Jenks Public Schools

Selfless servant. It's how you can describe all 20 of the 2024 Vision of Excellence Award winners. These JPS employees are recognized for being leaders at their site or department. They embrace and embody continuous improvement, while consistently placing the needs of their students and colleagues above their own. Nominated by peers and members of the public, VOE winners are selected by the JPS Foundation and announced at the annual Back to School Rally. Congrats to all of the 2024 winners. Thank you for all you do to carry on the JPS tradition of excellence. Thank you to the Jenks Public Schools Foundation for recognizing our employees and making this program possible!

We're in our Trojan era! It was an incredible morning as all 1,700 JPS employees gathered at the Frank Herald Fieldhouse for our Eras Tour-themed Back to School Rally. Today, we celebrated together, laughed together, and inspired each other for the 2024-25 school year. And yes, that is Taylor Swift, aka Dr. Butterfield being revealed in a full sequence fit and Travis Kelce aka, coach Josh Elmer walking her off the stage. A huge thanks to our keynote speaker, Sean Bott for encouraging and reading the minds of our employees, the Jenks Public Schools Foundation for sponsoring the t-shirts, and all community partners, food sponsors, and volunteers who made this event a success. Make this an era to remember, Trojans!

Join us in congratulating Makayla Melton on being named the 2023-24 JPS Classified Employee of the Year! Makayla is a Paraprofessional at Jenks West Elementary, and she was selected as the District winner from among a group of 17 outstanding classified employees representing every site and department at JPS. According to her principals, Makayla is "a kid at heart who brings lightness and humor to our school and someone who has an innate ability to connect with all students in a way that makes them feel loved, valued, and respected." Thank you, Makayla, for all you do for our students every day. Watch to hear what it means to Makayla to receive this recognition and go to jenksps.org to learn more about our Classified Employee of the Year!

Thank you to all who participated and made our JPS District Job Fair a success! Incredible connections were made. If you couldn't stop by yesterday, check out our open positions! ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gS-7Km6y

Your opportunity to join our Trojan family and work in the best district in Oklahoma is quickly approaching! Representatives from all of our school sites are ready to meet you and answer your questions. Don't forget your resume! Attend the JPS Job Fair on April 9 from 3:30-5:30 pm at the Education Service Center. We'll see you there!

Stunned and speechless. Sydnie Ritze was completely caught off guard this afternoon when Dr. Butterfield announced her as the 2023-24 Jenks Public Schools District Teacher of the Year! Mrs. Ritze, AVID and English teacher at Jenks High School, is a champion and cheerleader for her students. She is a fierce advocate for public education and believes that what students need most is someone who believes in them. She never wanted to be anything but a teacher and now, in her 11th year at Jenks High School, she is the recipient of the highest honor the District can bestow on a teacher. “To receive this award is one of the most humbling and overwhelming moments of my life. I work with such amazing individuals who are so good at what they do. I am overjoyed, and to be selected to represent Jenks Public Schools in this way is truly humbling.” Please join us in congratulating Sydnie Ritze on earning this prestigious award!

And now, the winners for best employees in a supporting role... JPS employs more than 800 classified staff members and these 17 employees were selected by their colleagues to represent all JPS sites and departments as the 2023-24 Classified Employees of the Year. Not only do these employees play an essential role in the day-to-day operations of the District, they provide vital services to our students, families, and fellow employees. Every day, these employees approach their work with an attitude of positivity, humility, and dedication. They lift up their peers, lead by example, and put the interests of others before their own. These members of the JPS Trojan Family are truly deserving of this recognition!

So many of our administrators were shaped by public education. They are giving back because they know firsthand what it means to students when educators and education professionals invest in them. Everyone deserves an equal opportunity to succeed. Well said, Catrina. #PSW24 #PublicSchoolProud

Did you know? JPS has over 800 classified employees who work with students and behind the scenes to support the daily work of the district. We couldn't do what we do without people like Jennifer Odegaard and so many others. #PSW24 #PublicSchoolProud

It's Public Schools Week and we're proud. Our employees work incredibly hard every day to serve our students and their families. They could work in other industries or jobs, but they choose to work here because they believe in the mission of public schools. This week, we'll hear from a few of our employees on what public education means to them. #PSW24 #PublicSchoolsProud