Putnam City - Public Schools Foundation

 

            Ever wonder what's really happening in schools these days?

Thirty-three northwest citizens recently had the opportunity to find out as they served as "Principal for a Day" in the Putnam City Schools last Wednesday, December 9.  The adults - business leaders, graduates, parents, and elected officials, had the opportunity to shadow the principals, visit classrooms, ad talk to teachers and students in 25 different schools from elementary through high school as part of a program conducted by the Putnam City Schools Foundation.  

            In its eighth year, this annual event is designed to help create an awareness and understanding of Putnam City Schools and open to the doorto business-education partnerships, said Caroline Gist, Foundation Director.

            This year's principals for a day included Christin Baker and Tabbi VanHoutte from Allegiance Credit Union; Teri Chadick, Ryan Harquist,and JR Webster from Tinker Federal Credit Union; Ken Koch and Stacy Tiger from Frances Tuttle Technology Center; Attorneys Richard Farris, Lindsay
LeFevers Archer, and Jackie Short.  

            Also participating were Warr Acres Mayor Pat Woolley and State Representative Jason Nelson, as well as Putnam City Foundation Board members Hayley Attalla, Kelli Neuenschwander, and graduates Melissa Fowlkes and Mark
Harvey, who now works at the Oklahoma Heart Hospital.  

            Other volunteers were Channel 9 Weather Man Jed Castles, Singer/Actress Joan Collee, CASA Director Lee Ann Limber, and OKC ThunderCommunity Relations Manager Wyjuana Montgomery, as well as Jason Connelly from Presidio Networked Solutions; David Copeland from Spring;  Doyce
Crandall from LifeTouch, and Steve Curry from The Hartford.  

            Additionally, Ryan Parker from the Marriott Hotel, Tracy Schwarz from YNB Peoples Bank; Jack Snoddy from the SCORE program; Kerry Graham fromSnap Fitness;  Joy Hamilton form Chesapeake;  Josh Fowlkes from Great White
Energy Services; Cathy Hersom from Church of The Servant; and schools patron Sherry Fair and grant writer Karla Finnell, enjoyed the day.

             Gist said the program gives community volunteers an opportunity to see a school in action.  Past participants have walked away impressed with the way the teachers engaged the students and inspired of the kind of external support schools need.  Last year's event spurred several new commitments in school mentors and a leadership partnership between the
Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz and Putnam City West Athletic Department.  

            After spending the morning in the schools, the temporary principals and their full time counterparts met back at the Putnam City Schools administration building for a lunch provided by Presidio NetworkedSolutions.  There they were surprised with a visit from Actor James Marsden, a 1991 graduate of Putnam City North who has starred in such films as 27

Dresses and The Notebook. Marsden will be honored as the 2010 inducteee to the Putnam City Foundation's Wall of Fame at their Annual Banquet Tuesday, April 20 at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum.

            Over the last 20 years, the Putnam City Public Schools Foundation has invested more than $1.25 million in Putnam City Schools. Their goal is to create better citizens and a stronger community by enhancing and enriching education for all Putnam City Schools students and teachers.  

            For more information about this and other programs of the Putnam City Foundation, visit the website at www.pc4kids.org or call 405-495-5200ext. 1205.