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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.

Colorful graphic celebrating Mustang Public Schools as a 2025 Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) District. The center features a black and white badge with a graduation cap icon and the NAMM Foundation logo. Surrounding the badge are music-themed illustrations including instruments, headphones, and microphones. The text reads: “Proud BCME District.”

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.

# # #

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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PowerSchool logo

From PowerSchool (7/1/2025):

PowerSchool Data Security Incident

The privacy and security of the personal information we maintain is of the utmost importance to Mustang Public Schools. Mustang Public Schools has been monitoring a recent cybersecurity incident that impacted PowerSchool, a company that provides Mustang Public Schools with student information management software.

On December 28, 2024, PowerSchool became aware of a cybersecurity incident involving unauthorized exfiltration of certain personal information from PowerSchool Student Information System (SIS) environments through one of PowerSchool’s community-focused customer support portals, PowerSource.

Upon learning of the incident, Mustang Public Schools promptly inquired with PowerSchool to learn what occurred and to identify what information pertaining to Mustang Public Schools was impacted. Despite our attempts to understand the scope of impact, PowerSchool was unable to confirm the exact information that was impacted at the time of the incident. Based on PowerSchool’s representations and communications about the incident, Mustang Public Schools understands that the impacted information related to Mustang Public Schools’s community may have contained personal information of certain individuals, including one or more of the following: name and/or Social Security number.

We understand that on or about January 29, 2025, PowerSchool began sending notifications via email directly to certain impacted individuals and families to notify them of the incident. It is anticipated that these incident notification emails from PowerSchool will be sent to affected individuals and families on a rolling basis over a period of weeks.

PowerSchool is offering two years of complimentary identity protection services to students and educators whose information was involved. For adult students and educators, this offer will also include two years of complimentary credit monitoring services. If you are interested in enrolling, please see PowerSchool’s provided instructions below:

Option 1 from PowerSchool: If the Involved Individual is 18 or Over

  • Ensure that you enroll by July 31, 2025 (Your code will not work after this date at 5:59 UTC)
  • Visit the Experian IdentityWorks website to enroll: www.experianidworks.com/plus
  • Provide your activation codeCTYU949PRK
  • For over the phone assistance with enrollment or questions about the product, please contact Experian’s customer care team at 833-918-9464
  • Be prepared to provide engagement number: B138812

Details Regarding the Experian IdentityWorks Credit Plus Membership

A credit card is not required for enrollment in Experian IdentityWorks. You can contact Experian immediately regarding any fraud issues, and have access to the following features once you enroll in Experian IdentityWorks:

  • Experian credit report at signup: See what information is associated with your credit file. Daily credit reports are available for online members only. Offline members will be eligible to call for additional reports quarterly after enrolling.
  • Credit Monitoring: Actively monitors Experian file for indicators of fraud.
  • Internet Surveillance: Technology searches the web, chat rooms & bulletin boards 24/7 to identify trading or selling of your personal information on the Dark Web.
  • Identity Restoration: Identity Restoration agents are immediately available to help you address credit and non-credit related fraud.
  • Experian IdentityWorks ExtendCARETM: You receive the same high-level of Identity Restoration support even after your Experian IdentityWorks membership has expired.
  • $1 Million Identity Theft Insurance**: Provides coverage for certain costs and unauthorized electronic fund transfers. The Identity Theft Insurance is underwritten and administered by American Bankers Insurance Company of Florida, an Assurant company. Please refer to the actual policies for terms, conditions, and exclusions of coverage. Coverage may not be available in all jurisdictions.

Option 2 from PowerSchool: If the Involved Individual is Under 18

  • Ensure that you enroll by July 31, 2025 (Your code will not work after this date at 5:59 UTC)
  • Visit the Experian IdentityWorks website to enroll: www.experianidworks.com/minorplus
  • Provide your activation codeCEBP456TRK
  • For over the phone assistance with enrollment or questions about the product, please contact Experian’s customer care team at 833-918-9464.
  • Be prepared to provide engagement number: B138813

Details Regarding the Experian IdentityWorks Credit Plus Membership

A credit card is not required for enrollment in Experian IdentityWorks. You can contact Experian immediately regarding any fraud issues, and have access to the following features once enrolled:

  • Social Security Number Trace: Monitoring to determine whether enrolled minors in your household have an Experian credit report. Alerts of all names, aliases and addresses that become associated with your minor’s Social Security Number (SSN) on the Experian credit report.
  • Internet Surveillance: Technology searches the web, chat rooms & bulletin boards 24/7 to identify trading or selling of your personal information on the Dark Web.
  • Identity Restoration: Identity Restoration agents are immediately available to help you address credit and non-credit related fraud.
  • Experian IdentityWorks ExtendCARETM: You receive the same high-level of Identity Restoration support even after your Experian IdentityWorks membership has expired.
  • $1 Million Identity Theft Insurance: Provides coverage for certain costs and unauthorized electronic fund transfers. The Identity Theft Insurance is underwritten and administered by American Bankers Insurance Company of Florida, an Assurant company. Please refer to the actual policies for terms, conditions, and exclusions of coverage. Coverage may not be available in all jurisdictions.

We encourage impacted individuals to take actions to help protect their personal information. These actions include enrolling in the credit monitoring services described, placing a fraud alert and/or security freeze on their credit files, and/or obtaining a free credit report. Additionally, individuals should always remain vigilant in reviewing their financial account statements, explanation of benefits statements and credit reports for fraudulent or irregular activity on a regular basis and report any suspicious activity to the proper authorities.

PowerSchool has set up a dedicated response line for this incident. Concerned individuals may contact PowerSchool’s response line directly at (833) 918-9464, available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Central Time.  PowerSchool has published additional information on its website, which is available at: https://www.powerschool.com/security/sis-incident/notice-of-united-states-data-breach/.

We acknowledge this may be concerning news. As always, our number one priority is to ensure the safety and security of our students, staff and community. We have taken this matter very seriously and will continue to take significant measures to protect the personal information in our possession. 

– OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION –

1.         Placing a Fraud Alert.

We recommend that you place a one-year “Fraud Alert” on your credit files, at no charge.  A fraud alert tells creditors to contact you personally before they open any new accounts.  To place a fraud alert, call any one of the three major credit bureaus at the numbers listed below.  As soon as one credit bureau confirms your fraud alert, they will notify the others. 

Equifax

P.O. Box 105069

Atlanta, GA 30348-5069

www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-fraud-alerts/

(888) 378-4329; (800) 525-6285

Experian

P.O. Box 9554

Allen, TX 75013

www.experian.com/fraud/
center.html

(888) 397-3742

TransUnion

Fraud Victim Assistance Department

P.O. Box 2000

Chester, PA 19016

www.transunion.com/fraud-alerts

(800) 916-8800; 800-680-7289

2.         Consider Placing a Security Freeze on Your Credit File.

If you are very concerned about becoming a victim of fraud or identity theft, you may request a “Security Freeze” be placed on your credit file at no cost.  A security freeze prohibits, with certain specific exceptions, the consumer reporting agencies from releasing your credit report or any information from it without your express authorization. You may place a security freeze on your credit report by sending a request in writing, by mail, to all three nationwide credit reporting companies.  To find out more on how to place a security freeze, you can use the following contact information:

Equifax Security Freeze

P.O. Box 105788

Atlanta, GA 30348-5788

www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze/

(888) 298-0045; (800) 685-1111

Experian Security Freeze

P.O. Box 9554

Allen, TX 75013

www.experian.com/freeze/
center.html

(888) 397-3742

TransUnion Security Freeze

P.O. Box 160

Woodlyn, PA 19094

www.transunion.com/credit-freeze

(800) 916-8800; (888) 909-8872

In order to place the security freeze, you will need to supply your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number and other personal information such as copy of a government issued identification.  After receiving your freeze request, each credit reporting company will send you a confirmation letter containing a unique PIN (personal identification number) or password.  Keep the PIN or password in a safe place. You will need it if you choose to lift the freeze. If you do place a security freeze prior to enrolling in a credit monitoring service, you will need to remove the freeze in order to sign up for the credit monitoring service. After you sign up for the credit monitoring service, you may refreeze your credit file.

3.         Obtaining a Free Credit Report.

Under federal law, you are entitled to one free credit report every 12 months from each of the above three major nationwide credit reporting companies. Call 1-877-322-8228 or request your free credit reports online at www.annualcreditreport.com.  Once you receive your credit reports, review them for discrepancies. Identify any accounts you did not open or inquiries from creditors that you did not authorize.  Verify all information is correct.  If you have questions or notice incorrect information, contact the credit reporting company.

4.         Protecting Your Medical Information.

If this notice letter indicates that your medical information was impacted, we have no information to date indicating that your medical information involved in this incident was or will be used for any unintended purposes. As a general matter, however, the following practices can help to protect you from medical identity theft.

  • Only share your health insurance cards with your health care providers and other family members who are covered under your insurance plan or who help you with your medical care.
  • Review your “explanation of benefits statement” which you receive from your health insurance company. Follow up with your insurance company or care provider for any items you do not recognize. If necessary, contact the care provider on the explanation of benefits statement and ask for copies of medical records from the date of the potential access (noted above) to current date.
  • Ask your insurance company for a current year-to-date report of all services paid for you as a beneficiary. Follow up with your insurance company or the care provider for any items you do not recognize.

5.         Additional Helpful Resources.

Even if you do not find any suspicious activity on your initial credit reports, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recommends that you check your credit reports periodically.  Checking your credit report periodically can help you spot problems and address them quickly. If you find suspicious activity on your credit reports or have reason to believe your information is being misused, call your local law enforcement agency and file a police report.  Be sure to obtain a copy of the police report, as many creditors will want the information it contains to absolve you of the fraudulent debts.  You may also file a complaint with the FTC by contacting them on the web at www.ftc.gov/idtheft, by phone at 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338), or by mail at Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Response Center, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20580.  Your complaint will be added to the FTC’s Identity Theft Data Clearinghouse, where it will be accessible to law enforcement for their investigations.  In addition, you may obtain information from the FTC about fraud alerts and security freezes.


Maryland Residents: You may obtain information about avoiding identity theft from the Maryland Attorney General’s Office: Office of the Attorney General of Maryland, Consumer Protection Division, 200 St. Paul Place, Baltimore, MD 21202, www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov, Telephone: 888-743-0023.

Massachusetts Residents: Under Massachusetts law, you have the right to obtain a police report in regard to this incident. If you are the victim of identity theft, you also have the right to file a police report and obtain a copy of it.

New Mexico residents: You have rights pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, such as the right to be told if information in your credit file has been used against you, the right to know what is in your credit file, the right to ask for your credit score, and the right to dispute incomplete or inaccurate information. Further, pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the consumer reporting agencies must correct or delete inaccurate, incomplete, or unverifiable information; consumer reporting agencies may not report outdated negative information; access to your file is limited; you must give your consent for credit. In addition, you have the right to obtain a security freeze (as explained above) or submit a declaration of removal. You have a right to bring a civil action against a consumer reporting agency that violates your rights under the Fair Credit Reporting and Identity Security Act. For more information about the FCRA, please visit www.consumer.ftc.gov/sites/default/files/articles/pdf/pdf-0096-fair-credit-reporting-act.pdf or www.ftc.gov.

New York Residents: You may obtain information about preventing identity theft from the New York Attorney General’s Office: Office of the Attorney General, The Capitol, Albany, NY 12224-0341; ag.ny.gov/consumer-frauds-bureau/identity-theft; Telephone: 800-771-7755.

North Carolina Residents: You may obtain information about preventing identity theft from the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office: Office of the Attorney General of North Carolina, Consumer Protection Division, 9001 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-9001, www.ncdoj.gov, Telephone: 877-566-7226 (Toll-free within North Carolina), 919-716-6000.

Oregon Residents: You may obtain information about preventing identity theft from the Oregon Attorney General’s Office: Oregon Department of Justice, 1162 Court Street NE, Salem, OR 97301-4096, www.doj.state.or.us, Telephone: 877-877-9392.

Washington D.C. Residents: You may obtain information about preventing identity theft from the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia, 400 6th Street NW, Washington D.C. 20001, oag.dc.gov/consumer-protection, Telephone: 202-442-9828.

  • District News
NPR reporter interviews MHS Teacher Carrie Hixon in her classroom.

🎧 Mustang High School was featured on NPR’s Marketplace!

Earlier this year, reporter Stephanie Hughes visited MHS to learn how students are gaining real-world financial skills. The story highlights Financial Literacy Teacher Carrie Hixon and her students as they tackle topics like budgeting, saving, and the impacts of gambling (part of Oklahoma’s required personal finance curriculum).

Mrs. Hixon’s thoughtful approach and her students’ insights are now part of the national conversation on youth financial education!

📻 The story aired on Marketplace and is now available to stream online. MHS is featured starting around the 8-minute mark:

https://www.marketplace.org/story/2025/02/12/personal-finance-inside-the-movement-to-teach-kids-about-money

#MPSLearningInAction | #EMM | #BroncoPride

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Decorative Banner: Summer Learning

Dear Parents/Guardians,

We want to encourage our students to continue their learning journey, especially in reading. The "summer slide," a term used to describe the tendency for students to lose some of the academic gains they made during the school year, can be a real challenge. However, with a little bit of fun and engagement, we can work together to prevent it!

We are excited to offer two fantastic ways for your child to keep their reading skills sharp this summer:

1. Summer Reading Bingo!

Attached to this letter, you will find a Summer Reading Bingo card. This card is filled with fun reading challenges designed to continue building literacy skills throughout the summer months. Encourage your child to complete different bingo squares throughout the summer. 

2. Lexia Online Access

We are also pleased to announce that your child will continue to have access to Lexia Core5 Reading at home! Lexia is an adaptive online literacy program that personalizes learning for each student. This is a wonderful opportunity for your child to practice and strengthen their reading skills at their own pace.

Important Note: Access to Lexia will be available until Friday, June 27th, 2025. Please encourage your child to take advantage of this valuable resource before this date. Your child can log in using their school credentials at clever.com/in/mustang. Lexia is accessible through a Mac, PC, Chromebook, or iPadOS 15 or higher.

Why is summer reading so important?

  • Maintains Skills: Regular reading helps students maintain the reading skills they developed during the school year.
  • Builds Vocabulary: Exposure to new words through reading expands vocabulary.
  • Improves Comprehension: Reading a variety of texts improves understanding and critical thinking.
  • Sparks Imagination: Books open up new worlds and spark creativity.
  • Prepares for Next Year: Students who read over the summer are better prepared for the academic challenges of the next grade level.

We believe that by working together, we can make this summer a time of continued growth and discovery for your child. We encourage you to make reading a fun part of your family's summer routine.

Thank you for your continued partnership in your child's education.

Sincerely,

Misty Eidson

Mustang Public Schools | Director of Elementary Curriculum

 

Family_Summer_Reading_Bingo_Challenge_Kindergarten.pdf 

Family_Summer_Reading_Bingo_Challenge_Grade_1.pdf 

Family_Summer_Reading_Bingo_Challenge_Grade_2.pdf 

Family_Summer_Reading_Bingo_Challenge_Grade_3.pdf 

Family_Summer_Reading_Bingo_Challenge_Grade_4.pdf 

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A family poses and looks at the camera at the Sunset Hill Family Open House.

🌅 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!

  • District News