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April 21,2025
August 5, 2024
BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
BOARD ACTIONS
The Board approved the following agenda items:
recommendation of employment of new personnel and
reassignments
motion regarding renewal of employment for certified personnel
motion regarding revisions to District Policy CF – Travel and Expense
Reimbursement
motion regarding revisions to District Policy DA – General Personnel
Policies
motion regarding Independent Educational Evaluation Service
Agreement with Psychology Specialists of Oklahoma
motion regarding Independent Educational Evaluation Service
Agreement with Tara Warwick, Today’s Therapy Solutions
motion regarding approval of the Proposed Amended Operating Budget
for FY 2025
motion regarding six-year adoption for fine arts curriculum (full detailed list in the board meeting items, link below)
motion regarding employment/appointment of Secondary Assistant
Principals
Hefner Middle School Assistant Principal, Cara Raney
Putnam City High School Assistant Principal, William Wortmann
For a full list of Board meeting items and attachments, please view the full agenda on our website.
BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
STEVE BURGER promoted several events coming up including the PC Arts Festival and the PC Foundation’s first-ever Bowling Tournament on May 1st at Windsor Lanes. He also mentioned the excitement leading up to graduation ceremonies in just 4 short weeks.
JAY SHERRILL spoke to the importance of keeping vigilant in routines for students as we near the end of the school year and state testing begins.
JUDY MULLEN HOPPER gave a shout out to some current events in our schools, including Northridge Elementary’s Parade of Nations and Hefner Middle School’s students recently reading to elementary students. She also mentioned Harvest Hill Elementary’s 50th anniversary reunion on May 3rd.
CHARITY AVERY wished everyone a wonderful Easter holiday with family and friends. She wished everyone well on state testing and thanked teachers and families for their support in diligent preparations. She mentioned the PC Arts Festival coming up. Lastly, she spoke to the participation of many in our District for the upcoming OKC Memorial Marathon.
COLLETTE SHEPARD-MCINTIRE had no comments.
Meeting Date: Monday, April 21, 2025, 5pm
Location: PC Administration Building
In Attendance: Board Members: President Steve Burger, Vice President Jay Sherrill, Judy Mullen Hopper, Charity Avery, Collette Shepard-McIntire; Superintendent Dr. Fred Rhodes, Deputy Board Clerk Chantil Baldwin
Next meeting: Monday, May 5, 2025, 5pm
PC Student Leader Opens Board Meeting
At each Board Meeting, we incorporate high school student leaders to open the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and Moment of Silence. This tradition is guided by our District's mission statement of empowering students to achieve personal success and enrich the community.
Tonight's student leader was Aries Bruins junior of PC West High School. Aries is involved in a number of clubs and extracurriculars, including Black Student Association, Math Club, StuCo, YFC Leadership Team, NHS, and Seat at the Table.
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
We have officially entered the home stretch of the school year, the last big push before that final bell rings for summer break! With just a few weeks to go, I want to thank our students, staff, and families for staying committed and focused as we wrap up the year strong.
State testing is underway across the District. Thank you to our educators who have been working hard all year to prepare our students. To ensure a smooth and supportive testing environment so our students can perform their best, we want to partner with families to make sure students are present, on time, well-rested, fueled up, and have charged devices. Let’s all continue to encourage our students throughout this time to do their best and take pride in demonstrating what they’ve learned all year.
Looking ahead, the always highly anticipated annual Putnam City Arts Festival is coming up on May 3rd at Putnam City North High School. This year’s theme is “Peace, Love, Art,” and it promises to be a vibrant celebration of creativity and talent from across the District. From visual art to live performances, this event is always a wonderful showcase of what happens when imagination meets opportunity.
-Dr. Fred Rhodes
DISTRICT DATES & EVENTS
May 3- PC Arts Festival, at Putnam City North High School, 9am-3pm
May 16 - PCH Graduation, 7:30pm
May 17 - PCN Graduation, 10:00am | PCW Graduation, 7:00pm
May 22 - Last Day of School!
HAPPENING AROUND PC
Saving Lives Starts Young
4th and 5th grade Tulakes Twisters participated in a Hands-Only CPR class, learning vital skills that could make a difference in an emergency! These students are now better prepared to act in critical situations.
We're Not In Debt!
"We're not in debt!" -Delaney 8th grade. Hefner Vikings got a taste of real-world finances during the TFCU Reality Fair! Students worked with a partner to balance a household budget based on real career salaries. Huge thanks to Tinker Federal Credit Union for this hands-on experience!
Turtle Scientist Visits Coronado Heights
After studying sea turtles, Coronado Elementary 4th graders got a special visit from a UCO Professor who studies turtles in our area and worldwide. Students learned what to do if they see a turtle crossing the road, how to estimate a turtle's age by its shell, and got an up-close look at real shells from the wild!
Tiny Prom at DD Kirkland Elementary
Whether dancing under the sparkling lights and fog machines or playing tag with friends, it was a night filled with joy and laughter. Students and families made memories that will last a lifetime!
PC Middle School Academic Team Tournament
From mythology to math, sports to pop culture, our students impressed us all morning. Our schools collaborated to create a district-wide tournament tailored specifically for middle schoolers, with questions that were age-appropriate, thoughtful, and actually fun! We're already excited for next year
Medieval Musical at Northridge
Northridge 3rd graders took the stage by storm with "Joust! A Mighty Medieval Musical" - a twist on the legend of King Arthur!
The talent, set, and direction were incredible, but the way these students supported each other behind the scenes was even more magical. From helping friends through stage nerves to cheering each other on, their kindness shone just as bright as their performance.
Middle Schoolers Spread the Joy of Reading
A group of 7th graders from Hefner Middle School returned to Wiley Post Elementary, not just to visit, but to read with younger students and share some stories they wrote and illustrated themselves! Watching them step into the role of mentor, right where many of their own journeys began, was a powerful moment.
Prom Time
PCW Prom. Photo: Nate Billings/The Oklahoman
PCH Prom. Photo: Bryan Terry/The Oklahoman
PCN Prom. Photo: Nate Billings/The Oklahoman
PC Proud
PCW Win Over Bethany Soccer
PC West Soccer came ready to play and showed out with a win over Bethany! Clean touches, smooth passing, and plenty of minutes for all players? Soccer at its finest.
Putnam City Cleans House at State Science Olympiad!
Middle and high school students competed in the State Science Olympiad tournament at UCO against teams from across Oklahoma. Congratulations to our winners!
PCN HOSA 3rd Place at State Conference
Two PCN students, Favour Atolagbe & Adaeze Nebe, placed 3rd in the Health Organization and Science Association (HOSA) State Leadership Conference in Health Career display! Your hard work, dedication, and passion for healthcare shine bright.
FCCLA State Officer
PCH DECA - Emerging Leaders Awards
The Emerging Leader Honor Award recognizes members who have been involved at the local, chartered association, and National DECA levels. These members are graduating seniors who have maintained at least a 3.2 cumulative grade point average, served as a state or local officer, completed at least two courses in marketing, business management and administration, entrepreneurship, finance, or hospitality and tourism, have represented Oklahoma by competing at both state and National levels, and have participated in a variety of activities that helped them become community-oriented, professionally responsible and experienced leaders.
Congratulations to our outstanding DECA Emerging Leaders, Josephine Martinez, Connor Fast, and Rose Smith!
FCCLA State Convention Awards
The results are in from the FCCLA State Convention! Congratulations!
PCN:
Faith Petties – 3rd Place Fashion Design, Level 3
Audree Elder - 2nd Place Fashion Construction, Level 3 - Advancing to Nationals
Kaliana Clardy – 3rd Place Chapter Service Project Portfolio
Gracie Popchoke - 3rd Place Chapter Service Project Portfolio
Putnam City North also received the Gold Chapter Status and 100% Participation Award.
PCH:
Lilyana Nevarez - 2nd Place Fashion Construction, Level 2.
Camila Bielma Ortiz - 2nd Place Hospitality, Tourism, and Recreation, Level 3.
Putnam City High also received the Silver Chapter Status and 100% Participation Award.
BPA National Leadership Conference
PCH and PCN have BPA students attending Nationals in Orlando in May! Way to go!
PCN:
Cesar Rojo Chavez - Web Design
Fionn McVey - Fundamentals of Word Processing, 1st out of 92 at State!
PCH:
Bryson Blakney - C++ Programming, Linux Operating Systems Fundamentals
Nathan Wooden - C++ Programming and C# Programming
Jacob Miller - BPA Leadership Academy attendee
DECA International Career Development Conference
Congratulations to the following DECA students attending Nationals in Orlando!
PCH:
PCH DECA earns Gold Certification for the 2024-2025 year
Nafeesa Sultana, Laura Quimbaya Suarez, and Anshika Yadav - Buying and Merchandising Operations Research
Josephine Martine and Juan Loera - Hospitality and Tourism Research Operations Research
Mohammad Waheed - International Business Plan
Abdullah Raja - Buying and Merchandising Operations Research
Coltan Lock - School-Based Enterprise Academy and Competition
Lynsie Fonseca Reyes, Alondra Gutierrez Jimenez, and Ayesha Waheed - Ignite Leadership Academy
PCN:
PCN DECA earns Gold Certification for the 2024-2025 year
Kayleigh Medlock and Yoliet Rodriguez - Student Base Enterprise Competition
Keila Knott - Restaurant and Food Service Management
Maddison Keeton - Principles of Marketing
Kenneth Medlock - Leadership Academy Ignite Attendee
Jakauri Alexander = Leadership Academy Aspire Attendee
INFORMATION & REMINDERS
Registration Happening Now!
All current and returning students must complete registration for the 2025-2026 school year! Look for the link in your email to complete this critical step.
Deadline: July 31, 2025
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Putnam City Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, identity, national origin, age, marital or veteran status, or disability. Translations are completed by Google Translate.