Houchin News
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Houchin News
District News
This grant will support the Growing Responsive Intervention Teams (GRIT) project, an innovative, five-year initiative. Project GRIT’s goal is to grow the number of mental health professionals within Moore Public Schools by retaining educators who will complete school counseling and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) licensure programs.
These educators will remain within their current district roles during the project and transition into key mental health positions as they complete their training.
- District
MPS announced the 2023-24 school site and departmental Education Support Professionals of the Year.
- Awards
- ESP
- Alumni
- Athletics
- Westmoore High School
1992 Westmoore graduate Brian Newberry is head football coach of the U.S. Naval Academy.
- District
- Elementary
- High School
- Junior High
- Moore High School
- Southmoore High School
- Westmoore High School
MPS announced the 2023-2024 Teachers of the Year, each representing their current school site.
- Teachers of the Year
- CareerTech
- High School
- Moore High School
The new school year is already off to a great start at Moore High School, with national recognition of one of its teachers. The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History has named Julie Berryhill its 2024 Oklahoma History Teacher of the Year, one of 53 national honorees.
MPS sends a HUGE thank you to The People of Oklahoma Oil & Natural Gas for their recent donations to our Moore High School and Westmoore High School STEM programs.
Community partners create great opportunities for students and staff - ours are generous beyond belief!
VYPE OKC caught up with MHS teacher Amie Ware and WHS teacher Renee Griffith at Moore War last week. Here are their interviews with these two amazing teachers.
- High School
VISTA Teacher Kortni Torralba learned she is the recipient of three classroom grants through the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, Voya Financial, and the Oklahoma State Department of Education.
- MAST
- VISTA
It’s Moore War Week and we started it off right with the 16th Annual Moore War Run on Saturday! Moore High School Freshman Dominic Matthias placed first in the race at 15:45!
Westmoore Senior Eva Tice took first place for a second year at 19:00!
This event grows every year, and wouldn’t happen without the dedication of the MHS and WHS Alumni Associations. Thanks for all you do to make this such a spectacular event for runners and families!
Moore High School senior Libby Jaques is a standout athlete on the field, on the court, and in class.
Moore Public Schools teachers returned for the 2024-25 school year during Convocation at First Moore Baptist Church to hear international keynote speaker Amanda Gore share about the power of joy.
- Elementary
Community partnerships are so important to public school districts and they often fill in the gaps where families need assistance. This year, Southgate-Rippetoe Elementary Principal Dr. Seth Meier and his team looked for ways to encourage their staff and boost assistance for their families.
- Southgate
As the school year approaches, we look back at an amazing group at Winding Creek who built a program last spring, serving our metro community's newest, youngest members!
- BCBA
- mental health
- Administration
- Communications
- District
Moore Public Schools has been honored with a National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) 2024 Award of Merit for their systems to produce the new district logo and Brand Guidelines.
- Brand Guidelines
- Communications
- CareerTech
- High School
- Technology
- Westmoore High School
Dell Technologies Chairman and CEO Michael Dell asked WHS Tech Crew students to join him on stage in front of 20,000 IT and technology professionals at the Dell Technologies World 2024 conference in May.
- Tech Crew
- District
- Elementary
MPS held its annual MPS District Track Meet on May 8, with hundreds of 5th and 6th-grade students from 25 sites dressed out, with their laces tied, ready to go.
- Track Meet
Known as the MPS Tech Crew, students work through the Career Tech program along with their regular high school coursework.
"Our goal is to lay down a foundation for students to define and get to success." said MPS Director of Technology Jun Kim.
Moore Public Schools had the unique opportunity to help members of the Class of 1974 finally walk the stage and turn their tassels on June 8, 2024; 50 years after a tornado warning and storm interrupted their original event.
Special education services to meet students’ needs take diverse forms, from therapies and varied classroom strategies to real-word experiences.
Moore High School students Gabby Llanusa and Luke Peterson were recently nominated for the Kelli O'Hara Awards through OKC Broadway. The awards will be given at 7 p.m., May 31 at the Civic Center Music Hall in Oklahoma City.
We are excited to announce that MPS is in the process of moving toward using a new form of secure school-to-home communication called ParentSquare beginning this fall.
Parents and guardians will engage using the ParentSquare App and secondary students (7th to 12th) will use the StudentSquare App.
Southmoore High School Juniors Morgan Shade, Tulsi Patel and Teresa Pham were honored earlier this month at their official pinning ceremony for their year-long commitment to serve on the Student Board of Directors for the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, OKC Branch.
MHS Volleyball standout Jocelyn Thomas named a Green 13 winner over 50,000 athletes.
- Athletics
- Moore High School
- Southmoore High School
- Westmoore High School
- Elementary
In response to the recent EF3 tornado that ravaged the town of Sulphur, another community that knows devastation is lending a helping hand.
- Bryant
- District
- High School
Seniors visited their former elementary schools in their caps and gowns for the 2024 Senior Walk this week.
- Senior Walk
- Elementary
Heritage Trails Elementary students have a new place to destress thanks to MHS Senior Katherine Stockstill.
- Gold Award
- Heritage Trails
- MHS
Moore Public Schools had 59 students from the Night School program walk the stage before their families and friends last night.
- Elementary
Red Oak Elementary started a beautiful new program and unique friendships with its second graders and the seniors living at the Village on the Park. The senior living center is just behind the elementary school.
- Red Oak
After losing her two younger sisters in the devastating 2013 tornado that ravaged Moore, Oklahoma, Aria Vargyas '27 has turned tragedy into passion, pursuing a degree in meteorology at Texas A&M in their honor with the goal of improving storm forecasting to prevent future weather disasters and loss of lives.
- District
- Moore High School
- Moore Love
- Southmoore High School
- Westmoore High School
- Moore Love
- District
- Elementary
- High School
- Junior High
MPS Special Olympians are all champions and showed off their skills and talents last week during the Little Cat and Big Cat Games. They traveled to the Moore High School gym and MPS stadium to compete in multiple physical challenges. Students ran races, shot free throws, played Bocce and horse, caught softball grounders, ran bases, and they all played their hearts out.
- Big Cat Games
- Little Cat Games
- Special Olympians
- District
Westmoore High School Yearbook Teacher Jana DeLong was named SOKC Chamber's 2024 Teacher of the Year and Southmoore High School senior Brynlee Clopton was named 2024 Student of the Year.
- Awards
- SOKC Chamber
Red Oak 6th Grade Teacher Dr. Stephanie Cline was named a Top 20 Teacher for 2023-24 by Oklahoma Oil and Natural Gas this week and was surprised during class to the delight of her students and colleagues.
- District
The MPS District Art Show is on display with artwork from all 35 schools at MNTC's South Penn Campus from 4-8 p.m., April 23 and 24.
- Art Show
- District
The Moore Public Schools Foundation named the MPS 2024 Teacher of the Year yesterday during the annual Excellence in Education Ceremony at Southmoore High School.
- Awards
- ESP
- Events
- TOY
- Teacher of the Year
Thousands of MPS students enjoyed Monday's solar eclipse - thank you to their teachers and principals for taking pictures and providing time for them to experience such a rare event!
- Elementary
- Junior High
Southridge girls STEM students participated in an event at the University of Oklahoma's Rawl Engineering Practice Facility called GLAMS Girls Learning and Applying Math and Science.
- STEM
- District
- Personnel
Moore Public Schools, in partnership with Kelly Education, will host two substitute teacher sign-up events at the Administrative Services Center on April 11.
- Substitute Teachers
- Substitutes
Huge congrats to teachers across our district who recently earned their National Board Certification!
Dr. Romines and executive team members David Peak, Michelle McNear and Dr. Kim Heard served as Idol judges during the morning’s event as Special Olympians from Moore, Westmoore, and Southmoore high schools showed off their singing, dancing, and musical talents. It’s so wonderful to see and hear our Big Cat Idol contestants get on the big stage and shine!
- Administration
- District
The Moore Chamber of Commerce held its annual Salute to Excellence at the First United Bank in Moore on Feb. 29. MPS Superintendent Dr. Robert Romines was honored as the 2024 Citizen of the Year.
- Awards
- Moore Chamber
- High School
- Westmoore High School
The WHS Wind Ensemble recently worked with renowned Composer Frank Ticheli at the University of Oklahoma.
- Band
- WHS
- Wind Enselble
- Moore High School
- Westmoore High School
MHS senior Joe Black and WHS senior Mark Nguyen named to the 2024 OK Academic All-State Class
- Awards
- Oklahoma Academic All-State
FREE ACT FOR JUNIORS! All MPS juniors will take a free ACT on April 9 at their high schools, and no sign-up is necessary. 📝 ✅
We’re so proud of our Special Olympians from Moore High School, Westmoore High School, and Southmoore High School! After the annual Moore FFA Potato Dinner they competed in the Special Olympics Livestock Show and did an incredible job!
- District
- Elementary
- High School
- Junior High
Moore Council PTA hosts Pat Henry and Reflections Awards Event
- Awards
- Pat Henry Award
Jun Kim, MPS Director of Technology - Through Wars, Tornadoes, and Cyberattacks, He’s a Guardian of Student Privacy.
- High School
- Moore High School
- Southmoore High School
- Westmoore High School
Congratulations, Moore High Choir Director Lynn Herbel, Westmoore Career Counselor Sharee Ferguson, and Southmoore AP Calculus Teacher Michelle Hurt who were honored at the 2024 OSSM Inspiring Teacher Awards!
- Athletics
- Moore High School
- Westmoore High School
Congratulations to all of our amazing Moore High and Westmoore athletes who signed with their colleges yesterday! Students, MPS is excited for you to continue your education as well as your athletic career.
Wrestling put the Finn family on the map in Oklahoma. But it is how John and Nancy Finn lived their lives that set up their five sons for success.
- District
Five Moore Public Schools teachers were honored today as finalists for the 2023-24 District Teacher of the Year with the winner to be announced during the Excellence in Education Ceremony in April.
- Awards
- Teacher of the Year
- District
- VISTA
- High School
- Southmoore High School
"I love smiling! Smiling is my favorite!"
And that's exactly what Buddy the Elf did when visiting the SuperCats at Southmoore High School during their holiday party before winter break. Read more.
- District
- Moore Love
The owners of Not Your Average Joe, a growing Oklahoma coffee business, pride themselves on not only the exceptionalism of their coffee but also the exceptionalism of the people in their shops.
- District
MPS announced the 2023-24 school site and departmental Education Support Professionals of the Year.
- Awards
- ESP
- District
- Elementary
- High School
- Junior High
- Moore High School
- Southmoore High School
- Westmoore High School
MPS announced the 2023-2024 Teachers of the Year, each representing their current school site.
- Teachers of the Year
The HEJH yearbook team learned their yearbook finished as a 2023 Sweepstakes Winner at the Oklahoma Scholastic Media’s Division III Yearbook Competition.
- Communications
The MPS Communications Department earned an Upper Case Award of Merit for the new district logo and MPS Brand Guidelines.
- Communications
- District
Moore Public Schools learned it has been named a 2024 Best School by Niche.com and is ranked first place in Best School District in Cleveland County.
- Awards
- District
Moore Public Schools raised the hourly rate of pay for its bus drivers to $17 and driver hopefuls can receive paid training as they work toward passing their Class B CDL License.
- Bus Drivers
- Transportation
- District
Moore Public Schools announced its list of selected local nonprofit beneficiaries for this school year’s Moore Love fundraising initiative.
- Moore Love
- Athletics
- Southmoore High School
SHS junior Kaden Locke made the South Region U.S. Youth Soccer 2023 Olympic Development Program roster.
- Soccer
- Athletics
- High School
- Moore High School
MHS Junior Addison Worley is named one of the Top 25 Volleyball Players in Oklahoma for 2023.
- Volleyball
- High School
- Westmoore High School
The WHS Prowler Yearbook, 2022-23 was selected to feature in the Jostens Book Bundle.
- WHS
- Yearbook
- Communications
- District
After 22 years, Moore Public Schools unveils its new logo and brand guidelines to the public.
- Brand Guidelines
- Communications
- Logo
- High School
- Westmoore High School
Westmoore High School junior Annan "Glory" Karim was honored with induction into the Oklahoma Scholastic Esports Hall of Fame last month for establishing and growing the first esports team at Moore Public Schools, the fourth-largest district in the state.
- esports
- Child Nutrition
- District
Moore Public Schools will offer its annual Summer Food Fest meal options at various school sites from May 30 to June 30. Any person 18 and under may eat free of charge.
- Food Fest
- MPS Food Truck
- Summer Meal Options
- Junior High
Jostens recently announced that Highland West’s yearbook program has achieved the Jostens 2023 National Yearbook Program of Excellence award at the Gold Level.
- Awards
- HWJH
- Highland West
- Yearbook
- District
- Moore Love
MPS completed its annual fundraising effort for local nonprofits and its students, their families, employees, community members, and business partners raised a combined total of $378,731.95.
- Moore Love
- CareerTech
- District
- High School
MPS Juniors will attend the 2023 Career Expo April 27 and have the opportunity to explore careers, ask questions of industry experts and consider the education and certifications needed for particular jobs.
- CareerTech
- Events
- District
The Moore Public Schools Foundation named the MPS 2023 Teacher of the Year yesterday during the annual Excellence in Education Ceremony at Moore High School.
- Events
- Teacher of the Year
- Athletics
- High School
Seniors Evan Barber and Zachary Hays have achieved something that only one other student at Westmoore has – they each scored their 1000th point as members of the Jags varsity basketball team.
- Basketball
- WHS
- Westmoore
- District
Support Professionals from across the Moore Public Schools district were honored with Above and Beyond Awards at the regular April Board meeting.
- Above and Beyond
- Awards
- Athletics
Brothers and softball coaches Jason and James Lingo have left their mark on Southmoore High School. Both slow-pitch and fast-pitch teams are consistent yearly championship contenders with slow-pitch winning their most recent championship in 2022 and fast-pitch in 2021.
- SHS
- Softball
- Southmoore
- Athletics
- High School
- Moore High School
MHS senior Reese Voegele recently learned he is a National Merit Finalist after already earning a perfect 36 on the ACT. He attributes his success to three things: his family, his teachers, and most of all, personal discipline.
- Baseball
- MHS
- Moore High School
- District
Moore Public Schools congratulates its students who won Reflections Awards and also Cindy Lowe and Tasuna Kelly who were honored as Pat Henry Award winners during the Moore Council PTA's annual Founders Day event.
- Awards
- Pat Henry Award
- District
- High School
The Oklahoma Teacher Connection at the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education has financial opportunities for high school students interested in becoming educators through their Oklahoma Future Teacher Scholarship & Employment Incentive Program: Inspired to Teach.
- College
- OSDE
- Scholarship
- Elementary
Plaza Towers Elementary is partnering with First United Bank of Moore and Scholastic Books to host a Scholastic Book Fair with in-person readings on Feb. 6-10. It is part of a wider goal of reaching out to schools that have historically not had full student participation in the annual book fair experience.
- Book Fair
- Plaza Towers
- District
Moore Public Schools is recycling its student-used iPads this semester and MPS families can request a single device for $50. The online request form is open from Feb. 14 -26, 2023.
- iPad
- District
- Personnel
Moore Public Schools invites all new and seasoned teachers to an evening job fair and dinner at 6 p.m. on Feb. 23 at Southmoore High School.
- Events
- Job Fair
- District
- High School
- Westmoore High School
Sophomore Annan Karim met with w WHS Principal Danny Reed to discuss his vision and the Westmoore Esports Club was founded and they're already experiencing big wins.
- WHS
- esports
- District
MPS announces 2022-23 school site and departmental Educational Support Professionals of the Year.
- Awards
- ESP
- District
- Elementary
- High School
- Junior High
Moore Public Schools announced the 2022-2023 Teachers of the Year, each representing their current school site.
- Teachers of the Year
- Athletics
- District
Education partners at MNTC created a 2.5 mile cross country course for MPS runners to stay safe, and build opportunities for meets at home.
- Cross Country
- District
Students and teachers earned high honors - including two full scholarships to Rose State College - during the annual South Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce Excellence in Education Banquet yesterday at Moore Norman Technology Center’s South Penn Campus.
- Awards
Moore Public Schools recently paid stipends to 61 certified teachers across the district who earned the National Board Certified Teacher credential.
- District
Five Moore Public Schools teachers were selected as finalists for the Teacher of the Year with the winner to be announced in spring 2022.
- Awards
- Teacher of the Year
- District
- Moore Love
Moore Public Schools has announced the list of beneficiaries for this year’s Moore Love fundraising initiative, with all donations going directly to the nonprofits after final collections are completed on Feb. 28, 2022.
- Moore Love
- Junior High
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister applauds six schools in Oklahoma recognized as National Blue Ribbon Schools, including Moore Public Schools' Brink Junior High.
- Awards
- Brink
- Brink Junior High
- National Blue Ribbon School