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🌅 Sunset Hill Elementary Hosts First Family Meet & Greet Event

Excitement and sunshine were in the air as incoming Sunset Hill Elementary students and families gathered at the Mustang Performing Arts Center this week for the school's first-ever Family Meet & Greet.

Set to open in August 2025, Sunset Hill Elementary welcomed new families with bright smiles, colorful balloons, and a room full of enthusiastic staff. Families had the chance to meet the Sunset Hill team, ask questions, and take part in a variety of engaging and fun photo opportunities.

Principal Jandra Honeman and her staff created a warm, welcoming atmosphere with themed decor, student activities, and even a special appearance by the MPS mascot, Morsey. “It was such a joy to see so many Sunset students walking through the doors,” said Honeman. “This school is being built for them, and today was about making sure they already feel like they belong.”

We are so grateful to the families who attended, the staff who helped make the event possible, and the Mustang community whose support through the #Momentum23 bond initiative continues to turn dreams into reality.

Sunset Hill Elementary is shaping up to be something truly special. We can't wait for opening day!

Mustang Public Schools Earns 2025 Best Communities for Music Education Distinction

(Mustang, Oklahoma – May 14, 2025) – Mustang Public Schools (MPS) has once again been recognized by The NAMM Foundation as one of the Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) in the nation. This honor, awarded for 2025, celebrates the district’s continued dedication to providing outstanding access to music education for all students.

Now in its 26th year, the Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to school districts that demonstrate exceptional commitment and achievement in music education. Mustang is proud to be among a select group of districts across the United States receiving this distinction.

To qualify for the designation, Mustang responded to an extensive survey documenting music education funding, class participation, instructional time, facilities, support for music programs, and community engagement in music-making. The responses were reviewed and verified by school officials and analyzed by the Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.

“Our community values music education as a powerful force in student growth and development,” said Dr. Michael Raiber, MPS Director of Fine Arts. “This recognition highlights the incredible work our music educators do every day and reflects the shared commitment of our Board of Education, administrators, and families to fostering artistic excellence.”

Why Music Matters
Research continues to affirm the far-reaching impact of music education. Students engaged in music consistently demonstrate improved academic outcomes, including enhanced speech processing, stronger reading scores, and increased likelihood of graduating from high school and attending college. Beyond academics, music education cultivates critical social and emotional skills like teamwork, perseverance, and creative problem-solving.

“Mustang’s music programs are among the very best in the country, thanks to the tireless dedication of our educators,” said Assistant Superintendent Ryan McKinney. “Their work plays a central role in our mission to offer a world-class education, and this national recognition is a meaningful reflection of their commitment and excellence.”

In Mustang, music education begins with foundational experiences for elementary students and expands to include award-winning middle and high school ensembles, as well as opportunities such as Advanced Placement Music Theory and performance-based learning.

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About The NAMM Foundation

The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit organization supported in part by the National Association of Music Merchants and its approximately 10,300 members worldwide. The foundation advances active participation in music-making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving, and public service programs. For more information about The NAMM Foundation, please visit www.nammfoundation.org.

About Mustang Public Schools

The Mustang Public School District covers over 72 square miles in Oklahoma and Canadian counties, with the City of Mustang at its center. The district is the largest employer in Canadian County, with more than 1,800 certified and support employees. As one of Oklahoma’s Top Workplaces, the school district offers a comprehensive compensation package for full-time employees, in addition to a satisfying working environment. There are eight (soon to be nine) elementary schools (grades PreK-4), three intermediate centers (grades 5-6), three middle schools (grades 7-8), one high school (grades 9-12), and an educational center which houses pre-kindergarten and alternative education.
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We are incredibly proud to share that Alana Haikin from Mustang Central Middle School is the Oklahoma State Champion of the National Civics Bee!

Alana will now advance to the National Finals in Washington, D.C. this November, where she’ll compete for a $50,000 grand prize! 

Also representing Mustang with pride, Emma Davidson and Norah Edwards joined Alana in the top 5 at the state round after qualifying through the Mustang local round.

We’re so proud of all three of these brilliant students for representing Mustang with knowledge, confidence, and civic leadership!

#BroncoPride | #MPSLearningInAction | #CivicsBee2025