Retired Educators’ Association meets

The Kiowa County Retired Educators’ Association met Tuesday, October 11, at Western Technology Center. President Pam Holland opened the meeting by leading the members in the Pledges of Allegiance to the American flag and the Oklahoma flag. She then read a devotional, “Be of Good Cheer.”

Reporting as Southwest District Director, Pam Holland stated that she was very impressed by Jena Nelson, candidate for state school superintendent, who spoke Monday evening, October 10, at the Caddo Kiowa County Technology Center in Fort Cobb. Ms. Holland provided information for members on a website, keepruralschoolsopen.com. The website shows the amount of money each county would lose should federal funds be rejected, as one of the candidates running for the office of state superintendent proposes to do should he be elected.

Following her report, Kody Suanny, director of Great Plains Youth & Family Services, Inc. and Meagan Harris, After-School program facilitator, spoke on services provided by Great Plains Youth & Family Services. Operating in 15 counties in southwest Oklahoma, GPYFS provides counseling both in its offices and in schools. The main office is in Hobart, but branches are also located in Altus and Cache. Some of the programs available through the non-profit include Child Care Resource and Referral, Parent Pro, foster care, healthy living, and first-time offender. Funding is through grants, the Department of Human Services, the State Department of Health, and federal funding. Great Plains also operates on private donations.

Meagan Harris reported on the after-school program, which is in its second year in Hobart. The first year the program was housed in the Methodist Church, which required students and personnel to walk from the elementary school to the church. This year Hobart Elementary has provided space for students from 3 to 5 p.m.

Students from kindergarten to fifth grade are served by the program. There is limited enrollment and currently ten children are on a waiting list. Teacher referral and/or parent permission are needed for enrollment in the program. Students are given a snack, separated into groups by grade and work on homework, exercises, and life skills during the 2-hour time. Andie Stoups, reading specialist with Hobart Public Schools, and four staff members from the agency work with the students.

Kody Suanny announced two events that are upcoming with Great Plains Youth and Family: Give Back Tuesday, November 29, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the agency, 900 S. Broadway. This is the start of the Christmas Gifts of Hope fundraiser. The 45th Birthday Celebration, May 30, 2023, will take place at the agency with a time to be announced.

The next meeting of the Kiowa County Retired Educators’ Association will be Tuesday, November 15, at Western Technology Center. Dean Holland will present a program on his recent “Honor Flight” to Washington, D.C.

The group decided to serve Frito chili pies as a meal for this meeting with members volunteering to bring the various ingredients.