Claremore Public Schools

Let’s welcome Jonathan Vest to the Zebra family in today’s New Staff Feature!

Mr. Vest is beginning his second year at Claremore Public Schools and is serving Claremont Elementary as a 4th Grade Teacher. He earned degrees in Technology and Business from Rogers State University. Before becoming a teacher, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps and worked as a Senior Accountant, CAD/Configuration Engineer supporting product design and builds, and as a mechanic.

When asked why he chose this path, he shared, “I teach to help students grow, push through challenges, and build confidence in themselves—especially when learning doesn’t come easy. I chose to teach at Claremore Public Schools because this is my community and where my roots are—I want to invest in the students here.”

Mr. Vest enjoys:
📚: Sci-fi, nerdy science, and self-improvement books
🎬: Anything by Alfred Hitchcock
🍗: Chicken and rice
🍬: Chick-O-Stick (or anything tropical, just not straight sugar!)
☕: Coffee and tea of almost any kind, as long as it's not too sweet
🌈: Blue (or anything shiny!)
📍: Anywhere with his wife and kids

In his free time, he enjoys working on vehicles and mechanical projects, staying active, spending time outdoors, and building hands-on STEM projects. He also serves at Cedar Point Church, volunteers with STEM programs through Rogers State University, and is actively involved with Rogers County Search and Rescue.

Mr. Vest and his wife, Jealene, have seven children and have also welcomed additional children into their home through foster care. Their busy household also includes dogs, a shop cat, fish, chickens, ducks, geese, and two turkeys!

A few fun facts: Mr. Vest is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, has completed multiple ultramarathons—including a 40-mile trail race—and has even been skydiving. He also once met Chuck Norris and his dad while serving in Iraq.

His favorite quote is: “Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.” — Theodore Roosevelt

Welcome to the Claremore Zebra Dazzle, Mr. Jonathan Vest! 🦓💙 #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

School Times Changing in 2026-27 

Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, all public schools in Oklahoma must adjust daily school schedules. This change is the result of a new law passed during the 2026 legislative session, Senate Bill 1481, which requires all students in grades kindergarten through fifth grade to receive 40 minutes of recess each day. Under the law, part of this recess time does not count toward the state's required instructional minutes, meaning schools must extend the day by 20 minutes to maintain learning time. 

After evaluating several options, the district determined that adding 20 minutes to each school day best preserves instructional time, avoids adding days to the calendar, and minimizes disruption to family schedules. 

We recognize that even small changes to the school day can affect family routines. By adding 10 minutes at the beginning and end of the day, the district can comply with the new state law while minimizing the impact on students, families, and staff. Thank you for your flexibility and continued support as Claremore Public Schools implements this statewide requirement. The table below shows updated start and end times for each school. If you have questions, contact your child's school office. 

These changes will take effect on the first day of school, August 20, 2026, pending approval from the Board of Education during our regularly scheduled meeting on August 10, 2026. We wanted to provide you with as much advance notice as possible.

For the 2026-2027 school year,

• PreK AM students may enter the building at 7:15 a.m., with classes beginning at 7:40 a.m. and dismissing at 10:30 a.m.

• PreK PM classes begin at 12:05 p.m. and end at 3:05 p.m. On Fridays, they will begin at 11:50 a.m. and dismiss at 2:10 p.m.

• Kindergarten through 5th grade may enter at 7:15 a.m., with the school day running from 7:40 a.m. to 3:05 p.m. Monday through Thursday and dismissing at 2:10 p.m. on Fridays.

• Grades 6-8 may enter the building at 7:50 a.m., begin at 8:05 a.m., and dismiss at 3:45 p.m. Monday through Thursday, with Friday dismissal at 2:50 p.m.

• Grades 9-12 may enter the building at 7:50 a.m., with classes beginning at 8:05 a.m. and ending at 3:45 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 2:50 p.m. on Fridays.