Blackwell Schools set graduation date; say goodbye to veteran teacher

The Blackwell Board of Education met Monday night to approve teachers’ contracts for the 2022-2023 school year and to announce details for high school graduation in May. The meeting began with the board approving Blackwell High School art teacher Ashley Heitschmidt to take her art students to Fort Worth, Texas, for an educational trip.

In the past two years, Heitschmidt has been unable to take her students on their annual trip because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“It’s a very educational experience for them,” Superintendent Sean Haskins said. “They will be taking in a lot of the culture and scenery there. I highly recommend we approve.”

Moving on, the board accepted the resignations of Debbie Neal, Justin Garrison and Shelby Pittser. Neal has been a Blackwell Elementary School teacher since 1989. Haskins lamented losing her but said he was happy to see her entering retirement.

Board members then approved hiring Lydia Ashford as an elementary school teacher, Morgan Perry as a middle school teacher and Nicole Martin as a district substitute.

The board then heard reports from various district leaders. At the high school, students are taking ACT testing. Haskins and the board praised the recent cabaret performance by the choral program. At Blackwell Middle School, state testing is beginning next week. On May 2, there will be a fundraiser at The Hub in Tonkawa to raise money for student field trips and award functions.

The 8th grade class will visit the Holocaust Museum in Tulsa to finish a lesson on Anne Frank.

Principal Becky Miller also said that, while the wind has been too fierce for students to sit outside recently, the middle school now has outdoor tables. Teachers can use them for classes, and students can eat lunch using the tables.

At the elementary school, the annual Fun Run ended up collecting $53,000 after everything was tallied up.

The funds will go toward the purchase of outdoor shade structures.

The high school prom will be April 23. Graduation is once again slated to take place on the football field on May 20 at 7 p.m.