Commerce Public Schools

Grand Head Start now enrolling Little Tigers too!

Backpack Giveaway

🎉 Ottawa County Fair Buddy Show – Sign Up Today! 🐄🐖🐐

Dear Families,

We’re excited to share a special opportunity at this year’s Ottawa County Fair! The Buddy Show is a heartwarming event where children with disabilities or special needs get to experience the fun of the show ring—paired with an experienced showman to guide them.

🌟 Every participant will receive a trophy and a custom OCF Buddy Show T-shirt!

If your child would like to participate, sign up at this link: https://tinyurl.com/2s3m2d6m

📧 Questions? Contact Calvin Johnson, Agricultural Education Teacher at Fairland Public Schools: cjohnson@fpsowls.com

Let’s make this a fun and unforgettable experience! 💙

📅 2025–2026 CHS Schedule Pick-Up Information
✅ Before You Arrive:
All online enrollment forms must be completed at https://www.teacherease.com before schedule pick-up.

🗓️ Schedule Pick-Up Dates & Times

Monday, August 4
Seniors: 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Juniors: 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Note: Doors will be closed from 11:30–12:30, even if you are in line.

Tuesday, August 5
Sophomores: 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Freshmen: 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Doors will be closed from 11:30–12:30

Thursday, August 7
New Student Enrollment & Schedule Changes: 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM

📌 Important Reminders:
💻 Chromebook Fee: $25 (pay during pick-up, if you have not paid online)
🔒 Locker Checkout available at pick-up
🏃‍♂️ Athletic & Band Physicals: Must be completed promptly or students will be removed from Athletics/Band
🧪 Drug Testing (Athletics Only):
School Wide Testing August 1st
Female - 9:00-10:30
Male - 10:30-12:00

📅 Start Dates Reminder
Commerce Public Schools: First day is Wednesday, August 13
Northeast Tech (NeTech): Also begins Wednesday, August 13
NEO (Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College): Starts Monday, August 18

🛑 All schedules are final after Friday, August 15 – no changes will be made beyond that date.

⚽ BIG NEWS for CMS Tiger Athletics! ⚽

Tonight, the Commerce Board of Education voted unanimously to add Middle School Boys and Girls Soccer beginning with the 2025–2026 school year! 🐅

📈 With more NE Oklahoma schools recently launching middle school soccer programs, the timing was perfect for us to join the trend and bring this exciting opportunity to our young Tigers!

We’re proud to offer another way for students to get involved, build teamwork, and represent Commerce with pride. Whether they’re seasoned players or brand new to the sport, we can’t wait to watch them take the field.

Get ready, Tigers — soccer is coming to CMS! 💙⚽🧡
#TigerPride #CommerceSoccer #GoTigers #NewTraditions

📌 TRANSFER REMINDER 📌
Returning students do NOT need to complete a transfer.
If you’ve submitted a transfer request to Commerce Public Schools, please remember:

✅ Being accepted into TeacherEase only allows you to complete enrollment forms.
🚫 It does NOT mean your transfer is finalized.

✔️ Two steps must be completed and approved for your transfer to be official:
1️⃣ State Transfer Application – either online via the OSDE website or by completing a paper form
2️⃣ TeacherEase Enrollment

Both must be completed AND approved before your student can attend.

For more info, visit 👉 https://www.commercetigers.net/page/online-enrollment-25-26

Questions? Call the Superintendent’s Office at (918) 675-4316. 🐅

🍽️ Free Meals for All Students – Continuing for 2025–2026!

We’re excited to share that ALL Commerce students will continue to receive FREE breakfast and lunch for the 2025–2026 school year!

This is our second year participating in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)—a federal program under the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs that allows eligible schools to provide meals at no charge to students, with no household applications required.

Students ate free all of last year, and families enjoyed the benefit of not having to pay out of pocket. We’re proud to keep this program going for another year.

Why This Matters:
✅ Eliminates paperwork for families and staff
✅ Reduces stigma—everyone eats free
✅ Increases student participation
✅ Ensures more students have access to nutritious meals

How It’s Funded:
CEP is 100% federally funded through the USDA and helps schools provide free meals to all students without added costs to families.

We’re proud to have qualified for this program and grateful to our child nutrition and federal programs staff for their hard work in securing it. Meeting students’ basic needs remains a top priority at Commerce Public Schools.

Let’s eat! 🐾

📣 Student Enrollment Update – July 10 📣

We’re off to a strong start with our new enrollment system! As of today:
✅ 239 students are fully complete
🟡 66 students are partially complete
(Reminder: If ALL forms don’t have a green check mark, you are NOT finished)
🔴 515 students haven’t started yet

This is great progress for just Day 4 — thank you to the families who’ve already jumped in!

📌 If you haven’t finished, please take time to complete your forms when you can.
💻 Use a computer if your mobile device gives you trouble.
🔗 Enroll here:Commercetigers.net-Online Enrollment 25–26
📞 Need help? Call the district office at 918-675-4316.

🗓️ Important Dates:
📅 Open House for all 3 schools – Monday, August 11 from 5:00–6:30 PM
🎒 First Day of School – Wednesday, August 13
📄 View the full 2025-2026 School Calendar: https://5il.co/3liyr

Let’s keep it going, Tiger family! 🐅💙

🚐 Road trip time! Good luck to these Tigers as they head to TSA Nationals! We’re proud of their hard work and can’t wait to see what they accomplish. Safe travels and go represent! 💙⚪️ #TigerPride #TSANationals #RoadTripReady

📢 OSSAA DEAD WEEK REMINDER 📢 📅 June 28 – July 6, 2025 It’s officially OSSAA Dead Week — a scheduled break for all student-athletes and coaches across Oklahoma. Per OSSAA guidelines: 🚫 No practices 🚫 No workouts 🚫 No team meetings 🚫 No use of school facilities 🚫 No contact between coaches and student-athletes This is a mandatory break, designed to give everyone a chance to relax and enjoy time with friends and family. 🌞 We’ll hit the ground running after July 6th — rested, recharged, and ready to work! 💪🐅 Go Tigers!

Proud of these 15 young men who dedicated part of their summer to grinding at the OL/DL camp in Bixby! They showed up, worked hard, and represented Commerce with pride. The future of Tiger Football is in good hands! 🔵⚪️ #HardWorkPaysOff #TigerPride

📵 Cell Phone Policy FAQ ⚖️ Policy Background Q: Why this big change now? A: Senate Bill 139 was passed into law by the Oklahoma Legislature and goes into effect July 1, 2025. It requires all public school districts to restrict student use of personal electronic devices during the school day unless approved by both a parent and the superintendent (or designee). While Commerce has previously allowed limited use during lunch and passing periods, the new law mandates a stricter, more consistent approach. Our updated policy reflects these legal requirements and supports a focused, distraction-free learning environment. 💬 Communication & Contact Q: How can I contact my child during the school day if they don’t have their phone? A: Students can be reached through their school email (accessed on their Chromebook), or by calling the school office. We will always relay important messages as needed. Q: What if I need to remind my child about something after school, like an appointment? A: Students still have access to their school email — it’s a reliable and familiar way to send reminders. You’re also welcome to call the office, and we’ll be happy to pass along the message. 📱 Daily Logistics & Expectations Q: What does “bell to bell” mean? A: “Bell to bell” refers to the instructional portion of the school day — from the first bell that starts classes to the final bell that ends the school day. Phones are not to be used during this time unless otherwise approved. Q: What happens at dismissal? Do bus riders get their phones back? A: Yes. Students will have access to their phones at the end of the school day before leaving or boarding the bus. The “bell to bell” policy applies during the instructional day only. Q: What if a student is walking home and something happens to them? A: Students will have access to their phones as soon as the school day ends. The “bell to bell” policy only applies during instructional hours. This policy does not limit access to phones outside of those times. Before and after school, students are allowed to use their phones. As always, student safety is a top priority. Q: Lunch is a good time to let students use their phones. Why is that part of the rule? A: The bill requires it. At CMS and CHS, we’ve previously allowed phone use between classes and at lunch. However, lawmakers expressed interest in promoting real conversations and social interaction during lunch without screens. Lunch is one of the few unstructured times during the day when students can connect face-to-face, and this rule helps protect that opportunity. 🚫 Discipline & Consequences Q: What’s the punishment if a student has their phone out during the day? A: The current discipline policy for cell phone violations is outlined in the student handbook, which is linked on our website and provided during school registration. It’s always a good idea to review the handbook and stay familiar with school expectations. That said, our current policy is being updated this summer to align with the new state law. 🧠 Purpose, Exceptions & Appropriate Tech Use Q: Why allow Chromebooks but take away phones? Aren’t they both screens? A: Chromebooks are educational tools provided and managed by the school. They are filtered and monitored to meet federal CIPA (Children’s Internet Protection Act) compliance requirements. Phones, on the other hand, are personal devices that often introduce distractions — social media, messaging, games, and more. This policy isn’t about screen time; it’s about purposeful tech use that supports learning. Q: What about students with special needs or medical reasons? A: Senate Bill 139 includes exceptions for students with documented medical or disability-related needs. We will work with families on a case-by-case basis. If your child needs access to a phone for health monitoring, let the school know so we can make appropriate accommodations. The bill specifically states: “Use of cell phones or personal electronic devices by students who use them to monitor health issues.” 🚨 Emergencies & Special Circumstances Q: What if there’s a lockdown and I can’t get in touch with my child? A: In emergencies, school staff follow strict safety procedures to keep students safe. During lockdowns, phone use is discouraged to avoid misinformation and prevent interference with emergency operations. Many 911 centers report being overwhelmed by panicked calls from families, which delays responses to real-time threats. You’ll receive verified updates from the district or emergency responders. Q: Does this rule apply on field trips, athletic events, or extracurriculars? A: The “bell to bell” policy applies during the regular school day. Phone use outside of that — including during school-sponsored activities — will be determined by the supervising staff and the nature of the event. Coaches and sponsors will communicate expectations directly with students.

📵 New State Law: Cell Phone Use Restricted During School Day (Starting 2025-2026) 📵 Oklahoma’s Governor has signed Senate Bill 139 into law, which requires all students to have cell phones and personal electronic devices turned off and put away during the entire school day — from the first bell to the last. 🔹 This applies to all grade levels, including middle and high school students, who were previously allowed to use phones during lunch or passing periods. 🔹 School-issued Chromebooks and other approved devices will still be allowed for instructional use. We have found that the temptation to turn a phone on is simply too strong for many students when they’re allowed to carry it throughout the day. In an effort to follow Senate Bill 139 and maintain a distraction-free environment, cell phone lockers will be located at the main entrances of both Commerce Middle School and Commerce High School. 🔐 Each student will be assigned a locker number to store their phone each morning. Lockers will be placed under surveillance and secured by the office after phones are turned in. 🚗 Students may also choose to leave their phone at home or in their vehicle. 📱 According to the bill, “Personal electronic devices include, but are not limited to, smart watches, smart headphones, laptops, tablets, and smart glasses.” 📄 Parents and students who would like to read the full bill can find it here: 👉 https://www.oklegislature.gov/cf_pdf/2025-26%20ENR/SB/SB139%20ENR.PDF Thank you for supporting a focused, safe, and respectful learning environment at Commerce Public Schools. 💙🐯

CHS Boys basketball had a great 2 days at NSU🟢⚪️basketball team camp! Future so bright! Go Tigers 🐯 💙

📣 Attention Parents! Tiger Cheer Camp is coming! 🐯📣 Join the CHS Cheerleaders for two days of fun and spirit July 10–11! Open to all students entering Pre-K through 6th grade. More details will be shared soon—stay tuned!

Come Join Our Team!

Tiger Cheer had a great week at NCA Cheer Camp! We had 4 All-American Cheerleader nominees, an All-American Mascot Nominee, and 2 All-American Cheerleaders! They placed 2nd in both the Game Day and Rally Routine competitions. Go Tigers!!

Commerce Public Schools is excited to partner with Compass Academy this summer! We will be providing transportation from Commerce High School to Quapaw for middle school students participating in Compass Academy’s summer program. Thank you to Compass Academy and the Quapaw Nation for including our students in this incredible opportunity! Families are invited to attend a Party in the Park at Quapaw to learn more about the program. CAN is open to students entering grades 6-9. All students must submit an Application. Applications must be accompanied by a School Form submitted by a teacher or administrator. 📅 Visit https://www.compassacademynetwork.org/ to learn more and apply online!

The Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association (OSSAA) has requested that all schools post this on their website. MEMORANDUM Date: May 20, 2025 To: Public From: OSSAA Subject: Public Service Announcement – One-Time Change of School Hardship Waiver To be eligible for a one-time change of school hardship, students must submit a Student Transfer Application through the State Department of Education’s website between June 1st and July 15th. If a student is returning to their home district, the school must provide documentation showing the student began the enrollment process on or before July 15th. Details of the criteria can be found on the OSSAA Website under “One Time Change of School Hardship Criteria.” Students who miss the July 15th deadline will not be granted a hardship under the “one-time change of school” criteria. A hardship waiver submitted after the deadline must demonstrate an unusual, unforeseen, or unavoidable circumstance that compelled the student to change schools. Once the student has begun the enrollment process, the school is responsible for submitting the hardship waiver to the OSSAA.