Bring on Spring!

After a few weeks of chilly and gloomy weather, the sun finally came out and the temperatures gave us a sweet glimpse into the Spring weather. As far as I am concerned, the beautiful weather can stay as long as it likes.

It has been a true joy to drive around to our campuses and see students taking advantage of the incredible weather as well. Our elementary students are full of excitement and energy running around during recess soaking in the rays. Some teachers have taken their classes outside to work on projects and assignments. The weather has especially been nice for our student-athletes who are in the midst of preparing for their season openers.

The nice temps and weather conditions aren’t here to stay for long. Those of us who have lived in Oklahoma long enough know that severe weather season will soon be upon us. It’s never too early to start discussing family emergency plans with your students. As a reminder to our families, be sure to reach out to the school with any contact information changes. This will ensure you receive instant updates and notifications from the district and schools.

This month, we celebrate Black History Month with the theme focusing on African Americans and the Arts. Many of our students and staff are presenting and showcasing their artistic talents in various art shows throughout the community in celebration of Black History Month. There are also several events taking place to highlight those who have positively impacted our nation’s history and culture. Be on the lookout for those celebrations on our social media platforms.

It’s crazy to think we are already in the midst of February events and activities. I encourage our families to stay attuned to their student’s school calendars and newsletters. Our secondary sites are pushing out information regarding pre-enrollment. Families can also find the middle and high school course catalogs on our lawtonps.org website.

There are several new courses as we continue to build upon our three pathways: Enrolled, Enlisted, and Employed. Take time to sit down with your student and review the courses and pathways set forth in the catalog. It is never too early to think about their desired career.

Whether they choose to go directly to work after high school, join the military, or attend career tech or college, there are classes available to help prepare them for life after high school. It’s important to consider all of our options and if you need assistance, we have a team of counselors and administrators available to assist and answer questions.

Speaking of counselors, next week is National School Counseling Week. I want to give a huge shoutout to all of our counselors for the work they do in helping our students social-emotional well-being and in achieving great success during their educational career. Be sure to thank your counselor next week and by reaching out to the ones who made a positive impact on you.

Spring is upon us LPS family and before you know it, we will be saying farewell to the Senior Class of 2024! Until then, let’s enjoy the next few months with excitement, anticipation, and zest. Be sure to keep up to date with all the amazing things happening at our district by following our social media platforms. We have an incredible three and a half months to go! Thank you for your continued support of our district.

Kevin Hime is superintendent of Lawton Public Schools.