operating funds. By state law, bond money cannot be used to pay for teacher or administrator salaries, bonuses, utility bills, or daily operating costs.
3. Independent Citizen Oversight Committee: To guarantee complete public accountability, the Board of Education will formally establish an independent Citizen Oversight Committee at its September board meeting if the bonds pass. Modeled after successful public frameworks like Oklahoma City Public Schools (OKCPS), this committee will consist of independent local residents, business owners, and taxpayers. They will meet regularly to review construction progress, monitor all expenditures, and report directly back to the public to ensure every dollar is spent exactly as promised.
4. Independent State Audits: Every single transaction is tracked and subject to annual, independent state-certified audits that are filed directly with the Oklahoma State Department of Education and the State Auditor and Inspector's Office.
If you have questions, please submit them here: https://www.westville.k12.ok.us/forms/bond-faqs
A: The Board of Education takes the stewardship of public funds with absolute seriousness. Oklahoma law and school district policies have built-in legal blockades to ensure every penny is protected:
1. Strict Legal Ballot Lock: Under the Bond Transparency Act of 2017, the school district is legally prohibited from spending bond proceeds on anything other than the exact physical projects listed on the voter ballot. It is a felony offense to divert these funds. The school district cannot divert funds from a project to another project.
2. Sinking Fund Separation: All bond proceeds are placed in a completely separate, dedicated "Sinking Fund" bank account. They are never mixed with the school's general operating funds. By state law, bond money cannot be used to pay for teacher or administrator salaries, bonuses, utility bills, or daily operating costs.
3. Independent Citizen Oversight Committee: To guarantee complete public accountability, the Board of Education will formally establish an independent Citizen Oversight Committee at its September board meeting if the bonds pass. Modeled after successful public frameworks like Oklahoma City Public Schools (OKCPS), this committee will consist of independent local residents, business owners, and taxpayers. They will meet regularly to review construction progress, monitor all expenditures, and report directly back to the public to ensure every dollar is spent exactly as promised.
4. Independent State Audits: Every single transaction is tracked and subject to annual, independent state-certified audits that are filed directly with the Oklahoma State Department of Education and the State Auditor and Inspector's Office.
If you have questions, please submit them here: https://www.westville.k12.ok.us/forms/bond-faqs
Q: What is the Westville Unified Sports program, and how will the proposed gym expansion impact it?
A: Westville Unified Sports is an incredibly proud, inclusive Special Olympics program that joins students with and without disabilities on the same team to train, play, and compete side-by-side. Guided by the principles of friendship, inclusion, and the belief that 'everyone belongs,' Unified Sports breaks down stereotypes, builds self-confidence, and fosters school spirit. You do not have to be a varsity athlete to join—it is a space where every student has a place on the team.
• The Space Constraint: While our Unified Special Olympics athletes and partners are deeply dedicated, our severe lack of physical gym space heavily limits their practice times. With 32 separate school and community groups competing for court space, finding consistent training slots is extremely difficult.
• The Gym Solution: Building the new multipurpose event center under Proposition 2 will provide the dedicated space and court schedule times required to expand the Unified program. More students will have the opportunity to participate and wear our colors. Furthermore, having a modern, fully ADA-compliant, regulation-sized facility will allow Westville Public Schools to host regional Unified Sports tournaments on our home campus for the very first time, welcoming teams from other schools and establishing our district as a regional leader in athletic and social inclusion.
If you have questions, please submit them here: https://www.westville.k12.ok.us/forms/bond-faqs
A: Westville Unified Sports is an incredibly proud, inclusive Special Olympics program that joins students with and without disabilities on the same team to train, play, and compete side-by-side. Guided by the principles of friendship, inclusion, and the belief that 'everyone belongs,' Unified Sports breaks down stereotypes, builds self-confidence, and fosters school spirit. You do not have to be a varsity athlete to join—it is a space where every student has a place on the team.
• The Space Constraint: While our Unified Special Olympics athletes and partners are deeply dedicated, our severe lack of physical gym space heavily limits their practice times. With 32 separate school and community groups competing for court space, finding consistent training slots is extremely difficult.
• The Gym Solution: Building the new multipurpose event center under Proposition 2 will provide the dedicated space and court schedule times required to expand the Unified program. More students will have the opportunity to participate and wear our colors. Furthermore, having a modern, fully ADA-compliant, regulation-sized facility will allow Westville Public Schools to host regional Unified Sports tournaments on our home campus for the very first time, welcoming teams from other schools and establishing our district as a regional leader in athletic and social inclusion.
If you have questions, please submit them here: https://www.westville.k12.ok.us/forms/bond-faqs
Q: How do our facility limitations impact student morale and local business revenue?
A: When we host home athletic games or community events, our visiting schools and neighbors see the worn, non-ADA-compliant condition of our facilities. This causes low morale among our students, who feel their home court does not reflect the pride and effort they put into their school. Beyond morale, our single gym forces severe logistical bottlenecks:
• High School boys' athletics is currently forced to practice during the first hour simply due to court limitations. Building the new gymnasium will allow both the boys' and girls' athletic programs to practice at the same time during the 7th hour, expanding available practice times and simplifying transportation for families.
• Our current gymnasium cannot host more than one basketball practice at a time, forcing teams to split court times and pushing practices outside of school hours. Our secondary little gym is not regulation-sized, making it completely unsuitable for full-court varsity practices or competitions.
• Furthermore, because our facilities do not meet modern OSSAA athletic and accessibility standards, Westville is completely disqualified from hosting regional, district, or invitational tournaments. Tournaments are major economic drivers for rural communities. When visitors come to town, they buy gas, eat at our local diners, and shop at our local businesses. By failing to host these events, our school’s tight space causes our local business owners to lose out on thousands of dollars in regional economic revenue every year.
If you have questions, please submit them here: https://www.westville.k12.ok.us/forms/bond-faqs
A: When we host home athletic games or community events, our visiting schools and neighbors see the worn, non-ADA-compliant condition of our facilities. This causes low morale among our students, who feel their home court does not reflect the pride and effort they put into their school. Beyond morale, our single gym forces severe logistical bottlenecks:
• High School boys' athletics is currently forced to practice during the first hour simply due to court limitations. Building the new gymnasium will allow both the boys' and girls' athletic programs to practice at the same time during the 7th hour, expanding available practice times and simplifying transportation for families.
• Our current gymnasium cannot host more than one basketball practice at a time, forcing teams to split court times and pushing practices outside of school hours. Our secondary little gym is not regulation-sized, making it completely unsuitable for full-court varsity practices or competitions.
• Furthermore, because our facilities do not meet modern OSSAA athletic and accessibility standards, Westville is completely disqualified from hosting regional, district, or invitational tournaments. Tournaments are major economic drivers for rural communities. When visitors come to town, they buy gas, eat at our local diners, and shop at our local businesses. By failing to host these events, our school’s tight space causes our local business owners to lose out on thousands of dollars in regional economic revenue every year.
If you have questions, please submit them here: https://www.westville.k12.ok.us/forms/bond-faqs
Q: How does physical education space impact our student body, and how does it relate to local health trends?
A: Physical activity is a biological requirement for academic success. Peer-reviewed pediatric research proves that regular physical education directly stimulates brain-cell growth and neural connections, improving memory, focus, and reading comprehension across all grades. Daily physical activity is also a critical public health requirement: Adair County currently faces a 45% obesity rate, which is significantly higher than the Oklahoma average. Freeing up indoor space is vital to giving 100% of our elementary students daily, structured movement for healthy physical development.
Currently, our elementary grades are scheduled so that an entire grade level must utilize the little gym floor at the exact same time, creating heavy congestion. Our Kindergarten students do have a scheduled PE section, but our Pre-K students must use the coach's lunch period as free play in the gym because no other open slots exist in the daily schedule. Creating a new gym gives us the flexibility to schedule classes safely and uncrowded. Our current gym is also a scheduling bottleneck: 32 different school and community groups actively compete for access to only two gym spaces, providing a combined availability of just 14 class periods during the school day. New state legislation requiring an additional 20 minutes of daily recess for K-5 students further increases the demand for indoor activity space during inclement weather.
A: Physical activity is a biological requirement for academic success. Peer-reviewed pediatric research proves that regular physical education directly stimulates brain-cell growth and neural connections, improving memory, focus, and reading comprehension across all grades. Daily physical activity is also a critical public health requirement: Adair County currently faces a 45% obesity rate, which is significantly higher than the Oklahoma average. Freeing up indoor space is vital to giving 100% of our elementary students daily, structured movement for healthy physical development.
Currently, our elementary grades are scheduled so that an entire grade level must utilize the little gym floor at the exact same time, creating heavy congestion. Our Kindergarten students do have a scheduled PE section, but our Pre-K students must use the coach's lunch period as free play in the gym because no other open slots exist in the daily schedule. Creating a new gym gives us the flexibility to schedule classes safely and uncrowded. Our current gym is also a scheduling bottleneck: 32 different school and community groups actively compete for access to only two gym spaces, providing a combined availability of just 14 class periods during the school day. New state legislation requiring an additional 20 minutes of daily recess for K-5 students further increases the demand for indoor activity space during inclement weather.
Q: What is the actual physical condition and history of our current gym?
A: Our existing gym has a unique history. Originally constructed as a World War II-era airplane hangar, the building was relocated, repurposed as a school gymnasium, and has served generations of students. However, decades of heavy use have taken a severe physical toll, and it suffers from major structural, safety, and mechanical challenges:
• Court Safety Clearance: The playing area surrounding the court boundary has only approximately one foot of clearance from the surrounding brick walls in some areas, creating a severe collision and injury risk during active, fast-paced play.
• Bleacher Hazards: The cut-out areas beneath the home-side bleachers present a constant injury risk for rolled ankles and head injuries.
• Referee Shortage: The district has experienced increasing difficulty securing certified referees because officials are concerned about player and referee safety in our extremely tight gym layout.
• Bathroom & Shower Bottlenecks: There are only two showers available for the girls and three for the boys. Several locker rooms are cramped directly under the gym bleachers, and not everyone has room for a locker. Additionally, there are only two toilet stalls available for the little gym, and there is no dedicated place for PE or youth athletic kids to dress out.
• Water Bottleneck: There is only one water fountain in the entire gym to serve over 70+ kids every hour.
If you have questions, please submit them here: https://www.westville.k12.ok.us/forms/bond-faqs
A: Our existing gym has a unique history. Originally constructed as a World War II-era airplane hangar, the building was relocated, repurposed as a school gymnasium, and has served generations of students. However, decades of heavy use have taken a severe physical toll, and it suffers from major structural, safety, and mechanical challenges:
• Court Safety Clearance: The playing area surrounding the court boundary has only approximately one foot of clearance from the surrounding brick walls in some areas, creating a severe collision and injury risk during active, fast-paced play.
• Bleacher Hazards: The cut-out areas beneath the home-side bleachers present a constant injury risk for rolled ankles and head injuries.
• Referee Shortage: The district has experienced increasing difficulty securing certified referees because officials are concerned about player and referee safety in our extremely tight gym layout.
• Bathroom & Shower Bottlenecks: There are only two showers available for the girls and three for the boys. Several locker rooms are cramped directly under the gym bleachers, and not everyone has room for a locker. Additionally, there are only two toilet stalls available for the little gym, and there is no dedicated place for PE or youth athletic kids to dress out.
• Water Bottleneck: There is only one water fountain in the entire gym to serve over 70+ kids every hour.
If you have questions, please submit them here: https://www.westville.k12.ok.us/forms/bond-faqs
Q: What are the consequences for our school and kids if these propositions fail on August 25th?
A: A "No" vote does not make our facility problems go away—it simply delays the solution while driving up the ultimate cost:
1. Trailers Remain: Our high school students will continue to attend core academic classes in temporary, detached portable trailers that represent a significant campus security vulnerability and suffer from chronic HVAC failure.
2. Rising Construction Costs: Construction inflation consistently runs significantly higher than general inflation. Delaying these upgrades guarantees that our community will pay more in the future for the exact same classrooms.
3. Continued Gym & Ag Bottlenecks: Our 100+ Vo-Ag students will continue training in overcrowded workshops, and our elementary physical education classes will remain packed with entire grades combined on a single floor.
4. Future "Tax Shock" Risk: If we allow our sinking fund millage base to lapse to 0.0 mills, we lose our borrowing capacity. When a major roof collapse, HVAC failure, or academic emergency inevitably forces us to run a bond down the road, we will be forced to ask for a massive, sudden tax rate spike rather than the flat, stable rate we can secure today.
If you have questions, please submit them here: https://www.westville.k12.ok.us/forms/bond-faqs
A: A "No" vote does not make our facility problems go away—it simply delays the solution while driving up the ultimate cost:
1. Trailers Remain: Our high school students will continue to attend core academic classes in temporary, detached portable trailers that represent a significant campus security vulnerability and suffer from chronic HVAC failure.
2. Rising Construction Costs: Construction inflation consistently runs significantly higher than general inflation. Delaying these upgrades guarantees that our community will pay more in the future for the exact same classrooms.
3. Continued Gym & Ag Bottlenecks: Our 100+ Vo-Ag students will continue training in overcrowded workshops, and our elementary physical education classes will remain packed with entire grades combined on a single floor.
4. Future "Tax Shock" Risk: If we allow our sinking fund millage base to lapse to 0.0 mills, we lose our borrowing capacity. When a major roof collapse, HVAC failure, or academic emergency inevitably forces us to run a bond down the road, we will be forced to ask for a massive, sudden tax rate spike rather than the flat, stable rate we can secure today.
If you have questions, please submit them here: https://www.westville.k12.ok.us/forms/bond-faqs
