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January 8, 2024

Nationwide, January is declared as Public School Board of Education Appreciation Month. I would like to extend a very heartfelt appreciation to the dedicated members of our Putnam City School Board: Charity Avery, Steve Burger, Gail LoPresto, Judy Mullen Hopper and Jay Sherrill. They demonstrate an unprecedented loyalty to our District; always working to ensure that our students are provided nothing less than the best. I believe it is crucial to acknowledge that these selfless individuals, who tirelessly contribute their time and effort, are all volunteers. They receive absolutely no financial compensation, but yet serve, because they care. They make a commitment to give of themselves, to represent the public, and to serve on the Board of Putnam City.  We are truly blessed and thank them for their service.  

 On an inspiring international note, our orchestra and band students, and directors from all three high schools showcased their talents on a global stage over Winter Break. I was fortunate to travel to London to see their fantastic performances both in the London New Year Day Parade and in London Concert Series at St. John’s Smith Square. Being there was the thrill of a lifetime! We have incredibly talented students that were able to perform on a world stage.  None of this could happen without their beyond impressive directors, parents, volunteers and staff from all three high schools.  This is a memory of a lifetime. They all represented Putnam City with the utmost pride and excellence.

 We also want to highlight three outstanding students and a Putnam City teacher who recently received remarkable individual achievements just before the break. Victoria Nwankwo of PC North has been selected as one of two Oklahoma delegates to the US Senate Youth Program taking place in Washington DC in March, a testament to her leadership and civic engagement. Ryan Wall of PC High has been chosen for the US Air Force Air University 2024 Flight Academy, demonstrating excellence in his Air Force JROTC pursuits. Additionally, Eli Batts of PC North has been selected for the US Air Force Recruiting Service’s Aim High Flight Academy. Eli is a part of our pioneering Putnam City Aviation Program and we are proud of him for this achievement. Additionally, Hector Lopez, a Teacher at Capps Middle School, has been selected as the Oklahoma Association of Bilingual Educators Teacher of the Year! Congratulations to all! These achievements reflect the outstanding caliber of our students and the dedication of our educators in nurturing their potential.

Looking ahead, we are excited to launch our new attendance awareness campaign, “Be Present. Be Bold.” Encouraging regular attendance is crucial for academic success and well-rounded development and we invite our entire community to actively participate in promoting the importance of being present at school. By attending school and being involved, our students pave their way to a bolder future.

Finally, as we embark on the new year, let us continue to celebrate the accomplishments of our students and teachers, honor the contributions of our School Board, and work together as we launch into 2024.   

-Dr. Fred Rhodes, Superintendent

January 15 -Martin Luther King, Jr. Day -No School, District Offices Closed

February 8 -District Career Fair, PC Administration Building, 5-7pm

It is no secret that attendance issues are severely affecting schools nationwide. In fact, chronic absenteeism is estimated to have doubled since the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, it is time that we as a District reestablish the foundation, innovate, and together, affect positive change through the formation of new positive attendance habits.

The District's focus on regular attendance not only enriches academic learning but also instills essential life skills, such as responsibility and commitment.

👀 Keep an eye out for an informative flyer making its way to every student's home soon!

We are excited about the concerted efforts to reinvigorate the conversation about the importance of attendance in Putnam City Schools. Find more information about "Be Present. Be Bold." Attendance Awareness here.

Our Districtwide attendance* is currently at 61%. Our District goal is 90%. By sharing this data, we hope to spark conversation and encourage all of Putnam City to work together to pave the way for a bolder future for our students. #BePresentBeBold

*percentage measures students in good attendance standing

Orchestra and Band students from all 3 high schools embarked on the trip of a lifetime to London over Winter Break! They filled the streets with beautiful melodies and heartwarming smiles in the world-renowned London New Year's Day Parade and Festival and toured the famous sites.

Check out the KWTV - NEWS 9 story

Congratulations to the following fine arts students for placing All-State!

The PCW Girls Basketball team took home the win at the PC Invitational this weekend! Way to go!

Check out our online District store for fun graphic tees, traditional outwear, and polos!

Once your items are ready, they will be delivered to the school site of your choice for pick-up. You can also pay to have items directly shipped to you.

CLICK TO SHOP!

Questions? Email: info@putnamcityschools.org

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, Jan. 8, 2024, 5pm | Location: Administration Building | Next meeting: Monday, Jan. 22, 2024, 5pm | In Attendance: Superintendent Dr. Fred Rhodes, Board Clerk Stephanie Knox, Board Members Judy Mullen Hopper, Steve Burger, 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.