OUR SCHOOLS May 2017 | Volume 36 Issue 4
BEST MOMENTS AND IMAGES OF 2016-17
LETTER FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT As I watched the graduates of the Jenks High School Class of 2017 receive their diplomas, it was easy to think of the moment as an ending. Graduation represents the end of another school year, the culmination of a long, academic journey, and perhaps, the finishing touches on childhood. While graduation can certainly symbolize those things, I view it as a turning point. What lies ahead for our seniors reminds me of what we face as a District moving forward into the 2017-18 school year. Change is never easy, but it is often necessary. Just as our seniors must move on from the comforts of home and a regular routine, as a District we must face the challenges associated with changing start times and opening a new elementary school. Although many of our recent decisions have not been easy, each one is made with careful consideration for the well-being of our students and staff members, as well as the long-term success of our growing District. Yes, the unknowns of the future can create fear. However, I have great hope and confidence in the ability of our students, employees, and parents to adapt, solve problems, and stick together. With this mentality, we will move forward as one Trojan family. For all of our incredible successes – 20 National Merit Finalists, nationally recognized teachers and administrators, award-winning arts programs, athletic championships, and so much more – I know the best days of Jenks Public Schools are still ahead of us. Across our school sites, we will continue to create more opportunities for our students. Everyone who plays a part in our mission of achieving at the highest level will share the same sense of pride as we celebrate our accomplishments together. Congratulations to the Class of 2017, and thank you to all students, teachers, administrators, and staff members for a truly remarkable year. The standard of excellence continues to be raised. No matter the role you play in our student’s lives, no matter how big or how small, thank you for giving of your time and talents to support Jenks Public Schools. Most of all, thank you for your faith and confidence as we move forward together. Go Trojans! Sincerely,
Stacey M. Butterfield Ed.D. Superintendent of Jenks Public Schools
JOIN THE TROJAN FAMILY! Jenks Public Schools continues to set the standard for public education in the state of Oklahoma. The success of the District is built upon the character, and the caliber of its people. JPS embraces the educators who possess the passion, creativity, and energy to help all students achieve at the highest level. You can join a growing District in a thriving community, where you will be supported and appreciated.
APPLY TODAY - JENKSPS.ORG
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Photos by Reagan Renfroe Photography & Jenks Public Schools
HOOL COMMENCEMENT
“LET OUR PAST FOUR YEARS AT JENKS HIGH SCHOOL CARRY AND SUPPORT US AS WE MOVE INTO OUR UNCERTAIN BUT HOPEFUL FUTURES.” - PETER SONG, SENIOR CLASS PRESIDENT
2017-18 IMPORTANT DATES NEW TEACHERS REPORT August 10 ALL TEACHERS REPORT August 14 CLASSES BEGIN FOR STUDENTS August 18 END OF FIRST QUARTER October 13 END OF FIRST SEMESTER December 19 END OF THIRD QUARTER March 9 END OF SECOND SEMESTER May 31 LAST DAY OF CLASSES FOR STUDENTS May 31
DATES CLASSES WILL NOT BE IN SESSION
LABOR DAY September 4 FALL BREAK October 19-20 PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES October 18 & March 2 THANKSGIVING BREAK November 22-24 MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY January 15 HOLIDAY BREAK December 20 - January 2 SPRING BREAK March 19-23 MEMORIAL DAY May 28 PROFESSIONAL DAYS August 14-16, September 1, & February 19 WORK DAYS FOR TEACHERS August 17 & June 1
2017-18 VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES •
High School – Schedule Pick-up volunteers needed. We're using SignUp.com (the leading online SignUp and reminder tool) to organize our upcoming SignUp: Jenks High School – Schedule Pick-up Volunteer. Dates are August 8 (senior pickup); August 9 (junior pickup); and August 10 (sophomore pickup.) Shift times are 8:30 to 11:30am or 1:00 to 3:00pm. Note: This opportunity is for Adult volunteers and TCC Achieves students only. Click this link to sign up: http://signup. com/go/WQk3aJ
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High School - Building 6 Guidance Office - Weekly or bi-weekly commitment. Volunteers are needed in the morning from 7:45am to 11:00 or in the afternoon from 11:00am to 2:30pm. The times can be flexible and job-sharing is accepted.
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Freshman Academy – Schedule Pick-up volunteers needed. We're using SignUp.com (the leading online SignUp and reminder tool) to organize our upcoming SignUps: Jenks Freshman Academy – Schedule Pick-up Volunteer. Dates are August 8 and August 9. Shift times are 8:30 to 11:30am or 1:00 to 3:00pm. Note: This opportunity is for Adult volunteers and TCC Achieves students only. Click this link to sign up: http://signup.com/go/UrUiVQ
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Freshman Academy – Office Volunteers - Volunteers needed for attendance office help. One or two volunteers per shift. Shifts are Monday-Friday, from 7:45am to 11:00am or 11:00am to 2:45pm. Afternoon shifts needed first.
QUESTIONS? CONTACT KATHY GUENTHER, DISTRICT VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR KATHY.GUENTHER@JENKSPS.ORG | 918-299-4415, EXT. 2291
MR. AND MISS JHS
Jenks High School seniors Peter Song and Mary Houghton are Mr. and Miss JHS for 2017. After a total of 87 seniors received nominations for the honor from teachers, organizations, varsity sports, or clubs, five male students and five female students were selected as finalists. Peter and Mary each receive a $1,000 scholarship, while the runners-up, Daniel Guajardo and Carly Gudgel, each receive a $500 scholarship. The scholarships for Mr. and Miss JHS are generously provided by Bob and Lori Howard of Jostens.
PETER SONG
ACTIVITIES/ORGANIZATIONS: • Senior class President • Student Council member • Boy’s Tennis team • German Club • Key Club • National Honor Society • Volunteer at LifeChurch Jenks College: Minerva College at KGI in San Francisco, CA Major: Undecided “Among many things, Jenks has taught me not to settle for anything less. This lesson has shaped me into a resilient student and a confident individual.”
MARY HOUGHTON
ACTIVITIES/ORGANIZATIONS: • Student Council Historian • Secretary for Spanish Honor Society • National Honor Society • Drug Free Youth • DECA • Spanish Club College: Oklahoma State University Major: Accounting and Finance, minor in Spanish “Jenks Public Schools has provided me with an abundance of opportunities and experiences that have made me the person I am today. This school has taught me that everyone thrives in their own unique ways, and that it is important to embrace who I am and to be myself no matter what. I am so proud to call Jenks home and I will forever be grateful for the memories, the education, the teachers, and the friendships made here.”
I’m one of the robotics team’s co-sponsors and we’ve had several memorable moments this year. One occurred during the fall when we ran a quadcopter (mini-drones) competition. Our high school robotics students designed the playing field and game rules for both high school and middle school teams. We had over 70 teams competing on a course based on the quidditch game (Quadcopter Quidditich). The middle school quadcopters had all kinds of interesting designs and, from a distance, looked like electronic fireflies buzzing around the TAC. It was enchanting to see the intersection of STEM and art! LAURA ACHHIREDDY | Science Teacher | Jenks High School My favorite memory was with a student in my homeroom class. It was towards the end of the day and the students were packing up. She walked over to me and asked, “Ms. Hopper, is being a teacher hard?” I stated back to her, “Well since it is my first year teaching it has been challenging but I think it will get easier from here on out!” Her eyes widened and she says loudly back, “This is your first year? I thought you had been teaching for like 10 years. Ms. Hopper you are a natural!” Let’s just say my heart exploded and it made my day! EMILY HOPPER | Language Arts and Science teacher at West Intermediate I was in my post observation meeting with Mr. Beiler and I asked him how his year was going and how on Earth he handles so much chaos. Right as I asked this, his walkie-talkie came on and someone said “Mr. Beiler, there is a skunk in the Math and Science Center …” He just smiled and handled it like a normal occurrence. I, however, could not stop laughing at the poetic timing! HEATHER WEILACHER | Math Teacher | Jenks High School
BEST MO OF 20
My fondest memory from this school year was when Ms. Hardy decided to set up our volleyball net one Friday (it was a fitness Friday) and nearly every single one of our students came outside during lunch to hang out and play volleyball together. Teachers played, students who didn’t normally engage played; it was an awesome and super fun experience for all of us. We love our students and it is so nice to be able to do fun things like that with them. I just remember it being a really nice day and no one wanted it to end. MINDY MILES | Counselor/OK History/Science | Alternative Center My favorite memory of the 2016-17 school year was going to Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas for Microgravity University for Educators. With a team of educators from Jenks East Intermediate, Jenks High School, and Anderson School, we traveled down to Houston for a week-long trip of professional development and all things NASA. We had so much fun learning about labs, activities, and resources we could use in our classroom. We also tested a launching device that the AP physics students built and programmed. It was an experience I will never forget! ANGELA KUSHNERICK | 4th Grade Teacher | East Elementary I have a class of struggling readers, who would really prefer not to read. They have provided me with many opportunities to add more “tools to my toolbox of teachering”. One day we finished a group read. After finishing the book, they began chanting “another book, another book”! REBBIE WALE | AVID and Language Arts | Freshman Academy
Introducing the newest members to our Southeast Family, the Canine Comfort Pets, has been the most amazing experience this year! Sam, a Yellow Lab, is with us three days a week and has transformed anxious, sad, scared students into the happiest of children. There is nothing sweeter than to watch their interactions in the hall, the classrooms, or on the playground. It is just one more opportunity to build relationships with our students and their families.
A couple days after school started, one of our new students was in my office asking a question about her schedule. When she was leaving, she noticed another new student in our counseling office who was starting that day. She went right up to this other new student and asked if she could help. She told the student she started a few days ago and could help show her around. I was in shock and inspired! Many our new students are very anxious and timid starting out at new school (bigger school in many cases). This kiddo was NOT! Plus, she showed the care and compassion of a staff member. I love my job!!
LINDY RISENHOOVER Site Principal | Southeast Elementary
MARK RUBEY | Middle School Counselor
OMENTS 016-17
I hear so much in the media about selfish, disengaged young people, and I wonder which young people they mean. I work with teenagers every day, and I see hard work, compassion, perseverance, and optimism. For example, I had an appointment with our Student Council last fall, and I had to cancel the meeting to take care of my mother who was very ill. The students decided to make my day. When I returned to school, I was greeted by a beautiful mixed bouquet of flowers—such a gift to my spirit. JUDI THORN | Site Principal | Freshman Academy
One of my favorites was the first ever “High-Five Line” coordinated by our Dynamic Dads group. Watching students get off the bus and out of cars to a joyful group of men reaching out to share high-fives and warm greetings proved to be great affirmation as to the importance of our shared responsibility to our students. Furthermore, it was a great moment of pride to see how the community of JEE has continued to grow in its support of the District, school, and most importantly our children!
One of my students participated in the District writing assessment this year. He is a great talker, but it has been a challenge to translate all that wonderful creativity into writing assignments because he has such difficulty with handwriting. This year, he learned to type using assistive technology including the Google Speech Recognition app on his Chromebook, and to revise and edit his writing using typing. He completed an entire personal narrative about a favorite day using this technology.
J. RYAN GLAZE Site Principal | East Elementary
CHRISTI NEWENDORP Special Education Teacher | Southeast Elementary
It was so fun to watch these techniques “click” with my students. These moments are definitely what keeps you coming back to teach in Jenks year after year!
One of my most favorite memories from this school year was having two of my students win first and second place in the Letters about Literature contest in the state of Oklahoma. They both wrote letters to authors about a book that changed their perspective of themselves (became better friends, stood up for what was right) and their world. It just excites me as their teacher, to see their hard work pay off, and their confidence as writers and readers boost through the roof!
BARBARA ANN SHEELY | 6th grade teacher | East Intermediate
“WE’RE OFF TO SEE THE WIZARD!” – The Jenks Vocal Music production of “The Wizard of Oz” featured 65 students from Jenks High School as well as students from all three elementary schools and both intermediate schools. The play was directed by Jenks grad, Michael Fling.
2016-17 IMAGES OF THE YEAR
A “DYNAMIC” START! – In September, Dynamic Dads at East Elementary formed high-five lines to welcome students to school.
A DECADE OF INCLUSION – Buddy Baseball celebrated its 10th anniversary in October as the Jenks baseball program once again partnered with The Autism Center of Tulsa to provide a day of smiles and memories on the diamond.
STUDENT STEM-IFICATION – Liz Hutto, Freshman Academy Teacher of the Year, instructs students on one of many projects involving the subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
SHARING THE LOVE OF LEARNING - During her site visit to East Elementary, Superintendent Dr. Stacey Butterfield smiles as a student discusses the details of one of her projects.
TROJAN TOUGH – Senior offensive lineman Aaron Herbig poses on the sidelines during Jenks’ 63-28 homecoming victory over Westmoore.
MOVES LIKE ELLIE – On prom night, a crowd gathered to watch senior Ellie Burgess take her turn in the spotlight.
THE FACE OF A WINNER – Shala Marshall, Spanish teacher at Jenks High School, reacts to being named the 2016-17 Jenks Public Schools Teacher of the Year at the annual Employee Appreciation Banquet.
SKYPE TO SPACE – Students from Jenks Middle School and Jenks High School participated in a live NASA downlink and asked questions to Shane Kimbrough, an astronaut aboard the International Space Station.
EDUCATION OF BOARD – Students from East Intermediate share their STEM project with members of the JPS Board of Education at the monthly Board meeting in December.
A TEACHABLE MOMENT – Kadie Lamberth, a 5th grade teacher at East Intermediate, helps a student with his math assignment.
SCHOOL START TIMES 2017-18 SCHOOL YEAR
INTERMEDIATE 7:45am - 2:25pm ELEMENTARY 8:30am - 3:10pm HIGH SCHOOL/MIDDLE SCHOOL 9:15am - 3:55pm For more information visit jenksps.org
The recent decision of the Jenks Public Schools Board of Education to adopt new school start times carries both implications and opportunities for students and parents. Over the last few weeks, questions and concerns have been raised regarding practice times, athletics, extracurricular activities, concurrent enrollment, before and after school care, and other issues. Please be assured that principals, teachers, coaches, coordinators, and other administrators are discussing and exploring options as quickly and efficiently as possible. JPS staff members are working tirelessly to address the needs of our students. As soon as answers are known and solutions are established, students and parents will be informed. In the meantime, please feel free to reach out to your student’s principal, sponsor, or coach to ask questions and learn more. Your patience is appreciated as the District works through this transition period.
NORTHWEST ELEMENTARY ATTENDANCE ZONE (EFFECTIVE AUGUST 2017) 61ST STREET
33RD W. AVE.
66TH STREET
YALE
71ST STREET
49TH W. AVE.
S. UNION AVE.
81ST STREET
81ST STREET Riverchase Apartments, The Lakes Apartments, and Riverpark Apartments will attend Jenks East Elementary
91ST STREET
If your child is attending Jenks Public Schools for the 2017-18 school year, please be aware of the changes to school attendance zones due to the opening of Northwest Elementary. All students who live north of 81st Street on the east and west side of the Arkansas River – with the exception of residents of Riverchase Apartments, The Lakes Apartments, and Riverpark Apartments – will attend Northwest Elementary starting in August of 2017. On the west side of the Arkansas River, students living north of 91st Street between 49th W. Ave and Union Ave. will also attend Northwest Elementary. INTERMEDIATE ATTENDANCE ZONES: Current East Elementary 4th grade students who live in the Northwest Elementary attendance zone will attend West Intermediate beginning in the 2017-18 school year. Students living in the Northwest Elementary attendance zone who are current East Intermediate 5th graders will continue to attend East Intermediate for 2017-18.
ENROLLMENT INFO PRE-K AND KINDERGARTEN - NOW ENROLLING 1ST-12TH GRADE - ENROLLMENT STARTS JULY 10TH ENROLLMENT CENTER HOURS (JUNE & JULY) MONDAY-THURSDAY | 7:30AM-4:00PM jenksps.org | 951 West Main Street | 918-298-0338
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205 East B Street | Jenks, OK 74037 | (918) 299-4415 | jenksps.org