Our Schools - Jenks Public Schools

EI STUDENTS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1“This year approximately 70,000 students competed in the nationalcompetition,” said Oklahoma Center for the Book Executive Director ConnieArmstrong. “Oklahoma once again had students from public, private,and home schools participating. It is amazing how honest these youngpeople are in expressing their own personal circumstances.” Judges for theOklahoma Center for the Book selected the top three essayists in the statein each of three levels of competition. Morgan and Zoe both participatedin Level One for students in grades four through six. Morgan’s first placeessay was for The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo and Zoe choseto write her essay for Beezus and Ramona by Beverly Cleary. First placewinners received a cash prize and a $50 gift card from Target, while secondand third place winners received a cash prize. The award ceremony washeld in the Blue Room of the State Capitol with Lieutenant Governor ToddLamb serving as master of ceremonies.Cathryn Morris, Morgan Allisonand Lt. Governor Todd LambZoe Ganye and Shelly JenningsKayiza Selectedas GatesMillenniumScholarJenks High School Senior,Crystal Kayiza has been selected asone of the 1,000 Gates MillenniumScholars (GMS) for the classof 2011. Crystal was selecteddue to her strong leadership,community service and academicachievements. Her accomplishmentis especially notable in contextof the more than 23,000 studentwho applied, the largest and mostcompetitive group of candidates inthe program’s history.Being named as a GMS meansthat Crystal will have fundsavailable for her to attend theUnited States accredited collegeor university of her choice. Thescholarship is renewable each yearshe is in college, possibly throughthe master’s and doctoral levels.Crystal has also been honoredfor her prize-winning video, ANew Vision, that focuses on theAmericans with Disabilities Act.She plans on attending IthacaCollege in New York in the fall.AnnouncementsCongratulations to Everett Lilly, an 8th grade student at Jenks Middle School, on his accomplishmentof being named as a semifinalist in the 2011 Oklahoma Geographic Bee. He competed in the statecompetition, in Edmond, against other students from across the state for a chance to represent Oklahomaat the National Geographic Bee in Washington, D.C.Jenks High SchoolGraduation is scheduledfor Monday, May 16 at theMabee Center.The last day of classesfor JPS students isWednesday, May 25.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 stateregulations for implementing Title IX of the Education Amendment of 972, Title VI, Section 504, and theAmericans 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 deraza, religión, sexo, edad, nacionalidad, estado de veterano o discapacidad. El distrito escolar se acata a lasregulaciones 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 attendJenks Public Schools. Periodical postage paid at Jenks, OK. POSTMASTER: Send address changes toOur Schools, 205 E B St, Jenks, OK 74037-3900.2

West ElementaryAchieves Gold StatusWest IntermediateEarns High Honorsat WordMastersTennis Pro Trent Tucker, assists a student with her forehand swingduring West Elementary’s Family Fitness Night as parents observe.West Elementary students recently learned in anassembly that they had achieved Gold status in theirHealthy and Fit Designation. Their excitement wasobvious as this is an improvement from last year’sBronze status. One way in which the students havemanaged to improve is by learning to play tennis. WestElementary has partnered with The Grand Health andRacquet Club to introduce all first through fourth gradestudents to the sport.Five tennis pros spent three days with the studentsof West Elementary, introducing them to QuickstartTennis during PE classes. Quickstart Tennis is a newformat to help children ten and under learn and playthe game of tennis. To make it easier for them, a fewthings have changed: the court size, the racquet size,the balls, the scoring system, and the height of thenets. Trent Tucker, tennis pro at The Grand, stated, “Inthe past, tennis often failed in schools because it wastoo hard.” He also said that most students can learnand have a great deal of success in the first hour thatthey play. With the creation of Quickstart Tennis, thegame grows with the child, like in other sports, such assoccer and basketball. Thanks to generous donations ofracquets and tennis balls, students at West Elementarycan continue to enjoy tennis at their school.Parents were invited to the West Elementary gymfor Family Fitness Night on April 21 to watch what theirchildren were exposed to in PE and learn more aboutthe sport of tennis. West Elementary principal SuzanneLair said she hope to have more opportunities forfamilies to participate in various sports next year.3A team of students representing Jenks WestIntermediate recently won highest honors in theWordMasters Challenge, a national language artscompetition entered by approximately 220,000 studentsannually, which consists of three separate meets held atintervals during the school year.Competing in the difficult Blue Division of theChallenge, and coached by language arts teacherJanet Neal, the school’s sixth graders placed third inthe nation in the year’s second meet, held in February,among 407 school teams competing at this grade leveland in this division.Students who achieved outstanding results includedsixth graders Tyler Blackshare, Elenista Lam, DaneGustafson, Treyton Kelly, Jeremy Lee, Nicole Queen,Hannah Scott, Rhett Scroggs, Sam Short, and BrooklynWilson.The WordMasters Challenge is an exercise incritical thinking that first encourages students tobecome familiar with a set of interesting new words,and then challenges them to use those words tocomplete analogies expressing various kinds of logicalrelationships. Working to solve the Challenge analogieshelps students learn to think both analytically andmetaphorically. The students will participate in onemore WordMasters meet during the coming months,and medals and certificates will be awarded in June tothose who have achieved and/or improved the most inthe course of the year.Front Row - Treyton Kelly, Brooklyn Wilson,Tyler Blackshare, Hannah Scott and Elenista LamBack Row - Dane Gustafson, Rhett Scroggs,Jeremy Lee, Nicole Queen and Sam Short

New ImmunizationRequirementsBeginning with the 2011-2012 school year, allstudents entering the seventh grade will be required topresent a record of having received one dose of Tdapvaccine. Tdap vaccine is a combination vaccine thatprovides a booster dose of pertussis (whooping cough)along with the tetanus and diphtheria booster (Td).Tdap vaccine is routinely recommended for all childrenat 11-12 years of age. This new requirement is oneof the best means to decrease the rate of pertussisincidence in Oklahoma.There is no grace period allowed for students tocomply with this requirement with the exception ofmilitary children transferring from another state.Military children may be allowed up to thirty days fromthe date of enrollment to obtain any immunizationsrequired in Oklahoma that were not required in thestate where the child previously attended school. Allother students must receive the vaccine and present animmunization record before entering the seventh grade.Exemptions to this requirement are allowed underOklahoma Law for medical, religious, or personalreasons. The procedure to obtain an exemption tothe Tdap requirement is the same as the procedure toobtain an exemption for all other vaccines.Additional information on vaccine requirements maybe found at http://imm.health.ok.gov.After students have received the vaccine,immunization records may be turned in to the nurse’soffice at your child’s school. After May 25, call (918)299-4415, ext. 2263 or 2280 for instructions onwhere to turn in immunization records or fax them to(918) 298-0656 (please include your child’s name andbirthdate).Immunizations are given at the Tulsa City-CountyHealth Department, your physician’s office or the CaringVan. The Caring Van will be located at Jenks MiddleSchool on Tuesday, August 2, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.It will also be in front of the JPS Enrollment Center,located at the southeast corner of the Jenks Footballstadium at 3rd and B Street, on Wednesday, August 10,from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.The Tdap requirement will be implementedincrementally over a six year period. The requirementwill expand from 7th grade the first year ofimplementation to 7th through 12th grade by the 2016-2017 school year. Please be aware that next year,2011-2012, all 7th grade students MUST have had theimmunization in order to attend school.4Free and ReducedApplication NowJenks Public Schools is pleased to announce theavailability of applying for Free and Reduced MealsOnline.Safe & SecureParents may fill out the application at www.schoollunchapp.com.This site uses the highest level of dataencryption available, meaning your information is alwayssafe and guarded.Private & AvailableYou are able to apply online in the comfort andprivacy of your own home. The online services areavailable 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, anywherethere is an internet connection. Your data is transmittedto the Jenks Child Nutrition Offices, allowing forquicker processing. This means benefits are able toreceived faster. The online process means there are nopaper applications to complete and return to the schooloffice.Before logging on to the site, be sure you havethe student(s) ID number, name, grade, school, andbirthdate.Slimming Down Jenks’Carbon Footprint atLunchA group of students at Jenks High School are makinga difference in the choices they make at lunch. Recipientsof a JPS Foundation Grant, JHS teachers JinaferBrown and Maria Fernandez along with their AP Frenchand AP Environmental Science students are reducingthe amount of trash that results from students’ lunches.Students who chose to participate were given a laptoplunch kit. By accepting the kit, the students agreed tothe challenge of bringing their lunch or snacks in thelunch box and using the reusable containers in the kitinstead of plastic or non-reusable products.The students have had much success and have nowcreated a recycling program in the cafeteria in order toreduce the amount of trash from all Jenks High Schoolstudents. Participating students are also encouragedto make better choices for lunch and eat more like theFrench students that they researched. As a result, studentsare eating more fresh fruits and vegetables andtrying to avoid processed and packaged foods. Theyeven had a competition to see who could pack the mosthealthy, environmentally conscious and attractive lunch.

Hollywood Actor Visits Former Drama TeacherBrian Presley recently walked the halls of Jenks HighSchool that were familiar to him in the mid 1990’s. Hereturned to his Alma mater to see his drama teacher, Mrs.Joyce Harbolt. Brian also spent some time speaking toher advanced drama class, encouraging them to followtheir dreams.During his time at JHS, he was well known forleading the Trojans as quarterback on the football field.But he also spent time on the stage, in drama classand musicals. Since leaving Jenks, he has become asuccessful television and film actor, starring in the soapopera, Port Charles, and various films. Most recently,he stars in and co-produces the upcoming feature film“Touchback,” with Kurt Russell, Melanie Lynskey andChristine Lahti. “Touchback” is about a former football playerwho was injured and gets a second chance. It is a family film that will be released in late November of 2011. Brianhas also built his own production company called Freedom Films.Each year over 1,100 students submit entries to the NationalPeace Essay Contest while thousands more participate in relatedwriting and other classroom exercises in high schools around thecountry. This year’s topic was on Governance, Corruption, andConflict.Jenks High School sophomore, Davis Grubin’s essay was selectedas the Oklahoma state winner. The essay written by Max Short, alsoa sophomore at JHS, was selected as an honorable mention. Bothhonorees are students of social studies teacher, Eric Fox.First-place state winners receive scholarships and are invited to Washington for a five-day awards program. TheInstitute pays for expenses related to the program, including travel, lodging, meals and entertainment. This uniquefive-day program promotes an understanding of the nature and process of international peacemaking by focusing ona region and/or theme related to the current essay contest. They will participate in activities, simulations and meetwith political leaders and scholars who work on issues involving world peace.Jenks High School has had the state winner each year except for two and had at least one honorable mentioneach year since 2002.Max Short and Davis GrubinNational Peace Essay ContestWinners AnnouncedBrian Presley, Mrs. Joyce Harbolt, Austin RossAlso in the film is current Jenks High School junior, Austin Ross. Ross spent time in Michigan last summerduring the filming of the movie. His experience was so positive, he already has plans for parts in other FreedomFilms productions. Maybe ten years down the road, Austin will be the one coming back to visit and give advice.Thank you to all parents and patrons who participated as a test monitor duringrecent state testing. We very much appreciate you taking on this responsibility.Your support of Jenks Public School’s students is greatly appreciated.5

Jenks Public SchoolsMay, 2011Financial Update –A Dire Financial SituationFunding for public education has undergone repeatedrounds of cuts over the past two years, as Oklahomahas struggled with plunging tax revenue triggered bythe worst recession in years. Unfortunately, even as theeconomy recovers, state revenue growth is not expectedto return to pre-downturn levels or fully offset the loss offederal stimulus dollars and state Rainy Day Funds usedto minimize budget shortfalls over the past two years.Total state revenue available for appropriation for fiscalyear 2011-2012 is estimated to be $500 million less thanappropriated in the current year. Every state agency willsuffer.Jenks Public Schools is no exception. Diminishingrevenues at the state level are reflected in diminishingrevenues to Jenks Public Schools as well. TheLegislature is also projecting that Oklahoma publicschools will experience an additional round of cuts infiscal year 2011-2012.What is the current financial status of Jenks PublicSchools?Jenks Public Schools received $20 million in state aid forthe fiscal year 2008-2009 (all state funds), comparedto $14,895,750 for the current fiscal year. The statesupplanted the difference with federal stabilizationfunding, as the state’s contribution continued to decline.Jenks Public Schools has made very good use of thetemporary federal funding; currently, $3.5 million inteacher salaries is being paid with these federal funds.However, the temporary federal funding will be depletedafter this fiscal year, and the District will experience asignificant “funding cliff “(sudden loss of funding). JPSwill enter the 2011-2012 fiscal year $6.4 million less instate aid as compared to 2008-2009, and this loss will6take the District back to fiscal year 2002-2003 state aidfunding levels. The student population of Jenks PublicSchools has grown by approximately 1,600 since 2003,which means that we are educating these additionalchildren without adequate state funding. To compoundthe severity of this issue, other state dedicated revenueto the District for programs and services has also beenreduced. Furthermore, the current state of the economyhas taken its toll at the local level as the collection ofrevenue sources such as interest earnings and propertytaxes continue to be affected.How is Jenks Public Schools currently addressingthis issue?In order to address and offset the ongoing reduction ofstate and local revenue collections, the Jenks Board ofEducation and administration have reduced the generaloperating budget by approximately $4.7 million overthe past two years. The primary focus has been tosave as many teaching positions as possible and keepthe financial impact as far away from the classroom aspossible. As a result, salaries and benefits are now 95%of our District’s operating budget. Several examplesof recent budget reductions that have already beenimplemented are listed below:• Eliminating in-house janitors and contractingwith third party janitorial services• Freezing out-of-district travel other than grantfunded• Utilizing state textbook funds for generaloperations and purchasing the majority oftextbooks with bond funds• Reducing site and department budgets• Reducing summer hours for all 12-monthsupport employees

What is the financial outlook for the 2011-2012fiscal year?In preparation of the 2011-2012 general operatingbudget, including continued reductions in state and localrevenue, the District’s expenditures must be reducedby an additional $2.0 million. The District’s budgetreduction process, referred to as “Improving FiscalStability,” is being utilized to address fluctuations indistrict revenue due to the loss of federal stabilizationfunding and negative economic conditions. The JenksBoard of Education triggered this process in the 2010-2011 fiscal year and will continue to align expenditureswith available revenue for the upcoming year. As statedabove, salaries and benefits comprise 95% of ourgeneral operating fund. Unfortunately, district staff mustnow review personnel and remaining district services andprograms in order to meet the budget reduction goal.The financial strength of the District must be protected.The proposed budget reduction will ensure that JenksPublic Schools ends the year in a positive cash position inorder to successfully address the 2012-2013 fiscal year.How can the Oklahoma Legislature assistEducation?• Address the immediate needs which includereplacing the monies that have been cut• Address short-term needs which include appropri-ating adequate amounts for next year, wherebyschools can re-establish the quality programs thathave been cut over the past two years• Address long-term funding needs which willbring Oklahoma public education to the regionalaverage in per pupil expenditures and teacher payCommunication with staff and patrons is vital to thesuccess of the District’s efforts. Suggestions on how toreduce costs have been solicited from all JPS employees.School site and department budget meetings have beenscheduled for the first two weeks in May.The District will continue to update staff and patrons asadditional information from the State of Oklahoma isreceived. The Jenks Public School Board of Education,administration, and all staff members would like tothank all patrons of the District. Your support has beenunwavering.Nancy McKayChief Financial Officer, Jenks Public Schools7MS Teacher BringsCollege Experienceto ClassroomThe seventh grade life science students in Mrs. KerryGoode’s class were given an opportunity that not manyother students their age receive. Because of a programthat Mrs. Goode participated in last summer, they wereable to view and study live cell growth outside of anorganism. “This type of research is usually done at thegraduate level in college,” said Mrs. Goode. She wenton to say, “This is an amazing experience for thesestudents.”Mrs. Goode was accepted to and participated in theOklahoma State University’s Research Experience forTeachers (OSU RET). In this six-week session, she,along with other middle level teachers, experiencedengineering design and were encouraged to apply thisto their existing curriculum. RET worked to incorporateeffective techniques for simple and affordableexperiments in math and science that will engagestudents in the middle through high school gradelevels. The program, which helps teachers understandhow engineers design, fabricate and test materialsand structures, uses ideas from engineering to showhow math and science are integrated into today’stechnology. The teachers explored research projectsin the labs of engineering faculty members, whilebeing mentored by them. Also, two faculty membersfrom the College of Education helped the teachers gainbackground experience from their research experiencesand encouraged and supported the teachers indeveloping classroom activities appropriate for theirstudents.Mrs. Goode also presented her experiences at theNational Science Teachers Association Conference inSan Francisco during Spring Break.

PERIODICALPOSTAGE PAIDJENKS, OK 74037Jenks Public Schools205 East B StreetJenks, OK 74037-3900Two Seniors Place inState Essay ContestTwo seniors from Jenks High School have beenawarded cash prizes in a statewide essay contest. Theessay contest, sponsored by the Masonic Fraternity ofOklahoma, has divisions for both men and women, withprizes ranging from $100 to $2,000. The essay topicwas “Explain what it means to be an honorable person.”Dr. Don Simmons, JHS British Literature teacher,facilitated the contest for the high school.Grant Giddens, a senior, has been awarded a 5thplace in the contest and will receive an award of $500.The other winner from Jenks High School, BenjaminPaul Brownlee, is also a senior. Benjamin will receivean award of $400 for his 6th place finish. “As anOklahoman, I’m proud of Grant and Benjamin and ofthe school system which produced such fine work, “ Mr.Glenn Almy, the state leader of the Freemasons said.“We have some outstanding students and some highlyskilled teachers in our state.”Mr. & Miss JHSRescheduledThe ceremony recognizingthe 2011 Mr. and Miss Jenks HighSchool has been rescheduled forWednesday, May 11, at 7:00 p.m. at the PerformingArts Center. The previously scheduled event waspostponed due to poor weather conditions.Every year Jenks High School honors a seniorboy and girl with the prestigious title of Mr. and MissJHS. The nominees are seniors who represent theJenks spirit with high achievements in academics andschool and community activities. Qualifications includea minimum 3.25 GPA, active participation in threeschool and two community activities, good attendance,and a positive citizenship record. Each finalist wasnominated by a teacher, organization, varsity sport, orclub to represent the senior class. The final selectionis based on the following: 10% Volunteer Hours, 10%School and Club Activities, 20% GPA, 20% TeacherRecommendations, 40% Senior Class/Teacher vote.Each winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship, and eachrunner-up will receive a $500 scholarship.The finalists for this year’s Miss JHS are Sara Baty,Sarah Louise Baumunk, Crystal Jasmine Kayiza, NataliePaige Tims, and Kaylee Wright.Mr. JHS will be chosen from Brandon Kitchens,Justin Michael Paul Nieto, Pablo (Stephen) PilkingtonIV, William Mason Prince, and Daniel Whitten.Mr. & MissJHS