June 14, 2023 Issue, Page 3 of 8

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June 14, 2023 News The Elk City News - 3 Elk City Agriscience Teacher Attends Professional Development Institute Karie Dillinger, an agri- CASE is an instructional elevate student experiences in tural Education. focus in the classroom from experiements we tried will science educator & FFA advi- system that is changing the the agriculture classroom and During the BriefCASE In- teacher-led to student-directed make for a fun “Farm to Fork” culture of agriculture pro- sor at Elk City High School re- prepare students for success stitute, Dillinger spent two learning. yearlong project for our first grams in the United States cently attended a Curriculum in college and careers empha- days working through nearly “T've been hesitant to try year ag students,” said Dil- for Agricultural Science Educa- through teacher professional sizing science, technology, en- every lesson in the year-long CASE professional develop- linger. tion professional development development; inquiry-based, institute at OSU-Stillwater to student-focused lessons; as- gineering, and math (STEM). curriculum and learning how ment because I knew how rig- For more information teach the AgXplore CASE cur- sessment; and certification. CASE is an initiative of The to deliver lessons in an inqui- orous it could be; but I defi- about CASE, visit teachCASE. riculum. Teachers use the curriculum to National Council for Agricul- ry-based way that will shift nitely think the acti org. Canute Jr High and High School 2nd Semester Honor Rolls 2023 There’s no place like hope. Superintendent's Honor Jade Gray Roll Kim Harris Parker Jacks 7th grade Isaac Snowder CASA Volunteers Peri Gulley Alex Jarnagin Mazee Nidey Rook Walker Kyron Whinery From left to right: Kevin Williams- Elk City; Richelle Miller- Weatherford; Jayden Langley- Weatherford; Kaci Parks- Myla Nidey Principal's Honor Roll Weatherford; Kendra Brown- Weatherford. Satcher Peck Bianca Roque 7th Grade Graci Snowder Sayde Allen CASA of Western Oklahoma is excited to announce our new- CASA Volunteers advocate for abused and neglected children Brooke Thomas Parker Bartlett est CASA volunteers! They have completed 30 hours of in service in western Oklahoma who are in the foster care system. We are Makenzie Thompson Kimbree Buckley training and are ready to serve our 5 counties, Those counties thankful that these 5 incredible individuals raised their hand and Paisley Visnieski Maryann Crawford include, Custer, Beckham, Washita, Roger Mills and Dewey. Our said yes to being a voice for our CASA kids!. Bryson Earle 8th Grade Blaine Hardaway Kaydence Cox Bryce Jellison Jake Miles Jessi Weir Aetna Better Health of Oklahoma selected Freshmen Jake Beutler 8th Grade Nekota Crum Vince Drinnon Rener Hoffman to support Medicaid members Noah Jarnagin Casady Marshall Macie Rogers Jarrod Ibrom Alexander Misener Dallas Price Zeke Snowder Aiden Smith OKLAHOMA CITY — Aetna Better ery of Medicare, D-SNP and commercial About Aetna Medicaid Luke Spitz Brooklynn Smith Health of Oklahoma has been selected to health benefits, supporting approximately Aetna Medicaid Administrators LLC Camri Tabor serve Oklahoma Medicaid beneficiaries 108,000 Oklahomans. In addition, Aetna (Aetna Medicaid), a CVS Health company, Noah Thompson Freshmen by the Oklahoma Health Care Authority has over 30 years of experience managing the has provided grants totaling more than Keaton Whinery Josslynn Dobyns Jake Knutson under a new statewide Medicaid contract. $600,000 to support local organizations care of under-resourced populations, using in- Services under the contract support Okla- addressing key issues in Oklahoma, such novative approaches and a local presence in Sophmores Julio Montoya Jaxon Beck Clay Randall homa Medicaid’s SoonerSelect Medical as access to care in rural areas, literacy, each market to achieve both successful health Colton Estes Jayda Reynolds Plan. behavioral health, health and wellness for care results and effective cost outcomes. Aetna Conagher Hardaway ‘Through the contract award, Medicaid youth and support for survivors of abuse. Medicaid has expertise serving high-need Med- Brance Pitzer Sophmores eligible populations in the state will have “We'll work closely with the State of icaid members, including those who are dually Kelsyn Steffes Cooper Bartlett access to an Aetna Better Health of Okla- Oklahoma to implement customized pro- Bryler Lewis homa plan for the first time. Populations grams that deliver personalized and coor- eligible for Medicaid and Medicare. Current- Juniors Kalie Milburn include SoonerSelect members enrolled in dinated health care,” said Kelly Munson, ly, Aetna Medicaid owns and/or administers Emily Cantwell Shyanna Redd the Oklahoma Children’s Health Insurance President, Aetna Medicaid. “We're already Medicaid managed health care plans under the Madison Church Brance Simpson Program (CHIP) and Temporary Assis- here in Oklahoma — committed and ready names of Aetna Better Health and other affil- Meliah Degarmo Micah Tucker iate names. Together, these plans serve mem- Jaicee Drinnon Lani Woodson tance for Needy Families (TANF) program, to serve the state’s Medicaid population.” Lane Greteman and Medicaid expansion population. The contract is anticipated to begin hers in 16 states, including Arizona, California, Mason Hoffman Juniors With the new contract, Aetna brings Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, April 1, 2024, with an initial term through Ally Janning Jessica Brady to Oklahoma Medicaid members more June 30, 2025, and five possible one-year Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Trapper Hughes than 30 years of Medicaid experience and renewals pending the completion of the Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and West Seniors Ryah Rogers a team of local staff. The new Medicaid State’s protest period and contract nego- Virginia. For more information, see www.aet- Weston Beal Trey Shelton contract builds on Aetna’s current deliv- tiations. nabetterhealth.com. Taylor Beutler Dylan Taylor Brody Bryant Kelly Thompson Zachary Damron Owen Elliott Seniors Oklahoma Board Approves First Religious Charter School Ryan Foley Tiger Gillespie Emilee Copenhaver Nathan Janning Despite the threat of law- Bobek signed his oath of of- meeting all of the needs that within its rights to approve a suits, an Oklahoma education- fice just before the vote on the are presented. It’s a difficult, religiously affiliated charter al board on Monday approved Catholic virtual charter school. hard process,” Franklin said. “I school. He based that opinion the nation’s first application Bobek’s vote in favor came just don’t think that they (the on several recent U.S. Supreme for public tax dollars for a re- despite an appeal by board virtual school) felt that was go- Court rulings dealing with ligiously affiliated virtual char- Chairman Robert Franklin at ing to be onerous.” public money and religious ed- ter school. the start of the meeting that ‘The approval came just two ucation. ‘The Statewide Virtual Char- Bobek abstain. Bobek did not months after the Statewide MISDEMEANORS Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, ter School Board voted 3-2 to comment after the meeting. Virtual Charter School Board approve a revised application Franklin was joined by William unanimously rejected an ear- meanwhile, applauded the NONE by St. Isidore of Seville Catho- Pearson in voting against the lier version of the school’s ap- board’s courage. lic Virtual School. The decision application. Board members plication. That rejection came “This is a win for religious FELONIES is certain to set up lawsuits Scott Strawn and Nellie Sand- amid threats of possible law- liberty and education free- State of Okla vs Larry G Jones Fugitive from justice that could go before the U.S. ers voted to approve. suits, including an assertion dom in our great state, and I Supreme Court in a key test of Brett Farley, executive di- by Oklahoma Attorney Gen- am encouraged by these ef- the separation of church and rector of the Catholic Confer- eral Gentner Drummond that forts to give parents more op- state. At a minimum, the ap- ence of Oklahoma, said his his office could not represent tions when it comes to their proval may run afoul of Okla- group was excited by the vote. board members who went child’s education,” Stitt said homa’s Blaine Amendment, He said they'd be ready for any against their oath of office. MARRIAGES, 6, DIVORCES in a statement. “Oklahomans which forbids state money for possible lawsuits. On Monday, Drummond support religious liberty for the direct or indirect benefit of “We think this is just an again reiterated his position any religion or religious insti- extension of what we've been that the vote was unconstitu- all and support an increasingly innovative educational system MARRIAGE LICENSES tution. doing in Oklahoma, which is tional. that expands choice. Today, ‘The Catholic virtual charter providing more opportunities “The approval of any pub- Bryan Francis, Elk City - Shanna Langdon, Elk City school will be run by the Arch- for education for kids that lidy funded religious school with the nation watching, our diocese of Oklahoma City and need it,” Farley said. is contrary to Oklahoma law state showed that we will not the Diocese of Tulsa. Pending Inaninterview with report- and not in the best interest stand for religious discrimina- Anthony Ingram, Olathe, KS - Reagan Benton, Elk City approval of a contract with ers after the meeting, Franklin of taxpayers,” Drummond tion.” the state, it expects to be able said he was disappointed in said in a statement. “It’s ex- Separately, Stitt on Monday to take students by the fall of the vote and disheartened by tremely disappointing that signed Senate Bill 516, which Jesse Meyer, Elk City - Tina Degarmo, Elk City 2024. The virtual school would the contention that the board board members violated their would dissolve the Statewide teach religious tenets similar was just playing a role in the oath in order to fund religious Virtual Charter School Board Brianna Taylor, Muskogee - Jamie Gadbury, Muskogee to those found in traditional inevitable next step at court. schools with our tax dollars. In and consolidate its functions private Catholic schools. Apart from the discussion on doing so, these members have into a new board with over- ‘The 3-2 vote came after thethe constitutionality of the ap- exposed themselves and the sight of virtual and brick-and- Gabriel Beecham, Elk City ~ Keely Cox, Elk City board heard an update from plication, Franklin said it con- State to potential legal action mortar charter schools. That school officials. Among those tinued to fall short on how the that could be costly.” voting in favor was new board Catholic virtual school would Drummond's _ position law takes effect July 1. member Brian Bobek, an Okla- help children who need special stands in contrast to his pre- At the conclusion of Mon- homa City businessman who education. decessor, John O'Connor, who day’s meeting, Franklin, the previously served on the State “I've watched schools and he defeated in the Republican board chairman, said he would DIVORCES Board of Education. Oklahoma T've watched families and I've primary last year. O'Connor be resigning from the virtual House Speaker Charles McCall watched teachers who some- issued a nonbinding opinion in board when the new law takes NONE appointed Bobek on Priday. times have a difficult time December saying the state was effect.