Claremore Public Schools

Starting off the summer right with a good teacher PD! STARBASE Oklahoma and Bela Marie hosts Mrs. Rahn and Ms. Henry for a full day of learning. #CPSZEBRAPRIDD #cpsteachersinsummerschool

Some of 5th grade boys at Claremont made a project of cleaning and repairing parts of the playground during this school year. These young people took the time to invest in their community, to make it a better place than when they started and served as role models for the younger students. #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

Congratulations to Mary Kropp on funding of your grant "Next Stop, Biztown!” that will impact 5th grade students. "I am so excited to receive this gracious grant to help all Claremore Public School 5th graders get to Biztown! JA Biztown is a fantastic opportunity for our students to learn about the "real world". This opportunity would not be possible without the generosity of the CPS Foundation."-Mary Kropp, 5th Grade Teacher. Funding was made possible through the generous donations and fundraising by the Claremore Public School Foundation (CPSF). #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

Check out our Insta Stories this week as Kili Worth, Elissa Hollaway, Brooklyn Doonkeen, Kenedy Roach, Anna Greenland, and Emily Rogers take over while they represent CHS at Girls State! #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

It's important to tell the stories of those who are not here to tell their story. Join us in remembering and honoring those who have sacrificed their lives for this country. NJROTC posting flags this weekend. #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

Congratulations to Leah Johnson on funding of your grant “Just Picture It” that will impact Claremore High School students. "Thank you to the Claremore Public Schools Foundation for funding this grant! This will allow us to dive even deeper into learning when it comes to photography and videography, further providing a hands-on experience for students. We can hardly wait to get the new DSLR cameras on order so we can get started!"-Leah Johnson, Digital Video Editing/ZTV Teacher. Funding was made possible through the generous donations and fundraising by the Claremore Public School Foundation (CPSF). #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

Daley Reynolds was selected for the All-State Tennis roster. She will again represent our Zebras on the "East" team on July 26, 2022. The All-State matches are set for 5:30 p.m. at the University of Tulsa’s Michael D. Case Center. Congratulations on this honor, but mainly on the time, determination, sacrifices, and commitment to make it to this point. #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

Today's entry in our #ZebraTravelDiaries for the summer of 2022 is Mac and Frazier Marler who attend Roosa Elementary. Here they are kicking off summer at Great Wolf Lodge in Kansas City! Remember, it does not matter how far you go - just wear your Zebra logo and send it to jbrace@claremore.k12.ok.us. #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

Happy retirement to Vicki Hanson. Although Ms. Hanson retired after school was out last spring, we still wanted to acknowledge and celebrate her with this year's retirees. In the comments, let's give her a virtual 👏ovation for her years of service. 🍎 What school did you begin teaching at for CPS? I started at Westside and Roosa as the English Language Learner Teacher. 🍎 What year did you start teaching for CPS and at what school? 2006/2007 at Westside and Roosa 🍎 How many years were you a CPS employee? 15 🍎 How many years have you been in education? 20 in public, 8 in the private sector 🍎 What you are most proud of in your time at CPS? The improvements in the EL program that my team has made over the years. (Dawn calls us the Dream Team. ) :-) 🍎 What are the memories you will take with you? I will remember the friendships I have had with all the past and present staff that I have had the pleasure to work with. I have truly loved all my time working with the EL students and their families. I feel that I have made a difference in their lives and know that I have been blessed by the students and their families over the years. 🍎 What advice would you give a new teacher? Get to know the staff in your building, share ideas as much as possible, focus on each student’s strengths and cheer them to success in all they do! 🍎 What does it mean to be a Zebra to you? I have always been part of a special and talented group of educators. I will always be welcomed and part of the Zebra Family!

Congratulations to Bettie Sue McCaw on funding of your grant “Colors of Nature Classroom Carpet” that will impact first grade students at Westside Elementary School. "I could not be happier about receiving the grant for a new classroom rug! As a new teacher, there are many expenses involved with setting up a classroom. Being able to purchase this beautiful and durable rug will help me so much with classroom management, comfort, and aesthetic for years to come. Thank you so very much!"- Bettie Sue McCaw, 1st Grade Teacher. The grant was made possible through the generous donations and fundraising of the Claremore Public School Foundation. #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

Happy retirement to Yvonne Hemperly. Let's give her a virtual 👏ovation for her years of service in the comments. 🍎 What year did you start teaching for CPS and at what school? 2000 with Claremore’s Project CEEP 🍎 How many years have you been at CPS? 22 years 🍎 How many years have you been in education? 23 years 🍎 What you are most proud of in your time at CPS? There are too many proud moments to pick out one. Seeing one of my students learn something or do something they couldn't do before is an indescribable feeling. 🍎 What are the memories you will take with you? I will take all the learning moments and fun I had with my students and staff. 🍎 What advice would you give a new teacher? I would tell a new teacher to have a sense of humor especially when things go wrong. Things will go wrong but with a sense of humor, you can turn everything around. 🍎 What does it mean to be a Zebra to you? Being a Zebra means you have help and support when it is needed. #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

Pre-K students have been learning about the life cycle of a butterfly earlier this month! During the process they watched caterpillars form a chrysalis and then hatch into butterflies! We know everytime they see a butterfly this summer they will remember this moment in their class. #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

Happy retirement to Steve Janke “Mr. J”. Let's give him a virtual 👏ovation for his years of service in the comments. 🍎 What year did you start teaching for CPS and at what school? I started substitute teaching for the music teacher in 2011 at Roosa Elementary but have been at Catalaya since it opened. 🍎 How many years were you a CPS employee? 12 years 🍎 How many years have you been in education? 24 years 🍎 What you are most proud of in your time at CPS? I have taught over 100 Catalayah students to play the violin. 🍎 What are the memories you will take with you? There are too many memories to mention although the performances of the choir at the Oilers Hockey game singing our National Anthem, the performance of VAST when they performed “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”, and the moment when Mrs. Shuck asked me to stay and teach music at Catalayah Elementary are top on my list. 🍎 What advice would you give a new teacher? No matter what the job, give the glory to God. 🍎 What does it mean to be a Zebra to you? Being a Zebra means I have had the outstanding privilege of participating in a community of great pride and determination to succeed together toward a fruitful and joyful future. #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

Congratulations to Sharole Beasley, Stephanie Castle, and Jami Gerenan on funding of your grant “Read to Succeed!”. This grant will impact third grade students at Catalayah Elementary School. "This grant is so appreciated! It will provide a rich text format for teaching critical thinking skills, author studies, student to text and student to world connections, as well as evoking students' emotion to the character's experience; planting the seeds of kindness, compassion, empathy, and determination. to name a few. Thank you so much for providing these materials for the good of our students and for all you do for our students and teachers district wide." -Sharole Beasley, 3rd Grade Teacher, Catalayah Elementary School. The grant was made possible through the generous donations and fundraising of the Claremore Public School Foundation. #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

Our first submission for our #ZebraTravelDiaries for the summer of 2022 is Mrs. Ward, a Claremont teacher and CHS swim coach. The Wards are spending some time at the beach! 1st stop Fort Pickens then on to PBC! In addition to sunrises, sunsets, beach and sand critters she shared, "There is nothing like a tornado warning on vacation. It sent this Okie to the 4th floor for a better look." Remember, it does not matter how far you go - just wear your Zebra logo and send it to jbrace@claremore.k12.ok.us. #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

Preston Peck was selected for the All-State Tennis roster. He will again represent our Zebras on the "East" team on July 26, 2022. The matches begin at 5:30 at the University of Tulsa. Congratulations on this honor, but mainly on the time, determination, sacrifices, and commitment to make it to this point. #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

Happy retirement to Connie McQueen. Let's give her a virtual 👏ovation for her years of service in the comments. 🍎 What school did you begin teaching at for CPS? Westside in 2013 🍎 How many years were you a CPS employee? 9 years 🍎 How many years have you been in education? 32 years 🍎 What you are most proud of in your time at CPS? I am most proud of contributing to the academic achievement of my students but also building long-lasting relationships with them, their families, and colleagues. 🍎 What are the memories you will take with you? Memories include beginning each day with a dance, seeing every teacher in the building contributing to all students, having baby pigs brought to class, homecoming days - the list goes on and on. 🍎 What advice would you give a new teacher? My advice to a new teacher is to brush off the bad days, embrace the good ones and know that you are contributing to students in ways that you will never know but they will remember forever! 🍎 What does it mean to be a Zebra to you? Being a Zebra means belonging to something bigger than all of us. We are one big family! #CPSZEBRAPRID

Congratulations to Jill Andrews on funding of her grant “Curl Up With a Book” that will impact Claremore High School students. "I am providing a variety of seating options so that students can exercise some control over their learning environment by choosing a space that helps them focus on their assigned task. While many students are able to maintain focus and engagement while seated in traditional desks, others may need alternative seating options, such as rockable and reclinable floor chairs with portable lap desks. By giving students the autonomy to choose their seating space, I hope to create a comfortable, flexible, engaging, and welcoming environment for each student who enters my classroom so that they can maintain their focus on the valuable literary experiences we encounter in the English classroom."-Jill Andrews, English IV/AP Literature/Creative Writing/ Novel and Film. Funding was made possible through the generous donations and fundraising by the Claremore Public School Foundation (CPSF). #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

Happy retirement to Teresa Hopper. Let's give her a virtual 👏ovation for her years of service in the comments. 🍎 What school did you begin teaching at for CPS? Westside Elementary 🍎 What year did you start teaching for CPS and at what school? 2018 at Westside Elementary 🍎 How many years were you a CPS employee? 4 years 🍎 How many years have you been in education? 33 Years 🍎 What you are most proud of in your time at CPS? Being able to bring consistent Social-Emotional Lessons to our students. 🍎 What are the memories you will take with you? My students make me feel like a Rock Star. They genuinely love you and let you know they love you. Best hugs ever!! 🍎 What advice would you give a new teacher? It requires more than just being prepared to deliver academic lessons. It will require everything from you in all areas of your life. 🍎 What does it mean to be a Zebra to you? Being a Zebra means getting the opportunity to work with and for the BEST! #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

Happy retirement to Debbie Bonham. Let's give her a virtual 👏ovation for her years of service in the comments. 🍎 What year did you start teaching for CPS and at what school? 1982 at Leeper Middle School 🍎 How many years were you a CPS employee? 40 years all at CPS 🍎 What you are most proud of in your time at CPS? I am most proud of the connections I have made while at CPS. I love watching the success my former students achieve as they move on to high school and college. The bonds I have formed with students and colleagues will be something I treasure forever. 🍎 What are the memories you will take with you? Sweet faces!! I have so many amazing memories it would be hard to narrow down to just a few. Notes I have saved from students and parents remind me that hopefully, I have touched their lives just as much as they have touched mine. Those are the memories I want to keep locked in my mind. I became a teacher hoping to make a difference in the world. So many faces, encouraging words, hugs, and unlocked potential will be memories I will always cherish! 🍎 What advice would you give a new teacher? -Give yourself grace! You are learning and will make mistakes. You’ll become a better teacher because of it. Lean on colleagues for advice. It is okay to ask for help. -Really KNOW your students. You are a huge and influential part of their development. Remember, on the hard days, with the hard students, that they are still somebody’s baby. Love the ones who seem unlovable. The rewards are amazing. -Every student who walks through your door gets to start with a clean slate. -Past behaviors don’t have to predict future performance. Each day is a new beginning for your students and for you. Everyone deserves a do-over! -Never stop learning! New things keep you energized and effective. You will be surprised how much you actually learn from your students. -Build relationships within your building. That bond will strengthen you. -Surround yourself with positive people. Always be someone who is helping row the boat, and not the one complaining that the boat isn’t moving! -Take time for yourself! You will never be able to give your best to your students if you neglect yourself. -Model the expectations you have for your students yourself. Set those expectations high. Most times you get what you ask for! -Never underestimate your value! Sometimes you are the only positive influence a child has. You truly are their soft place to land. -Lastly, don’t ever give up! This job is REALLY hard at times. It is really heartbreaking at times. It is really frustrating at times. But…the reward of making a difference to a child every single day by far outshines the hard things. 🍎 What does it mean to be a Zebra to you? Being a Zebra means being a part of a hugely supportive family! From the top administration down to the youngest students, we belong together. It doesn't matter which school you come from, we are all proud Zebras! #CPSZEBRAPRIDE