Stunned and speechless. Sydnie Ritze was completely caught off guard this afternoon when Dr. Butterfield announced her at the 2023-24 Jenks Public Schools District Teacher of the Year!
Mrs. Ritze, AVID and English teacher at Jenks High School, is a champion and cheerleader for her students. She is a fierce advocate for public education and believes that what students need most is someone who believes in them. She never wanted to be anything but a teacher and now, in her 11th year at Jenks High School, she is the recipient of the highest honor the District can bestow on a teacher.
“To receive this award is one of the most humbling and overwhelming moments of my life. I work with such amazing individuals who are so good at what they do. I am overjoyed, and to be selected to represent Jenks Public Schools in this way is truly humbling.”
Please join us in congratulating Sydnie Ritze on earning this prestigious award!
Dr. Butterfield kicked off her Thursday by visiting Jenks Northwest Elementary. She hopped right into some fun building animals out of k'nex pieces with creative pre-k students! The tiny Trojans have been reading fiction and non-fiction books about animals and today, they were free to create their own 3 eyed rabbits, flying dragons, and monkeys. Afterwards, she took a seat in Ms. Spencer's 4th grade class where they were learning how to manage emotions. Thanks for making our week, NWE!
REMINDER: There is no school tomorrow, Friday, March 15. Happy Spring Break, Trojans! See you Monday, March 25! 😎
And now, the winners for best employees in a supporting role...
JPS employs more than 800 classified staff members and these 17 employees were selected by their colleagues to represent all JPS sites and departments as the 2023-24 Classified Employees of the Year. Not only do these employees play an essential role in the day-to-day operations of the District, they provide vital services to our students, families, and fellow employees. Every day, these employees approach their work with an attitude of positivity, humility, and dedication. They lift up their peers, lead by example, and put the interests of others before their own. These members of the JPS Trojan Family are truly deserving of this recognition!
Registration for students returning to Jenks Public Schools in the 2024-25 school year is open now. If your student(s) are returning to JPS for 2024-25, please complete registration by May 31, 2024. IMPORTANT: Back to School Registration is ONLY for students returning to JPS for the 2024-25 school year. Click here to get started and find answers to frequently asked questions https://www.jenksps.org/page/24-25-back-to-school-registration
ICYMI...ALL videos about our outstanding Site Teachers of the Year are available to view now on the JPS YouTube channel! Get to know these excellent educators and let them know in the comments how much you appreciate all they do for students! https://www.youtube.com/@JenksPublicSchools1/videos
We have no objection to the following statement: The Jenks High School Mock Trial Team just won the State Championship! This is the second state title for the JHS program and the students will compete in the National Mock Trial competition in Wilmington, Delaware in May. Congrats to all the Mock Trial students and coaches on this achievement!
So many of our administrators were shaped by public education. They are giving back because they know firsthand what it means to students when educators and education professionals invest in them. Everyone deserves an equal opportunity to succeed. Well said, Catrina. #PSW24 #PublicSchoolProud
Tomorrow - Friday, March 1 - is a Distance Learning Day for students. All JPS students will stay home tomorrow to participate in distance learning. Tomorrow is a collaboration day for JPS staff members who will use the time for professional development and strategizing on how to best support students.
Students in grades PreK-2 will bring home assignments in folders, while students in grades 3-12 will access assignments via Canvas.
For a full explanation of what to expect on JPS Distance Learning Days, go to https://www.jenksps.org/article/1262751
Did you know? JPS has over 800 classified employees who work with students and behind the scenes to support the daily work of the district. We couldn't do what we do without people like Jennifer Odegaard and so many others. #PSW24 #PublicSchoolProud
Jenks East Intermediate 6th graders were inspired to create mini sculptures today after viewing a sculpture made completely out of recyclable materials by artist Rafael Corzo. Students were instructed to include at least 3 colors, 3 materials, and 3 textures in their sculptures and their creations are impressive! Once they are finished, their sculptures are shown off under a blacklight to glow in the dark! Thank you, Jenks Public Schools Foundation, for making this immersive Growing Through the Arts experience possible!
It's Public Schools Week and we're proud. Our employees work incredibly hard every day to serve our students and their families. They could work in other industries or jobs, but they choose to work here because they believe in the mission of public schools. This week, we'll hear from a few of our employees on what public education means to them. #PSW24 #PublicSchoolsProud
Positivity ROCKS!
If you visit the ESC or downtown Jenks, you might find rocks with positive affirmations written on them by Jenks High School FCCLA students. A small act of kindness goes a long way. Thank you for bringing joy to the community, Trojans!
Happy National FFA Week! 🐖🌾🚜
Whether they are showing livestock or being involved in career development events, this organization prepares Trojans with leadership and communication skills for their future careers. Students in 8th-12th grade enrolled have the opportunity to learn about plant science, animal science, Ag communications, metals, welding, and so much more. Thank you to all the FFA Teachers for the incredible work they do to make Jenks one of the largest and most successful programs in the state. We are proud of our future leaders!
The first CareerTech Discovery Day at Jenks Middle School was a success!
Jenks High School students and teachers in CareerTech electives, like ag mechanics, FCCLA, marketing, and sports medicine set up tables and activities to introduce 8th graders to classes and organizations they can be involved in at the Freshman Academy. Students explored their options and enjoyed hearing from their upperclassmen. Thank you, JHS, for providing this opportunity!
It is one of the highest honors a high school senior can earn in Oklahoma.
Congrats to the four members of the Jenks High School Class of '24 on being named Oklahoma Academic All-State honorees by the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence.
Rylee Cole, Elaine Gao, Karissa Lu, and Diya Patel are among the 100 seniors selected from across the state. Each of the four JHS seniors will receive $1,500 and will be recognized at an awards banquet in Norman on May 4.
Way to go, Trojans!
WATCH: Why are you so happy all the time? A student posed that question to Destinee Frazier. It was an easy answer for the Northwest Elementary Site Teacher of the Year. For someone who grew up loving every teacher and everything about school, there was never another path for Mrs. Frazier. She can’t see herself doing anything else. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_70ryauFVOU
Wondering what Jenks Northwest Elementary 1st graders were up to this morning? 🤔
Learned the science behind sound waves 👂
Created homemade flutes out of straws 🎶
Explored the Discovery Lab exhibits 😎
In part of the arts initiative funded by the Jenks Public Schools Foundation, JNWE 1st graders set off on their adventure to learn about the place science and math have in the arts. During the spring semester, all JPS first graders will have the opportunity to visit the Discovery Lab to learn all about sound science! Thank you, JPSF!
WATCH: Courtney Coffey was a student at Jenks East Elementary and now she is the Site Teacher of the Year! The Jenks lifer sat in the same classrooms and walked the same hallways as her kindergarten students of today. It’s where she was inspired to be a teacher and first dreamed of guiding a room full of children. She remembers how much she loved school, and she wants to create the same kind of memories for her students. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCEXvF96Dvg
Jenks High School Trojanaires are GRAND CHAMPIONS! 🏆
This past weekend, JHS Trojanaires won the Rockbridge Southside Showdown competition in Columbia, Missouri. But wait, there's more! They also won Best Costumes, Best Choreography, Best Vocal Sound, and Best Closer. What a way to end their season! We are so proud, Jenks Vocal Music!
