Happy New Year

January 1, 2016

Dear CPS Faculty and Staff,

Happy New Year! I hope you were able to relax and enjoy your last days of  2015 with family and friends. As we move into 2016, and begin the second semester at Clinton Public Schools, I want to personally thank you for your hard work and dedication. As we return from the holiday break please keep in mind, “Students who are loved at home come to school to learn, students who aren’t come to school to be loved”.

Leading Clinton Public Schools is an honor. There is no question that the name Clinton, whether in reference to the city or school, brings a smile to the face of those working, living, educated in, or calling it home. As we (faculty and staff) continue to represent Clinton’s schools  we will  work  in partnership with  families and the community to provide the best education possible.

The state budget will continue to be on the forefront of discussions as the state legislature convenes in February.  At this point no one knows the exact amount Oklahoma schools will be cut. I will continue to ensure that each member of the faculty and staff receives a bonus/stipend equal to, or greater than, the ones so graciously awarded by the Board of Education in years past. We will not cut staff or reduce activities that adversely affect our students because our state leaders can not effectively manage a budget.

We are rapidly becoming known as the leader of technology, creativity, and innovation across the state.  We have created Makerspaces  in each building, continue to add technology into classrooms,  and develop  the techiest teachers in the state. I am so thankful to all of you who have dedicated time and effort to make Clinton Public Schools an innovative and creative district, second to none.  I pledge to ensure our  students continue to have the tools and resources available to prepare them for the 21st century.

People who have worked in other schools will tell you that there is something different about Clinton Public Schools. It can cover a wide range of things, some that you can readily see such as technology, athletics, academics and activities. As  well as things you don’t easily see such as values, goals, relationships, and methods for improving performance. I am so thankful to have a great leadership team, faculty,  and staff to work with daily.  “A culture of excellence is driven by a commitment to excellence”, it is about striving  rather than settling, and leading not managing.

Together let’s make 2016 the best year ever to be a Clinton Red Tornado!

Sincerely,

Kevin Hime

Superintendent of Clinton Public Schools

WEEK 8 at #cpsreds

What an eventful day Friday was.  I started the day watching Nance students getting a new pair of shoes.  What an event the band, cheerleaders, and football team showed up to celebrate.  Next up was a trip to Shawnee to watch the Lady Reds participate in the state volleyball Tournament.  They represented #cpsreds with pride but came up short.  Congratulations on a great year ladies.  Next Elgin for a football game.  The Reds were impressive in a 34-7 victory.  I was also impressed with the Red Tornado band's pregame performance.

Tuesday and Wednesday was OTA at the Cox Center in Oklahoma City.  Encyclomedia, as some call it,  is a conference for librarians, technolgy, and other educators.  I was able to attend Tuesday.  CPS had many presentation during the conference.  If you presented thanks for representing CPS.   I attended and presented at the USSA conference Wednesday in Broken Arrow.  As CPS continues the journey into the 21st century it is exciting to see that wherever we are other educators are hungary to learn what we are doing.

Next week is a 3 day week.  I hope you all have plans to unwind and have an enjoyable 5 day break.  

WEEK 7 at #cpsreds

I can't believe it is October already.  Time flies when you are having fun.  I have the greatest job in the world because of the great leadership team and teachers I work with every day.  Add working in the greatest office on earth and an awesome maintenance crew and you can see why I love my job.

Since #cpsreds is a growing district all of the data used to calculate our funding is collected in October.  I am sure some feel I am obsessive about the collection of data.  October 1st is the day the state takes a snapshot of our records to deterime the many of theweights we will be paid for the 15-16 school year.   October 15th is the day we turn in our first quarter enrollment numbers that deterime our Average Daily Membership.  The highest day for economic disadvantage in October is used in numerous formulas to deterime dollars we are funded.  Just remember, if someone hands you a form or asks if you have completed various forms, these forms are what seperate CPS financally from schools that do not have smart boards, sound systems, ipads, chrome books etc.  I appreciate everyone working so hard to keep us fully funded for 2016 and years to come.

Great news the Lady Reds volleyball team traveled to Tulsa and qualified for state.  Great jobs ladies you are awesome.  Their first game is Friday at noon in Shawnee.  Good Luck ladies we are so proud of you.

Make sure you are following our webpage to keep up with all the awesome events planned at CPS.  If you use twitter #cpsreds is worth following.

Thanks again for being a part of our team.  It takes admin, teachers, parents, students, and the community to make a great school.

Week 6

The week ended with a great win for the Red Tornado football team.  Anytime you start district play with a win it awesome, but it is ever so sweet when you knock off your arch rival.  Great job guys!!  Clinton 17 Weatherford 14.

The Lady Reds softball team was awarded a #1 seed heading into regionals.  Although our ladies have to travel to Tulsa, I am excited about their chances of advancing to the state tournament.  Ladies, congratulations on a great season and earning the #1 seed.

CPS Parent Teacher Conferences are in full swing.  We are always excited to see parents.  One of the most important goal we have at CPS is "We will make parents a full partner in the educational process".  Special thanks to all of you who work hard to make our conferences successful.

The MakerSpace movement has been running rampent at CPS.  I am so excited to see our students get a chance to be innovative and creative in our Maker Labs.  As we continue to develop these labs I challenge everyone to visit and share the experiences of a MakerSpace.

It was another week of the Clinton Daily News sharing some of the great things happening at CPS.  Congratulations to those who have made the paper and thanks CDN for sharing our success stories.

Week 5

This week I attended the Fall ASBO (Association of School Business Officials) Conference.  As president elect of the organization I had commitments and duties Wednesday thru Friday.  The keynote speaker for the conference was Sam Glenn "The Attitude Guy".  My favorite quote from his presentation was "Your attitude is either in your way or leading your way"

Amazingly although I was out of town I was able to follow school events thru #cpsreds.  I am amazed how many awesome things are being shared.

Monday included school wide celebrations of the numerous winners Clinton Schools had a the recent Custer County fair.  We had winners in art, pottery, upholstery, and as always,  had many grand and reserve champion animals.  Also on Monday, Mr Stringer and Mr Meget  shared CHS students making roller coasters in the high school makerspace.

Tuesday was Dot Day at SES.  Flores, Paul, Marshall, Gifford and other classes participated in Dot Day activities.  Thanks Mrs. Hime for helping to organize these activities. Mrs Guant and the NES teachers started Tech Tuesday this week.

I challenge you to search #cpsreds and follow the remainder of the week.

Saturday Ms. Pool and her students invited the community and other schools to join them for International Observe the Moon Night.  They had moon rocks, telescopes and numerous activities for those who joined them to participate.

My challenge to you for the week is ask yourself every morning "Is your attitude in your way or leading your way?"

Week 4 at CPS

Week 4 at CPS was fair week.  What a great job our students did at the fair.  I always enjoy seeing all the animals and witnessing first hand the enormous amount of work students put into the care of their animals.  We also had some tremendous entries from our FCCLA group at the high school.  From an upholstery project to baked and canned goods.  Mr. Miller's ag classes and Mrs Johnson's FCCLA classes as always, impressed me with how talented our students are.

At the Middle School Joy Badillo was named the state's Middle School Art Teacher of the Year. What an impressive and deserved award.  As someone who can't draw a stick man I realize you do not have to be an artist to realize how lucky CPS is to have teachers like Mrs. Badillo.

The admin team continued sharing positive events with the paper and parents.  There are miracles happening at Clinton Public Scools everyday.  Make sure you are sharing them.

Week 3

Week 3 started by  issuing a challenge to the leadership team. Share positive stories with teachers, parents, students, and the press.  The Clinton News joined in and had numerous articles and pictures in the paper telling our stories.  The story of CPS and #oklaed has been in the Daily Oklahoman,  Clinton News, Facebook, Twitter, and other networks. One of the most exciting stories was that Nance Elementary Students will each be getting a free pair of shoes. Those responsible for this act are wanting to remain anonymous.

The second challenge issued to the leadership team was to share positive stories with parents.  It was exciting to hear how many parents were shocked the school was sharing the good news.  We really need to work on our relationship with parents.  CPS cannot be successful unless our parents are full partners in the education process.

While visiting all 5 campuses this week the common theme was how great the year has started and the unbelievable attitude of the students.  Hats off to the parents, students, and teachers of CPS for being so awesome.

Miracles are happening everyone day at Clinton Public Schools, share them.