Pre-K and Kindergarten Enrollment
Teachers
of the
Year
Page 5
Our Jenks Public Schools Newsletter
Feat
ur
es
APRIL 2011 Volume 30 Issue 5
Schools
Page 5
Vocal
Music
Event
Page 6
See Pre-K/K Enrollment on page 2
Pre-K Enrollment
Enrollment for pre-kindergarten
students continues to take place at
the Enrollment Center, located at
the southeastern corner of the Jenks
football stadium, 3rd and East B
Streets, in Jenks. The Enrollment
Center is open from 7:30 to 4:00.
Students must be four-years-old,
and not yet five-years-old, by
September 1, 2011, in order to enroll
in Pre-Kindergarten.
Parents or guardians of students
residing in the Southeast and West
attendance zones may indicate their
preference for morning or afternoon
classes and/or attendance at the
Grace Living Center site during
enrollment. Parents or guardians
of students residing in the East
attendance zone must indicate their
preference for either the full-day
or half-day preschool option. Every
effort will be made to fulfill such
requests. As the district completes
Testing
Survivor Tree at Middle School Last year on April
19, six Jenks students
traveled with history
teacher Judy DenDaas
to Oklahoma City in
order to experience
the 15th anniversary
of the bombing of the
Murrah Building. Abby
Biggs, Molly Crowe,
Zach Fate, Carter
Fox, Elizabeth Muller,
and John Ross were
all born in the year
following the bombing
in April of 1995. Their visit included attending the Memorial Service and
a visit to the National Memorial Museum. “The students could really see
the impact that the bombing had on our state and our country,” said Mrs.
DenDaas. As they were leaving the museum, the group received a cutting
from The Survivor Tree, an American Elm that bore witness to the violence
of April 19, 1995, and withstood the full force of the attack. Even now, this
tree continues to stand as a living symbol of resilience of those affected by
the bombing. Eighth grade science teacher, Charlotte Hines, cared for the
tree cutting until it was big enough to be planted on the campus of Jenks
Middle School. With help from Tom Thrasher from The Garden Trug, the
tree was recently planted on the west lawn of JMS. A plaque will also be
placed beside the tree, explaining it’s significance. For years to come, JMS
students will be able to see this tree as a symbol of respect, resilience, and
responsibility.
L to R: Tom Thrasher, Judy DenDaas, Molly Crowe, Elizabeth Muller, Abby Biggs, Charlotte Hines
2
Notice - Jenks Public Schools prohibits discrimination in the educational programs and activities, admission programs of students, recruitment, selection and/or employment on the basis of race, religion, gender, age, national origin, veteran status or disability. The school district complies with federal and state regulations for implementing Title IX of the Education Amendment of 972, Title VI, Section 504, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Las Escuelas Públicas de Jenks prohíben la discriminación en los programas y actividades educacionales, programas de admisiones para los estudiantes, reclutamiento, selección y/o empleo sobre las bases de raza, religión, sexo, edad, nacionalidad, estado de veterano o discapacidad. El distrito escolar se acata a las regulaciones federales y estatales por implementar el Título IX de la Enmienda Educacional 972, Título VI, Sección 504 y del Acta de Norteamericanos con Discapacidades (ADA).
(USPS # 000-609) is published monthly by Jenks Public Schools, 205 E B ST, Jenks, OK 74037-3900, (918) 299-4411. Our Schools is issued free to parents or guardians of school-age children who attend Jenks Public Schools. Periodical postage paid at Jenks, OK. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Our Schools, 205 E B St, Jenks, OK 74037-3900.
Pre-K/K Enrollment cont.
classroom additions at Southeast
and West Elementary Schools in
future years, the full-day Pre-K
program will be expanded to serve
students at those sites.
To begin the enrollment process,
parents or guardians should visit
the JPS website (www.jenksps.org)
and select “Enrollment” under the
“Parents” tab. Enrollment forms
are available at that location for
completion and printing. Parents
and guardians should then take
the completed form and the
following required documents to the
Enrollment Center:
Proof of residency in the Jenks •
School District (ex. utility bill,
lease, or non-contingent real
estate contract)
Immunization records•
State-certified birth certificate•
Court filed custody and/or •
guardianship paperwork, if
applicable
Social Security number •
(optional)
Kindergarten Enrollment
JPS no longer requires that our
current pre-kindergarten students
re-enroll in order to enter kindergar-
ten. The enrollment of each pre-kin-
dergarten student will automatically
“roll-over,” just as the enrollment
of students in other grades. Only
those students who will be NEW to
JPS will need to complete the enroll-
ment process. Enrollment for kinder-
garten students new to the district
has begun and is being held at the
Enrollment Center. Please see the
information above regarding required
documentation for enrollment.
Open Houses
Informational meetings will be
held for the families of pre-kinder-
garten and kindergarten students at
each elementary site. Parents and
guardians will have the opportunity
to learn more about each program
as well as to enroll in the Before and
After School Enrichment programs
provided by Jenks Community Edu-
cation. Dates and times for these
meetings will be provided at the time
of enrollment.
An
no
un
ce
men
ts
“Parents As Teachers Big Truck Event” will be held on Saturday, April 23, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
in the Mayo Building Parking Lot (between 2nd and F Street). Bring the entire family to see a dump truck,
fire truck, ambulance, school bus, back-hoe, and much more!
Two Named Academic All-State The Oklahoma Foundation for
Excellence has announced that
two JHS seniors are recipients
of its prestigious 2011 Academic
All-State Awards. Michael “Cole”
Griffin and Joshua Thomas are
among 100 top public high school
seniors to receive this honor.
Each of this year’s All-Staters
will receive a $1,000 merit-based
scholarship and a medallion. The
All-Staters will be recognized at the
foundation’s 25th annual Academic
Awards Banquet on Saturday, May
21. Renowned business leader,
philanthropist and New York City
Mayor Michael Bloomberg will be
the keynote speaker.
David L. Boren, chairman
and founder of the Oklahoma
Foundation for Excellence,
describes the selection of the
scholars as “Oklahoma’s most
rigorous academic competition.”
Congratulations to Cole and
Joshua!
Special recognition also goes to Max Shaw, 6th grade student at West Intermediate. Max qualified for the
state level National Geographic Bee. Max won at the WI competition and qualified to attend the state
competition by taking a written test. He will compete in Edmond on Friday, April 1. Congratulations to Max
and best wishes for success at the state Bee!
Congratulations to Jenks
High School student,
Stephen Gehly, who won
the 2011 Oklahoma
State Scholarship Chess
Championship! Stephen
will represent Jenks High
School and Oklahoma in
the national tournament in
Orlando, Florida this July.
Jenks East Intermediate has been designated as the “Most
Positive School in the World!” This designation is a result of
receiving the 2010 United Nations NGO Positive Peace Award.
This award honors and recognizes schools for their overall
positivity and contributions to their community. Winners are
selected through an essay competition by the United Nations
Voting Academy comprised of highly respected United Nations
Non-Governmental Organizations including Rotary International,
Pathways to Peace, and Sister Cities International.
On January 13, 2011, East Intermediate celebrated this
honor with an assembly featuring students, staff, parents, and special guests. Speakers at the celebratory assembly
included Site Principal Jeff Wright, Assistant Principal Jennifer Peterson, Superintendent Kirby Lehman, Oklahoma State
Representative and EI grandparent Jeannie McDaniel, Oklahoma State Representative Pam Peterson, Rotary District
Governor Wallace Williams, Dynamic Dads Coordinator John Linhardt, and EI Teacher of the Year Shawna Long. EI father
Aaron Wright presented the national anthem and staff member Michelle Funkhouser shared a proclamation announcing
an American flag would be flown in tribute of EI over Kandahar, Afghanistan by Col. Anthony Funkhouser. Throughout
the assembly, EI students showcased their positive attitudes and their respect for others as they celebrated this honor.
3
JENKS EI NAMED MOST POSITIVE IN THE WORLD
Principal Jeff Wright accepts award for EI.
JPSF Appreciation Luncheon
2011 JPSF Golf Tournament
JPSF Board Updates The Jenks Public Schools Foundation (JPSF) Annual Appreciation Luncheon
is Saturday, April 23 at the Outback Steakhouse on Riverside Drive. The cost
will be $50 per person and includes door prizes. This is a special event for
JPS employees and a lovely opportunity for teachers and staff from across the
district to come together and a way to show appreciation to those that may
not be in a position to receive it very often. This is a fundraiser for JPSF and
sponsored by the Outback Steakhouse on Riverside Drive.
There is one sponsorship per teacher or employee. If the teacher has al-
ready been sponsored, we suggest that you consider sending a specials teach-
er, another teacher in that grade that has not yet been sponsored or a para or
other employee, like the building administrative assistant or media specialist.
To download a sponsorship form, go to www.jenksfoundation.org, then click
on 2011 Appreciation Luncheon under the Events tab.
We are pleased to welcome
Lonnie Iannazzo, Vincent Anthony
Jewelers, Chris Smith, BancFirst/
Jenks, Joanne Lucas, and Community
Action Project as new Jenks
Public Schools Foundation Board
Members. In addition, we would
like to recognize Nick Sidorakis as
Vice-President and Phil Lakin, Jr. as
Secretary on the Jenks Public Schools
Foundation Executive Committee.
After a four year hiatus, the Jenks Public Schools Foundation returns to the spring golf tournament. This year, the
event will be held on Friday, May 6, at the Cherokee Hills Golf Club, Shotgun Start, 2:00 p.m. The day includes lunch,
carts, favors and prizes, and is followed by a reception and awards ceremony. It is $150 per person and corporate
sponsorships are available. For details about the tournament and sponsorship benefits, go to www.jenksfoundation.org,
and click on the 2011 Golf Tournament link.
Proceeds from the golf tournament and the appreciation luncheon will support Jenks Public Schools Foundation
funded programs, such as JA Biztown for all 5th grade students, Vision of Excellence Awards, classroom grants to
teachers, and year-end activities such as the Alternative Center Banquet, the Gradfest Party, and many more special
requests.
Thank you for your continued support throughout the school year. Our goal is that you see the impact of your
support, not only at the site that your children attend, but across the district. We welcome your volunteer participation
and for more information go to www.jenksfoundation.org and on Facebook at Jenks Foundation.
4
Foundation Awards Grants to District The Jenks Public Schools Foundation is pleased to announce the 2010-11 awards for
Classroom Grants for Jenks Public Schools. More than $12,000 was awarded to JPS
teachers from 30 grant applications. It is the mission of JPSF to provide an enhanced
learning environment for all students and the Classroom Grants to Teachers is one of the
core programs funded annually. This year’s grant recipients were recognized at the JPS
School Board Meeting on Monday, January 10. More information about all of the grants
awarded is available at www.jenksfoundation.org.
In addition, JPSF is pleased to provide Jenks Public Schools, a grant of $3,000 for
EDOklahoma, a service which will assist the district by providing information and support
for federal grant funds.
Each year, one of
the many programs
for which we provide
funding is the Employee Appreciation Banquet. The
annual dinner was Saturday, February 19, the Site
Teachers of the Year are recognized, the District
Teacher of the Year is announced, and the service
awards are presented as well. During the month of
February, we are worked with community partners
who will donated a percentage of their proceeds to
JPSF in support of Employee Appreciation, start-
ing with Top That! Pizza, 81st and Memorial, Tues-
day, February 1, Homerun Sliders/Freckles/Rocky
Mountain Candy, 101st & Yale, Thursday, February
10, the Garden Trug, (next to JMS) February 19,
and more to come! Be sure to look for additional
announcements via Email and Facebook.
Oklahoma Outstanding Teacher in Mathematics Award
2011 Grant Award recipients are (back) Janice Ramsey, Catrina Thomas, Tracy Robertson, Angela Timmons, Vicki Campbell, Lynn Goodrich, (front) Avi Gelfand, Andrea Chalker, Jinafer Brown and Clifton Raphael. Not pictured are Maria Fernandez and Judye Lancaster.
Jenks Public Schools’ CFO, Nancy McKay and Foundation President, Wendi Fisher.
Susan Hildebrand, Jenks East Elementary teacher, has been selected as this year’s Oklahoma Outstanding
Teacher in Mathematics at the elementary level by the Oklahoma/Arkansas Section of the Mathematical Association
of America (OK-AR MAA). Hildebrand will be recognized at the annual section meeting banquet of the OK-AR MAA
held at University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Oklahoma, on April 1, 2011.
OK-AR MAA annually recognizes three teachers in Oklahoma and three in Arkansas for their outstanding
contributions to the mathematics education of their students. The honorees are selected from the pool of nominees
on the basis of written submissions which include a description of a special project or enrichment topic they have
developed, their personal philosophy of teaching mathematics, and recommendations from a supervisor, and peer,
and a student or parent. The Outstanding Teacher in Mathematics Award is presented to one teacher from each of
three levels – secondary, middle school, and elementary – from each of the two states.
Since 1915, the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) has provided a forum for educators, students,
professionals, and mathematics enthusiasts to share ideas, keep abreast of developments in the mathematical
community, enhance their careers, and make new friends. Today, the MAA is the largest professional society that
focuses on mathematics accessible at the undergraduate level with more than 25,000 individuals and institutions
taking advantage of its publications, programs, and resources. The membership of OK-AR MAA consists of members
of the MAA residing in Oklahoma and Arkansas. Its membership is made up of educators, students, as well as other
inside and outside of academia who are devoted to the advancement of the mathematical sciences, especially at the
collegiate level.
5
District Teachers Receive Honors Earlier this semester, the Jenks Board of
Education recognized 2010-2011 Site Teachers
of the Year.
Congratulations to the following teachers:
Abbie Andrus, Southeast Elementary
Paul Goodenough, Middle School
Jennifer LaMar, West Elementary
Shawna Long, East Intermediate
Jennifer Roberts, Freshman Academy
Sandy Strozier, West Intermediate
Chris Tedford, Alternative Center
Shelli Temple, High School
Heather Zemanek, East Elementary
Shelli Temple was named as the District
Teacher of the Year at the JPS Employee
Appreciation Banquet on February 19, 2011.
Also recognized were four teachers and
one speech language pathologist who earned
certification from the National Board for
Professional Teaching Standards.
Congratulations to the following educators:
Meredith Andrews, Southeast Elementary
Andrea Golloher, Southeast Elementary
Lynnelle Snowbarger, West Intermediate
Laura Whitman-Qi, East Elementary
Sunny Van Straten, East Elementary
Currently 54 JPS teachers and 24 speech
language pathologists hold National Board
Certification. This certification is achieved through
a voluntary assessment program designed to
recognize effective and accomplished teachers
who meet high standards.
Site Teachers of the Year are (back) Jennifer Roberts, Jennifer LaMar, Shawna Long, Sandy Strozier, Shelli Temple, (front) Paul Goodenough, Chris Tedford, Abbie Andrus, and Heather Zemanek.
Andrea Golloher, Lynnelle Snowbarger, Laura Whitman-Qi, Meredith Andrews and Sunny Van Straten (not pictured) celebrate National Board Certification.
April in Oklahoma public
schools means that state testing
is near. Students in grades 3-8
will be taking the Oklahoma Core
Curriculum Tests (OCCT), and End-
of-Instruction (EOI) exams are given
to all students taking selected high
school level courses. Test monitors
are required in every testing
session. Every site will need many
volunteers to fill these positions.
Please seriously consider helping out
in this very important opportunity.
Volunteers will also be needed at
each site who will be willing to be
on an emergency call list in case of
cancellations. Please know that you
are very much appreciated for taking
on this responsibility. The dates for
testing are:
OCCT: April 11 - 20
EOI: April 18 - May 13
If you are available to volunteer at a
site, please contact Kathy Guenther
at [email protected] or
(918) 299-4415, ext 2291.
EI Administrator Receives Honor The Oklahoma Association
of Elementary School Principals
(OAESP) has recognized Jeff
Wright, Site Principal at East
Intermediate, as a 2011 District
Administrator of the Year. Wright
will be recognized at the OAESP
Awards Luncheon that will be
held in June. Wright received this
honor due to his high expectations
of students and staff, as well as
his oustanding contributions to his
school and profession.
Testing Volunteers needed At All Sites
6
JHS Musical Rescheduled Due to damage of the Performing Arts Center, the JHS
Vocal Music presentation of Curtains has been rescheduled.
Mix one dead body, one hardworking detective with lots of
great music and you have all of the makings of a terrific
musical whodunit. On April 8, 9, and 10 over 100 talented
Jenks High School students will get in on the mystery at
the Jenks PAC. Show times for the performances are:
Friday, April 8 at 7 p.m.•
Saturday, April 9 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.•
Sunday, April 10 at 2 p.m.•
All performances will be held at the JPS Performing Arts
Center on the High School Campus located at 205 East “B”
Street in Jenks. Tickets for the performances are available
in advance and also on the day of the performance
based upon availability. All seats are reserved. For more
information regarding tickets, please contact (918) 299-
4415 ext. 2371. Visit Jenks Vocal Music on the Internet at
www.jenksvocal.com.
JHS Film Students Earning Top Honors
Congratulations to Vocal Music Teacher Larry Downey, who received the Oklahoma Music Educators
Association Exemplary Teacher Award!
YoungArts
Jenks High School students
in Clifton Raphael’s film and TV
program have been busy collect-
ing awards. Jennifer Jordan is a
YoungArts finalist in the Cinematic
Arts division. She received the
biggest prize of $10,000 and an
all-expense-paid arts week in New
York City this spring. She has
also been named a Presidential
Scholars in the Arts semifinalist.
Chosen from more than 5,000
applicants in nine disciplines in
the visual, literary and performing
arts, she will embark on a once-
in-a-lifetime experience provided
by YoungArts, the core program
of the National Foundation for
Advancement in the Arts (NFAA).
The only finalist from Oklahoma,
Jennifer joined 150 finalists for
YoungArts Week in Miami during
the week of January 10-15, 2011
for master classes by world-re-
nowned artists; performances and
exhibitions; a chance to be named
a Gold and Silver winner and travel
to New York and the possibility to
become a Presidential Scholar in
the Arts.
Two other students in the
Advanced JHS Film and Television
Program were also recognized in
this year’s NFAA YoungArts compe-
tition. Crystal Kayiza and Dan-
iel Whitten both won Honorable
Mention, which is the 2nd prize in
the competition, putting them in
the top 3 percent of all entrants.
Crystal and Daniel will each receive
checks for $250. To view films
created by the students of the JHS
Film and Television program, visit
www.jpscinema.com.
C-Span
“This is the first year that
every single one of my students
who entered received a prize,”
says Mr. Raphael. Referring to
the C-Span StudentCam student
documentary competition, JHS
students won seven cash prizes
totaling $4,500. The winners
are: a $1,500 second prize to
Emily Irvin and Rachel Leonard;
three $750 third prizes to Crystal
Kayiza, the team of Connor Hall
and Hannah Weakley, and the
team of Tyler Sheron and Matt
Dixon; and three $250 honor-
able mentions to Andrew Eiler,
Daniel Whitten, and the team
of Andi Phillips and Jamie Sue
Wilson. These students were the
only winners in either the middle
school or high school division
from the state of Oklahoma.
7
Pursuant to Section 6 of HB
1017, students may progress in their
educational endeavors by subject,
course, and/or grade level based on
mastery of the Oklahoma Priority
Academic Student Skills (PASS), not
on time spent in classes, completion
of assignments, or prerequisites.
The student who can successfully
be moved ahead under Proficiency
Based Promotion guidelines can
demonstrate content knowledge,
skills, and application of learning in
the core areas regardless of time
spent in the classroom. Parental
involvement is integral in the credit
for learning/promotion process as is
consideration of the student’s social,
emotional, physical, and intellectual
needs. Proficiency Based Promotion
is intended to serve those unique
students enrolled at Jenks Schools
whose needs cannot be met by fol-
lowing traditional timetable and se-
quence but require promotion beyond
current placement. Proficiency Based
Promotion opportunities will be avail-
able for students from grades K-12
in the core content areas of language
arts, mathematics, science, social
studies, languages, and the arts.
Students who request Proficiency
Based Promotion will complete an ap-
plication process and take a criteri-
on-referenced test to measure the
priority skills and knowledge relevant
to each core course or subject for
which credit is desired. If passed at
the 90% or higher level, student ap-
plicants will then complete a perfor-
mance component. That component
will be evaluated by selected staff and
must meet standards comparable to
superior or 90% performance.
Upon successful completion of
both the criterion and performance
components, and after appropriate
consultation with parents, a stu-
dent may be promoted and receive
appropriate credit. Credit earned
in high school level courses will
count toward meeting graduation
requirements. Credit will be noted
as a pass with no grade assigned.
No record of unsuccessful attempts
will be maintained in the student’s
permanent school records.
Guidelines, application proce-
dures, and testing information will
be available in the Guidance/Coun-
seling Office at each school. Test-
ing dates for the secondary sites
are as follows:
High School:
June 16, 2011 & July 21, 2011
Freshman Academy:
May 6, 2011
Middle School:
June 1, 2011 & August 3, 2011
Proficiency Based Promotion
Student Exceeds Goals for Heart Association
Meagan Lyon is a 4th
grader at Jenks Southeast
Elementary, and for the
second year in a row, she
has been the top money
raiser for the Jump Rope
For Heart event for The
American Heart Association.
Last year Meagan raised
$655 and this year her goal
was $1,000. She achieved
her goal and a little extra by
raising $1,116 this year.
During her fundraising
efforts, she met several people affected by heart disease or who had relatives
that have passed away from it. Meagan was very touched when she found out
one of her neighbor’s sisters had passed away at the age of 26. The woman
had heart disease and died from problems with her aorta. Meagan jumped in
her memory that day at the actual Jump Rope For Heart event.
Meagan Lyon and PE teacher Ms. Nakvinda
IMPORTANT DATESState Testing
OCCT:
(Grades 3-8)
April 11-20
EOI:
April 18, 2011 -
May 13, 2011
JHS Graduation
and Gradfest
Monday,
May 16, 2011
Final Exams
May 24-25, 2011
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POST
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PAID
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Gradfest 2011
Attention parents of seniors: Plans are in full swing for the Gradfest 2011 party. The all-night party is May 16 at Jenks Middle School. Check-in will begin at 11 p.m. and students must be pre-registered to attend. Registration forms can be found on Jenksps.org website or picked up in build-ings 5 or 6. Thank you to those who have registered and donated to support this party for your seniors. If you have not yet donated it’s not too late. Please send tax deductible donations to: JHS Gradfest 2011, Cindy Saley, 3203 E. 84th St, Tulsa, Ok 74137. We would also like to thank our corporate sponsors: Guardian Security, Jim Norton Toyota, Alta Mere Window Tinting, Arvest Bank, Barnes & Barnes, PSO, and Williams. If you are interested in becoming a corporate donor contact Mariel McGehee at [email protected] or Kim Griffin at [email protected]. Please be looking for pictures of your seniors that will be displayed throughout the building during the event and at class reunions for years to come. The picture boards are poster size collages of snapshots depicting the lives of our seniors. Photos from athletics, school dances, scouting, and other activities from childhood to present are welcome. Each student can turn in (10) 8.5 x 11 color copied sheets of 30-35 pictures depending on size. These can be copied and dropped off at the UPS store at 91st and Riverside Parkway or drop boxes in HS 5 or 6. A slide show will be put on a DVD and played at Gradfest. Students may submit five group pictures on a disc. Students attending will receive a DVD and t-shirt for a keepsake. If you have questions regarding pictures, contact Lynettte Waldron at [email protected]. Join us on Facebook at Jenks Gradfest 2011.
EE Rounds Up Jenks East Elementary is competing in the Great
American Can RoundUp, a national contest for aluminum
recycling. The contest started November 15 and runs
through Earth Day, April 15. The school in each state
that brings in the most aluminum during that time frame
wins a $1,000 prize. JEE is one of 32 Oklahoma schools
that registered for the contest. The PTA is asking Jenks
families, alumni, nearby residents--ANYONE--to bring in
their aluminum cans. The last drop-off day is Saturday,
April 2. The collection site is inside the bus oval off 91st
Street, in a little enclosed brick structure called the “Can
Hut.” (Look for signs.) JEE keeps the proceeds for the
sale of the cans, in addition to boosting the tally for the
contest. Please make sure no glass, plastic, or other
recyclables are mixed in with the cans.