Smicklas Chevrolet donated $7,500 to the Mustang Public Schools Foundation last week. Russ Myers, vice president of the MPSF, said the donation will greatly increase the foundation’s ability to provide grants for teachers. 

“The foundation exists to support and enhance what our teachers can do in the classroom,” he said. “This is done primarily through grants given to teachers who have a creative project in mind that goes above and beyond the normal curriculum provided by the district. We cannot say thank you enough to Smicklas Chevrolet for this donation. It will make a difference in the lives of hundreds of students.” 

Grant applications are due by Oct. 31and are available on the foundation’s website. 

Parents should be on the lookout in November for a “Bucks for Broncos” campaign envelope to come home with their student. 

Donations to the Mustang Public Schools Foundation are tax deductible. Anyone who would like to support the foundation can stop by their website to donate as well: https://www.mustangpsfoundation.org  

The Mustang Board of Education approved the hire of Jennifer Newell to fill the new position of Director of School Safety and Security. Newell, a retired officer for the Norman Police Department, has nearly five years as the program manager for the Oklahoma School Security Institute through the Office of Homeland Security. 

Interim Superintendent Charles Bradley is thrilled with the board’s decision. 

“Many members of leadership with Mustang Schools have had the privilege of working with Jennifer. She has been a voice of expertise for our district for several years,” Bradley said. “Her background and connections are going to take Mustang to the next level in providing safe, secure environments for our students.” Newell has been a trainer statewide for developing emergency operations plans for K-12 schools, managing risk at athletics and after school activities, crisis team training with the Oklahoma State Department of Education, school response to an armed assailant, bus operator safety and more. She’s conducted 52 risk and vulnerability assessments at public and private schools as well as technology centers. Her training has also included how to prevent crime through environmental design.