Dear Grove school family,
Recently, we, the Grove Board of Education, accepted the resignation of Superintendent Pat Dodson, who will step down from his position this summer. To prepare for the transition in leadership, we approved a partnership with the Oklahoma State School Boards Association to assist with the superintendent search. The board will seek a superintendent who will continue Grove’s mission of giving students the opportunity to develop to their fullest potential.
As we take this next step for our district, it is vital for us to hear from our district family and community. With your input, we hope to find a superintendent who will be a champion and role model for Grove students and our community.
Parents, students, staff and community members are invited to participate in a brief, online survey beginning Thursday, Feb. 5. Located on the district’s website – ridgerunners.net – the survey will be available until Feb. 19. We look forward to hearing from you!
OSSBA works with other school board associations nationwide to ensure a competitive candidate pool. The non-profit organization has partnered with several Oklahoma school districts of all sizes to perform superintendent searches, including Miami, Broken Arrow and Catoosa. OSSBA assists districts with advertising openings, recruiting potential candidates, furnishing an online application management system, and providing guidance and support throughout the search process.
Please know that throughout every step of the search process, we will be thinking about what is best for our students, our staff and our community. We hope you will take time to participate in the survey, and as always, thank you for your support of the Grove Ridgerunners!
Sincerely,
Members of the Grove Board of Education
Recently, we, the Grove Board of Education, accepted the resignation of Superintendent Pat Dodson, who will step down from his position this summer. To prepare for the transition in leadership, we approved a partnership with the Oklahoma State School Boards Association to assist with the superintendent search. The board will seek a superintendent who will continue Grove’s mission of giving students the opportunity to develop to their fullest potential.
As we take this next step for our district, it is vital for us to hear from our district family and community. With your input, we hope to find a superintendent who will be a champion and role model for Grove students and our community.
Parents, students, staff and community members are invited to participate in a brief, online survey beginning Thursday, Feb. 5. Located on the district’s website – ridgerunners.net – the survey will be available until Feb. 19. We look forward to hearing from you!
OSSBA works with other school board associations nationwide to ensure a competitive candidate pool. The non-profit organization has partnered with several Oklahoma school districts of all sizes to perform superintendent searches, including Miami, Broken Arrow and Catoosa. OSSBA assists districts with advertising openings, recruiting potential candidates, furnishing an online application management system, and providing guidance and support throughout the search process.
Please know that throughout every step of the search process, we will be thinking about what is best for our students, our staff and our community. We hope you will take time to participate in the survey, and as always, thank you for your support of the Grove Ridgerunners!
Sincerely,
Members of the Grove Board of Education
Congratulations to Mrs. Crawford!!! She was the recipient of the G.O.O.S.E. (get out of school early) Award!!! She went above and beyond to make GHS a better place every day this past week, and we thank her for all that she does!!! Mrs. Crawford teaches Family and Consumer Sciences, Human Growth and Development, and Culinary Arts. She is also the sponsor of FCCLA!
Today in US Government classes, Grove HS students actively participated in a Philosophical Chairs debate where they argued the question, "Should the voting age in the US be lowered to 16?" Earlier this week, students read an academic article and gathered evidence to support both sides of the argument. Today, students faced off, expressing their opinions and backing up their claims with solid evidence from the text. This is civics education at its finest! Well done, Ridgerunners!
Congratulations to Kennedy Matthews!!! She earned Oklahoma Academic All-State!!! This is an honor that only 14 GHS Graduates have ever earned!!! Way to bring home all the hardware!!! Look for the green Academic All-State flag flying above GHS for another year!!
Happy Valentine's Day!! Please remember that if your child rides the bus they are not allowed to take any deliveries on the bus this afternoon! 💕
The search for our next superintendent is underway. Let us know your thoughts by participating in a short online survey at ridgerunners.net. We appreciate your participation!
(Please share your thoughts at the survey link so they can be shared with the Board of Education.)
You Make Our School Sweet!
The GMS Student Council spread a little Valentine’s Day cheer by delivering double-decker chocolate chip cookies and a variety of pop to our wonderful teachers and staff!
This small treat is just a sweet way to say THANK YOU for all you do each and every day to make our school such a special place.
A big thank you to the Hudspeth family for generously providing the delicious treats and helping us celebrate our incredible staff!
The Lower always appreciates volunteers! They helped make sure we're ready for Valentine's Day. Thank you!
Auditions for Grove Middle School’s spring production of "A Fine‑Feathered Murder" will be held February 23 and 24 in the middle school auditorium immediately after school. Students interested in acting or backstage support should arrive prepared to sign in and read a short cold‑read scene. Please bring a completed audition form (available in Mr. Gilmore's room, MS 114) and any scheduling conflicts for the rehearsal period. Questions may be directed to the drama teacher, Mr. Gilmore, via email at jgilmore@ridgerunners.net or to the school office.
Show synopsis: Apollonia is a very unusual parrot. Not only can she talk and sing, but she can perform Verdi’s opera Rigoletto from start to finish. That is why her oh‑so‑snobby owner Lilith, has invited a few special people to a private recital by the parrot. Unfortunately, just as the recital is about to begin, Apollonia is discovered lifeless at the bottom of her cage. All signs point to murder. But who could have done it? The greedy impresario who hoped to cash in by sending Apollonia on a worldwide tour? The sinister ornithologist who wanted the fame of probing the bird for scientific purposes? Lilith’s long‑suffering husband? Their fun‑loving but opera‑hating teenage daughter? Their forgetful elderly neighbor? Or their cheeky, outspoken maid? Join us at auditions to find out — and to be part of bringing this witty, mysterious comedy to life.
Show synopsis: Apollonia is a very unusual parrot. Not only can she talk and sing, but she can perform Verdi’s opera Rigoletto from start to finish. That is why her oh‑so‑snobby owner Lilith, has invited a few special people to a private recital by the parrot. Unfortunately, just as the recital is about to begin, Apollonia is discovered lifeless at the bottom of her cage. All signs point to murder. But who could have done it? The greedy impresario who hoped to cash in by sending Apollonia on a worldwide tour? The sinister ornithologist who wanted the fame of probing the bird for scientific purposes? Lilith’s long‑suffering husband? Their fun‑loving but opera‑hating teenage daughter? Their forgetful elderly neighbor? Or their cheeky, outspoken maid? Join us at auditions to find out — and to be part of bringing this witty, mysterious comedy to life.
February's Ridgy Press has been released. Our GMS journalism classes, under the direction of Mrs. Thomas, continue to do an amazing job!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Kg2JXYC8xdkAfys2EhHLZUnfits0c5ly/view?usp=drive_link
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Kg2JXYC8xdkAfys2EhHLZUnfits0c5ly/view?usp=drive_link
Chemistry students at GHS worked in the lab to react carboxylic acids with alcohols to form ester molecules of banana and wintergreen. They are learning about the names and structures of different types of compounds to better prepare them for college chemistry and STEM careers.
Congratulations to Mya Pellegrino!!! Accepted to Pittsburg State University! Well done, Seniors!!! Keep the good news coming!!!
Don't forget the COW Week Daddy Daughter Dance is this Sunday, February 15th, in the PAC from 5-7 PM!!
Congratulations to Alii Tecumseh!!! Accepted to John Brown University! Well done, Seniors!!! Keep the good news coming!!!
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Congratulations to Caleb McAbee!!! Accepted to Rogers State University! Well done, Seniors!!! Keep the good news coming!!!
Grove FCCLA visited the ECC to read to preschoolers and kindergarteners on February 10, 2026. The members loved their day with the children.
Our 2 GHS FIRST Tech Challenge robotics teams just finished the season ranked 4th and 7th in their league of 30 robotics teams in the Northeast region of Oklahoma!!
Their regional league meet was last Saturday, February 7th, at Bishop Kelley High School. Team 9838 Elopdat was the alliance captain for Alliance #3, and they invited Team 8638 Tadpole to be on their alliance for the Finals. They won their first match in the finals, but then lost the next two matches by just a few points.
Congratulations to these two robotics teams for their winning season (both teams finished with an official record of 10 wins and 0 losses in their preliminary league match season!).
Team 8638 tadpole
Jeremy Conklin
Keith Downing
Dalton Fife
Braxton Goad
Jayton Haynes
David Jennings
Dakota Johnson
Cooper Mason
Rhett Patitz
Cameron Russo
Amelia VanMeter
Team 9838 elopdat
Trey Kirkwood
RyLee Dysart
Their regional league meet was last Saturday, February 7th, at Bishop Kelley High School. Team 9838 Elopdat was the alliance captain for Alliance #3, and they invited Team 8638 Tadpole to be on their alliance for the Finals. They won their first match in the finals, but then lost the next two matches by just a few points.
Congratulations to these two robotics teams for their winning season (both teams finished with an official record of 10 wins and 0 losses in their preliminary league match season!).
Team 8638 tadpole
Jeremy Conklin
Keith Downing
Dalton Fife
Braxton Goad
Jayton Haynes
David Jennings
Dakota Johnson
Cooper Mason
Rhett Patitz
Cameron Russo
Amelia VanMeter
Team 9838 elopdat
Trey Kirkwood
RyLee Dysart
Congratulations to our ParaCrew!!! Mickie Shepherd, Gloria Mims, Tawnya Holland, and Teri Towle (not pictured) were the recipients of the G.O.O.S.E. (get out of school early) Award!!! They went above and beyond to make GHS a better place every day this past week, and we thank them for all that they do!!!
❤️ January Teachers of the Month – Grove Rotary ❤️
Congratulations to Mrs. Deason and Mrs. Laverty, our January Teachers of the Month at Grove Rotary! Selected by their peers, this recognition reflects the respect and appreciation they have earned as outstanding educators. They are excellent classroom teachers who consistently go above and beyond with engaging, meaningful lessons.
🔬 Mrs. Deason inspires a love of science through hands-on learning and authentic scientific research, guiding students to success at the local, regional, and state science fairs year after year.
🌟 Mrs. Laverty, Student Council sponsor, develops student leaders through community outreach, service learning, and experiences that promote a positive school culture.
Together, they help make Grove Middle School a better place every day. We are proud of you! ❤️👏
Congratulations to Mrs. Deason and Mrs. Laverty, our January Teachers of the Month at Grove Rotary! Selected by their peers, this recognition reflects the respect and appreciation they have earned as outstanding educators. They are excellent classroom teachers who consistently go above and beyond with engaging, meaningful lessons.
🔬 Mrs. Deason inspires a love of science through hands-on learning and authentic scientific research, guiding students to success at the local, regional, and state science fairs year after year.
🌟 Mrs. Laverty, Student Council sponsor, develops student leaders through community outreach, service learning, and experiences that promote a positive school culture.
Together, they help make Grove Middle School a better place every day. We are proud of you! ❤️👏
