Pam Jarrett for School Board --Phone Policy

 REMINDER--Voting is Tuesday, February 11

 Today I am delighted to let you know about the cell phone policy

adopted for the current school year.

Reading from the policy: "Students may possess cellular phones; however, any student having a cell phone/PED must keep the device turned off and not visible during the time the student arrives on campus until the student leaves campus.  Devices must remain off and stored in a locked locker or backpack where it is not visible.

This policy is in effect from the time a student arrives at school until the completion of the instructional day.

No Cell Phone Policy Observations

-Increased conversations in classes.

-Students stay on task for longer periods of time in classes.

-The volume in the cafeteria at lunch is increased with students visiting with each other rather than looking at a screen.

_We have less instances of bullying and recording things in the building.

-Students seem to be more "in the present" rather than waiting for the teacher to finish the lesson, so they can get on the phone.

-Students are not looking down at their screens while walking to classes and have increased interaction with each other.

-Reduced stress due to avoiding the constant connectivity that social media has.

-Students can absorb information easier due to being able to focus.

These are the most common observations that have either been reported to me or that I have noticed at Grove High School.  I hope they help give you a better perspective of our positive change. 

Mr Bobby Kreutz, GHS Principal

That is what I call GREAT NEWS!

-

Pam Jarrett for School Board--From the Jan 2025 Board Meeting

 Board Meeting News 

From the January 14th meeting

I have been attending Board Meetings to take notes, sometimes speak and thinking how I would vote on issues that come up for a vote.  These are things of interest from the last meeting:

1. It was Board Appreciation Month.  Board Members were given a gift and notes from children in the school district.

2. The report from the Superintendent included news that the new digital signs had been funded by a contribution from Grace Presbyterian Church.

3. There are increasing college readiness visits .  The Gear Up program is now available for Grove Schools. (See information below.)

4. Two Board Members have been screening applications for a new football coach.

5. Brightwell was unable to come to the meeting as planned with the presentation by them to come in February's meeting.  Solar Energy is now being considered as a possibility for the HS as well as Lower elementary and Middle School buildings.

6. Professional Development Day for teachers was on January 7th.  MLK Day is on the 20th.

7.  Superintendent Dodson will be be in OKC for conference next week.

8. 2 Resignations.

9. Thank you to The Church on the Hill for $2500 donation to help cover unpaid lunch charges .

10. An agreement with Northeastern State University Teacher Education Program was approved.

11. During Executive Session they voted to employ a named Computer Technician.

12.  During Executive Session it was voted to amend Superintendent Dodson's contract to add $20,000 to his base salary. 

 

Remember to Vote February 11th!

To see all posts beginning

December 10 scroll down to 

"Older Posts" at the bottom.

 

Pam Jarrett for Grove School Board --Helping with Campaign

Time is fast approaching the voting day!

If you have read my blog here starting on December 10, 2024

you will have seen posts about:

12/10  My Background

12/11 My "Why"

12/21 How to Access the Schools' Report Card from the state

1/4 Clarification on Who May Vote

1/8 Sample Ballot

1/9 1776 Project Fits My Goals

1/10  Possible Solar Project for Grove Schools

1/15  Reading is Key For Success with a link to the Ben Carson story movie , Gifted Hands

1/17 Public Appearance

1/19 Information about Solar Panels

 If you would like to help my campaign, you may print off copies of this post or share it electronically with family and friends encouraging them to read my blog.  If you would like an actual card, you may email me at 

pamsheartart@boltfiber.net 

and I will get the cards to you.

Thank you so much, folks.  I have heard from several with concerns about issues that need attention and I appreciate that.

VOTE on February 11! 

https://pam-jarrett.blogspot.com 

 

To find some of the earlier posts,  ( Dec 10 My Background, etc)  scroll down and click on “Older posts”

 

 

 

 

Pam Jarrett for Grove School Board--Information about Solar Panels

One question I had about the Solar Panels 

 which may be put on our school buildings is where the panels 

would be manufactured.  I found this article as I inquired if solar panels are manufactured in USA. 

https://www.energysage.com/solar/u-s-solar-panel-manufacturers-list-american-made-solar-panels/#who-are-americas-top-solar-manufacturers 

At the board meeting last Tuesday night, it was stated that the solar panels may be considered for a third building now. 

A school board is responsible for setting educational policies, overseeing the school district's budget, and hiring the superintendent to manage the schools. They represent the community's interests and ensure that the educational needs of students are met.

 I want our School Board to thoughtfully consider all sides of an issue as we consider how to spend taxpayer money.  This is the reason for posting articles about the solar panels.

Pam Jarrett for Grove School Board--Public Appearance

As a candidate for the Grove School Board, I will be appearing at the Delaware County GOP meeting next week.

The newsletter says

"Our next meeting is scheduled for January 23, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. and will be held at Grove Christian Center, located at 29010 Shundi Road, Grove, OK 74344. Our guest speaker is Pam Jarrett, candidate for Grove School Board Office No. 5. The ballot is non-partisan, but we welcome all registered republican candidates to present their platform. There will be time for questions. Jarrett also has information available on her blog spot.   "

I am happy to take questions as they fit into the time I am given, about twenty minutes.

Topics I will speak about are a brief history of my appearances before the board that led me to wanting to run, the phone policy the school has adopted and how it's working, and my educational goals for students. 

I hope to see you there! 

Pam Jarrett for Grove School Board -- Reading is Key to Success

When I asked a father of highly successful boys what led to their success, he said ,"Reading at an early age."

Today let's focus on reading attainment in Grove schools. 

We are coming upon a celebration of  Dolly Parton's Imagine Library for our town.  I will write more about that in a minute.

I am including here a link to a free You Tube movie called 

Gifted Hands.

This is the true story of Dr Ben Carson who is a world renowned

neurosurgeon having attained the remarkable feat of separating conjoined twins.

Ben's life didn't start out racing for success.  However, the push for reading by his illiterate mother made all the difference in the world and Ben's life.

Here is link to the movie:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jUhyvjD1uo

(There will be ads to skip.)

This inspiring movie emphasizes the importance of reading and accomplishing nearly anything by being able to read.  

Grove is having a Dolly Parton Celebration on January 16th.

Local businesses and groups are invited to join in a Community Scavenger Hunt Jan. 9 to15, leading up to “Dolly Day,” a celebration of the famous singer and philanthropist’s birthday on Jan. 16. During the hunt, teams will use children’s book-related clues to spot Dolly’s image at 15 locations and businesses in Grove and Jay.

Grove Rotary sponsors the Delaware County Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which offers free books every month to the county’s children from birth to age five.

Teams that find all 15 locations will be entered in a drawing for the Dolly Day Traveling Trophy awarded during the birthday celebration scheduled 4 to 7 p.m. on Jan. 16, at Church on the Hill. 

 

You will see the Imagination Library program is for birth to age five.

Children need to be read to from infancy.  As you hold them and read, you also can point to certain things in the book.  The child will learn language, voice inflection, syntax and so much more even before they can react to it.  If the books are owned and at home, they can be read over and over.  

Soon the child can select a book from a basket and you will discover which ones are their favorites!

I know of one instance where a child needed nebulizer treatments.

The parent or an an older sibling would hold her and read to her while she was taking her treatments.  This was a pleasant experience for both parties!

Another time to enjoy reading with your child is before naps or going to bed at night. 

Here's to hoping that more children than ever are read to and enjoyed! 

 

Pam Jarrett for Grove School Board-Possible Project

Possible  Solar Project for our School

UPDATE:  The Solar Energy presentation will not be happening tonight, January 14.  They are now aiming for the February meeting for this to happen.  

 Superintendent  Dodson stated in his December report that Brightwell may be coming to the January Board Meeting on January 14th at the school Administration building, 7:00PM.  I see there is a "Presentation on solar energy"  scheduled for this meeting now.

As I understand it, a representative would be giving information about about the funding of a project to put solar panels on some of our buildings in an effort to reduce our electric bills when the roofs are replaced.  

This is a link to Brightwell so you may understand how they operate.  https://brightwellco.com/  If you watch their video, you will have a better understanding on this.

 As always, I am working to provide you with facts about what is happening in our Grove schools.

 

1776 Project Fits My Goals

Today my husband brought this to my attention.

It is exactly what I want for the schools in Grove.

Please read all about it at

https://1776projectpac.com/about/ 

I would welcome your comments here or by emailing me at 

pamsheartart@boltfiber.net  

Ballot Sample for the February 11, 2025 Election

 This is what the ballot will look like for the 

FEBRUARY 11 Grove School Board Election

 

All registered voters from the precincts shown are eligible to vote.

Find your precinct number on your Voter Registration card

in the middle.

I urge all registered voters to participate in this election.

Clarification on who votes in the February 11th Election

 Any registered voter in the Grove School District

may vote in the February 11 election for a 

School Board Member. 

If you are not registered, the deadline to be able

to vote in the February 11th election is

January 17, 2025.

https://delaware.okcounties.org/departments/election-board/elections

I would love to have your vote.  Please read about my background

that qualifies me for this position and why I am seeking this

office in previous posts on this blog.

Should you have questions for me, please email me at

pamsheartart@boltfiber.net

New Statewide Results for School Performance

 There is a new report from the Oklahoma State Department of Education that came out earlier this week.  

The good news is that there are significant improvements in academics

for OK schools. 

Take this link to see the article:

https://sde.ok.gov/press-release/2024-12-18/walters-our-schools-are-turning-corner

To see a Grove individual school's Report Card results, go to 

https://sde.ok.gov/

Then Open the Resources tab at the top.  Select Family.

Scroll down to SCHOOL TOPICS , then

Oklahoma School Report Cards 

A map of OK will appear.  Click on Delaware County.

All the Grove Schools will appear.  By clicking each school, you will see its report card.  Overall, our schools are rated "C" but take note note of very good good ratings in the academic areas of a couple. 

Interesting!  I think it shows that we can do better in some areas and our Principals , Staff, Superintendent and School Board  can work together to improve Grove schools.  

Remember to vote on February 11 for Pam Jarrett,

 Grove School Board 

Pam Jarrett for Grove School Board--My "Why"

First, I became interested in contributing to the School Board so I called the Delaware County Election Board.  I found we are the only county school system with the ward system.  Grove is divided into 5 wards of relatively equal population.  One School Board member from one ward is elected each year in a rotation.  A candidate must live in the ward up for election during that year.  I thought immediately,"I will have a 20% chance of living in the ward up for 2025 so my chances are slim."

 However, I do live in Ward 5 which is up for election in 2025!  I was delighted!  I also like the fact that I don't have to be running against an individual who now holds the seat but can let you know I am running for an opportunity to represent the voters of Grove School District. 

Many have asked me why I would run for the Grove School Board.

  Here are my answers:

1) We are being encouraged to get involved locally in our communities. This is something I am interested in to help our public school be successful.  Our test scores have not been that great so it appears that what has been done in the past isn't being as effective as it could be.  (And yes I know test scores aren't always a good judge of performance but it is what we have.)

2) I would like to encourage greater transparency between the school and community and vice versa.  This would require more dialogue between the two parties.  I have some ideas how this could be accomplished and would be willing to work toward that goal as a member of the Board.

3) An issue I am especially interested in the restoration of the Bible to the classroom as a source of historical significance in our world and country.  There is so much false information that people quote because they heard it from someone else.  The guidelines for the use of the Bible in classrooms were published by the State Department of Education and are clear how the Bible can be used under the state standards. Period.  

4)  We are entering a time where we may have challenges if/when the control of Department of Education is given back to the states.  I would like to be involved in that process. 

5) We need to take measures to make the homes of our students successful in concert with our teachers being honored for what they are doing to educate the children. People thrive where they find success.  This goes for the parents, the students, and the teachers.

Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email me at pamsheartart@boltfiber.net  I would love to hear from you!

Pam Jarrett for Grove School Board: My Background

 A few specific things in my background make me a good     candidate for the Grove School Board .

              I was a co-Salutatorian of my High School class.

 

I attended Lincoln Christian College Lincoln, Illinois

for three years where my majors were Christian Education and Music.

 

I was an aide in a resource situation part time in Sheldon, Wisconsin.

 

I worked in Garfield RE 2 school district in Colorado  full time for 22 years as a para.  My duties varied from working with special needs children (they were called severe needs at the time) for 11 of those years.  Other Duties were in ESL and Music with my final job being an accompanist for High School Choirs.  Through all of those years, it was satisfying working with the kids and seeing them make progress and discover new things.

 

Personal background includes being married to my husband over 55 years.  We have three grown children and 19 grandchildren--well 20 if you count the wife of our oldest grandson. (We count her!)

I started giving grandchildren piano lessons 18 years ago as my legacy gift to them.  Six of the grands are still taking lessons to this day.

 

Should you have any questions or comments, you may email me at

pamsheartart@boltfiber.net    

 I will gladly answer your questions in an effort to be transparent and keep you informed.

Thank you,

Pam

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

November project using Truly Blessed

 Thinking ahead to November, I created cards 

using previous Close To My Heart products.

I used the Truly Blessed Stamps and Thin Cuts Z3528 for the main spray. To begin, I stamped the entire image in Toffee.

 

To color in the leaves, I cut a sponging stencil from photo paper. I used shortbread over the entire leaf then Pumpkin to bring in color from the side. Green sprigs were colored with Dull Green Tri-Blend marker, and the red dots were the Deep Red Triblend. Wheatlike sprigs were colored in with newest colored pencils we had. 

 

I stamped the pine cones on the light side of Espresso and used Espresso ink to stamp them. Ditto with the acorn.

 

Little tag was from a tag set we had in Thin Cuts and the "enjoy" was from a very old sentiments set.

Enjoy your Fall!

With Heart,  Pam

 

A card that moves!

Every Month I have family birthday cards to make

This Month I chose to make a waterfall card for a

grandson.  One thing I have learned is that 

Just pull the red tab down and the messages will flip over

one after the other.  Super fun!

You can put any image on the flipping pieces as long as they 

fit on a 1 3/4 inch square. 

With Heart, Pam

Sunflowers!

 Since Close To My Heart closed ,

I have been playing with some things from my "stash".

It was so much fun to rediscover this delightful sunflower

paper to use for some happy greeting cards.

 

I used the Sentiment from CTMH B1864 Pineapple Sunshine

embossed on vellum with Copper powder and a cutout

from the paper to create the focal point.

Now as a bonus I will show you how I cut the papers and

cardstock for this layered effect. 

 

I hope you will give this pattern a try with

 some of your favorite papers!

With heart,  Pam

 

 

March 2024 Stamp of the Month

Just Chicken In March Stamp of the Month

   

For March I used two ideas from Becca Witham

She created the two on the right and I copied them. 

I had the Thin cuts that went with set.  Thin cuts are currently on backorder but  these shapes are easily cut out using scissors.

A tip:  to make flat embellishments like the black dots here punch out matching cardstock (or glitter paper as shown) with a paper punch.  You may then cover them with Liquid glass if you want more shine and height. 

 

 

This Stamp of the Month is only $5.00 with a $50 product order or FREE with a $50 product order if you are a VIP.

 

 

Please go to my website at https://pamsheartart.closetomyheart.com

 

You will see these stamps on my website homepage.  

We are also having a Cardstock Carnival  with single packs or a bundle being on sale.  My bundle arrived on Saturday  --WOOHOO!

There are a few more days to take advantage of these March offers!

With heart, Pam

 
 

Valentine cards for January Class

Bring on the Valentines! 

 I had a request for some vintage looking valentines in January

so here we go!  The one on the left will include instruction in making background paper with stamps and ink .  The middle cardinal card will be made using a stencil.  The Slimline card on the right will be simply made and use embroidery elements.  

 

At this time I have these times and dates for classes in my home.

Monday, January 22nd  1:30 PM

Friday, January 26 1:30 PM

Tuesday, January 30th 1:30 PM

Cost of class is $15 or FREE if you have a $25 product order!

I furnish all supplies except for your own scissors and adhesive you should bring. 

To view our new catalog, click on the catalog picture at the top.  This will take you to my website.  Click on"More" at the right and take the drop-down menu to "View Catalog"

Contact me at pamsheartart@boltfiber.net to reserve your place or get more information

With heart, Pam