Our school theme this year is "Every Minute Matters." Tahlequah Public Schools understands that a child’s education is a shared responsibility among parents, families, schools, and the community. Active family and community engagement is essential for a child's development and overall well-being. It fosters a sense of belonging, support, and connection, while enhancing communication and building strong relationships. This collaboration not only promotes academic success but also encourages consistent school attendance, which is vital for learning and growth.
The Tahlequah Public Schools Outreach Center is here to assist you! Our office is located at 403 N. Mission Street in Tahlequah, and you can reach us at 918-458-4198. Amy Spears, our office manager and grants clerk, is available to help you connect with the right staff member for your needs. In addition to her other duties, Amy oversees our Backpack Program, which supports families with SNAP benefits. Tahlequah Public Schools Backpack Program provides over 200 students with shelf-stable “snack packs” every week, ensuring they have food to take home. Extra food is also distributed during school breaks and throughout the summer months. This program relies entirely on generous community donations. If you’d like to contribute to the Backpack Program, please make your check payable to Tahlequah PS and write “Backpack Program” in the subject line. Thank you for your support!
We provide additional resources for our families through our partnership with the Oklahoma Food Bank. One of our food pantries is located at Tahlequah High School and is open to the public. Students can access the pantry through self-referral, or parents and guardians can call to schedule an appointment. To make an appointment with our School-Based Services provider, Kaitlyn Johnson, please call 918-458-4198. She is also available to assist families with appointments, transportation barriers, and enrollment for SoonerCare services.
We are excited to announce the expansion of our partnership with the Department of Human Services, which connects our community's resources with students’ needs! We welcome Mrs. Arden Sampson as the School-Based Family Resource Liaison at Tahlequah Middle School, and we’re pleased to have Mrs. Donnie Phillips step into the role of School-Based Family Service Liaison at our elementary sites. This partnership recognizes the direct correlation between a child’s basic well-being and their academic outcomes, allowing us to focus on removing barriers so that students arrive at school ready to learn.
Effective communication between home and school is essential for student success. When families engage actively, they form partnerships that focus on helping children grow and thrive. Parents can get involved in various ways, such as accessing the Sylogist (WenGage) Parent Portal to check their child’s grades and lunch accounts, attending parent-teacher conferences, and participating in school family nights. These nights feature events like math and literacy activities, discussions on important topics such as the dangers of vaping and social media, and a student FAFSA night. This year, Tahlequah Best hosted "Hidden in Plain Sight," an interactive awareness program showcasing items that may indicate behaviors associated with substance abuse. We always welcome suggestions or ideas for future family night themes.
Without our community partners, Tahlequah Public Schools would not be what it is today. We are fortunate to have a community that genuinely cares for our students. Generous donations of clothing, shoes, hygiene products, backpacks, and many other essential items have made a significant impact. We are committed to building more partnerships throughout the community to eliminate barriers and support our students’ success. Be sure to check out our Facebook page, Tahlequah Public Schools - Outreach Center, for updates on upcoming holiday events.
Written by Nikki Molloy, Director of Special Services