50s Day at Monroe Brings Generations Together
For decades, 50s Day at Monroe has been a cherished tradition that brings our entire school community together. Each year, Monroe transforms into a vibrant celebration of the 1950s, complete with a schoolwide sock hop that fills the gym with energy, music, and joy.
With a live band playing classic 50s hits, students, staff, and families step back in time, dressed in poodle skirts, leather jackets, and slicked-back hair, to dance the day away. The excitement on the dance floor is matched only by the smiles in the crowd.
More than just a fun event, 50s Day is a reflection of Monroe’s strong sense of community. Families don’t just attend, they participate. They dance alongside students and staff, share laughter, and create lasting memories that connect generations.
It’s a little rock ’n’ roll, a lot of school spirit, and pure Monroe Magic.
Norman Public Schools is proud to recognize Ely Gonzalez of Norman High School and Eden Bales of Norman North High School, who have both been accepted into the prestigious National Youth Orchestra.
Ely and Eden are both 11th-grade students, and their selection reflects their exceptional musical talent, dedication, and hard work. Being chosen for the National Youth Orchestra is a significant national honor, placing them among the top young musicians in the country.
Congratulations to Ely and Eden on this outstanding achievement. We are incredibly proud of you!
Norman Public Schools and the Norman Philharmonic were proud to come together for a powerful Black History Month Celebration that honored the rich contributions of Black Americans to the arts, culture, and history.
The program featured an inspiring Unity Choir made up of NPS choirs, and community singers, alongside the Norman Philharmonic Orchestra, a gospel combo, the Langston University Choir, dance performances, and visual art. The collaboration brought together students, educators, artists, and community partners from across Norman for an afternoon of meaningful reflection and celebration.
A highlight of the event was a special guest performance by Oklahoma native and University of Oklahoma graduate Elvie Ellis, currently appearing in Broadway’s award-winning production of Hamilton. His performance was a memorable moment for students and audience members alike.
Thank you to all of our students, staff, partners, and community members who helped make this celebration possible and to Allied Arts and the Harris Foundation for their support. Events like this showcase the strength of our fine arts programs and the power of collaboration across our community.
Norman Public Schools Announces Teacher of the Year Finalists
Norman Public Schools is proud to announce the four finalists for the district’s Teacher of the Year honor.
The 2026 Teacher of the Year finalists are:
• Lakeview Elementary Brooke Barnett
• Eisenhower Elementary Kristen Dude
• Whittier Middle School Katelin Frantz
• Kennedy Elementary Kevin Russ
These outstanding educators were selected based on their commitment to student success, instructional excellence, leadership, and dedication to the Norman Public Schools community. Each finalist represents the very best of our profession and the meaningful impact teachers have on students every day.
Norman Public Schools congratulates all four finalists and thanks them for their continued service, passion, and commitment to excellence in education.
Today, we are proud to celebrate 24 student-athletes from Norman High School and Norman North High School who officially signed with colleges to continue their academic and athletic careers!
This milestone reflects years of dedication, discipline, and hard work, both in the classroom and in competition. We are incredibly proud of these athletes for representing their schools, their families, and Norman Public Schools at the next level.
Thank you to the coaches, teachers, teammates, and families who supported these students along the way. Your commitment makes moments like this possible.
Congratulations to our signees. We can’t wait to see what the future holds!
Congratulations to:
Caroline Keogh, Alcott Middle School Women’s Basketball Coach
Kenady Sheldon, Norman High School Soccer Coach
Daron Chesley, Irving Middle School Volleyball Coach
These coaches exemplify leadership, dedication, and a deep commitment to student-athletes, both on and off the field. Their impact extends beyond wins and losses, helping develop confidence, teamwork, and character that students carry with them as they advance through our schools.
Thank you for the time, passion, and care you invest in our students and programs every day. Norman Public Schools is proud to celebrate you!
Lakeview Elementary recently hosted its first-ever Pancakes with the Principal, and it was a sweet success!
Students who filled their SOAR cards throughout the month of January were entered into a drawing for the chance to enjoy a special pancake breakfast complete with all the toppings, prepared by Principal Hoover. Staff members were also entered into a drawing, and several lucky winners joined in on the fun.
A big congratulations to our SOAR students and a thank you to everyone who helped make this memorable morning at Lakeview!
We’re incredibly proud of these talented students and grateful to everyone who helped make this special opportunity possible. Way to represent Whittier!
Thank you to our ELC families for sharing these special moments with us. We miss our students and look forward to welcoming everyone back very soon.
The contest received more than 780 submissions from students across Cleveland County, making Millie’s selection a notable accomplishment. Her winning design has been printed and will be used during the February 10 and April 7 elections, distributed alongside the traditional American flag “I Voted” sticker.
Millie’s success reflects the creativity and civic-minded spirit of Norman Public Schools students, and the district congratulates her on this well-deserved honor.
Alcott Middle School’s front hallway has a fresh new look thanks to a collaborative mural created by Jason Cytacki and a group of University of Oklahoma visual art students.
The colorful bulletin board reflects the creativity, energy, and pride that define the Alcott community while helping create a more welcoming environment for students and visitors. This project highlights the impact of partnerships that celebrate students and school culture, and Alcott is thankful for the time, talent, and dedication that made this mural possible.
Norman Public Schools is proud to have our facilities serve as a gathering place for meaningful community events like this one. The breakfast honored the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by celebrating different faith traditions, love for one another and the power of community.
Reflecting on Dr. King’s vision reminds us that fairness, compassion and service aren’t just ideas, they are daily actions that help our communities grow stronger and closer.
We are grateful for the passion, dedication, and service these teachers bring to their students and school communities every day. Congratulations to each of our outstanding Teacher of the Year nominees. Your commitment makes Norman Public Schools an exceptional place to learn and grow.
Both Norman High and Norman North have been named to the AP School Honor Roll – Bronze Award by the College Board.
This distinction recognizes schools that are expanding college readiness and access for students through:
• College Culture: Students taking at least one AP exam in high school
• College Credit: Students scoring 3 or above on an AP exam
• College Optimization: Students taking five or more AP exams with at least one taken during 9th or 10th grade
This honor is a testament to our students’ hard work, our teachers’ commitment to rigorous instruction, and our district’s focus on opening doors to college opportunities.
Congratulations to both schools on this outstanding achievement. Tiger and Timberwolf pride shines bright.
What an amazing week of generosity and school spirit at Norman North! Through a variety of creative activities, events and generous donations, our students came together to raise an incredible $160,488.96 during SPUD Week.
This outstanding total reflects the heart of our Timberwolves—showing what’s possible when a school community rallies around helping others. Way to go, Norman North students, staff, and families, for making a meaningful impact and turning kindness into action!
Norman North students kicked off SPUD Week today with energy, school spirit and a whole lot of heart as they come together to support this meaningful cause. From fun activities to friendly competition, it’s all about making a difference while showing Timberwolf pride!
We can’t wait to see how the rest of SPUD Week unfolds—way to start strong, Norman North! 💙🐺
Norman Public Schools is proud to celebrate Matt Mairet, a Library Media Specialist at Reagan Elementary School, who was named the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Teacher of the Game during the Thunder’s New Year’s Eve matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Matt’s dedication to students extends far beyond the library. In addition to fostering a love of reading and learning, he is deeply committed to serving the Norman community through volunteer work and mutual aid efforts.
We are grateful for educators like Matt who make a meaningful impact both inside and outside the classroom. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition!
As we welcome the new year, Norman Public Schools extends best wishes to our students, families, staff and community. We look forward to continued learning, growth and success together in the year ahead. Thank you for your ongoing support of our schools.
From all of us at Norman Public Schools, we wish our students, families, staff and community a joyful and restful holiday season. Thank you for your support throughout the year — we look forward to an exciting 2026 together!
Stay safe, stay warm, and enjoy the break!
Two Kennedy students received brand-new bikes today thanks to the generosity of the Norman Rotary Club. This long-standing tradition has been bringing smiles to students for many years, and we are grateful for their continued support of our school community.
Students are selected by staff for consistently demonstrating ideal Kennedy traits, doing the right thing, setting a positive example for others, and being strong students in the classroom.
Congratulations to our recipients, and thank you to the Norman Rotary Club for helping us celebrate students who make a difference every day!
