Hurricane Help   Like many schools, Coronado Heights Elementary School sought to help victims of Hurricane Katrina. The difference was, the entire effort was planned and carried out by the students.  Features Bond Election Just Days Away   On Tuesday, Oct. 11, Putnam City voters will vote on a $31.9 million bond proposal intended to maintain sound schools, sustain high-quality academic environments and enhance learning opportunities for district students. Flexible Friday   Putnam City High is instituting a program known as "Flexible Friday" to provide hundreds of students each week with tutoring in subject areas where they need the most help. Good Stuff   Ready to hear some good news about public education? The Center on Education Policy has created Do You Know ... The Latest Good News About American Education. Today’s students are taking harder courses, achieving at higher levels and earning more degrees, to note just a few improvements. Check out the report!   Achievements and Awards Students Merit Recognition   Five district students have been named National Merit Semifinalists by officials of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Students Commended   Six students have been named as "Commended Students" in the 2006 National Merit Scholarship Program. High Achievers Recognized   The National Achievement Program names two district students as semifinalists. Students Recognized as AP Scholars   Sixty students from Putnam City high schools earned the designation of AP Scholar in recognition of their exceptional achievement on the college-level Advanced Placement exams. District Students Enter Leadership Academy   Ten of 36 students selected in late September for Francis Tuttle Technology Center's Superintendent's Leadership Academy are from Putnam City. Give Me An A!   Putnam City North's cheerleading squad wins the state academic championship. Quarterback on List of Top Players   Putnam City North High School quarterback Sam Bradford is one of 400 high school players under consideration to play in the 2006 U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Teacher has Monopoly on Award   Barbara Minton, a business teacher at Putnam City High, won first place in a statewide contest with a lesson plan using a Monopoly board. Cornish Win   Aimee Cornish, a 5th grade teacher at Putnam City’s James L. Dennis Elementary School, has been named Outstanding Elementary Teacher of the Year by the Oklahoma Council for the Social Studies. Principal Honored   Wiley Post Elementary School Principal Stephanie Treadway has been named winner of the Oklahoma School Administrator Award by the Oklahoma Association of School Library Media Specialists. Foreign Service   A Putnam City High School Spanish teacher has been named the state's Foreign Language Teacher of the Year. If They Are Great, You Must Nominate   Nomination forms are now available for 2006 Academic All-State scholarships. Nomination forms are also available for the Oklahoma Medal for Excellence Awards in Teaching and Administration, and the Oklahoma Medal for Excellence Awards in Alternative Education. Golden Moments   The deadline for nominations for the fall Golden Apple Awards is coming up. Honor an employee or volunteer for promoting excellence in education! Events Striking the Right Note   More than 2,000 student musicians playing in 22 high school marching bands will take part in the Fifth Annual Putnam City Marching Classic on Saturday, Oct. 8, at Putnam City Stadium, 5300 N.W. 50th. Attention All Golfers   The Putnam City Public Schools Foundation is inviting all golfers in the community to take part in the annual Foundation Golf Tournament in mid-October. Into the Woods   Join a group of fairy tale favorites as they encounter a witch, a big bad wolf, and some princes, stepsisters and giants when they venture into the woods in search of living happily ever after. Witty dialogue, inventive song lyrics, and a lush musical score from Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine are guaranteed in this production by Putnam City West’s Performing Arts Department. Especially for Parents Helping Children Cope with Disaster   If you’re wondering how to help your children cope in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina or other disasters, here are websites you can visit for information. Learning to Drive? Leave the Cell Phone Alone   The National Transportation Safety Board is urging states to prohibit inexperienced teenaged drivers from using wireless communications devices while they are learning to drive. Eat Cereal, Weigh Less   A new study says girls who frequently eat cereal weigh less, on average, than girls who do not eat cereal. Should You Keep Your Child Home from School? What to do when your child is showing symptoms of illness. Especially for Teachers Teacher Scholarships Offered   Oklahoma teachers can apply through Oct. 31 for professional development scholarships administered by the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence. Free Economic Education Workshops and Curriculum   The Oklahoma Council on Economic Education has several workshops scheduled in early to mid-October for K-12 teachers. Teachers' Retirement    Some say the teachers' retirment system should be strengthened through what is known as the "wear-away" plan. Read the article, "Active members push hard for formula change," in the summer newsletter of the teachers' retirement system of Oklahoma to learn more.

Students Seek Whirled Peace   Northridge Elementary School fifth-grade students placed more than 500 colorful, student-made pinwheels into the school’s lawn on International Peace Day, Sept. 21. On one side of each pinwheel was student art, while the other side held student sentiments about tolerance, cooperation, harmony, or unity. 15,000 Pies and Counting   Putnam City West's PTA is in its 22nd year of baking apple pies. Each year the PTA bakes about 700 pies, selling them for $10 each. The traditional pie sale is the main fundraiser for the PTA, which uses proceeds for purposes such as scholarships, after-prom parties to keep students safe, and luncheons for students and teachers. Students Practice Arrr-ticulation   Putnam City High School students competed in contest to find out which student could best talk like a pirate. The contest took place on national "Talk Like a Pirate Day" on Sept. 19. Sam's Club Puts Best Foot Forward   Tanya Flowers, bakery manager at The Sam's Club on N.W. Expressway, presents a check for $1,000 to John Murphey, Putnam City North High School assistant principal (left), and Tom Pecore, boys' soccer coach at Putnam City North. The donation was to the boys' soccer program. Visit from a Legend   Clara Luper, known to many as the mother of the Civil Rights movement, spoke to two classes at Putnam City West High School in mid-September. Luper talked about what it was like to stand up for equal rights in the late 1950s and early 1960s. When students noted it would be hard to make the sacrifices Luper made, such as being arrested 26 times, spit upon and threatened, Luper told them that they have the same abilities as does she to make a difference. During her extraordinary life, Luper has received 471 awards and honors. Photo by Katie Spaulding Top DOGS   More than 100 Central Elementary fathers signed up to be WatchDOGS at a recent "Doughnuts for Dad" event at the school. The WatchDOGS program asks fathers to volunteer at least one full day at the school, performing a variety of tasks such as assisting with recess, monitoring the school entrance, reading to students and helping load and unload buses and cars. According to the WatchDOGS national website, the program is a way to involve fathers, help create a safer, stronger school setting and provide positive male role models for students. Central is just one of several district schools launching a WatchDOGS program. Send Us Your News   When you have news to share in Putnam City Now, please send information to slindley@putnamcityschools.org