Altus Rotary Club Newsletter

April 1, 2025
Volume 2 Issue 12
 
Mark Your Calendars
 
Jr. Rotarian of the Month
 
Charlie Howard
son of Bron and Shelli Howard
 
4/8 Rotarian of The Day 
  • Hannah Henry-Keck will introduce her guest, Clayton Keck, who will share a program on the history and traditions of the Masters Golf Tournament.
 
4/15 and 4/17 Club Service Project
  • On Tuesday, April 15th we will  we will have a club-wide service project. Our lunch meeting will be in the Larry Duffy Hall. For those willing to participate, we will be do a group service project to benefit the local assisted living facilities. 
  • On Thursday, April 17th we will have a community clean-up evening. 
 
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
  • Tuesday, 4/15 - Rotary in Larry Duffy Hall
  • Tuesday, 4/15 - Club community service project
  • Thursday, 4/17 - Community Clean-up
 
Announcements
  • Rebecca Chambliss has graciously agreed to sit in at the piano when needed. Thank you Rebecca for sharing your talent and serving your club! Are you interested in serving? Please ask me about how you can be more involved. Service Above Self!
  • April 12-13, Altus Air Force Base will host the Altus Airpower Stampede. There will be many activities, for all ages, over the two day airshow. Click the button below for schedule and more information.
  • Our Rotarian, Jeni Teman, is relocating. Jeni transferred to our club from another state and will be looking for a new club, in a new state. Jeni was actively involved in everything Rotary. She volunteered at every event. Jeni and Dwayne Martin built our Christmas Parade float the last two years. We will miss her energy and her smile. Thank you for all you did for our Rotary and best wishes on your new journey.
 
 
April
 
Justin McCasland
 
Tyson Morley
 
Trent Falon
 
 
 
Time To Celebrate
Ron Smalts
33 yrs
 
Gary Beach
25 yrs
 
Steve Hartgraves
11 yrs
 
 
Kathy Keller-Darby
4yrs
 
 
 
Last Week's Program
The Altus Public Schools' STEM program is designed to foster an early interest in coding, problem-solving, and creativity among students. Currently, the program has established a footprint in every school within the district, with plans for full implementation across all schools by next year. The program utilizes a "push in/pull out" model, where STEM instructors either come into classrooms to teach or, when space allows, students are pulled out for specialized instruction. Over the next three years, the district plans to add a half-time STEM teacher to every school, further enhancing the program's reach and effectiveness.
 
Jammie Hamm, STEM Director, elaborated on the curriculum for younger students, explaining that Pre-K through 1st graders are introduced to the fundamentals of coding. As students progress to 2nd through 4th grades, they delve deeper into basic coding and design processing, laying a solid foundation for future learning.
 
For 5th and 6th graders, Lynne Herron, STEM Coordinator, oversees a full-time STEM lab where students receive weekly hands-on exposure to STEM concepts. Additionally, an after-school STEM program is available, with the AIS STEM Club currently serving 15 students on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 22 students on Wednesdays. This club offers unique opportunities, including drone lessons, where students have even created a "drone city."

Looking ahead, Altus Junior High students will have the chance to take up to three hours of STEM as an elective next year, along with their own after-school club. Meanwhile, Altus High School boasts an art production lab equipped with industry-standard software, providing students with valuable skills in both technology and creativity.

In an exciting development, the district has donated an old school route bus that is being transformed into a mobile STEAM lab. High school students were actively involved in building cabinets inside the bus, and the lab is set to be ready for use by August. This innovative initiative will allow students to engage with STEAM concepts in a dynamic and hands-on environment, further enriching their educational experience.

Dr. Mowdy tells us that the district is working with 5-year grants. The immediate goal for the program is to see an improvement in test scores, an increase in attendance, and an increase in interest and engagement with students and their parents. AIS, the pilot school, has already seen a 3% increase in attendance and a 25% decrease in behavioral reports.
Dr. Mowdy says that the long-term goal for the program is to prepare students for the workforce and to have embedded curriculum for PK-12 grades.
 
For more information please click the button below.
Last Week's Rotarian of the Day
This week, we are excited to shine a spotlight on Roe Worbes, a dedicated leader and community member. Roe hails from Warren, Oklahoma but is a long time Altus resident. Roe has been happily married to his lovely wife, Johna, for 30 years, and together they are proud parents of three children.

Roe's commitment to education is evident in his impressive 35-year career within the Altus Public School System. Throughout his tenure, he has held various positions, ultimately rising to the role of Superintendent for Altus Public Schools. When asked about his plans for retirement, Roe candidly shares that he would miss the students too much to step away from his vital role in their lives.

If we had to describe Roe in one word, it would undoubtedly be "dedicated." His passion for the school district, its employees, and the students is palpable. Whether it’s at sporting events, school competitions, or special recognition ceremonies, Roe can always be found cheering on our Bulldogs, supporting them every step of the way.

Roe's dedication extends beyond the school system; he is deeply community-focused and actively participates in a variety of local projects. His involvement with Main Street Altus, the Chamber of Commerce, the Military Affairs Committee, and numerous other initiatives showcases his commitment to enhancing the community he loves.

For the past eight years, Roe has also been a dedicated member of the Altus Rotary Club. His enthusiasm for service is evident as he volunteers at every event he can. Whether he’s serving meals at Operation CARE, helping set up Rotary events, or donning a 70's outfit for the Altus Affair, Roe fully commits himself to every endeavor.

Thank you, Roe, for your unwavering dedication to our club and the Altus community. Your passion and commitment inspire us all, and we are grateful to have you as a part of our club!
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