Arnett Elementary welcomed students and families to its annual Scholastic Book Fair this past week, promoting a love of reading while helping expand classroom libraries.
The event kicked off on Monday, when students visited the book fair with their classes to browse a wide selection of books and create wish lists of titles they hoped to purchase. The early visit gave students time to explore different genres and get excited about reading before making their final selections later in the week.
A highlight of the event was Family Night, held on April 8, which invited parents and guardians to attend with their children. Families had the opportunity to shop together, encouraging students to share their reading interests and select books to enjoy at home.
The Scholastic Book Fair not only provides students with access to engaging and age-appropriate books, but also benefits the school directly. Proceeds from the fair help supply additional books and resources for classrooms, supporting teachers and enhancing learning opportunities for all students.
Arnett Elementary students pose in front of the Scholastic trailer in anticipation of the book fair!
Six students from Arnett Elementary recently demonstrated their math skills on a competitive stage, earning top honors at the Thunder Math Hoops regional tournament in Oklahoma City.
Thunder Math Hoops, presented by Devon Energy, is an engaging program that combines basketball and mathematics through a fast-paced board game. Using real statistics from NBA and WNBA players, the program helps students strengthen fundamental math skills while also building teamwork and communication abilities. The curriculum aligns with State Standards and emphasizes important 21st-century skills such as collaboration and critical thinking.
At Arnett Elementary, fourth through sixth grade math teacher Jamie Dearing, with assistance from Paige Dearing, introduced students to the game. Over several weeks, students learned the rules and strategies by playing every Friday. Working in pairs, they drafted their own teams and competed against classmates, developing both their mathematical understanding and interpersonal skills.
To determine who would advance, Mrs. Dearing organized grade-level tournaments. The top teams from each grade were selected to represent Arnett at the regional competition in Oklahoma City.
The qualifying students included Ryder Williams and Kaylee Walton for sixth grade, Wesley Wheeler and Kindrey Gaisford for fifth grade, and Ryker Appel and Kade Gaisford for fourth grade.
Arnett students delivered an impressive performance at regionals. Competing in three round-robin games, teams were then ranked based on wins and total points scored to determine the Final Four. Both Arnett’s sixth-grade and fifth-grade teams—Ryder Williams, Kaylee Walton, Wesley Wheeler, and Kindrey Gaisford—advanced to the semifinals and ultimately to the championship game.
In an extraordinary outcome, the final match came down to two teams from Arnett Elementary, out of a total of 34 competing teams. Ryder Williams and Kaylee Walton emerged victorious, bringing home the first-place trophy.
L-R Kayleey Walton, Kindrey Gaisford, Rumble, Wesley Wheeler, Kade Gaisford, Ryder Williams and Ryker Appel
The 6th Graders Ryder Williams and Kaylee Walton compete for the championship against 5th Graders Wesley Wheeler and Kindrey Gaisford.
Ryder Williams, Mrs. Dearing, and Kaylee Walton pose with two Thunder Girls after winning the math hoops competition.
Kade Gaisford and Ryker Appel prepare for the tournament. They played three great rounds and represented Arnett very well.
Arnett High School juniors participated in the ACT this week as part of Oklahoma’s statewide testing requirements.
All 11th-grade students across the state are required to take the ACT, which serves as both a college readiness assessment and a measure of student achievement. The exam provides valuable insight into students’ academic strengths and helps prepare them for post-secondary opportunities.
During the testing session, students completed multiple sections of the ACT, including English, Math, Reading, and Science. In addition, students also took the Writing portion, which assesses their ability to develop and support ideas in a structured essay.
The ACT is designed to evaluate critical thinking, problem-solving, and subject knowledge—skills that are essential for success in college and future careers. For many students, the test also plays a key role in college admissions and scholarship opportunities.
By participating in this statewide assessment, Arnett juniors took an important step toward their future goals while meeting Oklahoma’s academic standards.