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May 22, 2025
August 5, 2024
BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
RECOGNITIONS & REPORTS:
Golden Apple Recipients Recognition – Joy Murphy, Putnam City Foundation
BOARD ACTIONS
The Board approved the following agenda items:
Recommendation of employment of new personnel and
reassignments
Motion regarding renewal of employment for support personnel
Motion regarding revision(s) of District Policy BC – Safety Programs.
Motion regarding revision(s) of District Policy BN – Internet Access, Internet Safety, Personally Owned Devices, and Use of Electronic Resources.
Motion regarding Contract with S&B CPAs & Associates for the
audit of the 2025 Fiscal Year.
Motion regarding Agreement with Brightwell for the installation of
solar panels on the new Centennial Center Building.
Motion regarding Chase Morris Plans for elementary and secondary
school sites within the District.
Motion regarding agreement with Vector Solutions for the professional
development tracking platform.
For a full list of Board meeting items and attachments, please view the full agenda on our website.
BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
STEVE BURGER started with a shout out to Mr. Smith and the administration team at PC West for their tough decisions regarding the weather affecting graduation, but still making it memorable and special for all graduating seniors. He thanked the District Administration Team for their work on upcoming policy changes regarding recent legislation and District initiatives. He acknowledged the recent passing of Jerry Kuntz, a longtime PCH teacher and wrestling coach. He spoke to Mr. Kuntz’s immeasurable impact and said it was a sad time for our District regarding the passing of Kuntz and Fuller.
JAY SHERRILL thanked everyone for their involvement in the graduation ceremonies last weekend. He spoke to the significance of the Golden Apple award and congratulated the recipients.
JUDY MULLEN HOPPER thanked the speaker for the public participation portion of the Board meeting. She talked about the upcoming PC Foundation Community Night and encouraged everyone to attend and help get the word out about it.
CHARITY AVERY started by acknowledging the speaker during the public participation portion of the Board meeting. Next, she commented on the wonderful graduation ceremonies, with a special acknowledgement for the hard decisions regarding weather affecting the PCW graduation. She gave a shout-out to our Speech-Pathologists in recognition of National Speech-Pathologist Month. She congratulated all of the Golden Apple recipients. Lastly, she acknowledged a longtime PC teacher, Mark Fuller, who recently passed away. She spoke to his incredible impact on students and her personally.
Meeting Date: Monday, May 22, 2025, 5pm
Location: PC Administration Building
In Attendance: Board Members: President Steve Burger, Vice President Jay Sherrill, Judy Mullen Hopper, Charity Avery; Superintendent Dr. Fred Rhodes, Deputy Board Clerk Chantil Baldwin
Next meeting: Monday, June 2, 2025, 5pm
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
With the Board meeting rescheduled to tonight, it feels fitting to get to end the year with this figurative exclamation point. From state championships to major fine arts honors, from nightly homework to major scholarships, and from daily lesson plans to late parent-teacher conferences, our Putnam City community has excelled in every way.
This year, our districtwide staff theme was “Every Beat Counts,” and I can confidently say that everything I witnessed brought that theme to life. Every heartbeat, every effort, every moment, counted.
It was an absolute joy to celebrate the graduation of more than 1,100 seniors this past weekend. There is nothing quite like the unmatched excitement, pride, and hopeful nerves that come with high school graduation. It’s a pinnacle moment that stems from the culmination of years of dedication and growth. It’s the realization that all the hard work was worth it. These graduates now join the ranks of over 76,000 Putnam City alumni who have gone on to achieve bold, meaningful accomplishments. We cannot wait to follow the stories that will unfold in the chapters ahead.
Another special part of graduation is witnessing the reactions of thousands of family members who fill the stands. The spirit, the joy, and the love are electric and unforgettable. To our Putnam City families, thank you for being our students’ biggest supporters, year after year. Your energy lifts them, and us, in ways you may never fully realize.
And finally, to our incredible Putnam City Staff. You are truly the amp to every student’s beat. No matter your official title, your commitment and care have left lasting imprints on countless lives. We know the end of the school year can feel bittersweet, as saying goodbye to students you’ve grown close to is never easy. But in education, it’s never truly goodbye. Just as you’ve shaped them, they’ve also shaped you, and that bond endures well beyond a single school year.
On behalf of the entire Putnam City Schools administration and myself, we wish everyone a wonderful, safe, and rejuvenating summer. Rest up, you’ve earned it! We can’t wait to come back together soon to turn the page, begin a new chapter, and keep writing this incredible Putnam City story together.
-Dr. Fred Rhodes
DISTRICT DATES & EVENTS
May 22 - Last Day of School!
May 26 - All Offices Closed- Memorial Day
HAPPENING AROUND PC
We Have a Whataburger What-A-Teacher in PC
Congratulations to Mrs. Hann at Ralph Downs Elementary! Her incredible dedication, creativity, and care for her students shined brightly in her nomination, and you just had to be there to witness the heartwarming moment when the whole school heard the news. Their cheers, smiles, and even a few happy tears said it all.
Northridge Elementary Brought Oklahoma History to Life
Students transformed into famous Oklahomans for their Living History Museum, sharing stories of artists, athletes, leaders, and legends who’ve made a mark far beyond our state. Families came to cheer on their students, and left knowing a little more than they did before!
Mothers Day Tea Party at Central Elementary
Central Pre-K students celebrated their loved ones with teacups, crafts, and a surprise concert at their Mother’s Day tea parties!
Senior Service Day at PCH
Putnam City High seniors planted flowers, pulled weeds, and gave their campus a little extra love before graduation. It was their last week as PC students, and they’re working on building their legacy.
Advance Placement Exams ✅
Even with summer just around the corner, AP English language students are putting in the work. Advanced Placement exams give high schoolers the chance to earn college credit, and they showed up focused and ready! We’re proud of their dedication during this final stretch of the year and are grateful to our staff that make every beat count!
Alice in Wonderland at Arbor Grove
Fifth graders at Arbor Grove took to the stage for their performance of Alice in Wonderland! They’ve been working hard behind the scenes, and they brought the story to life for younger students and families. What a fun way to close out the school year!
PC Proud
Putnam City Class of 2025
The Class of 2025 left their mark, and now they’ve crossed the stage and stepped boldly into what comes next. Congratulations Putnam City Students!
PC Foundation Golden Apple Awards
Congratulations to this year's PC Foundation Golden Apple Award recipients! Every year, five PC employees are chosen out from nominations to receive this prestigious award.
-Bobbie Mackenzie, WOES Interpreter
-Officer Steve Jurczewsky, PC Campus Police
-Gail LoPresto, School Board, retired
-AJ Graffeo, District Director of Communications
-Marvin Reeves, PCN Head Custodian (not pictured)
OKLA 7 Conference Tennis Tournament
Putnam City High, North, and West hit the courts for the OKLA 7 Conference Tennis Tournament, hosted at PC North. With strong performances, great crowds, and seven schools in the mix, it was a perfect reminder of how good spring sports can be!
District-wide high school newspaper
This student-led publication brings together staff writers and photographers from our 3 high schools, with the goal of building community and showcasing the talents and perspectives of our students. Inside, you’ll find stories from each of our diverse staffs. The intent with this first issue is to highlight the great things happening in our buildings and how Putnam City Schools has shaped the lives of our students.
District Elementary Track Meet
At the District Elementary Track Meet, 4th and 5th graders from schools across Putnam City showed up strong! We saw form that belongs on varsity, and cheers loud enough to shake the bleachers. Rain couldn’t stop this kind of heart.
Gabriel will spend a week learning the ins and outs of the film industry and get a first hand experience of what it's like to be on a real film set, led by industry professionals! OCCC is one of the nation's Top 30 Film Schools. There were limited seats and applicants were reviewed and decided by a committee.
Very excited for Gabriel to represent West this summer!
INFORMATION & REMINDERS
Prep for 2025-2026! Family School Year Calendar
Registration Happening Now!
Putnam City Families,
Registration for current PC students is open for the 2025-2026 school year!
To receive a class schedule or to be placed in a class, all returning students must complete registration by July 31, 2025.
Steps to Complete Registration:
Complete your registration using the link sent to your email.
NEW! Provide Proof of Residency – Upload a current utility bill (water, gas, or electric) with your name and address. You can submit a screenshot, scanned copy, PDF, or photo of your bill.
If you have any questions, please contact the Putnam City Enrollment Office.
Summer Learning Activities and Resources
Check out these summer learning activities and resources!
From elementary to middle school, here are some fun activities and resources to keep the brains in gear between splashes in the pool and fun on the playground.
For high school students in need of credit recovery, click here to enroll. More information can be gathered from your school counselor.
Free STEM Camp for Incoming 7th graders!
PC Aviation is offering an amazing STEM camp where you can explore the world of aviation and engineering.
June 16-19, 2025, 8:30-11:30am, at Wiley Post Airport - 5919 Philip J. Rhodes Ave. OKC.
What to expect:
Learn to fly a drone
Build and test parachutes
Enjoy fun activities like balloon flight and drone building
Earn your drone trust certificate!
Why attend?
Get hands-on experience in engineer and aviation
Explore Putnam City's Aviation Academy, Oklahoma's premier aviation program
To sign up or for more information, contact:
Denise Hensley, CareerTech Coordinator
405-470-3917 ext 5801
dhensley@putnamcityschools.org
Download the Putnam City Schools App!
Download the Putnam City App for an all-in-one stop on all things Putnam City Schools!
Check out this video to learn more!
Available in the App Store and in Google Play. Just search Putnam City Schools OK!
Be PC Proud! Have a story of an amazing achievement by a PC student teachers, group or team?
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.