The Putnam Pioneer WINTER 2020 ISSUE

Mission Focus: Leaving a Legacy By now many of you have seen Luis wants to say thank you to the through the Hall of Fame, we are some amazing legacy stories from teachers and staff who molded him. grateful. Your legacy in Putnam City some of the Foundation’s favorite The Rice Family is honoring a family is changing lives, little by little, day by people. tradition of teaching in our district. day. Luis Rodriguez spent some time There are just as many reasons If you have not yet, please continue making a video explaining why he as there are ways to leave a legacy. building that legacy by making a gift gives to the Foundation, and the Rice Whether you’re donating to our to the annual campaign which funds Family shared their story of 100+ endowment, making a gift to things like YES! Grants, STEM Labs, years of working in Putnam City. perpetuate Penny’s Closet, targeting and Early Birds. Visit www.pcf4kids. Though for very different reasons, your gift to the instrumental music org and start building that legacy for both have built a legacy in Putnam program that brought you so much our children today. City Schools through the Foundation. joy, or supporting our athletes

Get to Know Our New Community Relations Coordinator successful helping our schools get families. the things they need. Northridge Elementary raised She is actively working with schools funds for new playground equipment to fulfill needs and build relationships through a Turkey Bingo night. Thanks with community businesses, social to in-kind donations from local service groups and civic organizations businesses, the Foundation provided to enhance Putnam City students’ prizes for bingo winners. educational experience. The Putnam Pioneer wanted you to The Community Relations program get to know our newest employee. works to connect the community’s Here’s what she had to say. desire to help with the students and PP: Tell us about your connection “We’re sowing seeds and dreaming teachers who need that help. to Putnam City Schools. big through the Foundation’s new Cooper Middle School identified My family is my connection. My late community engagement program” 16 families in our community husband graduated from PC in 1968. said Sharon Williams, our new needing a Thanksgiving Dinner Three of our children are PC Pirates Community Relations Coordinator. Basket. Through the Foundation’s — 1992, 1999 and 2006. Our fourth Sharon came to us just a few community engagement program, child is disabled months ago, but has already been local businesses have donated to the Continued on page 2

From the Blog: CareShare Alumni 2020 Wall of Fame INSIDE What is Civics? Adopts 1,260 Spotlight Inductee THIS ISSUE Pg. 2 Pg. 3 Pg. 4 Pg. 6 The Putnam Pioneer | Winter 2020

From the Blog: What is Civics, Anyway? Did you know that the Putnam City Schools Foundation has a blog? It comes out each Thursday on our website www.pcf4kids.org and includes news about Putnam City, musings on Jennifer’s time as a student and teacher in the district, and thoughts on the state of education in Oklahoma. The blog below is from Nov. 21, 2019. Please take time to read and comment on them each week!

speaker disagreed. values and principles of American Even as a history teacher, I too have constitutional democracy.” been tempted to think kids aren’t But how do we really become learning citizenship, but of course I politically aware in a fragmented know from firsthand experience that media landscape where truth is out of that is not the truth at all. In fact, our style (shout out to MC 900 Ft. Jesus)? state requires some kind of civics and It’s hard when people don’t prioritize citizenship learning at every single their citizenship and choose to take in level of school — even Pre-K! It’s sound bites instead of really studying right there in the Oklahoma Academic an issue. My own mother has said “Young people aren’t learning Standards for Social Studies. repeatedly “they’re all liars!” so many anything about civics today.” So what are we talking about times of late, and I don’t argue with “When I was a kid, we learned how when we say “civics?” According her (I mean why would I? She’s the to be good citizens.” to the state standards, civics is momma!), but I don’t think we should You might have heard statements defined as “the study of the rights all just throw up our hands, thinking like this, or even said them yourself and duties of citizens and of how it’s beyond saving. in the past. Often they follow a news their governments work. The goal of Because what is the “it”, really? IT is report of some sort which reveals an civics is to develop literate, informed, our nation! I think it’s worth spending utter lack of understanding on how competent, and responsible citizens time doing some digging into primary government works, or just a report who are politically aware, active, sources to find out what’s going on on a bill that passed with which the and committed to the fundamental in our local and Continued on page 6 Get to Know Sharon Williams Continued from page 1 job at 16 was as a waitress and cashier my job is the best job ever! I get to and attended Hilldale in the at Ken’s Pizza in Yukon. It felt like a work for students, teachers and schools infancy of the Education for All slice of freedom and independence. I matching their needs with resources Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA) was eager for the new experience and from the local community which includes of 1975. responsibility. I could start providing parents, businesses and organizations. PP: What did you know of the for some of my own needs and that PP: What will need to happen to district before coming to work at felt good. make you feel like your program is a the Foundation? PP: When not working, what do success? PC has a long history of being one you spend your time doing? When teachers, schools, parents, of the top districts in the state. That’s Being with my family and spending local businesses and social service a tradition that was started long ago time with my grandchildren are very organizations can all come together in in 1914 and continues today. From important to me. One of our favorite a partnership forming a life preserver my personal experience, Putnam family activities is camping. My around the school to ensure that all City Schools’ teachers, counselors, dog, Molly, is very spoiled and my the needs of students, teachers and the principals and administration ever-faithful companion. We enjoy school are met, that will feel like success supported my family through difficult playing and taking walks. I also enjoy to me. times by providing services that made gardening, reading historical fiction, PP: Thank you Sharon! We are so a difference in our lives. That’s the and genealogy. grateful to have you on our team! Putnam City family that I know. PP: How do you describe your PP: What was your first job? current job to people you meet? Outside of babysitting, my first real I use what I call my elevator speech:

PAGE 2 The Putnam Pioneer | Winter 2020

THIS IS WHY WE DO IT! CareShare

A sincere THANK YOU to everyone $90,000 in contributed items!! We to students. Last year we provided who supports the Putnam City could not do this without the love 325 coats and 216 pairs of shoes. CareShare program. and support of our wonderful Putnam If you, your business, your church Because of YOU, over 400 families, City Community, and of course, our group, or someone you know would representing 1,260 children, amazing volunteer Erin Brewer. like to help, please contact our office experienced the wonder of Christmas Throughout the year, Penny’s at 405-495-5200, ext. 1205. this year. That represents over Closet provides new coats and shoes

Thank You CareShare Christmas Adopters!

COMPANIES & GROUPS Alliance Steel, Inc. Hadden Home Group/Council Road Baptist PCSD Transportation Department Apple Tree Antiques Harvest Hills Elementary Putnam City High Arbor Grove Elementary Hefner Middle School PTO Putnam City North Capps MS Yearbook/Leadership Class Heritage Baptist Church Putnam City West Library Church of the Servant James L. Dennis Elementary PTO Ralph Downs Elementary PTO Cookson Carriers Corp. Kevo Properties Sooner Surfacing and Machine Coronado Heights Elementary PTO LWPB Architecture SNU Cross Country & Track Program Council Road Baptist Church MCJ Elves St Mark's United Methodist Church CRBC Bridge Builders Mosaic Church OKC St. Mark's United Methodist Early Birds at CRBC NBC Bank Thompson Homegroup Energy Financial Northridge Elementary Tinker Air Force Base-KC-135 Tankers Faith Church OKC Community Church Titus/Hurd Family Solutions Counseling PLLC PCSD Elementary & Secondary Academics TriCorps First Enterprise Bank PCSD Human Capital Will Rogers Elementary Girl Scout Troop 654 - Susan O'Hara PCSD Office of Curriculum and Instruction Yukon HUD Charity

INDIVIDUALS & FAMILIES Dawn Allee Linda Deason Julie Hinton Michelle Rogers Linda Allen Peggy DeMeyer JoAnn Holman Tracy Rogers Katy Anderson Peyton Disney Emelie Hunter Lisa Rosenberg Mandy Apple Jessica Dodd The Hurst Family Arianne Russell Kaitlyn Arnett The Domes Family Amanda Hyden Stephanie Russell Kris & Randy Baggerly Brandi Duden The Ivey Family Tracey Russell Ellen Baker Jessica Edwards Chelsee Jarolim Candy Sandlin Tiana Ballinger Maggie Elder Lauren Jones Christopher Sanford Sue Banks Kathy Etherton Erin Karl The Schoenberger Family Linda Banz Amanda Ewing Sara Kersey Liz Schwarz Sterling Barnett Samelia Farni Tracy Kersey Jennifer & Greg Seal Corinne Beasler Matt Flusche Tori Kitchel Jessica & Jay Sherrill Ashley Blackburn Ashley Fogle Lisa Koehn Keri Shipley Charlene Bockus Linda Frantz Sherri Lippert Emily Sims Julie Boggs Lori Freman Stephanie Lippert Paula Smitherman Lauren Booker Emma Fritz Anissa Lott Jennifer & Stephen Stauter Julie Boyd Emily Funkhouser Beth Manning Savannah Stumph Sherri & David Boyd Laura Ganz Lindsey Manwell Shirley Tabor Angie Boyles Lisa Gates Heather McAnear Carley Tayar Shirley & Jim Brand Steve Gilbert Celena McCord Dolly Thomas Rena Bredy Dave & Millie Gillogly Colleen McMillen Jaimee Thomas Rob Brewer Carson Glass Shawn Meyers Mary Ann Thomas Laura Britton Becky Gooch Barbara Minton Brenda & Bryan Thomason Amber Brown April Goode Kristi Olsen Steve Thompson Amber Caro Gloria Hamilton Stephanie Orsburn Thuy Vu Laura Caruthers Pamela Hardebeck Taylor Perry Vonda Walkup Amy Chao Leah Harris Ashley Powell Connie Weber Tara Clopton Kay Harsha Suzanne Powell Barbara Williams Rebecca Cooper Melissa Hayes Kaylee Price Jerry Williams Adrianne Covington Graham Kelli Helton Melissa Redding Jennifer Yeaman Lauren Cravens Paula Henderson Denise Reece Holly Crouch-White Carri Hicks Kelly Reed Brenda Davis Becca Hinton Brooke Rivera

PAGE 3 The Putnam Pioneer | Winter 2020

Nominations for the Golden Apple Award Needed So many wonderful people work recommendation letters extolling the to make our district the place where virtues of your candidate. children can get a world class Our Golden Apple Committee education while being surrounded meets in March to rank the with the support they need. We want nomination forms, and then the to honor these people with a Golden winners receive a monetary gift, as Apple! well as the golden apple award itself. The Golden Apple is the highest The forms are available now on award anyone associated with our website at www.pcf4kids.org/ Putnam City can achieve. golden-apple. To be considered, It can go to a teacher, principal, nominations must be received in volunteer, secretary, custodian — the Foundation office by Friday, anyone who works with the district in Feb. 21, 2020. some capacity. Your biggest challenge might be Golden Apple Award winner Asst. Chief Herb The form is simple to complete, deciding whom to nominate, so start Nelson, PC Campus Police Department, was all but the nomination is enhanced by planning now! smiles when the prize patrol visted last spring!

Alumni Spotlight: Kim Ingmire by Jorden Richard events for all occasions. Everything and he has a lot of common sense from weddings and receptions and is business oriented. He helped to anniversaries and birthday me to stay focused and think about Kim Ingmire is a Putnam City celebrations. things I needed to think about. North alum and the owner and Her husband, Thomas Ingmire, is PP: With your time spent venue coordinator of Clauren Ridge the primary winemaker when he is at Putnam City North, what Vineyard and Winery in Edmond, not at his daytime job in emergency experiences, if any, have helped Oklahoma. medicine. you with your journey? Kim and her husband have been We sat down with Kim to ask her PC North is a great school and I living in Edmond for the past 21 years some questions about her journey in think the whole Putnam City School and have raised two children. the community. District is fantastic. I always had great Opening the winery in 2012, PP: How did you decide that teachers that I really liked, I think she has stayed busy by hosting owning a winery was something the teachers were really interested in you wanted to do? furthering the students and getting I do events, wedding receptions, them to think in ways that they and anniversaries; Tom, my husband, wouldn't normally think of. makes the wine. So when the building PP: Have you taken any time to was under construction, I had visions mentor people? of different things that I could do. From time to time, I will take people I always loved putting on events in that have an interest in weddings for family and friends but the idea and becoming a professional wedding of doing that as a business really coordinator. I let them come in and appealed to me so when the winery follow me around when I do the was finished, I put a package together weddings or detail appointments for and we have been busy ever since! the weddings. PP: Have you had any mentors PP: Thank you for taking the time with you in your life or business? to visit with us! My dad; he's wonderful and smart

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Foundation Scholarship Deadline Approaches Each year thanks to the generosity to leave a legacy of their loved ones. of various families, the Putnam Below are brief descriptions of City Schools Foundation offers each scholarship. All applications scholarships for both students and can be found at www.pcf4kids.org/ teachers. scholarships and are due in our The scholarships are named after office by Feb. 28, 2020 by 4 p.m., people who made a difference in our unless otherwise noted. district, and offers their families a way Good luck!

STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS Dorothy Nixon Scholarship - Mrs. Nixon taught PEAK (Putnam City's gifted and talented program) for twenty-five years. Her love of $1,000 teaching is honored with this scholarship which is awarded to a senior who plans to pursue a career in teaching. Roger Barrios Scholarship - $250 Mr. Barrios was a well-respected science teacher at Putnam City North High School. This scholarship is for a Putnam City North senior who wishes to pursue a career in engineering, chemistry, physics, biology or technology. Nancy Talley Scholarship - $2,000 Mrs. Talley taught at Putnam City West High School for 24 years. She retired in 1994 and passed away in 2010. This scholarship was created for a deserving student who otherwise may not qualify due to NEW! situations that prevent them from having a high GPA. Michael Cutter Scholarship Michael Cutter's friends seeded this athletic scholarship to honor his outstanding high school athletic performance as well as his courage in the face of a difficult disease.(There is no application for this scholarship; it is awarded to a deserving young man who participates in Putnam City West's athletic program. Thomas Glenn Scholarship - This scholarship is awarded to a Putnam City High School senior who is involved in sports or other $1,000 extra-curricular activities.(Applications for this scholarship are handled by the Putnam City High counselor’s office.) Clay Culver Scholarship Clay was an outstanding young man — gifted academically and musically. His life was cut short due to illness, but his legacy lives on in this unique scholarship provided by his family. It is awarded to an outstanding ninth grade student attending Putnam City North.(Applications for this scholarship are handled by the Putnam City North counselor’s office.) FACULTY SCHOLARSHIPS Ralph Downs Scholarship - $500 Named for one of our former superintendents, the Downs Scholarship is awarded yearly to a Putnam City faculty member who wishes to pursue graduate or undergraduate courses in administration or counseling. Roberta Jo Lowe Scholarship - Ms. Lowe was a beloved faculty member at Hefner Middle School. Her family established this $1,000 scholarship to honor her memory and provide an opportunity for deserving faculty members to pursue graduate or undergraduate courses in a variety of subjects she loved.

New Scholarship in Memory of Nancy Talley

Thanks to the generosity of the Nix Foundation, we have a brand new scholarship being offered this February. The Nix family wants to use this opportunity to honor Mrs. Talley who taught at Putnam City West for over two decades and cherished her time as a Patriot. The Nancy Talley Memorial Scholarship offers a one-time gift of $2,000 to a graduating senior from Putnam City West High School. Most scholarships focus on top-achieving students with ample extra-curricular activities and plenty of honors classes, but the Talley Scholarship recognizes that great students don’t always make 4.0 GPAs or have the opportunity to do more than work outside of school. This scholarship is for them.

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Endowment Matching Opportunity Still Happening

The nonprofit financial roller coaster is to establish exclusively for these two programs. world can be an endowment. When we asked the Kirkpatrick difficult, with The Putnam City Schools Family Fund to match the project, leaders not knowing Foundation established one in 1992, they said yes. So for every $3 you if they’ll make the and we can count on $25,000 to give, they will donate $1. It will add budget they set come our way each year due to the up fast, and then be put to good use forth each year because no donor investment prowess of the Oklahoma for children in perpetuity. relationship is permanent. City Community Foundation. Give today at https://www.occf. Donors have many passions, and But, we want to expand that for just org/pcsf/ or send us a check and let some major donors make it clear CareShare and Penny’s Closet. us know it's for the endowment and from the outset that they will not be The reality is that these programs we'll take care of the rest. funding a project more than two or are serving more children every year. Be a part of making sure children three years. We need to have a steady stream have Christmas gifts and warm coats The best way to combat this of income on which we can count for decades to come. Dr. Greg Walton is 2020 Wall of Fame Inductee Welcome New FRIENDS!

Friends of the Foundation are Putnam We are thrilled to He is co-owner City employees who choose to support announce that of the WeightWise our programs through a monthly payroll Dr. Greg Walton Bariatric Clinic in deduction. Thank you to our latest Friends: is the 2020 Wall of Edmond, Oklahoma New Members Andrea Unruh Fame inductee. which has helped Allison Anderson Vicki Vaughan Corinne Beasler Shadonna Watkins “I am so flattered over 7,500 people Faith Boggs Ashley Witt Jessi Colston and honored to transform their lives Christina Dedmon These Friends be on the Wall of and find lifetime Laura Duce-Mosshart Increased Their Pledge Lori Hardy Amy Dixon Fame,” Dr. Walton health. Bill Harris Levi Dobrinski responded. This year’s event will Hannah Grace Hellstern Courtney Garrett Cheri Hensley Laura Hardee “I have so many again be at the historic Stephanie Hines Greg Kipf great memories from OKC Farmer’s Market Kathy Hughes Miriam Owen Jennifer Keahbone Annessa Parker Putnam City High School, not the on Thursday, April 16th. Jennifer Key John Roberson least of which was winning the state Visit our website today to Travis Kirk Saundra Thompson Paige Krienke Cynthia Wagner football championship in overtime purchase your tickets for this exciting Siobhan Morava Rebekah Whittaker Amanda Neely against Putnam City West.” event: https://pcf4kids.ejoinme. Cynthia Quigley Dr. Walton graduated from Putnam org/2020WallofFame. Stephanie Renaud Jessica Scott City High School in 1980 before We look forward to honoring Dr. Rebecca Shelby attending Oklahoma State University Walton and recognizing our staff on Deborah Smith Mary Thele and the University of Oklahoma this occasion! medical school.

From the Blog Continued from page 2 along.” This is a great experience and ready for Thanksgiving this week, the national governments. everyone should do it. Another is most American of all holidays. Part How do we practice citizenship to “serve on a jury if asked.” People of showing gratitude is by actually by being politically active without always talk about trying to get out serving the nation in which we live, be being politically offensive? I found of jury duty, but I can tell you the that through the military, at a polling a lot of interesting suggestions on process can be fascinating if you place, or as a volunteer. We should www.goodcitizen.org. For instance, recognize that you are a part of it. all be on the same page on this one, one says “go on a police ride- Hopefully your family is getting people. If we’re not, Lord help us all.

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YES! Grants: Thanks to YOU!

Our generous donors have made Clark Academy and Kodaly music of our district for both teachers and more amazing things happen in our training. staff, we’ve had the opportunity to district this school year. You’ve even purchased flexible fund mindful spaces for staff as well. You’ve sent students to the science seating, a rug, sensory materials for Teaching is demanding, and we want museum and to Circle the State with our students with special needs, and to make sure they always feel valued Song choir clinic. so much more. It’s been a busy first and empowered to take care of You’ve sent teachers on semester! themselves, even while at school. professional development to the Ron Because mental health is a focus

Christine Clay, fifth grade teacher at entralC Elementary, attended a professional development academy.

Western Oaks Middle School students learned about wildlife during a visit from the OKC Zoo organized by Library Media Specialist Emily Smith. A Putnam City High School student in Doug Flemming's classroom conducts a sound check on the new equipment they received for their auditorium.

Third graders in Molly McMullin- Yohe's class at Arbor Grove Elementary are very appreciative for the comfortable new rug. Harvest Hills Elementary first graders pick out a book from their new book cart in Cherisse Warren's classroom.

SPECIAL THANKS TO LAST QUARTER'S MAJOR DONORS Ash Grove Charitable Foundation James Murray Morris The Myers Trust Dr. Kenneth Cooper Paper 'N More The Nix Foundation First United Bank Lee & Vivian Rice Neil Woodward, III Inasmuch Foundation Sodexo Independent Insurance Agents Sovereign Title Services of Greater Oklahoma City TEAM Professional Services

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BOARD OF TRUSTEES The Ambassadors DiAnne Bryant, Secretary Community Volunteer No it’s not a doo-wop group from the 1950s (though that might be a fun Jeannie Carter thing for us to do). This is a group of teachers from across our district who are High Yield Consulting, LLC taking a few minutes at a monthly faculty meeting to share some information Lawrence Fugett about the Foundation with their staff. MassMutual Dr. Laura Garrett, Vice Chair While we make visits to every school each year, there are so many great Tulsa Community College things going on in the Foundation, that we need more chances to inform the Paul Hurst staff. Ambassadors have also been asked to help their colleagues write YES! Community Volunteer Grants. Patrick Ivey Cox HomeLife We’re going to be highlighting Michael T. Leake, Jr., Treasurer these extra-generous teachers Wiggins Sewell & Ogletree throughout the year, starting with John Milner Milestone Realty, LLC Northridge Elementary's Linda Jessica Sherrill Frantz who has already helped a Oklahoma City Public Schools colleague win a grant! Chuck Thomas, Chair PP: Where are you going on your Sodexo Matt Winzeler dream vacation? First United Bank Anyone who knows me, knows ADVISORY BOARD that my dream vacation would be Roger Cude traveling to the International Space Water's Edge Winery Station. Being able to witness the Jamie Elmore beauty of the Earth from the still Bank of the West Sarita Johnson quiet of space and then share that Citizens Bank of Edmond Linda Frantz and students work on a project in experience with my students would Michelle Nisbett the STEM Lab at Northridge Elementary. be amazing! International Pentecostal Holiness Church PP: Who is at your Dinner Party of Famous People? Brad Poarch The guest list for my famous people dinner party would include (in no Cory’s Audio Visual particular order): Jerry Lewis, Neil Armstrong, Jesus, Albert Einstein, Abraham EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS Lincoln, Harriet Tubman, Christa McAuliffe, Jane Austen, Katherine Johnson, Dr. Fred Rhodes, Superintendent Amelia Earhart, and Will Rogers. Putnam City Schools PP: What do you love most about teaching? Sheradee Hurst, Director of Communications The thing I love most about teaching is helping students realize they are able Putnam City Schools to achieve mighty things. Yes, there may be some disappointment and failure Gail LoPresto, President along the way, but with perseverance and problem solving, success is right Putnam City School Board around the corner. Jennifer Seal, NBCT, President Putnam City Schools Foundation

About Us Contact Us Our mission is to enhance and enrich the Foundation Office educational opportunities of children in 5401 NW 40th St Oklahoma City, OK 73122 Learn More Putnam City Schools. We serve the students, (405) 495-5200, Ext.1205 teachers, and staff of Oklahoma’s fifth- Please visit our website to learn about largest school district, through support, Jennifer Seal, NBCT our programs, coming events, and how President you can become involved: recognition, and advocacy, and have for over [email protected] www.pcf4kids.org 30 years. More than 19,500 children and their Kris Baggerly Communications & Programs Coordinator Follow Us @pcf4kids families benefit from the work we do every [email protected] day. The support we provide doesn’t just Stay up to date with all the latest news! impact our schools. It enables our students Sharon Williams Community Relations & Engagement to dream big and continue building the Coordinator strong community we share. [email protected]

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