Why Wednesday โโฅ
We are starting a new series called "Why Wednesday," featuring our amazing teachers here at Claremore Public Schools and WHY they are passionate about teaching!
Robert Castillo is one of our Spanish teachers, bus drivers, and English Language Learner (ELL) teacher at CHS. He has taught for 2 years, both with CPS. After working 20 years in the medical field as a paramedic, Mr. Castillo decided he wanted to pursue a career that allowed him to be in a ministry position, and a teaching opportunity at CHS opened up. He feels as though it was truly meant to be, and God led him to teach!
โคWHY STATEMENT:
"The students. I have the privilege to speak into the lives of our students. Day in and day out, I get to interact with them and share my life experiences with them, in the hopes that they will one day become the leaders that our community need."
"I have the pleasure of interacting with the ELL students in our district, and throughout our interaction, I get to help them along their journey navigating life as they get closer to graduation.
I have one student who, as we were putting their schedule together, we figured we would add Art 1 (a graduation requirement) to their schedule. This student, who had never had art before, flourished, and their talent is amazing! Throughout their class, their art teacher kept giving them challenging projects, and this student just wanted to take the easier projects. I encouraged them every day, as did their art teacher, and the artwork that they created won a state award for their wonderful work. "
It was after this that the student shared with me that I had said something that really impacted them. One of those days that I was encouraging them, I said: โYou will always find something that you could have done better with your artwork. But it is not you that ultimately needs to love your artwork, but the observer. It is how your artwork makes them feel that matters.โ
"It is the most rewarding job pouring into students' lives and watching them succeed in whatever they choose to pursue! I always say you have to get out and do hard things. That is what will help you grow!"
#CPSZEBRAPRIDE #WHYWEDNESDAY
Lions, Tigers, Bears, and running Zebras! Oh my!๐ฆ๐ฅ
Westside Elementary won 2nd place for most participants at the April 22nd, 2023, Tulsa Zoo Run!! Way to go, Westies!! Be ready; They are going for 1st place next year!๐โโ๏ธ๐โโ๏ธ๐ฆโฅ๏ธ
#CPSZEBRAPRIDE
Congratulations to Leah Johnson on receiving a Claremore Public Schools Foundation fall grant! This grant helped fund the purchase of new cameras for the Digital Video Editing classes at Claremore High School!๐ฆ๐ธ๐
"Thank you once again to the Claremore Public Schools Foundation for funding the second part of this grant! Students have already enjoyed using the first ten cameras this semester, learning about how photos are taken and what makes a good photograph. It has been so rewarding to be able to do such hands-on assignments, and I can't wait to put in the order for the second half of the cameras!" -Leah Johnson, Digital Video Editing/ZTV Teacher, Claremore High School.
If you are interested in learning more about Claremore Public Schools Foundation, check out their website! https://claremorepublicschoolsfoundation.org/
#CPSF #GrantPatrol #TeacherGrants #ExcellenceinEducation #CPSZEBRAPRIDE
Today's #ZebraTravelDiaries features Mrs. M, the pre-k paraprofessional at Catalayah! She went to Las Vegas to visit her son, daughter-in-law, and grandbabies! Her son (Claremore alum) Jose is in the Air Force. ๐ฆโค๐
Up in the air or down on land, just show us that you're a ZEBRA FAN and send a photo to Jbrace@claremore.k12.ok.us!
#CPSZEBRATRAVELDIARIES
Claremore High School TSA Team is off to Nationals in Louisville, Kentucky! They will have such a wonderful time and learn so much!โคโ๐ฆ
#CPSZEBRAPRIDE
On today's #ZebraTravelDiaries, we are going to Newton, Kansas! Mrs. Monroe, a paraprofessional at CHS, and her husband are traveling to see her daughter! ๐๐ฆโค
Across state lines or down the road, no matter where you go, just wear your ZEBRA LOGO and send it to jbrace@claremore.k12.ok.us!
#CPSZEBRAPRIDE
Catalayah has had some wonderful helpers this summer! Some of our high school students gave up some summertime to help get the school prepped for summer!๐ฆโค๐ซ
#CPSZEBRAPRIDE
Congratulations to Bruce Riggs on receiving a Claremore Public Schools Foundation fast track grant! This grant will go to support the Biomedical Sciences Program by purchasing vital textbooks! ๐ฆ๐ฉบ๐
"Historically, medical breakthroughs required "risk". In an effort to help students understand and embrace risk in the medical career fields - this text will be required reading for Honors Biomedical Innovations. This is the capstone course for our Biomedical Sciences Program. Every medical decisionโwhether to have chemotherapy, an X-ray, or surgeryโis a risk, no matter which way you choose. In You Bet Your Life, physician Paul A. Offit argues that, from the first blood transfusions four hundred years ago to the hunt for a COVID-19 vaccine, risk has been essential to the discovery of new treatments. More importantly, understanding the risks is crucial to whether, as a society or as individuals, we accept them. Told in Offitโs vigorous and rigorous style, You Bet Your Life is an entertaining history of medicine. But it also lays bare the tortured relationships between intellectual breakthroughs, political realities, and human foibles." -Bruce Riggs, BioMed Teacher.
If you are interested in learning more about Claremore Public Schools Foundation, check out their website! https://claremorepublicschoolsfoundation.org/
#CPSF #FastTrackGrant #TeacherGrants #ExcellenceinEducation #CPSZEBRAPRIDE #districtteacheroftheyear
Start playing "Viva Las Vegas" for this #ZebraTravelDiaries! Brooklyn Morgan, a sophomore at CHS, is enjoying her summer vacation in fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada! ๐๐ฒ๐๐๐ป
No matter where you go, just rep' your Zebra Logo and send it to Jbrace@claremore.k12.ok.us!
#CPSZEBRAPRIDE
Congratulations to Ashley Troyer on receiving a Claremore Public Schools Foundation spring grant! The funds from this grant will be used to implement PebbleGo, which is an application aligned to national curriculum standards and introduces Kโ2 students to database and research concepts with information about hundreds of animals while using features designed for use by emergent readers. ๐ฆ๐๐
"For students as early as Kindergarten, research is a standards-based skill that is taught in the classroom. Research is such a vital part of education because it not only engages students in inquiry and the ability to refine and synthesize information, but research also aids in helping students to become critical thinkers.
We are so excited to be able to add the PebbleGo database to our resources for research at Claremont! PebbleGo is not only a vast, age-appropriate database, but it also includes grade-level appropriate ways to access and understand the information included on the site. Teachers all over Claremont are so thrilled with the funding of this grant and canโt wait to use PebbleGo in their classrooms.
Thank you, Claremore Public Schools Foundation, for continuing to enrich the quality of education in our classrooms by providing a way to ensure students have access to the best resources available to learn!"-Ashley Troyer, Librarian.
If you are interested in learning more about Claremore Public Schools Foundation, check out their website! https://claremorepublicschoolsfoundation.org/
#CPSF #GrantPatrol #TeacherGrants #TeacheroftheYear #ExcellenceinEducation #CPSZEBRAPRIDE
PUBLIC NOTICE
To all seniors of the class of 2018. please note Confidential Files containing all special education and related services records are scheduled to be destroyed this summer for students who graduated in 2018.
If you would like to pick up your confidential file or have copies sent to your current address, please contact this office NO LATER than AUGUST 1, 2023.
SPECIAL SERVICES
918-923-4300
jgeiger@claremore.k12.ok.us
#CPSZEBRAPRIDE
Congratulations to Leah Johnson on receiving a Claremore Public Schools Foundation spring grant! This grant will help fund the purchase of a new speaker that will improve the quality of storytelling and training that ZTV offers the students of our district! ๐ฆ๐บ๐
"Thank you again to the CPSF committee for granting ZTV this funding! We are so excited to improve Lip Dub by including this speaker, which will allow us to pump up the excitement and the volume!" -Leah Johnson,
If you are interested in learning more about Claremore Public Schools Foundation, check out their website! https://claremorepublicschoolsfoundation.org/
#CPSF #GrantPatrol #TeacherGrants #ExcellenceinEducation #CPSZEBRAPRIDE
Future Friday๐ซ๐
๏ผ2 , 5 7 8 , 4 8 0 That is the amount of scholarships the Class of 2023 reported receiving this year.
Five CPS seniors received $1,000 each from the Claremore Alumni Association Scholarship totaling a $5,000 investment. Pictured: Jenna Smalygo, Jonah Smoot, and Emily Rogers. Not pictured: Anna Greenland and Gracelyn Bruce.
If you are interested in donating to the Alumni Scholarship Fund, reach out to Wendee Henry at slumni@claremore.k12.ok.us.
#CPSZEBRAPRIDE #FUTUREFRIDAY
Congratulations to T.J. Smith who received a Claremore Public Schools Foundation spring grant! This grant will support the Jazz band students by providing the district with quality instruments! ๐ฆ๐ท๐
"Thank you for the grant to purchase an Upright Bass for our students to use for many generations to come! This grant will help our kids learn and perform on a quality instrument, so they can be the best version of themselves that they can possibly be. Your heart for kids and education is a true testament to the kind of people you are. Our band program thanks you very much." -T.J. Smith, Jazz Band Director.
If you are interested in learning more about Claremore Public Schools Foundation, check out their website! https://claremorepublicschoolsfoundation.org/
#CPSF #GrantPatrol #TeacherGrants #ExcellenceinEducation #CPSZEBRAPRIDE
On today's #ZebraTravelDiaries, is Prudence Tubbs. She is a kindergartener at Claremont Elementary and her family went to Yogi Bearโs Jellystone Park in Mannford, OK to celebrate Fatherโs Day. There were two big water slides as well as a fun splash pad. You can camp there or just play in the pool or in the lake, looks like a splash!โค๏ธ๐ฆ๐
Rep your Zebra logo no matter where you go and send it to jbrace@claremore.k12.ok.us!
#CPSZEBRAPRIDE
On this week's THIS OR THAT Thursday, do you prefer to stay in Oklahoma or venture out past state lines?๐๐บโ
โถLet us know down below and your favorite place to go!
Teachers are much like gardeners, tending to their students and creating the environment for them to thrive and grow! ๐ฑ๐ฟโค๏ธ
This spring, we honored Mrs. Kari Forest, who has been with CPS for an incredible 22 years! ๐ Her dedication and passion for teaching have left an everlasting impact on countless students. ๐โจ
During her retirement party, we couldn't help but notice a special plant among the decorationsโa plant with a long zebra history! ๐ฆ "The plant on the table was a table decoration when I first came here in the fall of 2001 and was attending Zip," Mrs. Forest shared. "I have had the plant for 22 years at CUE, the enrollment center, and the high school for the last 12 years. Once a zebra, always a zebra.๐"
This beautiful story perfectly embodies the spirit of CPS staff. We nurture our students and see where those vines take them through all stages of life! ๐ฟ๐
#CPSZEBRAPRIDE
Congratulations to Jamie Brace, who received a Claremore Public Schools Foundation spring grant! The funds from this grant will be used to better share the stories of students and faculty through the purchase of media equipment and the utilization of marketing materials! ๐ฆ๐ธ๐
"Thank you to CPSF for investing in video/photography equipment to improve Claremore Public Schools' ability to celebrate our district - one story at a time!
Telling the authentic, compelling, and positive story of our district is no longer optional - it's imperative. Quality photo/videography equipment plays a crucial role in telling a visual story because it allows a photo/videographer to capture appealing, technically sound images and able to convey the intended message and connect with our community.
In addition, as a department of one, we are working on multiplying our efforts by utilizing site communication cadres and college and high school interns. The need for the tools to create a robust educational experience in multi-media marketing has become essential. The right tools are increasingly important to accomplish real-life experiences and professional assets that will benefit both the students and the district. Telling our story with our new camera will be a snap!"-Jamie Brace, CPS Communications Director.
If you are interested in learning more about Claremore Public Schools Foundation, check out their website! https://claremorepublicschoolsfoundation.org/
#CPSF #GrantPatrol #TeacherGrants #ExcellenceinEducation #CPSZEBRAPRIDE
We have Emerson and Harper Rumsey in orange beach, AL for this week's #ZebraTravelDiaires! They are spending time with their family and spent the evening on a dolphin cruise!! ๐ฌ๐๐โ
Near or Far, no matter where you are, just wear your Zebra Gear and send it to jbrace@claremore.k12.ok.us!
#CPSZEBRAPRIDE
Why Wednesday โโฅ
We are starting a new series called "Why Wednesday" featuring our amazing teachers here at Claremore Public Schools and WHY they are passionate about teaching!
Tracie Frost is a Fourth-grade teacher at Westside Elementary and Dance Booster Secretary. She has taught for 7 years, all at CPS. She started her teaching career as a paraprofessional for the first 4 years, and once she attained her degree, she began teaching. She found her passion for teaching at an early age but did not pursue it as a career until later in life.
โ WHY Statement:
"I have worked with kids my entire life. I started helping at VBS, AWANAS, as well as going on various different mission trips at a very young age. Working with children brought me so much joy. I went to college and ended up being a business major. I worked in corporate America for 10+ years, but something was missing. The passion wasnโt there anymore. It didnโt take long for me to figure out where I wanted to be, which was back working with kids. I went back to school and was lucky enough to work as a paraprofessional while getting my degree. The first opportunity I got to be a lead teacher, I took it and ran! My passion is teaching. Even more so, my passion is making a difference in a childโs life. "
"My WHY is making a difference in a childโs life! There is so much more to teaching than helping a student learn how to divide or know the different types of rocks. I teach because I want to make an impact. I want every student that walks through my doors to know that they are loved, they are wanted, they can be successful, and I will always be there to cheer them on! Seeing the students grow throughout the year is a process that is beyond amazing. I get to see the struggles, and then I get to see those moments when they fully grasp a concept, and those moments are one of the reasons why I teach!"
"Live every moment, Laugh every day, Love beyond words.โ I came across this quote in college and have used it ever since. I tell my students every year once they are my kiddo, they will always be mine. I want nothing more for my students than to live a life they will love. "
#CPSZEBRAPRIDE
