ALUMNI EXCELLENCE AWARD: Service to Community, Dr. Barbara Staggs
Dr. Barbara Staggs was a graduate of the Central High School Class of 1958. While at Central High she was editor of the school newspaper, The Scout. She received a bachelor’s degree from Northeastern State University in 1963 and a master’s degree from University of Tulsa in 1968. Dr. Staggs began her career with Muskogee Public Schools at Alice Robertson Junior High as an English teacher, later moving to Muskogee High School where she taught drama, speech and broadcasting. She received a Ph.D. from the University of Tulsa in 1987 and began moving into administration, serving as the assistant principal and then principal of Muskogee High School, and later as superintendent of Tahlequah Public Schools. In 1993 Dr. Staggs ran on the Democratic ticket for a position in the State Legislature and won, being the first woman to hold office in District 14. She served from 1994 until 2006. During her tenure in office she was instrumental in education legislation, rural library funding, and creation of the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame. Dr. Stagg’s fearless leadership had a profound impact on our city and our state, and on everyone who knew her.
Dr. Barbara Staggs was a graduate of the Central High School Class of 1958. While at Central High she was editor of the school newspaper, The Scout. She received a bachelor’s degree from Northeastern State University in 1963 and a master’s degree from University of Tulsa in 1968. Dr. Staggs began her career with Muskogee Public Schools at Alice Robertson Junior High as an English teacher, later moving to Muskogee High School where she taught drama, speech and broadcasting. She received a Ph.D. from the University of Tulsa in 1987 and began moving into administration, serving as the assistant principal and then principal of Muskogee High School, and later as superintendent of Tahlequah Public Schools. In 1993 Dr. Staggs ran on the Democratic ticket for a position in the State Legislature and won, being the first woman to hold office in District 14. She served from 1994 until 2006. During her tenure in office she was instrumental in education legislation, rural library funding, and creation of the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame. Dr. Stagg’s fearless leadership had a profound impact on our city and our state, and on everyone who knew her.
ALUMNI EXCELLENCE AWARD: Professional Achievement, Dr. Carlton Caves
Dr. Carlton Caves graduated from Central High School in 1968. While in high school he won multiple debate tournaments with his partner, the late Congressman Mike Synar. He received a bachelor’s degree in physics and math from Rice University in 1972 and a Ph.D. in physics from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in 1979. From 1979 until 1987 Dr. Caves was a research fellow in theoretical physics at Caltech. In
1987 he became a professor of electrical engineering and physics at the University of Southern California, then moving to the University of New Mexico where he remains a distinguished professor emeritus in physics and astronomy. His many awards include a National Science Foundation fellowship; Richard Feynman Fellowship; the Einstein Prize for Laser Science; elected a member of the National Academy of Sciences, and in 2020 receiving the Micius Prize for foundational work on quantum metrology (measurement) and information. He is cited in hundreds of professional journals. His contributions to
quantum physics metrology are considered foundational to the field of physics across the
globe.
Dr. Carlton Caves graduated from Central High School in 1968. While in high school he won multiple debate tournaments with his partner, the late Congressman Mike Synar. He received a bachelor’s degree in physics and math from Rice University in 1972 and a Ph.D. in physics from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in 1979. From 1979 until 1987 Dr. Caves was a research fellow in theoretical physics at Caltech. In
1987 he became a professor of electrical engineering and physics at the University of Southern California, then moving to the University of New Mexico where he remains a distinguished professor emeritus in physics and astronomy. His many awards include a National Science Foundation fellowship; Richard Feynman Fellowship; the Einstein Prize for Laser Science; elected a member of the National Academy of Sciences, and in 2020 receiving the Micius Prize for foundational work on quantum metrology (measurement) and information. He is cited in hundreds of professional journals. His contributions to
quantum physics metrology are considered foundational to the field of physics across the
globe.
It’s #NationalSchoolCounselingWeek, and we want to sincerely thank our school counselors for the incredible impact they have on Muskogee students helping them succeed today and plan for the future. Please take a moment this week to stop by and say thank you to your school counselor! 💚
ALUMNI EXCELLENCE AWARD: Professional Achievement, Dr. J. Martin Beal
Dr. Beal is a 1983 graduate of Muskogee High School. He attended the University of Oklahoma, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in English Literature, and graduated from the OSU School of Osteopathic Medicine in 1993. In 1994 he went to Africa with Medical Aid to care for refugees of the Rwandan genocide. From 1994 to 1998 Dr. Beal was a resident in obstetrics and gynecology at Tulsa Regional Medical Center. While a
practicing physician, Dr. Beal was Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine from 1998 until 2003 and Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology from 2003 – 2008. He went into private practice with Tulsa OB-GYN Associates, Inc. from 2008 – 2025. He served as Chief of Staff at St. John’s Medical Center during COVID from 2019 – 2022. He has authored numerous articles published in The Journal of Reproductive Medicine. Dr. Beal’s awards include the Osteopathic Foundation’s Outstanding Physician Award and being named Outstanding Educator and
Outstanding Lecturer at OSU Osteopathic Medical School. He was selected for the Oklahoma
Top Doctors Award by Oklahoma Magazine for fifteen years from 2008 to 2022. Dr. Beal is
currently attending physician and chair of the OB/GYN department at St. John’s Ascension
in Tulsa.
Dr. Beal is a 1983 graduate of Muskogee High School. He attended the University of Oklahoma, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in English Literature, and graduated from the OSU School of Osteopathic Medicine in 1993. In 1994 he went to Africa with Medical Aid to care for refugees of the Rwandan genocide. From 1994 to 1998 Dr. Beal was a resident in obstetrics and gynecology at Tulsa Regional Medical Center. While a
practicing physician, Dr. Beal was Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine from 1998 until 2003 and Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology from 2003 – 2008. He went into private practice with Tulsa OB-GYN Associates, Inc. from 2008 – 2025. He served as Chief of Staff at St. John’s Medical Center during COVID from 2019 – 2022. He has authored numerous articles published in The Journal of Reproductive Medicine. Dr. Beal’s awards include the Osteopathic Foundation’s Outstanding Physician Award and being named Outstanding Educator and
Outstanding Lecturer at OSU Osteopathic Medical School. He was selected for the Oklahoma
Top Doctors Award by Oklahoma Magazine for fifteen years from 2008 to 2022. Dr. Beal is
currently attending physician and chair of the OB/GYN department at St. John’s Ascension
in Tulsa.
Inside the February issue of Mendenhall Minutes: Winter weather highlights, upcoming events, and important spring reminders!
Save the Dates:
Staff Professional Development / MEA ½ Day – No School: Feb. 16
Parent/Teacher Conferences: March 9–10
End of 3rd Term – No School: March 13
Spring Break – No School: March 16–20
Save the Dates:
Staff Professional Development / MEA ½ Day – No School: Feb. 16
Parent/Teacher Conferences: March 9–10
End of 3rd Term – No School: March 13
Spring Break – No School: March 16–20
Here is a snippet of our Instructional Calendar for February:
- Feb 16: Professional Development for Staff - No School
To view the full 2025-26 Instructional Calendar, visit https://www.muskogeeps.org/page/instructional-calendars
- Feb 16: Professional Development for Staff - No School
To view the full 2025-26 Instructional Calendar, visit https://www.muskogeeps.org/page/instructional-calendars
The Read, Play, Talk Bus is rolling back into Muskogee this spring and summer!
Join us for reading, play, and learning fun at stops throughout the community. Check out the full schedule below and come see us! 📚
For more information, visit: https://www.muskogeeps.org/page/read-play-talk
Join us for reading, play, and learning fun at stops throughout the community. Check out the full schedule below and come see us! 📚
For more information, visit: https://www.muskogeeps.org/page/read-play-talk
For those who like to plan ahead, here are the Instructional Calendars for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 school years.
You can always find them on our website here: https://www.muskogeeps.org/.../page/instructional-calendars
You can always find them on our website here: https://www.muskogeeps.org/.../page/instructional-calendars
With the potential for winter weather across Oklahoma later this week, learn how decisions are made, how notifications are shared, and where to find official closure or delay information by reviewing our Inclement Weather Procedures here: https://files backend.assets.thrillshare.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4490/Mps/5cac8d75-f928-4003-a838-216ed06c63dd/Inclement-Weather-Procedures-.pdf?disposition=inline
January is School Board Appreciation Month! 💚
Muskogee Public Schools would like to thank our Board of Education members: Bobby Jefferson, Tommy Anderson, Larry Stewart, Debra Horsechief, and Danny Shiew for their dedication, leadership, and commitment to putting students first.
Your guidance strengthens our schools, supports our community, and makes a lasting impact on the lives of every Rougher student and family.
#TheMuskogeeWay
Today, we honor and celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.
Another great night of basketball last night at Rougher Village Arena! We loved seeing our Little Rougher cheerleaders perform at halftime! 💚
Reminder: No school Monday, January 19, 2026 in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. See you on Tuesday, Roughers!
Today, Dr. Jarod Mendenhall was honored with the Beloved Community Award by the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center Trust Authority for his exceptional service and commitment to building a beloved community. 💚
Adding to the celebration, the Muskogee High School Advanced Choral performed two incredible pieces, filling the event with inspiring music and joy. 🎶
Adding to the celebration, the Muskogee High School Advanced Choral performed two incredible pieces, filling the event with inspiring music and joy. 🎶
Service in action! Our Muskogee 8th & 9th Grade Academy Student Council is preparing dinner this evening at the Gospel Rescue Mission.
Look at these smiling faces at Irving Elementary ! 💚
Fourth-grade students at Irving Elementary are putting their STEM learning into action using materials made possible through a grant from the Education Foundation of Muskogee!
Learning doesn’t stop at the classroom door! Students at the Early Childhood Center are exploring, creating, and discovering in their Outdoor Classroom—made possible through the Little Explorers Outdoor Classroom grant from the Education Foundation of Muskogee!
Welcome back and Happy New Year, Roughers! January Mendenhall Minutes is here with highlights and key information as we begin the spring semester.
Save the Dates:
Martin Luther King Jr. Day - No School: Jan. 19
Staff Professional Development/ MEA 1/2 Day - No School: Feb. 16
Save the Dates:
Martin Luther King Jr. Day - No School: Jan. 19
Staff Professional Development/ MEA 1/2 Day - No School: Feb. 16
Check out the new look of Rougher Hall at Muskogee High School!
We are excited to welcome everyone back on Monday, January 5, 2026! 💚
#TheMuskogeeWay
