District Newsletter

Olney ISD is gearing up to host the highly anticipated Elementary and Junior High UIL District Academic Competition on December 6. Students and staff have been working tirelessly, preparing for a range of academic challenges that test their skills in subjects such as math, reading, science, social studies, and writing.

The competition will bring together students from across the district for a day of intellectual engagement, friendly rivalry, and the pursuit of excellence. Participants have been diligently practicing, often spending hours honing their knowledge and skills in their chosen events. Teachers and coaches have worked alongside their students, offering guidance and encouragement in the lead-up to the big day.

With categories spanning from spelling and listening skills to more complex events like number sense and mathematics, the event promises to showcase the hard work and dedication of the district’s brightest young minds.

Olney is hopeful that the efforts of its students will pay off with plenty of ribbons and medals to celebrate their success. But beyond the awards, the true reward lies in the experience, the teamwork, and the academic growth that will come from the competition.

The UIL District Academic Competition is an exciting opportunity for Olney ISD students to shine. Best of luck to all participants as they aim to bring home the hardware!

Congratulations goes out to our 6th Grade class for winning the OJH Cup for the second six weeks in a row. They will be receiving Cherry Limeade certificates from Sonic. Currently, they are in the lead of being overall OJH Cup winners.

Members of the Pride of Olney High School Band (POOHS) ranked

fifth at the Area B UIL Marching Contest on November 2. Contest was

held at Ram Stadium in Mineral Wells.

Placing fourth in the preliminaries, the band advanced to finals. By

placing fifth in the finals, the OHS Band clinched a second alternate

position to the State Marching Band Championships and was named an

Area finalist.

Bands from Anson, Santo, and Honey Grove High Schools were

selected to represent Area B at the San Antonio contest November 11-

13.

Bands advancing to the Area level must make a first-division rating at

their respective Region contests. Area B contest included seventeen

bands.

Theme of the OHS Band show was “RED”. Music from Mozart’s

“Requiem Mass”, “Habanera” from Bizet’s Carmen, theme from “Romeo

and Juliet” by Tchaikovsky, and a version of the OHS fight song and alma

mater completed the themes of wrath, passion, love, and courage. Music

arranger for the show was Mr. Dallas Bayless of Lubbock High School.

Marching drill arrangements were done by Mr. Josh Shaw of Lubbock

Coronado High School.

Judges for the competition included Mr. David Edge (Victoria), Bob

Howard (San Antonio), Gary Monroe (Powderly), John Mallon (Helotes),

and Eric Gray (Gilmer).

Since we are about to celebrate Thanksgiving, I’d like to share the mental health benefits of practicing gratitude and also include some resources to help us put it into practice. 

The Benefits of Practicing Gratitude:

1. It reduces stress, anxiety, and depression. 

2. It builds resilience. When we intentionally focus on what we have to be thankful for despite challenges in our lives, it helps us overcome obstacles. 

3. It fosters trusting relationships when we reflect on which relationships we are thankful for. 

4. It makes us healthier by improving immune function and lowering blood pressure. 

5. It aids in better sleep. 

The practice of gratitude takes intentional effort because it is not natural for the human brain. Our “caveman brain” was developed thousands of years ago when threats in our environment were higher than they are today. We were hardwired to locate the negative in the environment for survival. We have to make intentional choices to switch the negative off and focus on something more positive. The more we practice, the better we get at having a more positive mindset. Each time we choose gratitude, we are building new pathways in the brain to more easily see the positive in our lives. 

Try this:

1. A gratitude journal-each day reflect on one thing you’re thankful for from that day. 

2. Gratitude meditation (or prayer)-create space for quiet reflection about what you’re thankful for. This guided gratitude meditation is great for walking you through the identification of things we can be thankful for that we often don’t even realize. Its best done in the evening before bed so you can have solitude and a relaxed feeling before sleep:

3. Use “choice moments” throughout your day to catch yourself when you are in a negative loop. Stop the negative thought and reframe the thought into one that is more positive. 

The Lady Cubs have been in full swing and are 2-1 in the basketball season! Last week we played a game where Freshman stand out Natalie Simmons had a spectacular game earning her player of the week!

The Lady Cubs will be in tournament play in Quanah this weekend. Each day the Lady Cubs are improving and looking to get our basketball program back to hanging up banners in the gym! We thank each and everyone for their support of our program, and we look forward to seeing you in the stands cheering us on!

Nov. 21-23 - HS B/G in Quanah Tourney

Nov. 25 - HS Girls @ Hamlin, 11 am

Nov. 26 - HS Girls @ Munday, 11 am; HS Boys vs. Millsap, 12 pm

Dec. 2 - JH Boys @ Nocona, 5 pm; JH Girls vs. Nocona, 5 pm

Dec. 3 - HS Boys/Girls @ Garner, 5 pm

Dec. 5-7 - HS Boys/Girls in Chico Tourney; JV Boys in City View Tourney

Dec. 9 - JH Boys vs. Seymour, 5 pm; JH Girls @ Seymour, 5 pm

Dec. 10 - HS Boys vs. Eastland, 5 pm; HS Girls @ Perrin, 5:30 pm

Do you have positive Olney ISD news YOU want to share? Tell me about it - send me an email! webmaster@olneyisd.net

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