Congratulations to Mrs. Rhonda Cegielski!  Rhonda is an American History teacher in the Junior High.  Rhonda has been selected as one of the final six Junior-High finalists for the Professional Oklahoma Educators "Excellence in Education" Awards.  The finalists will be honored at the annual Professional Oklahoma Educators "Foundation Excellence in Education Merit & Character Awards Banquet", scheduled for 6:30 p.m., April 17, 2015, at the POEF Conference Center in Noble, Oklahoma.

This event is held to recognize and reward Oklahoma educators who demonstrate a commitment to their students and strength of character and excellence in the classroom. Award nominees must submit several documents with their applications, including reference letters from students, parents and administrators. 

Ginger Tinney, Executive Director of the Foundation and the affiliated association of teachers, Professional Oklahoma Educators, said she hopes this evening to reward excellence in education will "serve as an encouragement not only to Oklahoma educators, but also to the many businesses and organizations that influence the character building and intellectual development of the children who will shape our community in the future."

The below-listed 28 educators and four school sites will all be recognized at the awards banquet. This year's awards include four merit award categories: elementary, middle school/junior high, high school, special education. There are also two character award categories: teacher and school.

Verdigris Public Schools is now accepting applications for Accounts Payable / Activity Funds Clerk.  Please apply online

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma
• Accounts Payable/Financial experience desired
• Good math skills
• Previous school experience
• Good telephone etiquette
• Computer skills
• Confidentiality of information

Duties:

• Manage/Coordinate Activity Fund
• Accounts Payable
• Handling of cash
• Assist Superintendent Administrative Assistant when needed

Congratulations to Sirenity Danderson for finishing in the top 10 out of over 50 contestants at the Scripps Green Country Regional Spelling Bee!  Sirenity is our local Spelling Bee Champion!

New student enrollment for Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten will be on April 23 from 3:30-6:30 at the Early Childhood Development Center.  If your child already attends school at the ECDC you do NOT need to re-enroll.  This is for incoming Pre-kindergarteners and new kindergarteners to the district.

Just a reminder, that per the District Calendar there will be no-school Monday, February 16th 2015.

January 26, 2015

Lock Down

Parent / Guardian,

Thank you for your cooperation this morning during the schools lock down.  At approximately 7:20 am local law enforcement notified the school of a fugitive in the general area.  Although law enforcement does not believe the fugitive was ever near campus, we felt it prudent to lock down the campus as a precautionary measure pending further information.  At 8:05 am local law enforcement advised that it was appropriate to cancel the lock down and resume normal activities.  As always, our students’ safety remains our top priority. 

Again, thank you for your time and patience in this unusual situation.

I can be reached at 918-266-7227 or mpayne@vps.k12.ok.us for additional information.

United for Education,

Mike Payne

Superintendent,

Verdigris Public Schools   

SCHOOL BOARD LEADERS HONORED IN JANUARY

“SCHOOL BOARD RECOGNITION MONTH”

“School Boards Make a World of Difference”

The month of January is School Board Recognition Month – a time to salute the work of school board members and celebrate public education.  It is a time to honor the more than 2,700 elected school board members for untiring dedication to children and schools.

“The foundation of school leadership is ensuring equal learning opportunities for all students,” says Mike Payne, Superintendent.  “We’re proud of our district, and School Board Recognition Month is a time to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of our elected board members.”

In Verdigris Public Schools, school board members must develop policies and make tough decision on complex educational and social issues impacting the entire community.  They bear responsibility for an annual budget of nearly $8,000,000, 1260 students, 150 employees, and 9 buildings.

They carry out the truest form of representative government in our democracy-volunteer public service and preserve the core of our democratic land - Public Education.

Too often we neglect to recognize the dedication and hard work of these men and women who represent us.  I invite you to recognize and celebrate the work of your school board members.  Listed below are the men and women serving Verdigris Public Schools and their years of service.

Verdigris student Graham Curtsinger is proudly representing Verdigris Public Schools in a new show on the Lifetime channel.  Graham recently won the school Geography Bee for the second year in a row, and will go on and represent Verdigris Schools at the State Geography Bee competition 

According to Grahams family, the show has been a very positive thing for their family. Graham has currently made it through the second week of competition. Graham and his three siblings appreciate all the support they can get. 

Check out the link below for more details about Graham and the show on Lifetime.

http://www.mylifetime.com/shows/child-genius/cast/graham

JOM Elections!

October 21, 2014 from 6:00-7:00, in Junior High Room 185 (Mr. Nadal's )