We are always ready for our students to return to school in August! They are our WHY! This year our theme is: EVERY MINUTE MATTERS! We commit to using every minute wisely to help your child succeed in school. We need you to commit to get them there every day possible!
We kicked off the school year for staff on August 9th with a back-to-school meeting in our Performing Arts Center. The Tahlequah Chamber of Commerce celebrated our staff in style with area vendor presentations, door prizes and a lively game of The Newlywed Game for the staff. We would like to thank the Chamber and the area business sponsors who put so much time, effort, and money into the welcome back event. A big thank you goes to Express RV Park, Express Stop, Northeastern Health System, PC Landing Zone, McDonalds, Armstrong Bank, NSU, BancFirst, August Press Coffee, Local Bank, and many other area businesses! We would also like to thank the Tahlequah Public Schools Foundation for arranging for a fantastic food truck lunch for all our staff on opening day! Thank you, Statewide Cleaning, American Fidelity, Dr. Webb, DDS, Keys Eye Care, Tahlequah Family Vision, Renewing Hope Counseling, Lowry’s Furniture, Tahlequah Lumber, 2 Sisters Financial, Reese Davis Investments, Cheer It Up and many more continual supporters of the Foundation for your donations. Over 500 employees enjoyed a great lunch together at THS. This day set a positive tone for the rest of the school year. We truly have the best community around!
On Monday, August 12th we welcomed our families back into our buildings for our open house events. Thousands of students and family members visited our seven sites. Parking lots were packed with cars and hallways were filled with people! 97% of the students at Sequoyah and Greenwood and 92% of the students at Cherokee and Heritage attended open house. At TMS, 91% of the families attended open house. At THS approximately 48% of the families visited and at Central Academy 70% of the virtual families attended the open meeting and 15% of the alternative program students stopped by for a visit. We would like to thank our families for taking time out of their busy schedules to kick this year off right! The relationship between the school and our families is the most valuable. It truly takes all of us to help these students have the best learning experience possible.
On Thursday, August 15th we welcomed back the 3600 plus students that were fully enrolled at TPS. At this time, we have more students in almost every grade level. Classrooms are full and school has started! All sites were busy the first few days of school forming positive relationships, reviewing expectations, and setting up the new school year for success. Student IDs, Chromebooks, textbooks, student ID badges and the secondary level, or other items have been handed out. We believe we have the best students, faculty, and families in the state, and we are ready to make this our best year yet!
Our goals for 2024-2025 school year are once again to increase academic achievement for all students, to create a positive culture for all stakeholders, and to maintain a safe and secure environment for all. Every decision we make in every area of school will keep these three goals in mind. We are tremendously proud of the academic growth that was measured by the state tests last spring! We believe that there is always room for improvement and are analyzing data and examining our practices to ensure continual growth in all academic areas. We are thankful for the people here that dedicate their life to serving others!
It is my honor to lead Tahlequah Public Schools. As always, if you have any comments, questions, or concerns, I am available. You may contact me by phone at 918.458.4100 or by email at jonest@tahlequahschools.org. Thank you and remember, “Once a Tiger, Always a Tiger!”
Written by Tanya Jones/Superintendent