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February 26, 2024

As we near the end of the month of February, I am delighted to share how our District has embraced the theming of this month - kindness, togetherness, and service. 

I want to commend two of our District’s Campus Police Officers for saving the life of a lady in a medical emergency while they were off duty. Officer Devon Spencer and Officer Dylan DeBelly were working out at a local gym when they noticed a female face down and unresponsive on gym equipment. Officer Spencer, with the assistance of Officer DeBelly, immediately began life-saving CPR until paramedics arrived on the scene and transported her to the hospital. At last check, the female is alive and recovering. We are all beyond proud of Officer Spencer and Officer DeBelly for their heroic act to save this woman's life. This is a shining example of their dedication and commitment to public service.

In the spirit of togetherness, I am proud of our District’s Student Life Department and the high school students who worked hard to produce a districtwide Black History Month Showcase. Middle school students from across the District came together to witness dazzling performances, learn about African American history in the arts, and even hear from the Divine 9, Black Greek-letter organizations. This was a fantastic event for our students and by our students to learn this important history. I know many of our schools are also putting on excellent assemblies and events to recognize Black History Month. I am thankful for our staff in going above and beyond to provide these learning opportunities for our students.

Last week, the Putnam City Museum awarded three Lifetime Achievement Awards, adding to the long list of our District’s history of community dedication and service. Jean Mullican, Jayne Miller Manley, and Alice Story were each recognized as this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipients. Jean moved to the District in 1974 and has served in countless volunteer roles from PTA Council President to Legislative Chair at the State Capitol. She has had a lasting impact on our District and public education advocacy. Jayne is a 1961 graduate from Putnam City High School and has remained active in our District ever since, mostly with the PCH Alumni Association. Alice taught in the District for 52 years at Windsor Hills Elementary and then even after retiring, she continued to volunteer at Windsor Hills until her death in 2019. There is now a butterfly garden dedicated to Ms. Story at the school. These three recipients are the purest definition of being PC Proud and having a heart for service within our District.

We also have some very notable achievements to report. First, congratulations to Amelia Farris from PC West and Timothy Bui from PC North for receiving the distinguished accomplishments of being selected as National Merit Finalists! Additionally, Timothy Bui has also been selected as an Oklahoma Academic All-Stater from the Oklahoma Foundation of Excellence. I am so proud of these two for their high academic achievements and representation of Putnam City. Also, wrestling state championships were this past weekend and our PC High School Girls’ wrestling team continued their tradition of excellence with two new state champions! Congratulations to Tessalynn Goodner and Alexis Ahtone for winning their class. Ryleigh Leftowitz and Ashley Maldonado also received medals for third place. Lastly, PC West wrestling coach, Archie Randall, was honored for his outstanding dedication and service to the state of Oklahoma in the sport of wrestling by the OSSAA. I’m so proud of all of these well-earned accomplishments.

And finally, I want to remind everyone that this week is National Public Schools Week. It is important that we highlight the importance of our public education, which is the backbone of our democracy.   This Wednesday, there are several events scheduled at the Capitol to show support for our public schools.  Show your support for public education this Wednesday, by wearing “Red for Ed”.  We thank our Legislators, our Board, our patrons, our teachers and staff, and entire community for their continuing support for Putnam City Schools.

-Dr. Fred Rhodes, Superintendent

March 4 - Pre-K Lottery Opens

March 15 - No School, District Offices Open

March 18-22- Spring Break, No School, District Offices Closed

Warr Acres Mayor Roger Goodwin recognized the Putnam City High School Orchestra at the City Council meeting for their historic trip to London for the New Year's Day Parade and Festival. We are still bursting with pride for how well all of the orchestra and band students across the District represented Putnam City and Oklahoma! Thank you, Mayor Goodwin, for recognizing these talented and dedicated students, teachers, and family members.

Middle school students from across the District converged at Putnam City High School for a districtwide celebration of Black History Month! Coordinated by the District Student Life Department, this beautiful production by high school students from all three high schools was filled with creative representations of notable African Americans, past and present, musical performances, and dances. There were also special guests from Langston University, Poetry and Chill, and many representatives from the Divine Nine, Black Greek-letter organizations. What a creative, fun, and educational experience for students, by students!

Amelia Farris from Putnam City West and Timothy Bui from Putnam City North have been selected as National Merit FINALISTS! We are so proud of these two remarkable students! Additionally, Timothy Bui has also been selected for the Oklahoma Foundation of Excellence Academic All-State class of 2024!

PC Aviation student Eli Batts, Senior, was recognized at the State Capitol recently. They honored him for his selection to the US Air Force Recruiting Services Aim High Flight Academy.

Putnam City North, DECA, was recognized for outstanding school-based enterprise and was among 728 school-based enterprises achieving gold-level certification for the 2023-2024 school year. and will be recognized during DECA's International Career Development Conference this April 27-30, 2024 in Anaheim, California.

The Putnam City School District's Top Five Teachers of the Year (in no particular order)!
Their passion for going above and beyond for the students of our District has resulted in being voted for this great honor. They understand that bringing importance and educational value to a child's life is necessary instead of an additive. We are so lucky to have amazing educators such as these! The District Teacher Of The Year will be announced on March 5th at the annual Teacher of the Year awards ceremony.

Congratulations to these hard-working Pirate student-athletes for their fantastic accomplishments on the State mat this past weekend!

Whether she's on the volleyball court or off, Tavia Montgomery is a hardworking, talented, well-spoken, natural-born leader and student-athlete. She made it official that she will play collegiate volleyball at Rust University! We are PC Proud of Tavia and her accomplishments!

This award from the Putnam City Schools Museum was honorably celebrated as these recipients shared just what Putnam City Schools means to them personally.

We are always fortunate to be able to showcase such talented student art throughout the Administration building. However, during and leading up to Youth Arts Month, the halls are completely filled with beautiful pieces from end-to-end of the building. Congratulations to the winners of the Youth Arts Month showcase!

Be PC Proud! Have a story of an amazing achievement by a PC student teachers, group or team? Share it with us, and we’ll spotlight their accomplishments in our next edition!

Meeting Date: Monday, Feb. 26, 2024, 5pm | Location: Administration Building | Next meeting: Monday, March 4, 2024, 5pm | In Attendance: Superintendent Dr. Fred Rhodes, Deputy Board Clerk Chantil Baldwin, Board Members Judy Mullen Hopper, Steve Burger, Jay Sherrill, Gail LoPresto, and Charity Avery.

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.