Catoosa parents and families,
We want to provide you with advance notice that Catoosa Public Schools will be CLOSED on Monday, January 26, due to extreme cold conditions. This will be a true snow day, and no distance learning will take place.
While snowfall is expected to move out before Monday, very low morning temperatures and dangerous wind chills are forecast, particularly during the early morning hours. Our primary concern is the safety of our students, especially those waiting at bus stops in extreme cold.
In addition, campus sidewalks, parking lots, and driveways are expected to remain icy due to lingering snow and prolonged freezing temperatures over the weekend. With conditions unlikely to improve before the start of the school day, we believe it is safest to cancel school.
Please note: Because school will be closed on Monday, January 26, this instructional day will be made up on Friday, January 30, as a regular in-person school day.
This early decision is intended to give families time to plan accordingly. Please stay warm and safe, and we look forward to welcoming students back when conditions improve.
We will continue to closely monitor conditions and communicate any updates as needed to ensure the safety of our students and staff.
Welcome back, and happy new year! It’s hard to believe that our second semester begins tomorrow (January 5, 2026). As we prepare to kick off the second half of the 2025-2026 school year, I hope you’ll join me in taking a moment to reflect on and celebrate the incredible work we’ve accomplished together so far.
Since the start of the school year, Catoosa Public Schools has celebrated strong momentum and meaningful progress, including expanded partnerships with the Catoosa Chamber of Commerce and the Tulsa Port of Catoosa to support student leadership, district firsts such as launching women’s flag football, outstanding student performances and celebrations like Hispanic Heritage Night, and steady academic growth across all grade levels on NWEA MAP assessments. We strengthened connections with families and the community through events like Literacy Night, continued significant investments in district facilities, revitalized the Community Excellence Award to honor student achievement, celebrated state-level success with an FFA Greenhand Quiz State Championship, and remained firmly committed to keeping students first despite an ever-changing state and federal landscape.
As we begin the second semester, I am filled with optimism and excitement for what lies ahead. I am confident this next chapter will be filled with energy, growth, and memories that will last a lifetime.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support. I look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow as we begin a successful second semester together.
In service,
Robert Schornick
Superintendent
Catoosa Public Schools
Catoosa Public Schools is proud to recognize the outstanding educators selected as our 2025-2026 Site Teachers of the Year. These remarkable individuals exemplify what it means to inspire, challenge, and support students every day in our classrooms.
2025-2026 Site Teacher of the Year Honorees:
Heather McVay - Kindergarten Teacher, Cherokee Elementary School
Stephanie Hughes - Art Teacher, Cherokee Elementary School
Tifanie Chapman-Reed - Special Education Teacher, Wells Middle School
Shelli Bright - Special Education Teacher, Catoosa High School
These teachers were nominated and selected by their peers for their innovative practices, leadership within their school communities, and their unwavering dedication to student success. Each honoree represents the high standard of excellence upheld across all of Catoosa Public Schools.
As site-level winners, they now advance as finalists for the Catoosa Public Schools District Teacher of the Year. The district finalist will be selected at the end of January, with the overall winner to be announced soon after.
CPS proudly celebrates these educators for their exceptional contributions and the meaningful impact they have on the students and families we serve.
Congratulations to our 2025-2026 Site Teachers of the Year!
Wells Middle School Delayed Start on Monday, Dec. 1 : Transportation Update
WMS will have a delayed start on Monday, Dec. 1, starting at 9:30 AM.
– High school students: pickup as usual, drop-off between 6:30–6:45 AM.
– Cherokee Elementary students: pickup as usual, drop-off at 8:00 AM.
– WMS students: be at bus stops at 8:30 AM. Buses will pick up after CE drop-off.
Catoosa Public Schools and district offices will be closed November 21-30 in observance of Thanksgiving Break.
We wish all of our students, families, and staff a safe, restful, and memorable holiday with loved ones and friends.
We’ll see everyone back at normal times on Monday, December 1st!
Ms. Wallace and Mrs. Davis-Pennington took some of their students to The Outsiders House Museum and a few other locations that were used in the movie, The Outsiders. First they visited the DX station where Soda and Steve worked, then went to the park where Johnny killed the Soc, and then on to Ponyboy's home (the museum) where several scenes were filmed. (They would have visited the site of the church burning, but it's now underneath Skiatook Lake!) The students had a great time learning a lot of information about both the book and the movie.
We’re thrilled to announce that Catoosa Public Schools has received a Whole Kids Garden Grant from the Whole Foods Market Foundation! 🎉
With this amazing support, we’ll be starting indoor gardens in all our school cafeterias — giving students hands-on opportunities to learn about growing food, sustainability, and healthy eating. 🌿🥕🍅
We are so excited to see this project come to life, and will be taking progress pictures along the way to share our journey as our cafeteria gardens grow and flourish! 📸🌻
A huge thank-you to the Whole Kids Foundation for supporting our vision of connecting students to the source of their food and inspiring lifelong healthy habits.
Stay tuned — great things are growing at Catoosa! 💚
#GrowingHealthyKids #CatoosaSchools #WholeKidsFoundation #FarmToCafeteria
JOM Elections are on Wednesday, October 22nd in the ESC Board Room at 6:00pm. For more information, please contact Debby Phelps at dphelps@catoosa.k12.ok.us
Why settle for an ordinary lunch when you can turn Thursdays into a flavor-packed adventure? 🌟 Each week in October, the Dome cafeteria is serving up something new and exciting:
🥡 Wok This Way! – Dive into tasty Chinese classics you know and love.
🌮 Taco-bout Tasty! – Spice things up with Mexican favorites.
🥖 Stack It High! – Build your very own sub just the way you like it at the Sub Bar.
🎃 Spooky & Yummy! – End the month with Halloween treats that are a little creepy, but a whole lot of delicious! 👻
Grab your tray, grab your friends, and let’s make Thursdays the best lunch day of the week. Adventure awaits in the Dome! 🚀😋
#TastyThursdays #LunchQuest #CafeteriaAdventures #SpookySnacks #FoodieFun
Parent-Teacher Conferences are right around the corner!
Conferences will be held on Monday, October 13th and Tuesday, October 14th from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM prior to Fall Break starting on October 15th.
As always, conference sign-ups will be online. Please follow the steps below to sign up for your preferred conference date and time. Time slots will fill quickly, so please sign up at your earliest convenience.
Directions for Conference Sign-ups
1. Please go to:
Cherokee Elementary School
https://www.myconferencetime.com/cherokee/
Wells Middle School
https://www.myconferencetime.com/wellsms/
Catoosa High School
https://www.myconferencetime.com/catoosahs/
2. Find and click on the name of your child’s teacher.
3. Select your preferred date and time.
4. Enter required information. (E-mail address is not required, but if you enter one, you will receive an email confirmation.)
5. Click “Sign Up for Your Conference” near the bottom of the screen.
6. You’re done! That’s all there is to it.
Rogers County is currently under a tornado watch until 10:00 PM. Therefore, the Catoosa Public Schools Community Storm Shelter (located at the Dome Cafeteria) will be open to the public beginning at 5:00 PM and remain open until an official All Clear is given this evening.
Reminder:
- Shelter opens during Tornado WATCHES only, not WARNINGS
- No access once sirens sound - shelter in place if needed
- No pets, food, drinks, tobacco, or weapons allowed
- Doors will remain closed for safety during a WARNING
We’ll share updates as needed. Stay safe, Catoosa!
The Free & Reduced Meal Application rollover ends 9/20.
⚠️ If you haven’t submitted a new application this school year, your child’s meal status will automatically switch to PAID after September 20.
📅 This is an automatic date—applications must be completed ASAP to keep your benefits!
👉 Apply now: https://www.myschoolapps.com/Application
🚨 ¡ÚLTIMA LLAMADA – SE REQUIERE ACCIÓN! 🚨
El período de traspaso para la Solicitud de Comidas Gratis y a Precio Reducido termina el 20 de septiembre.
⚠️ Si no ha enviado una nueva solicitud este año escolar, el estado de comidas de su hijo cambiará automáticamente a PAGO después del 20 de septiembre.
📅 Esta es una fecha automática—¡la solicitud debe completarse lo antes posible (ASAP) para mantener sus beneficios!
👉 Aplique aquí: https://www.myschoolapps.com/Application
This month’s edition of the Catoosa Public Schools Nutrition Newsletter is packed with fun and healthy ideas for the whole family. Learn how to make water your family’s #1 drink with our Water Bottle Boost Challenge, try a kid-approved Apple Nachos recipe, and see how the Walters and Taylor Families shined in last month’s Rainbow Plate Challenge!
Let’s keep building healthy habits together, Catoosa families! 💧🍎🌈
Please take a quick Lunch Room Survey! 🍽️
Your feedback helps improve our cafeteria.
📲 Survey Link
✅ Survey ends Sept. 18, 2025.
Thank you for making our cafeteria a better place!
🍽️ Free & Reduced Meal Applications Are NOW OPEN at Catoosa Public Schools!
Act now! If your child qualified for free or reduced meals last year, those benefits carry over only until 09/20/2025.
If you have not already applied this school year, please reapply before that date to continue receiving them.
Families — it’s time to apply for the Free & Reduced-Price Meal Program for the 2025–2026 school year!
✅ Applications are quick, easy, and confidential
✅ One application per household
✅ Available online only
✅ Even if you don’t qualify, applying helps our schools — it can increase funding for academic programs, technology, and other student services
Why It Matters:
📚 Qualifying helps ensure your student gets healthy, nutritious meals every day
💵 It can also reduce other school-related costs like test fees and activity expenses
🏫 It supports Catoosa Public Schools with important funding and resources
📅 Apply Today!
👉 https://www.myschoolapps.com/Application
Let’s work together to support every student at Catoosa Public Schools! 💚
#CatoosaProud #CPSFamily #HealthyStudents #FreeMeals #BackToSchool
Hi Catoosa Families,
We’re so excited to share something new — our Cafeteria Connection newsletter! 🎉
👉 Every two weeks, you’ll get the inside scoop on what’s cooking in our cafeterias:
🍕 Sneak peeks at menus & favorite meals
🥦 Fun nutrition tips for kids and parents
🌈 Family challenges (like our “Colorful Plate” photo contest!)
🎤 Shoutouts to students & families who get creative with food
Our mission is to make healthy eating fun, delicious, and exciting for everyone — both at school and at home.
Stay tuned… the first Cafeteria Connection is coming soon! 🙌
💚 Let’s go ALL IN for good food, great health, and happy tummies!
With smiles,
Ashley Richards
Child Nutrition Specialist
Catoosa Public Schools
…and your favorite Lunchroom Crew 🍴💚
Families — it’s time to apply for the Free & Reduced-Price Meal Program for the 2025–2026 school year!
✅ Applications are quick, easy, and confidential
✅ One application per household
✅ Available online only
✅ Even if you don’t qualify, applying helps our schools — it can increase funding for academic programs, technology, and other student services
Why It Matters:
📚 Qualifying helps ensure your student gets healthy, nutritious meals every day
💵 It can also reduce other school-related costs like test fees and activity expenses
🏫 It supports Catoosa Public Schools with important funding and resources
📅 Apply Today!
👉 https://www.myschoolapps.com/Application
Let’s work together to support every student at Catoosa Public Schools! 💚
#CatoosaProud #CPSFamily #HealthyStudents #FreeMeals #BackToSchool
Submitting your application is quick, easy, and confidential — and it benefits more than just your household.
✅ Key Information:
Only one application per household is required
Applications are available online only
Application decisions will be sent by email
Even if you don’t qualify, your application still helps our schools receive valuable funding for academics, technology, and student services
💡 Why It Matters:
Eligible students receive healthy, nutritious meals every day
You may also qualify for reduced fees on tests, extracurricular activities, and more
Your application helps Catoosa Public Schools secure vital funding and resources
https://www.myschoolapps.com/Application
Let’s work together to support every student at Catoosa Public Schools! 💚
#CatoosaProud #CPSFamily #HealthyStudents #FreeMeals #BackToSchool
