Inside NPS

Welcome back!

A new school year is upon us, and after a long summer of anticipation, the energy and excitement of starting a new school year are off the charts. Even as an adult, this time of year still gets my blood pumping.

As I've met with teachers, staff, parents and community members over the past few weeks in preparation for another year, I have been inspired and uplifted to see so many smiling faces. The sense of optimism in our community and in our staff has truly energized me. It is humbling to know there are so many people actively engaged in making sure we continue to provide a world-class education experience for every student that walks through our doors.

Another new year brings a sense of renewal, opportunity and endless possibilities. It symbolizes the start of something amazing. While many students are full of that same excitement, some may also feel anxious, scared or need extra support. It is our commitment to you as parents, to make our mission each and every day to be the person your students need. To make personal connections, to identify needs and to do all that we can to fulfill them.

In working with my student advisory group last year and speaking with students from around the district, I have heard time and time again that a welcoming smile and friendly disposition can make a world of difference in a child's life. A positive relationship with a teacher can be the highlight of a student's day. I have challenged our staff to commit to being a bright spot in the lives of our students. We will take this air of contagious energy and let it inspire us to make a difference in the lives of the students that we serve day-in and day-out.

Safety continues to be a top priority for our schools and I want to encourage you all to help us ensure a safe learning environment by committing to the idea of "see something, say something." If you have concerns don't hesitate to contact district or school administrators. You can reach our Safety Tip Line by visiting our website and clicking the link on the top right of our home page or call the Oklahoma School Security Institute at 1-855-337-8300.

It is an honor and privilege to serve the students and families of the Norman community. Thank you for all that you do as parents to support our mission to prepare and inspire all students to achieve their potential. Let's get to it!

Sincerely,

Dr. Nick Migliorino

Superintendent

Norman Public Schools is now on Instagram! Follow @Norman_Schools for all the latest news and images from the district.

School is in full swing, and our Norman High and Norman North students are back! Video credit goes to our talented NPS student intern, Ashley Mercer!

Thanks to community members who voted for school bond funding, 18 new school buses have been added to our fleet. The new buses boast a variety of safety features such as black hoods to reduce glare, 360-degree aerial views, and audio alerts to warn of nearby pedestrians or vehicles. Sixteen additional buses will be delivered before the end of the school year.

Please let us know about your student enrollment experience by completing a brief survey. Your feedback will help us as we strive to make the online registration and enrollment processes easier for parents. Click here to take the survey.

Irving Middle School principal Jonathan Atchley is back at it, talking to students about their days, catching up with staff and parents and talking about all the good that happens in our schools!

Our district Teacher of the Year, Teresa Lansford, was named one of 12 finalists for the Oklahoma State Teacher of the Year Award! Click below to learn more.

These Tigers and Timberwolves are undefeated Robotics World Champions! Congratulations to our Norman Advanced Robotics team! Read more below.

OnCue stores across the state are rolling out a Support Oklahoma Schools collectors cup. For each cup sold in Norman, $.50 will be donated directly to Norman Public Schools. Stop in and get yours today! Read full details here.

Congratulations, Macey Stewart! Macey has been named one of the winners of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. This is the highest recognition a K-12 math or science teacher can achieve! We're so proud of you, Macey!

"Being honored with the Presidential Award is both validating and encouraging. It validates that the way we teach mathematics can build a strong foundation in mathematical reasoning and problem solving. It is different in this age of technology in that we are teaching students to problem solve, not just do computations. This award is encouraging to myself and all those in this profession who strive to make a difference." - Macey Stewart

Congratulations to Sharon Heatly, our guidance and counseling director, for being recognized among The Journal Record's fifty women who are making a difference! Read the article here.

Spotlighting female business and community leaders is what The Journal Record’s Woman of the Year program is all about.

“This is a tremendous class of 50 women making a difference in Oklahoma,” said Ted Streuli, former associate publisher and editor of The Journal Record. “They come from all parts of the state and represent all sectors, from law to health care, banking, nonprofits, media, academia and more. The Journal Record will be proud to honor each of these women in October.”

Congratulations to Wilson Elementary Principal Chris Crelia! He was selected as the statewide Pat Henry Award winner at the Oklahoma PTA State Convention!

Congratulations to Jenny Crow, physical education teacher at Adams Elementary, for being recognized as Oklahoma’s Rookie Coordinator of the Year by Healthy Schools OK!

Cliburn made the move to Jackson from just across town at Washington Elementary where she previously served as an assistant principal. She has been in the Norman Public School District since 2014. Prior to her time in Norman, she worked for Ada Public Schools for 10 years, including one year as principal at Hayes Grade Center.

She earned a bachelor of science degree in elementary education from East Central University in 1986 and has a pair of master’s degrees, one in school counseling in 2003 and one in school administration in 2007, from the ECU as well.

Eikel is an experienced educator who has worked in Norman Public Schools since 2009. She most recently served as the assistant principal at Roosevelt Elementary. Prior to her time as an administrator, she was a lead teacher, reading interventionist and principal intern at Lincoln Elementary. Eikel has also been a classroom teacher at Kennedy Elementary.

Eikel’s peers have selected her as the site Teacher of the Year at both Lincoln and Kennedy. A Kappa Delta Pi Honor Student, Eikel attended the University of Oklahoma to earn a masters degree in educational administration and a bachelors degree in education.

Steig, a Norman resident with 30 years of education experience, was most recently the principal at Edgemere Elementary in Oklahoma City. Prior to that role, Steig spent a year as an assistant principal at Jackson Middle School, also in the Oklahoma City Public School District, as well 11 years at Lakeview Elementary in Norman in a variety of positions. Steig was named a Norman Public Schools teacher of the year finalist in 2008.

Steig graduated from Northern Arizona University in 1984 with a bachelor of science degree in elementary education. She later completed a master’s degree in education, administration, curriculum and supervision at the University of Oklahoma, graduating in 2013 as a member Phi-Kappa-Phi National Honor Society.

Stone comes to Norman from Chickasha, where she spent the past four years as a principal at Grand Elementary School. Prior to her time as an administrator, Stone served as a trainer for Catapult Learning and also has been a reading specialist, literacy coach and classroom teacher in Purcell Public Schools. She has implemented tutoring programs for struggling readers and introduced STEM and coding programs to enhance students’ problem-solving skills.

Stone earned a bachelor of science degree in elementary education from the University of Science and Arts in Chickasha and holds a masters degree as a reading specialist from East Central University. She also earned her elementary principal certification from East Central University.

White, a Norman resident with more than 20 years of education experience, was most recently the principal at Purcell Intermediate School. Prior to that role, she spent several years as an elementary school principal in Broken Arrow, Okla., as well nearly 10 years as an assistant principal at elementary schools in Edmond. She also served as a classroom teacher for third, fourth and fifth-grade students.

She has earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from East Central University and a master’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Central Oklahoma.

Williams, who is currently Oklahoma’s Assistant Principal of the Year, has 14 years of professional education experience. She was previously an assistant principal at Norman North High School, where she helped develop and implement the school’s Freshman Academy. Prior to her role at Norman North, Williams served six years as the assistant principal at Whittier Middle School. Williams began her teaching career at Taft Middle School in Oklahoma City before moving to Norman as an eighth-grade math teacher at Irving Middle School.

Williams believes giving students ownership of their learning helps them excel and achieve their full potential. She also strives to help teachers understand how to reach all students. She has presented on culturally responsive teaching styles to help fellow educators learn strategies to reach students from a variety of backgrounds or demographics.

Williams also founded a mentor program, DARE 2 HOPE, in 2008 that focuses on building academic success and student self-awareness primarily for students of color. She also serves on the Norman Public Schools District’s Culture and Climate Task Force to help recognize and promote diversity and inclusion within the district.

National PTA School of Excellence is a recognition program that supports and celebrates partnerships between PTAs and schools to enrich the educational experience and overall well-being for all students. Click here to learn more.

Norman North students who recently traveled to Germany learned more than a foreign language. Click below to read more.

The Norman Board of Education has approved a new, proactive policy to provide another layer of support for students who face peer pressure or struggle with substance abuse.

Focused on prevention, deterrence and intervention, the proactive policy is designed to provide another reason for students to say ‘no’ when pressured to use drugs and connect students who face addiction with resources to help them overcome challenges. The policy also furthers the district's commitment to student safety. When a student uses or abuses drugs or alcohol, it not only puts them in danger but also can endanger other students. Tests are conducted by a third-party vendor that employs certified medical professionals to conduct random drug tests on high school students who participate in school-sponsored interscholastic competitions or represent Norman schools in extracurricular activities that require registration with the OSSAA.

For complete details, including an FAQ section, click below.

At Norman Public Schools, student safety is always a top priority. Teachers, administrators and staff are committed to creating and maintaining a safe learning environment for all students. Click below to see what measures the District has in place to protect students and staff.

Safety is everyone’s responsibility. See something? Hear something? SAY SOMETHING! Call the Oklahoma School Security Institute at 1-855-337-8300 or click below to submit a tip.

Thursday, Aug. 30

Taste of Norman | Benefitting band programs

5:30 p.m. @ OU Mosier Center Practice Facility

Thursday, Aug. 30

Crosstown Clash Football Game | Norman High vs. Norman North

7:30 p.m. @ Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium

Friday, Aug. 31 - Tuesday, Sept. 4

No School, Labor Day/Professional Days

Mission: Prepare and inspire all students to achieve their full potential.

Values: Integrity | Inclusiveness | Collaboration | Optimism

Email: normanpublicschools@norman.k12.ok.us
Website: normanpublicschools.org
Location: 131 South Flood Avenue, Norman, OK, United States
Facebook: facebook.com/normanpublicschools
Twitter: @NormanSchools