2008-09 News

The Latest EPS News

March 11, 2010
Enid Announces Largest Public Education Donation in State History

Enid, OK - The largest monetary gift to an Oklahoma school district was announced this week in Enid.

Nine businesses and individuals contributed $3.4 million to Enid Public Schools to assist with capital improvement needs. The funds will be coupled with a $99 million bond issue recently approved by Enid voters. The private donation is the largest ever contributed to an Oklahoma kindergarten to 12th-grade school system.

"The businesses and individuals involved have set the bar high for what a private/public partnership can accomplish," said Shawn Hime, Enid Public Schools' superintendent. "What an incredible way to invest in our children and to invest in the future of this community. Their gift will impact Enid for generations."

The private donors include: Continental Resources (NYSE: CLR), $1.5 million; Advance Food Company, $1 million; Groendyke Transport, $250,000; Atwoods, $200,000; Lew and Myra Ward, $125,000; Security National Bank, $100,000; the Dillingham Family, $100,000; Parrish Enterprises Ltd., $100,000; and Northcutt Auto Group, $25,000.

Business leaders in Enid said they understand that strong schools play an important role in economic development. They pointed to the connection between quality education and a thriving local economy. Education is essential to a community's quality of life, they said.

Harold Hamm, chairman and CEO of Continental Resources, said his involvement in the project stems from his belief that public education impacts, not only the future of individuals, but also the success of a community. Continental Resources is an Enid-based independent natural gas and oil exploration and production company with operations in the Rocky Mountain, Mid-Continent and Gulf Coast regions of the United States.

"Quality public schools certainly have provided me the opportunity to escape the poverty cycle. I also want to express my gratitude to the other private donors for their participation in this noble endeavor. It is indeed rare for the private sector to fund primary education," Hamm said. "The importance of building exceptional public schools cannot be understated. As a CEO recruiting professional talent to Enid, I frequently see the significance of a strong school system in attracting and retaining talented people for our community. Passing this school bond election is among the most significant achievements our community has accomplished and will pay dividends for decades."

Paul Allen, co-founder of Advance Food Company, said he hopes Enid's private/public partnership will inspire others to invest in public education. Advance Food Company, founded in Enid, is a leading national manufacturer of value-added, center-of-the-plate meat products, reaching customers through restaurants, foodservice venues, schools and universities, military bases and healthcare facilities.

"We have a passion for this community. One of the foundations of a great community is a strong public education system. We are thankful the community feels the same and passed the school bond," Allen said. "We are pleased to participate in this donation and help reduce the financial burden on the community. With these tough economic times, the private sector needs to stretch itself and be financially supportive of community improvements."

The contributions will be used to help fund a three-year facility improvement plan developed by Enid residents. The donations and bond funds will be used to update all district schools and build two new elementary schools.

The private donations allowed the district to lessen the amount of its bond issue request, while also keeping taxes as low as possible for local residents.

"The generosity of these companies created new possibilities for our schools," Hime said. "As you look around Enid, and take in what makes it special, you'll find the footprints of these companies everywhere. They are true community partners, and we're glad to have them as friends of Enid Public Schools. There's not a thank you big enough for what they've done."

Enid Public Schools consists of one high school, three middle schools, 10 elementary schools, an alternative academy and adult education center. Its highly qualified teaching staff serves 6,800 students and a community of 50,000 residents. Last year, Enid Public Schools' enrollment grew by nearly 5 percent, outpacing other districts across the state.

March 10, 2010
OCEC Recognizes EHS Athlete and Teacher

The Oklahoma Council for Exceptional Children recently bestowed two state-wide awards to members of the Enid High School family - one to a teacher and one to a student.

KayeLoni Moulton, EHS student, was selected for the OCEC "Yes I Can" Award in athletics. KayeLoni was selected for outstanding achievement in bowling, bocce, horseshoes, volleyball, track and field, cheerleading, softball and art and music. She is also an accomplished swimmer and a member of the EHS Pacer swim team. She will represent Oklahoma in the Special Olympics National Summer Games in 2010.

"KayeLoni thrives on the competition, the camaraderie, and the challenge of each sport," her teacher wrote in her nomination. "She has developed a strong sense of confidence in her abilities (although she will tell you she is nervous before each competition). She is a leader within our program …"

Dusty Hugaboom, EHS science teacher, was named OCEC's 2010 Outstanding General Education Teacher. The award honors an outstanding general education teacher in Oklahoma who is currently employed by a public school district. He or she must have taught general curriculum a minimum of three years and made a significant contribution to the education of students with exceptionalities in that setting.

"It is a privilege to have him as (my child's) teacher," one parent wrote in her nomination letter. "He is what teaching is about. I hope that you will consider him for this prestigious award. I couldn't imagine a teacher more deserving than him."

Hugaboom and KayeLoni were presented with their awards at the OCEC state conference last month.

March 10, 2010
EHS Speech/Debate Students Qualify for Regional Competition

Fourteen Enid High School speech and debate students are headed to regional competition this weekend, March 12-13 at Rose State College in Midwest City.

The competition includes Lincoln-Douglas debate, as well as individual events such as public speaking, extemporaneous speaking, poetry and prose readings and acting events.

Regional qualifiers include: Alan Tarin, in five events; Emily Payne and Savannah Whipple, both in three events; Jeanie LaFon, Michelle Locke, Katie Huse, and Sean Allen, each in two events. Other qualifiers include Elizabeth Lewis, Sara Loos, Lacey Whipple, Win Offill, Kayla Dearing, Chris Andrukaitis, and Jessica Reeves.

The students are coached by Lisa Hamilton and Tana Germundson.

The EHS speech and debate team will enter regionals in the midst of a successful season. They won a sweepstakes trophy at three of the four qualifying tournaments they attended. They earned first place at the Jenks High School tournament.

Students who qualify at regionals will then compete at state next month. It is hosted by the University of Oklahoma.

February 24, 2010
Carver Adult Education Enrollment through March 5

Enrollment for Carver Education Center's Academic Improvement Classes is slated for March 1-5. Those interested should visit Carver, 815 S. 5th, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. or call 237-1400 to enroll by phone.

Limited seating is available, and classes will close March 9.

Carver offers FREE classes to help participants prepare for the new state high school diploma (GED) test, as well as to improve their academic skills. Students receive academic assessments to ensure proper placement. Curriculum includes instruction by quality teachers and reinforcement through the school's computer lab software.

Classes will be available in five core subjects: math, English, science, social studies and literature. Classes begin March 8 and will be conducted Mondays through Thursdays, 9-11:30 a.m. ESL classes will be offered Mondays through Thursdays from 1-3:30 p.m. and Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6-9 p.m.

The program is sponsored by Enid Public Schools and the State Department of Education's Lifelong Learning Section.

February 19, 2010
EPS Names Teachers of the Year

Enid Public Schools is proud to announce the 2009-2010 Teachers of the Year.

The 2009-10 EPS building-level Teachers of the Year are: Jamie Aguilar, Adams Elementary; Debra Loop, Coolidge Elementary; Karen Boileau, Eisenhower Elementary; Janet Jones, Garfield Elementary; Dale Denny, Glenwood Elementary; Jean McCollough, Hayes Elementary; Sandra Lippard, Hoover Elementary; Donita McClurg, McKinley Elementary; Jaci Tolbert, Monroe Elementary; Susan Shewey, Taft Elementary; Heather Reames, Emerson Middle; Sheila Collins, Longfellow Middle; David Fischer, Waller Middle; Erin Merritt, Enid High; and Connie Hood, Lincoln Academy.

"I am pleased to congratulate these outstanding educators," Superintendent Shawn Hime said. "Every day, they come to school and give everything they've got to ensure success for our students. This award is important because it is a special way that colleagues say, 'thank you,' and 'job well done.' Today, I join them as they applaud the efforts of these talented and caring teachers."

The honorees, selected by their colleagues at each school, will now be considered for Enid Teacher of the Year. An announcement will be made during a special event later this semester. The winner will then represent Enid Public Schools in the state-wide competition.

EPS Teachers of the Year are often recognized at the state-level for their skills and achievement. In recent years, the district has had three Teacher of the Year state finalists, as well as two Rising Stars, which recognizes accomplished educators who have been in the classroom for less than five years. Get to know the 2009-10 building-level Teachers of the Year

February 19, 2010
EPS Teachers Earn National Board Certification

Three more Enid Public Schools teachers, Janet Jones, Rhonda Harlow and Cristin Ashcraft, recently attained National Board Certification, one of the profession's top honors.

Jones is a fifth-grade teacher at Garfield Elementary School. Harlow is a reading specialist at Monroe Elementary School, and Ashcraft is library media specialist at Waller Middle School.

An "extraordinary group," is how U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan referred to this year's class of National Board Certified Teachers. He said teachers and school counselors who have achieved National Board Certification this year have "demonstrated a commitment of taking their teaching practice to an entirely different level," adding, "these are amazing leaders."

EPS has 31 nationally certified teachers, and more than 20 other nationally certified professionals including speech and occupational therapists and school nurses.

"EPS has an incredible teaching staff," Superintendent Shawn Hime said. "I applaud these teachers for taking this step. It is a well-respected, rigorous process. This distinction is good for them and for the district, but most importantly, it will benefit our students."

The National Board of Professional Teaching Standards has more than 20 years of experience in developing rigorous standards and corresponding assessments for teachers who want to demonstrate advanced teaching knowledge, skills and practices.

NBPTS is an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan and nongovernmental organization governed by a board of directors, the majority of whom are classroom teachers. For more information about NBPTS, please visit http://www.nbpts.org.

October 12 , 2009
Carver Accepting Pre-Enrollment

Enrollment is open for Carver Education Center's Academic Improvement Classes. Those interested should visit Carver, 815 S. 5th, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. or call 237-1400 to enroll by phone. Limited seating will be available after October 14.

Carver offers FREE classes to help participants prepare for the new GED test, as well as to improve their academic skills. Students receive academic assessments to ensure proper placement. Curriculum includes instruction by quality teachers and reinforcement through the school's computer lab software.

Classes will be available in five core subjects: math, English, science, social studies and literature. Classes begin October 19 and will be conducted Mondays through Thursdays, 9-11:30 a.m. and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6-9 p.m. ESL classes will be offered Mondays through Thursdays from 1-3 p.m.

Assessment dates for new students will be October 19-23.

The program is sponsored by Enid Public Schools and the State Department of Education's Lifelong Learning Section.

September 3 , 2009
Planning for the Future
EHS to Host College Fair This Month
Enid High School students and other area juniors and seniors are invited to attend the EHS College Fair on Tuesday, September 15 from 8:30-10:15 a.m. in the school's food court, located in the east wing at 611 W. Wabash.

According to Anita Trojan, EHS guidance department chair, dozens of colleges, universities, career tech centers and military representatives will be on-site to visit with students.

For more information, call the EHS Guidance Office at 234-3615.

July 22, 2009
EPS Enrollment Verification Coming Soon
As the 2009-10 school year approaches, parents and students are asked to mark their calendars for Enid Public Schools' enrollment verification dates.

"Enrollment verification is very important, because it tells us how many students are planning to attend our district this fall," Amber Graham Fitzgerald, Director of School & Community Relations, said. "Although we pre-enroll in the spring, we know that families move over the summer... to and from our district, as well as within our district. Enrollment verification helps us create the best learning environment for students by managing class sizes and schedules for the coming year."

Enrollment verification and new student enrollment for all elementary schools will be July 31 from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Parents are asked to call or visit their child's school.

Secondary schools will have enrollment verification and schedule pick-up at the following times:

Enid High School
9th grade August 4 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
10th grade August 4 8-10 a.m.
11th grade August 3 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
12th grade August 3 8-10 a.m.
New Students August 5 & 7 9-11:30 a.m., 1-3 p.m.
New Students August 6 9-11:30 a.m., 1-3 p.m., 6-8 p.m.

Emerson Middle School
6th-8th grade & New Students August 3-5 5:30-8 p.m.

Longfellow Middle School
6th-8th grade August 4-6 8 a.m.-12 p.m. / 1-3 p.m.
New Students July 29 & 30 8 a.m.-12 p.m. / 1-3 p.m.

Waller Middle School
6th-8th grade & New Students July 29-31 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
For those interested in getting an early start on their school shopping, supply lists for each elementary school and grade can be downloaded by visiting www.enidpublicschools.org. Lists are also available at a number of local discount and school supply stores.

EPS classes begin August 12. For more information, please call Amber Fitzgerald at 234-5270.

July 28, 2009
You're Invited: EPS Open House
The Enid Public Schools school year kicks off August 12, but parents, students and community members are invited for a sneak peek during open house activities in early August.

Students and their families will be given the opportunity to meet their teachers, talk with their principals, put their supplies in their desks and tour their buildings. Parents will also be able to sign-up to volunteer.

According to Amber Fitzgerald, Director of School & Community Relations, open house allows students to be better prepared for their first day of school..

"It's a great a way to start the school year. Open house gives students an opportunity to see their classrooms, to meet their teachers and visit with classmates," she said. "The teachers and principals want the back-to-school events to be fun and to help students prepare for the first day of school."

Many schools will host booths from their respective PTA organizations, as well as other community organizations such as the Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts.

While many of the Open House activities revolve around the students and their families, community members are encouraged to visit their neighborhood schools during this special time.

The EPS Open House Schedule for August 6 is as follows: Emerson Middle School, 5:45-8:15 p.m.; Longfellow Middle School, 5:30-7:30 p.m.; and Waller sixth-grade, 5:45-8:15 p.m. The schedule for August 10 is elementary schools, 5:30 -7 p.m.; and Waller eighth and ninth-grade, 6:30 - 8:15 p.m. and 7:30-8:15 p.m., respectively. EHS open house will be August 11 from 6:30-8 p.m.

All media inquiries should be forwarded to Amber Graham Fitzgerald