Welcome to the 2020-21 school year. I would like to introduce myself, my name is Kurt Myers.

This is my first year as principal at Etta Dale Junior High School and will be my 24th year in education. I have been a teacher, coach and administrator in school districts throughout Oklahoma and Texas.

I can’t put into words the excitement I have for this opportunity to serve the stakeholders in the El Reno school district.

Etta Dale’s mission is to meet the educational, social and emotional needs of our student population in a safe and nurturing educational environment. This will be achieved through collaborative discourse and differentiated learning between the staff and students, risk-free communication based on mutual respect, and innovative teaching methods.

Our students have the capacity to develop the enthusiasm to become lifelong learners and will be prepared to excel at the next level. We pledge to work with home and the community as partners.

We expect students to attend school regularly, put forth great effort in each class, and respect the rights of each individual in our school community.

Our goal is to provide students with an equitable educational experience that is standards-based, measurable, attainable, relevant and immersed in technology. Instruction that is driven by the belief that all students can learn, that relationships are central to success and that all students have something to contribute to the community.

Our theme this year is “BE THE CHANGE!” As we go through this historic time, it is important that we follow CDC guidelines to keep our students healthy. Along with the importance of keeping our students healthy, through daily changes in our school day routine, we have a great responsibility to provide the best education possible.

We will give our students the academic tools to become the best citizen they can be. We will encourage our students to be the person that changes the world for the better. We will encourage them to use their strengths and interests to be the change that takes El Reno Public Schools and our community to heights never imagined. We will encourage them to be the change that influences local, state and nation in a positive fashion. Our students and faculty will BE THE CHANGE!!

We are welcoming five new outstanding teachers to our campus. Sean Lowell will be teaching seventh- and eighth-grade science and coaching JH football, basketball and baseball. Maison Lang will be teaching reading. Jacob Briggs will be teaching social studies and coaching HS football and JH baseball. Weston McGill will be teaching physical education and coaching HS football and powerlifting. Debbie McCormick will be providing special education services to our JH students.

I look forward to working with each of you this school year. Let’s make it the best year ever!

COVID-19 Safety Measures for Etta Dale Junior High
Grades 7-8

STUDENT ARRIVAL
▶ Masks will be mandatory for all people in the building.
▶ Students arriving before 7:40 a.m. will wait in the gym with required social distancing.
▶ Students not eating breakfast may report to their first hour at 7:40.

BREAKFAST
▶ Students choosing to receive breakfast at school will have a grab-and-go option. They may eat in the cafeteria with allowable social distancing or take it with them to their first-hour classroom.

CLASSROOMS
▶ Students will be socially distanced in class facing the same direction as much as allowed by the size of the classroom.
▶ Hand sanitizer will be available in each classroom for students to sanitize their hands before, during and after class.
▶ Sanitizing wipes will be available to sanitize Chromebooks and desks as allowable.
▶ Continued emphasis on hygiene, hand-washing and keeping hands out of the facial area will be in place throughout all rooms.

CLASS TRANSITIONS
▶ Staircases will be designated as to go up or down to reduce traffic.
▶ Hallways will also be designated for directional flow.
▶ Teachers will monitor halls to keep traffic flowing and reduce student gatherings.
▶ Restrooms will not be available during transitions. Students will be allowed to use the restroom during class time to limit large groups.

LUNCH
▶ Lunchtime will be divided into four separate lunch periods.
▶ Student seating in the cafeteria will face the same direction and have adequate social distancing.

SCHOOL DISMISSAL
▶ Student dismissal will be staggered for walkers and bus riders.