Dust Disaster    The Dust Bowl of the 1930s sent billowing clouds of dust across the plains and left families homeless and hungry. Here's what two fourth-grade classes at James L. Dennis Elementary School learned about this difficult era. Black Sunday Revisited   April 14 is the 71st anniversary of Black Sunday, the day a brutal dust storm turned day into night and destroyed 5 million acres of wheat. Read what James L. Dennis Elementary School fourth-graders wrote about this unforgettable day. Podcasts of Dust Bowl and Black Sunday   Putnam City's first podcasts are now available. Listen to James L. Dennis Elementary School fourth-graders describe in their own words the devastation of the Dust Bowl and Black Sunday. An Academy Award   Putnam City Academy recently received the 2006 Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence Award in Alternative Education. Read more about this school "where miracles happen." Academy Receives A+   Putnam City Academy is one of two schools in the state recognized as an A+ Oklahoma Network School. The designation indicates schools that take a holistic approach to learning. Achievements Academic All-State  In the 19 years Academic All-Staters have been named by the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence, 96 Putnam City students have been so honored, more than from any school system in the state. Read about the latest honorees.  Students Earn Scholarships    One Putnam City North High School student and one Putnam City High School student have earned scholarships from the National Achievement® Scholarship Program. Arts of Gold   10 district students will receive medals from State Superintendent of Education Sandy Garrett for excellence in fine arts. The district's board of education and a principal will be honored, too. Art Throbs   District students and faculty show off their artistic talents. District Students Do DECA Right   When DECA students from across the state gathered for competition in marketing, Putnam City students took honor after honor. Student Achievements   From drawing an assignment to conduct research at OMRF to drawing award-winning posters, district students are continuing their winning ways. Essay Takes Elementary Student to D.C.   A Central Intermediate School student will attend a caucus in Washington, D.C., thanks to an essay in which she presented a way for schools to increase parental involvement.  District Staff Does the Honors   District teachers and other staff members are earning awards and receiving grants. Outstanding Support Staff Awards   The Putnam City Public Schools Foundation honors five employees for their efforts in making schools stronger and better. Especially for Staff Summer Technology Training   Summer is just around the corner and the Technology Department has a full lineup of great technology classes available free of charge. Try cutting edge classes in blogging, podcasting and GarageBand, or improve your abilities in basics like Groupwise and PowerPoint. Teacher Job Fair   On Tuesday, April 25, Putnam City will host its teacher job fair. Last year 46 percent of new teachers the district hired were people we talked to at our job fair. Read the details and then talk it up!

Tutors Help Wiley Post Students Soar   Students from Putnam City North High School are visiting Wiley Post Elementary School on a daily basis to help younger students master math. Dry Run   The Kirkland Elementary School running club went for an early morning jog with school volunteer Forrest Carlile a few days before the school's Kirkland Klassic. The annual 5k race and 1-mile family fun run was held on April 1. The event raised more than $1,000 for playground improvements, classroom supplies and library books. Learning Can Be A Drag   Putnam City High School students in late March checked out an NHRA-style top fuel drag racer its owners refer to as "the longest and loudest visual aid in existence." Students gathered information and asked questions about aerodynamics, laws of motion, volumes, ratios, torques and numerous other science and math concepts. Laying It On the Line   An OG&E  lineman tells Ralph Downs Elementary School students how to avoid shocks from downed power lines. The presentation was part of a McReady Oklahoma assembly teaching students severe storm and tornado safety. Especially for Parents Sleep-Deprived Teens   The National Sleep Foundation says too little sleep for too many teens means falling asleep in class, arriving late to school, feeling down and driving drowsy. Teens and Stress   Take a look at some of the pressures your teen faces today, and learn how you can help. Tornado Safety   Tornado season is upon us. Here's information you can use to help keep your family safe. Send Us Your News   When you have news to share in Putnam City Now, please send information to slindley@putnamcityschools.org