Selected Articles

JHS lands 3.66 GPA under A-F evaluation

 By Austin

 

Now students are not the only ones receiving grades in school.

 

 Jones High School received a 3.66 GPA, which is a ‘B’ average, when schools statewide were given grades based on student achievement, student growth, and school wide performance. 

 

In addition to JHS, Jones Elementary School received a 2.83 while Jones Middle School received a 2.99, which are all ‘B’ averages for the district.

 

Principal Carl Johnson said, “I am relieved but not satisfied with our grade, although I did not know what to expect at the start.”

 

Dr. Johnson said he thinks the JHS grade can be raised.  “I believe that if we do better on tests, motivate students more for tests, encourage higher school attendance records, along with having more AP courses combined with higher enrollment in those courses, we could raise our grade.”

 

Dr. Johnson said he feels that the previous grading system was too hard to understand for the public and administrators of the schools. 

 

Contrary to public belief, the new A-F grading system is not replacing the previous scores or the No Child Left Behind mandates.  It is simply being used in addition to those because more people are able to understand the letter grade rather than the old 0-1500 score. 

 

High school counselor Curtis Moses said that parents had little knowledge of what they were looking at when they saw the older API score.  He also said that the current A-F grading system is very straightforward and much easier for parents and students alike to interpret. 

 

Dr Johnson also said that under the earlier evaluation systems, schools could be penalized for consistently low scores, and there were even cases that administrators or teachers were fired.  The new A-F system, however, is only an informative evaluation tool.

 

 “I am pleased but not happy about our grade,” said Mr. Moses about the school’s grade.  “I would much rather have had an ‘A.’”

 

Mr. Moses said he believes that the school’s score can improve if students score well on both the End of Instruction and ACT tests along with higher enrollment in AP classes. 

 

Donors give blood to OBI

By Tyler

 

Students at Jones High School gave blood to help people in need on Wednesday, December 15.

 

The blood donated to the Oklahoma Blood Institute will help people that need transfusions, suffer from burns or are being treated for trauma. The OBI is a statewide non-profit blood center that provides blood to patients in more than 150 hospitals.

 

OBI supervisor Mylene Poblete said the whole process of screening, prepping and taking blood usually lasts about 30 minutes, but actually taking blood only lasts a few minutes. After giving blood, donors received a free t-shirt along with snacks and drinks to refuel from the blood loss.

 

During the screening process donors are asked about medical conditions, anywhere they have traveled and other questions to ensure their blood is safe to use. Junior Sydney was not able to give blood after the supervisors of the drive had found out that she had gotten her ears pierced recently. “I hadn’t given blood before and was disappointed when I wasn’t able to with my friends,” Sydney said.

 

Along with the screening, donors have to weigh at least 125 pounds if they are under 18 or 110 pounds if they are older than 18 to make sure it’s safe for blood to be taken.

 

Senior Yanci donated blood and said, “It doesn’t really hurt and it feels good to help.”

 

The supervisors of the drive expected to get at least 25 pints before they left and already had 23 pints halfway through the drive.

 

 

 Christmas project key to spread holiday cheer for Genesis Boys

By Kade

 

The Key Club is spreading the Christmas spirit this year by hosting a party for 16 orphans.

 

It has been tradition for many years that Key Club holds the celebration for a group known as the Genesis Boys. At the event the boys will be served pizza and play games with the Key Club members. Afterwards, the boys will receive stockings filled with goodies, clothes, and also a basketball or a football.  The annual event is on Tuesday, December 11, at 5:30 pm.

 

Veteran Key Club member Nathan said he was excited to see the boys again for his senior year and that he cannot wait to play with them. “I really love seeing those guys faces when I give them some goodies. I just want them to have a fantastic Christmas,” said Nathan.

 

Junior Key Club member Teddi also expressed excitement about the event. “The boys really bring joy in my heart when I give them gifts,” he said.

 

Key Club Sponsor Jennifer Fisher said various groups contribute financially to the project.  She said, “Kiwanis has helped a lot and we have also done fundraising through concessions as well as student assistance with stocking stuffers.”

 

According to GenesisKids.com, Executive Director Todd Madland said that the program takes young boys ages 6-12 that have been exposed to cruel environments and puts them into a Genesis House. At the Genesis House, the boys are taught how to work with others and how to control their anger. This program has been continuing on for 25 years.

 

Yearbook order deadline Feb 15

By Ryan & Tyler

 

Students are going to need to pre-order their yearbooks this year since fewer copies are going to be ordered.

 

The deadline to pre-order is February 15^th.

 

The pre-sale cost this year for the Jones Lariat is $45. The cost of the yearbook after the deadline begins at $55.

 

The yearbooks cost more than the $45 pre-sale price to manufacture. Yearbook adviser Justin Gerry said, “The difference of the yearbook price is made up from the sale of senior ads and business ads.”

The yearbook is usually delivered at the end of the summer but this year it will be delivered in the spring.

 

Because of the earlier spring delivery, students who order a yearbook will also receive additional pages in the fall which can be added to their yearbook. 

 

These spring supplement pages will include photos from events such as baseball, prom and graduation since the yearbook is being delivered earlier and those events will not have taken place by the yearbook production deadline. These additional pages are included in the cost of the yearbook.

 

Talent search for Grease musical 

By Katrina

 

Jones students have a chance to “be in the spotlight” by trying out for the musical Grease Lightning.

 

Choir and theater teacher Katie Smith said she needs a cast of about 19 people for the musical.  Try-outs will be held before winter break so decisions can be made about who is going to play which characters in the play.  Auditions will be held December 18 and/or 19 from 3:30 to 5:00 pm in the commons area at Jones High School. Rehearsals start in January and performances will be in mid-April so the musical will not interfere with finals.

 

Those auditioning should expect to know about the character they are going to be trying out for and cannot be hesitant to be on stage. Mrs. Smith said, “If you’re expecting to be trying out for the lead roles, you have to be strong and love to sing.” Instead of using recorded music, the play will be performed to live music.

 

Smith said she chose the play Grease Lightning because “the setting of the play is 50s, and more teens at this school know a lot about the 50s.”

 

The musical is based on the movie Grease. It takes place at a high school setting and is about two teenagers that meet each other and fall in love. Danny, the male lead role, is in a popular clique of guys and really cannot show affection to Sandy, the female lead role. The musical features familiar songs like Summer Nights; Grease Lightning; Look at Me, I’m Sandra Dee; We Go Together; and Beauty School Dropout.

 

Students have to be reliable in order to be in the musical. In addition to performers, tech people and volunteers are needed for the production.

 

 Jones preps to host year-end livestock show

By Austin

 

Swine exhibitioners in Oklahoma had better get their livestock washed and prepped because there will be a swine exhibition at the Don Ramsey Agricultural Facility at Jones High School. 

 

The show will start on December 28 and go through December 30.  It will feature FFA members from around Oklahoma and even some from neighboring states such as Texas. 

 

 “There is pretty stiff competition at shows like these,” said sophomore exhibitioner Tyler.  Tyler said there can be as many as 400 animals and 300 people at these types of events.   He said this can be expected since agriculture is the largest industry in the world based on job opportunities and employees.  “It’s basically the backbone of our nation,” he said.

 

 The eight different breeds which will be shown at this particular event will be judged based on showmanship and overall appearance. 

 

JHS agricultural education teacher Jerry Chambers said the cost to enter an animal into the competition is $20 per animal.  He said that nearly 95% of the owners receive back the money they spend on entry fees in the form of prizes.

 

Chambers said the end-of-the-year competition is made possible with the help of the community. “There are multiple sponsors, such as Blue and Gold Sausage Company and the Jones Ag Boosters,” he said.  “The Jones Livestock Auction is one of the largest contributors in the form of donating nearly $5,000 every year.”

 

Chambers also said the Jones show is similar to other competitions around the state but that “it’s nice because people from Jones don’t have to go as far as Tulsa for a show like ours.”

 

Longhorns close out season 11-3

By Dustin

 

The Longhorns ended their football season on December 1, finishing up with a record of 11-3 and scoring over 450 points on offense this year.

 

After losing their first game in the 3a division in August, people were already assuming that Jones would not go very far this season, let alone reach the playoffs. But after 12 weeks of pressing forward, the Longhorns found themselves playing in the semi-finals against Blanchard, who had already defeated them earlier this season.

 

Even though Jones lost to Blanchard (35-7) in the semi-finals, the team showed fans that they were still a winning team this season.

 

 “This season was not just a walk through the park,” said senior Clay. “There were some high points and low points throughout the year.”

In week eight, Jones went on the road and beat Tuttle (23-7) and showed the Tigers that the Longhorns meant business. Coach Adam McPhail said, “The highest point of the season was beating Tuttle at Tuttle.”      

 

Even though there was much success during the season, many would say the lowest point came at the final game. Seeing the “disappointment in the kids’ faces after the semi-final game” was a low point for assistant Coach Chris Jayne.

 

Even though the Longhorns lost in the semi-finals, they still made history. It was the first time in school history the football team made it to the semi-finals for two straight years.

 

The team’s accomplishments came with the help of eight seniors: Taylor, Clay, Randall, Cody, Tanner, Nathan, Michael, and Deangelo.  All the seniors were impact players and some have been starting since they were sophomores.

 

Many fans are wondering if the Longhorns will be just as good next year. Senior Taylor said he thinks the coaches will prepare next year’s team to move forward. The Longhorns are returning eight starters that will help give them a chance for a successful season.

 

 Coaches lead players into basketball season on, off court

By Lauren

Two head coaches passionate about the sport hope to lead the Jones High School basketball team to victory this season.

 

Coach Connie Backhus and Coach Brandon Heath coach girls’ and boys’ basketball at Jones High School. Both coaches played basketball through high school and loved the game, but knew it would not go anywhere special. To continue on with their love for basketball they decided to coach and help others’ dreams come true.

 

Although it’s Coach Heath’s first year coaching the Longhorn boys, players said he is doing a great job. Coach Heath coached at Salina, a 3a school, with an 8-16 season last year. Coach Backhus’ stat record for her girls was 11-14. The coaches said both teams have done an outstanding job living up to their expectations. They said working hard, having the right attitudes, being positive, staying strong and never giving up are paying off.

 

The players said they want to have a strong record this season. Senior Brook said she hopes to get at least 45-50 points in each game and plans to work hard to meet this goal. “Our practices are long, exhausting and hard, but definitely well worth it,” she said.

 

As the coaches set off on yet another long journey this year to keep getting better and stronger, they both hope to strive and reach the end on top.

 

The coaches also said they have good players. They said they have a strong defense and powerful athleticism, and that the teams can have a shot at defeating even their rival, Harrah. “Play hard, or go home,” Coach Backhus often says. “It’s not over till the final buzzer goes off.”

 

The coaches and their teams said they feel they are more than just playing together, but that they are also a family. The coaches said that they want their players to feel like they can talk to their coaches anytime about anything other than basketball. They hope their players understand they are capable of a lot more than just coaching basketball.

 

After the first games were lost this weekend against Stroud, the teams are keeping their heads high and looking forward under the leadership of two experienced coaches.