Ward Elementary Renovation:
$1,140,000.00 Gift Announced
Delores Van Camp Etter remembers being bused to Webb City School in 1955 for the third grade during construction of the Ward Elementary School in Shidler. Delores was among the first group of students to attend the newly built Ward Elementary School in Shidler as a fourth grader in Mrs. Oglesby’s class of 1956. Delores continued two more years at Ward Elementary by completing 5th grade with Mrs. Ward and sixth grade with Mr. Bias. She is a proud 1965 graduate of Shidler High School. Delores and her husband Jerry have been avid supporters of Shidler Schools and its students thoughout their entire adult lives. For more than three decades, they have given annual cash incentives to the top performing boy and girl math students to encourage excellence in education and to incentivize students to do their best. On October 12, 2022, the Etters announced their desire to fund major renovations to the Ward Elementary School which is now 65 years old. Their gift of $1,140,00.00 will replace the exterior glass blocks with modern windows and framing, install new flooring and base throughout, modernize the restrooms, install new HVAC units, install exterior security lighting, add new doors, replace playground fence, paint classrooms, and purchase new classroom furniture for teachers and students. Words cannot begin to express our appreciation and thanks to Dr. Delores and Jerry Etter.
STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS:
Dr. Delores and Jerry Etter give $2,500/year scholarships to every graduating senior of Shidler High School who desires to continue their education or receive specialized training beyond high school. EVERY Shidler Graduate qualifies to receive the scholarship award for up to 4 years + an additional 2 years of graduate school in college for a potential total award of $15,000 per student. Since starting the scholarship in 2019, the Etters have given $103,775 to Shidler High School Graduates to help them pursue careers in nursing, engineering, computer science technology, cosmetology, business, education, welding, military service, zoology, biblical justice, pipeline integrity, firefighting, radiologic technology, heavy equipment operation, and optometry. Twenty-four (24) different students have received scholarship funds since inception in 2019. On behalf of all past, current, and future recipients: “Thank you Dr. Etter and Jerry.”
FUTURE TEACHER SCHOLARSHIPS:
Recognizing that Oklahoma is in the midst of a severe teacher shortage and seeking ways to help Shidler Public Schools bring new teachers into the profession, the Etters initiated a Future Teacher Scholarship (FTS). The FTS is available to ALL Paraprofessionals employed by Shidler Public Schools who aspire to become teachers. Since 2020, four (4) Shidler Teacher Assistants have received $33,600 from the Etters to pay for college coursework to help them become teachers. The scholarships are renewable each year until a teaching degree is obtained. Recipients are eligible to receive up to $8,000 per year in total financial support through this scholarship. While there is no requirement for scholarship recipients to teach in Shidler Schools once a teaching degree is earned, it is the School District’s hope that these Future Teachers give first consideration to Shidler Schools when the time comes for them to teach. The first graduate of this program, Ms. Jennifer Benson, was hired by Shidler Schools to teach 4th grade at Ward Elementary School in 2022.
Additional settings for Safari Browser.
Click to Subscribe