Pryor Middle School Principal Shawn Matheson presented an update to the Pryor Public Schools Board of Education at the March monthly meeting, highlighting progress and projects at the middle school since returning to a semester format.
Matheson shared information related to student celebrations and the success of the school’s new enrichment program. Now in his fifth year as principal, he said the shift back to semesters has created stronger consistency in student interactions with teachers, improved pacing across grade levels, and supported summative testing as a measure of student growth.
Pryor Middle School has continued its tradition of Celebration Days, which recognize student achievements throughout the year. Matheson expressed gratitude to Danny Callison for donations that have helped support those events.
Student and Teacher of the Month recognitions have also become a strong morale booster in the building. Teachers nominate students, who then teach a Leader in Me lesson to their peers before a Student of the Month is selected. Teachers also nominate their colleagues for Teacher of the Month. Nomination forms include written affirmations that are shared with the selected staff member, who is recognized as the Greatest of All Time, or GOAT, Teacher of the Month.
Students are also recognized for perfect attendance, which Matheson said has become another meaningful source of motivation and encouragement for middle schoolers.
A new addition to the school day is the enrichment period. During that time, students can receive extra help in academic subjects or choose sessions connected to their interests, such as hunting and fishing. Matheson highlighted Mindset training sessions taught by Kirk Emerine as one example of the opportunities available during enrichment. In those sessions, students work through difficult scenarios and practice responding in positive, productive ways, building relationship and problem-solving skills.
Matheson explained that the more relaxed atmosphere of the enrichment period allows students to get to know one another better, build stronger connections with teachers, and have more voice in what they are learning at school. 
Assistant Superintendent John Potter also commended Pryor Middle School students for how they represented the district at a recent choir contest hosted at Pryor High School.
Several groups of middle school students from around the area were gathered in the halls while waiting for their time to perform, Potter said, but Pryor students stood out for their behavior.
“When our middle school kids came, they stood in a line,” Potter said. “No one had to say, ‘Get over there,’ ‘Get quiet,’ or ‘Get in line.’ They just did it.”
Potter said he was thankful for the way the middle school students represented Pryor Public Schools at the event.
In other business, the board approved SchooLinks as a replacement for Naviance. Beginning next school year, SchooLinks will be the platform Pryor High School students use to track their Individual Career Academic Plan, or ICAP. Honorary student school board member Vansh Chauhan said that he believes the new platform will be a positive change for students.
In preparation for the 2026-2027 school year, the board also approved two new full-time teaching positions at the middle school: a STEM teacher and a Phoenix Academy teacher.
