Our final Staff/Teacher Feature for the semester is over our fearless leader, Principal Kiley Donley. Mrs. Donley attended college at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (Go, Dawgs!) and has been in education for 23 years. She has spent 12 of those years here at Bethany and is in her 4th year as middle school principal.
“I never dreamed that I would be in the middle school setting. As a 3rd grader at Thomas Elementary, I knew that I was going to be an elementary teacher. For 19 years I did just that! I taught 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th grade and was also an elementary assistant principal for four years. When the opportunity to move to the MS was offered to me, I didn't really know what I was getting into. What a fun ride it has been getting to know students in middle school and helping them navigate the changes they face as they grow up and move into high school.”
Mrs. Donley enjoys:
🎥Movie - Father of the Bride; Hope Floats
🍴Restaurant - Hideaway, Chick Fil A, Charlestons
📺TV show - Friends
💙🟠❤️🟪Sports team - Thunder, OU, Bethany Bronchos
🥤Drink - Dr. Pepper
🎸Band or music - Country
🏄Vacation place - Seaside
🛍️Hobbies - Shopping, watching sports, reading
👪🦮🦮Family/pet details - 1 husband, 2 daughters, 2 mini goldendoodles
Fun fact about Mrs. Donley: She played many sports in high school, and basketball in college, and now her oldest daughter is doing the same! In fact, her oldest is a state champion in basketball, and both of her girls are state champions in soccer!
Say hello to Mrs. Donley!
“I never dreamed that I would be in the middle school setting. As a 3rd grader at Thomas Elementary, I knew that I was going to be an elementary teacher. For 19 years I did just that! I taught 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th grade and was also an elementary assistant principal for four years. When the opportunity to move to the MS was offered to me, I didn't really know what I was getting into. What a fun ride it has been getting to know students in middle school and helping them navigate the changes they face as they grow up and move into high school.”
Mrs. Donley enjoys:
🎥Movie - Father of the Bride; Hope Floats
🍴Restaurant - Hideaway, Chick Fil A, Charlestons
📺TV show - Friends
💙🟠❤️🟪Sports team - Thunder, OU, Bethany Bronchos
🥤Drink - Dr. Pepper
🎸Band or music - Country
🏄Vacation place - Seaside
🛍️Hobbies - Shopping, watching sports, reading
👪🦮🦮Family/pet details - 1 husband, 2 daughters, 2 mini goldendoodles
Fun fact about Mrs. Donley: She played many sports in high school, and basketball in college, and now her oldest daughter is doing the same! In fact, her oldest is a state champion in basketball, and both of her girls are state champions in soccer!
Say hello to Mrs. Donley!
As you drive in this morning, make sure to look up, say HELLO, and wave to Santa's elves!!! Happy Holidays!
Reminder, the High School is selling Holiday Grams to the middle school students this week. They will sell them in the cafeteria during lunch. They are 2/$1 and will be delivered to their "home room" by Wednesday of next week (before finals). It is a note (they fill out) and will have a full-size candy cane. Remind your students to bring their money if they'd like to send a holiday gram to friends (or themselves!) Friday is the last day!!
Don't forget, Holiday Spirit Week starts TOMORROW! Can't wait to see those Ugly Holiday Sweaters on Friday!
The High School is having a fundraiswer and will sell Holiday Grams to the middle school students next week. They will sell them in the cafeteria during lunch. They are 2/$1 and will be delivered to their "home room" by Wednesday of the following week (before finals). It is a note (they fill out) and will have a full-size candy cane. Remind your students to bring their money if they'd like to send a holiday gram to friends (or themselves!)
Today’s Teacher Feature is on Mr. Steve Sharp, Director of Bands here at Bethany Public Schools. Mr. Sharp obtained his Bachelors of Music Education degree from Southern Nazarene University, and his Masters of Music Education degree from the University of Central Oklahoma. Himself a graduate of BHS, we are so grateful that he has spent the last nine years of his 26 years total in education, right back here at Bethany!
Some of Mr. Sharp’s favorite things:
👰Movie- The Princess Bride
🥣Snack- Cheerios
🤠Restaurant- Any BBQ
📺TV show- Any Murder Mystery
🏈 🏀Sports team- OU; Denver Broncos; OKC Thunder
🥤Drink - Sprite; Tea
🎷Band or music - Jazz
📚Book- Murder mysteries
🌄Vacation - Anywhere with mountains
🚗Hobbies- Yard work, working on cars, woodwork
🏁Dream career if not a teacher - Race car driver
One fun fact about Mr. Sharp: He has driven a Lamborghini Huracan really fast on a certified Formula 1 race track!
“I don't have a pithy quote, I just know that it was the mentorship of great teachers that influenced me to become a band director. Growing up in the Sharp family, making music was a big part of our life. It was through the influence of a great college professor who taught me how to teach and build positive relationships that I discovered I wanted to share my love for music with others.
I really love middle school kids because of their energy and enthusiasm. If you don't tell them it's hard and keep a good balance of hard work with positive rewards, middle school kids could take over the world. I know this hyperbolic statement seems silly but I truly admire the energy, drive, resiliency and enthusiasm of the adolescent student.”
Say hello to Mr. Sharp!
Some of Mr. Sharp’s favorite things:
👰Movie- The Princess Bride
🥣Snack- Cheerios
🤠Restaurant- Any BBQ
📺TV show- Any Murder Mystery
🏈 🏀Sports team- OU; Denver Broncos; OKC Thunder
🥤Drink - Sprite; Tea
🎷Band or music - Jazz
📚Book- Murder mysteries
🌄Vacation - Anywhere with mountains
🚗Hobbies- Yard work, working on cars, woodwork
🏁Dream career if not a teacher - Race car driver
One fun fact about Mr. Sharp: He has driven a Lamborghini Huracan really fast on a certified Formula 1 race track!
“I don't have a pithy quote, I just know that it was the mentorship of great teachers that influenced me to become a band director. Growing up in the Sharp family, making music was a big part of our life. It was through the influence of a great college professor who taught me how to teach and build positive relationships that I discovered I wanted to share my love for music with others.
I really love middle school kids because of their energy and enthusiasm. If you don't tell them it's hard and keep a good balance of hard work with positive rewards, middle school kids could take over the world. I know this hyperbolic statement seems silly but I truly admire the energy, drive, resiliency and enthusiasm of the adolescent student.”
Say hello to Mr. Sharp!
We would like to say congratulations to our middle school Students of the Month! 6th grade: Chaden Cowan and Lena Ulvestad; 7th grade: Sia Lockhart and Santiago Lopez; 8th grade: Rowan Estep and Jett Dickerson. Thank you for representing your classmates and school so well!
Holiday Spirit Week starts next Monday!
Although SWAT Week (Students Who Achieve Together) doesn't happen until spring, we are kicking off the fundraising early! Please take note of optional hat & pajama days coming up!
Congratulations to these students for making the Jr. High All-State Choir!
Kara Brooke
Jett Dickerson
Greyson Holt
Roxie Lamb
Harrison Miller
Harley Simmons
Grace White
Amy Wickersham
and Bennett Wickwire
Kara Brooke
Jett Dickerson
Greyson Holt
Roxie Lamb
Harrison Miller
Harley Simmons
Grace White
Amy Wickersham
and Bennett Wickwire
We are so excited that basketball season is here, but looking ahead, baseball season is just around the corner! Time flies! Tryouts for the BMS spring baseball team will take place Dec 2 & 3 from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm at the BHS baseball field. Transportation will not be provided. Bring your glove and bat; cleats not needed. Final foms must be done. Dress warm, just in case!
This week’s Teacher Feature is over 8th grade ELA teacher, Mrs. Taylor Yeagley. She received a journalism degree from Oklahoma University, and has spent 12 years in education total, eight of them right here at Bethany Middle School.
One of Mrs. Yeagley’s favorite quotes about education:
"Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it is stupid."
Mrs. Yeagley enjoys:
🍔Movie: Good Burger
🍕Restaurant: Hall's Pizza
📺TV show: How I Met Your Mother//New Girl//The Office
🧡♥️💜Sports team: Thunder/OU/K State
🥤Drink: Poppi Punch Pop or unsweet tea
🎶Band or music: Mumford and Sons + Forrest Frank
🪄Book: Discipline is Destiny, anything Kristin Hannah, and (of course) Harry Potter
😎Vacation place: Seaside, Disney, or Universal
🍞Hobbies: making anything sourdough
🧑💼Dream career if not a teacher: architect or shop owner
Two fun facts about Mrs. Yeagley: She can juggle, and she has a French Bulldog named Biggie.
“I love middle school--particularly 8th grade. It truly is such a fun and unique age--they aren't little, but they aren't quite old enough to have grown-up responsibilities either. It is such a fun age to be around--they keep me on my toes! To me, it is a sweet (sometimes stinky and a little sassy) spot, and I can't imagine spending my days with grown-ups!”
One of Mrs. Yeagley’s favorite quotes about education:
"Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it is stupid."
Mrs. Yeagley enjoys:
🍔Movie: Good Burger
🍕Restaurant: Hall's Pizza
📺TV show: How I Met Your Mother//New Girl//The Office
🧡♥️💜Sports team: Thunder/OU/K State
🥤Drink: Poppi Punch Pop or unsweet tea
🎶Band or music: Mumford and Sons + Forrest Frank
🪄Book: Discipline is Destiny, anything Kristin Hannah, and (of course) Harry Potter
😎Vacation place: Seaside, Disney, or Universal
🍞Hobbies: making anything sourdough
🧑💼Dream career if not a teacher: architect or shop owner
Two fun facts about Mrs. Yeagley: She can juggle, and she has a French Bulldog named Biggie.
“I love middle school--particularly 8th grade. It truly is such a fun and unique age--they aren't little, but they aren't quite old enough to have grown-up responsibilities either. It is such a fun age to be around--they keep me on my toes! To me, it is a sweet (sometimes stinky and a little sassy) spot, and I can't imagine spending my days with grown-ups!”
The annual BMS Food Pantry Drive kicks off TOMORROW and will run Nov 10-14. Please see the attached list for requested donations. These pantry items are used to directly help BPS families and students facing food insecurity ..... thank you for your help!
Today’s Staff/Teacher feature is on Mrs. Tracy Williford, who taught at Bethany Elementary before moving to the middle school as our School Counselor. She has spent 28 years total in education, 22 of them right here at BPS. She attended Oklahoma University and obtained her BS in English Education, then received her Masters in Counseling Psychology from Southern Nazarene University.
“I always loved school and wanted to continue learning, which you can do as a teacher. I left the classroom to become a counselor because I enjoyed getting to talk one-on-one with students. I retired two years ago, but I wasn't ready to give up spending time with my favorite people, so I now work part time here in the MS because middle school students really are my favorite. They're smart, funny, honest, and energetic, and they inspire me to be the same.”
Mrs. Williford’s favorites:
🧑🎄Movie- Elf (or any Christmas movie)
🍿Snack- flavored popcorn, fruit
🍽️Restaurant- Red Rock Canyon
📺TV show- The Chosen
🏀Sports team- OKC Thunder
☕Drink- coffee (hot always!)
🎵Band or music- Christian, 80s pop
📖Book- anything fantasy
🗻Vacation place- mountains, Lake Texoma
🚴🧑🌾Hobbies- gardening, reading, biking, sourdough baking
🔬Dream career if not a teacher- neuroscientist (I love studying brain development.)
Family/pet details - married for 33 years to a general contractor, 3 adult children (1 school counselor, 1 professional media director, 1 special education teacher), 2 grandchildren👶👶 (Lennon and Elliott)
A few fun facts about Mrs. Williford: She graduated from Amber-Pocasset with a class of 31 people, and used to race mountain bikes. 🚵 Also, she was an all-state basketball player in high school! 🏀
We hope you’ve enjoyed getting to know a little more about Mrs. Williford!
“I always loved school and wanted to continue learning, which you can do as a teacher. I left the classroom to become a counselor because I enjoyed getting to talk one-on-one with students. I retired two years ago, but I wasn't ready to give up spending time with my favorite people, so I now work part time here in the MS because middle school students really are my favorite. They're smart, funny, honest, and energetic, and they inspire me to be the same.”
Mrs. Williford’s favorites:
🧑🎄Movie- Elf (or any Christmas movie)
🍿Snack- flavored popcorn, fruit
🍽️Restaurant- Red Rock Canyon
📺TV show- The Chosen
🏀Sports team- OKC Thunder
☕Drink- coffee (hot always!)
🎵Band or music- Christian, 80s pop
📖Book- anything fantasy
🗻Vacation place- mountains, Lake Texoma
🚴🧑🌾Hobbies- gardening, reading, biking, sourdough baking
🔬Dream career if not a teacher- neuroscientist (I love studying brain development.)
Family/pet details - married for 33 years to a general contractor, 3 adult children (1 school counselor, 1 professional media director, 1 special education teacher), 2 grandchildren👶👶 (Lennon and Elliott)
A few fun facts about Mrs. Williford: She graduated from Amber-Pocasset with a class of 31 people, and used to race mountain bikes. 🚵 Also, she was an all-state basketball player in high school! 🏀
We hope you’ve enjoyed getting to know a little more about Mrs. Williford!
Look at us GO!!! We love our parents, faculty, teachers, support staff, administrators, and most of all .... our STUDENTS!
https://www.news9.com/oklahoma-city-education/oklahoma-top-public-middle-schools
https://www.news9.com/oklahoma-city-education/oklahoma-top-public-middle-schools
Great job to our sixth grade choir for an evening of fun Broadway musical selections last night! Sixth grade choir is directed by Mrs. Dena Chitwood. Their next performance will be at the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast on Dec 6th. Make plans now to attend!
Congratulations to our students who were recognized today as the October Students of the Month! 8th grade: Jaxon B and Avery T; 7th grade: Rocky B and Makayla C; 6th grade: Quentin S and Elise H. Great job, Bronchos!
The annual BMS Food Pantry Drive will kick off in just ONE WEEK and run Nov 10-14. Please see the attached list for requested donations. These pantry items are used to directly help BPS families and students facing food insecurity ..... thank you for your help!
Today’s teacher feature is over Mr./Coach Cole Rinke, himself a 2012 graduate of BHS, and for the last nine years, our 6th grade science teacher and assistant high school boy’s and girl’s soccer coach.
Coach Rinke attended Oklahoma Christian University to play soccer and receive his B.S. in Science.
Coach Rinke enjoys:
🍫Snack- Reese
🏝️TV show- Love Island USA
⚽🐬🏀Sports team- Manchester United, Miami Dolphins, OKC Thunder
🥤Drink- Diet Coke
🐟Hobbies- amateur fish keeper
🐶🐶🐠🐟Family/pet details- 2 Dogs, 50+ fish
Coach Rinke does an incredible job of making science exciting for our sixth grade students, and they love all the engaging lessons and experiments he leads in class.
Say hello to Coach Rinke!
Coach Rinke attended Oklahoma Christian University to play soccer and receive his B.S. in Science.
Coach Rinke enjoys:
🍫Snack- Reese
🏝️TV show- Love Island USA
⚽🐬🏀Sports team- Manchester United, Miami Dolphins, OKC Thunder
🥤Drink- Diet Coke
🐟Hobbies- amateur fish keeper
🐶🐶🐠🐟Family/pet details- 2 Dogs, 50+ fish
Coach Rinke does an incredible job of making science exciting for our sixth grade students, and they love all the engaging lessons and experiments he leads in class.
Say hello to Coach Rinke!
In addition to promoting a healthy lifestyle message, Red Ribbon Week is a great way for our students to show off their creativity. Two thumbs up to sibling duo McKenna and Caden R. for pulling off the ultimate switcharoo on Mix-Match Day!
