Putnam City’s Will Rogers Elementary School has earned the recognition of commitment distinction as part of National PTA’s Parent Involvement Schools of Excellence Certification. The recognition was awarded for the school’s commitment to national standards for parent/family involvement programs and for pursuing excellence in parent involvement. Will Rogers is the only school in Oklahoma to have earned the recognition of commitment from the National PTA. Coronado Heights Elementary School is already one of 12 Oklahoma schools to have earned the National PTA Certification of Excellence, given to schools that have outstanding parent involvement practices in place.

Kim McLaughlin, a first-grade teacher at Wiley Post Elementary School, is the Heartland Rotary Club teacher of the month for September

Putnam City High School’s Jhavonne Pope won the national title in the 400-meter dash while competing in the young women’s division of the Junior Olympics in Des Moines in early August. Since Pope won the national title, she was named to the AAU All-America team for the 2004 outdoor track season. Pope was the Class 6A state champion in the 100 meters, 200 meters and 400 meters last season.