Catalayah Elementary

🦓❤️STAFF SPOTLIGHT! ❤️🦓 Ms. Loyd 5th grade teacher •Favorite food: Italian food (mostly pasta) •Favorite Color: periwinkle •Drink: ocean water with cream •Birthday: August 20th •Hobby: travel and hiking •How do you spend your summer: I like to go to any swimming spot as much as I can , hang out with friends and family, reading and take as many naps as possible! I really enjoy traveling and was able to visit Alaska this summer which was a really amazing experience. I have a boyfriend named Chris and we are expecting a baby in December. I have been at Catalayah one year as a 1st grade teacher and will be returning for 2024-2025 in 5th grade. I love learning new things and look forward to this transition. Love my Catalyah team and the kids are an added bonus! #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

NEW DATE SET: Tuesday, August 13th, 4pm-7pm. This is the last day to pick up JOM supplies. If you are new to the district, you must have a copy of the student’s tribal membership card and Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB) card to receive school supplies provided through JOM. 

Back to School Checklist for PARENT/GUARDIANS ✔️REGISTER YOUR KIDS FOR SCHOOL (class size and scheduling depends on it) ✔️Download the Claremore Public School App (turn on notifications) ✔️ Accept the email/text invite to ROOMS ✔️ Access your Infinite Campus Parent Portal ✔️ Register your bus rider & find the closest bus stop ✔️Complete the Educational Benefits Form ✔️Complete the Technology Acceptable Use Agreement (Technology Protection Plan) ✔️Add funds to your child's child nutrition account ✔️Download your First Day of School signs More info on all these is on our Back-to-School webpage for all of these items: https://www.claremore.k12.ok.us/page/back-to-school

Student spotting!!! 👀 Mrs. Norris ran into Mrs. Meyers, Davis, Mattie and Talon at the Lego store in the mall. We are on the lookout for our Catalayah students all over town!! #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

The latest CLAREMORE ZEBRA CONNECTION Newsletter has been sent out by Claremore Public Schools to the email addresses in our database. If you haven't received it, please check your parent portal and update your contact information. In the meantime, you can access the newsletter through this link: ⬇️ https://claremorenewsletter.edurooms.com/engage/claremore-public-schools/newsletters/claremore-zebra-connection-district-august-2024

Back to school Bash at National Night out!! Mrs. Shuck has really enjoyed seeing some of our Catalayah kiddos tonight!!! #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

School is fast approaching!!! Are you guys ready!?!? We will be posting back to school information here so make sure and follow our page. Teachers are sending out emails to parents Thursday afternoon with a link to schedule a time to come and meet the teacher and bring supplies. If you don't receive an email by Thursday evening give us a call Friday morning. Your student must be enrolled to receive an email! If you haven't enrolled them yet you can do so on the school website. If you would like to get ahead while you're waiting for Thursday you can logon to your parent portal and fill out the free and reduced lunch form. Go to the three lines at the top left, click on more, then click meal benefits and finally the meal benefit application. It only takes a few minutes and will save you a lot of time to go ahead and get it done now. #CPSZEBRAPRIDE We have a lot of new friends on our page now. I have included a picture of our Principal, Mrs. Shuck and Assistant Principal, Mrs. Basks!

Student spotting!! 👀 Mrs. Haltom saw Asher and Cabo at Texas Roadhouse!! Yum!! We are on the lookout for our Catalayah students all over town! #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

🦓❤️ STAFF SPOTLIGHT! ❤️🦓 Mrs. Bennett, Reading Specialist •Favorite food: I like most food, my favorite is probably a good steak •Favorite Color: ❤️💙 •Drink: mostly water, but must have a good cup of coffee in the morning, I like Diet Coke with certain food •Birthday: 7-11-77, I guess I was a lucky baby. I was definitely a big one at 9lbs •Hobby: I love traveling, spending time with family, reading, camping and watching college football - Boomer Sooner! •How do you spend your summer: I spend the summer taking my daughter to her activities and traveling when I can. I started kindergarten in 1982 at Westside Elementary. In 1999 I began my first teaching job at Claremont. I’ve taught at Claremore for 25 years and Catalayah for the past thirteen years. I’ve taught third grade, first grade, Reading Recovery and have worked as a certified reading specialist for the past seventeen years. I have a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in reading instruction. I am married to Lance Bennett who teaches Science at Claremore High School and coaches basketball, track and cross country. I have a daughter, Clara who will be in seventh grade. My stepdaughter Zoe has a bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Oklahoma and is a team supervisor at Family and Children Services. I have two German Shepherds, Zahra and Zaida and four cats, Cleo, Paul, Sammie and Ricky Lynn. I love my annual trip to the beach but I also love winter and I get super excited over a big snow! Fall is my favorite season when it actually feels like Fall. I love the feel and smell of the first cool fall day. Summer is fun but I’m always excited to get back in my school routine and get to know the sweet little souls of my students. I love the bond we develop and how it grows as the year progresses. It’s so exciting to see the independent, confident little readers they become during the year. I feel very lucky to have such a rewarding job. I’m thankful for the team I work with at Catalayah. I’m a Red and White Zebra for life!! 🦓❤️🤍 #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

Student spotting!! 👀 Ms. Rachel ran into Paisley at the mall doing some back to school shopping! We are on the lookout for our Catalayah students all over town! #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

Student spotting!! 👀 Mrs. McComb spotted some students in Florida!!!!! She found Landon and Kylie in Destin swimming in the Ocean! We are on the lookout for our Catalayah students all over town! #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

Student spotting!!! 👀 Mrs. Desy found Henry and Thomas at kids day camp!! We are on the lookout for our Catalayah students all over town!! #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

It's more than a meal! 6 Reasons to complete the educational benefits application! 1️⃣ Free or reduced breakfast, lunch, and technology fees 2️⃣ Additional funding for technology and internet access 3️⃣ Discounted fees for ACT & AP exams 4️⃣ Helps with the district's state aid funding 5️⃣ Discounted fees associated with college applications 6️⃣ Additional scholarship opportunities, both public and private Please note: You must re-enroll in this program each year! The application process is open now for the 24-25 school year.

🦓❤️ STAFF SPOTLIGHT! ❤️🦓 Mrs. Galvan, Special Education Teacher •Favorite food: Anything I don’t have to cook! •Favorite Color: Bling, yes that’s a color! •Drink: Anything that gives me energy! •Birthday: Every year! •Hobby: Gardening--Spending time with family--Staying home because pants are overrated--Reading--mostly instructions on how to adult! •How do you spend your summer: Dreaming of winter! **Short about me!** I’ve been married more than half my life! We have two 20-something-year-old girls living their best life being independent, we raised our girls and started accumulating dogs—I have more than I’m willing to share! I’ve been at Catalayah since we opened-- long enough to know where the secret stash of snacks is hidden! I can recite the alphabet backward (after a few tries). My favorite place to be is home, wait, I said that already. Oh, and my classroom? It's the unofficial teacher hangout before and after school—just follow the laughter! #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

🦓❤️ STAFF SPOTLIGHT! ❤️🦓 Mrs. Douthitt, Kindergarten Teacher Favorite food: shrimp 🦐 Favorite color: red Favorite drink: sweet tea Birthday: March 17 St. Patrick’s Day Hobby:  scrapbooking & watching The Young & the Restless I like to spend my summer spending time with family and friends & going swimming & catching up on chores. I am married to Alan who teaches at Claremore High School. I have two kids—a son Tyler who is 21 and a daughter Abbie who is 16. I have been teaching for 26 years all in Kindergarten. 😊 my first three years of teaching, I taught in Tulsa public schools at Remington Elementary and then I moved to Claremore  & taught at Claremont and when Catalayah was open, I started there. I have been at Catalayah since it opened 😊 #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

EVENING ENROLLMENT EVENT TONIGHT The Enrollment Center will be open twice in August to help anyone register for enrollment. We have computers, scanners, interpreters, and people to help you! Registering your children early will help us plan for appropriate staffing, class sizes, and schedules. 📅 August 1st and August 8th ⏲5:00pm - 7:00pm 📍101 W 11th Street (look for circle drive) 💭Interpreters available 📃Bring the required document - https://5il.co/coae Enrollment webpage: https://www.claremore.k12.ok.us/page/enrollment-center

Student spotting!! 👀 Ms. Rachel ran into Allie and Aiden at Ichiban in Owasso celebrating birthdays! We are on the lookout for our Catalayah students all over town! #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

🦓❤️ STAFF SPOTLIGHT! ❤️🦓 Mrs. James, Librarian •Favorite food: Mexican •Favorite Color: purple •Drink: Diet Dr. Pepper •Birthday: July 11th •Hobby: traveling, reading, spending time with family I just finished my 27th year of teaching! I've taught 1st grade, 2nd grade, and 3rd grade. I've also been a Reading Specialist, and have spent the last 14 years of my career as a librarian. Tony and I were high school sweethearts and have been together over 42 years!! We've been married 38 years and have 3 grown sons, who all graduated from Claremore, and 2 beautiful grandchildren. I love spending my summer at the river, lake, and ocean! Family vacations are the BEST! #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

🦓❤️ STAFF SPOTLIGHT! ❤️🦓 Ms. Longhorn, 1st grade Teacher (will be Mrs. Hall by the time school starts!) •Favorite food: Mexican food🌮 •Favorite color: 💛🩷🩵🤍 •Favorite drink: Sonic sweet 🍑 tea •Birthday: March 23rd🌷 •Hobby: golfing, pickleball, playing with my dogs, esthetics! •How do you spend your summer? I hangout by the pool, have cookouts with my family, and relax at home! I am a first year teacher and I’m so excited to start!👩🏽‍🏫 I’m a Catalayah Alumni and graduated from Claremore High School! 🦓 My fiancée and I are getting married this July and we have 2 dogs together! 👰🏽‍♀️🤵🏻‍♂️🐶🐶 Fun fact: 1. Mrs.Shuck was my elementary principal from 1st-5th grade and now I get to work with her and a few other amazing elementary teachers that I had growing up!❤️ 2. My sister-in-law and I are classroom neighbors and we are 1st year teachers together!   #CPSZEBRAPRIDE

🦓❤️ STAFF SPOTLIGHT! ❤️🦓 Mrs. Shuck, Principal Favorite Food: Mexican Favorite Color: Orange Favorite Drink: Sonic Mango Water Birthday: April 28 Hobby: Netflix and being outdoors How do I spend my summer: getting things ready for the next school year, spending time with family and friends, which includes a vacation somewhere. My husband Tim and I have been married for 27 years and we have one son, Adam. He will graduate this fall from OSU. Go Pokes!!!🧡 #CPSZEBRAPRIDE