8th & 9th Academy

Rougher Hall is officially complete at Muskogee High School! 💚

We are proud of this refreshed space that reflects the tradition, pride, and excellence of Rougher Nation. We can’t wait to see it filled with new memories for years to come.

#TheMuskogeeWay

We’re proud to share that Muskogee Public Schools has been named Best in Class for 2026 by Cenergistic, our district’s energy-savings program.

In celebration of the award, Cenergistic presented a $2,500 check to the Education Foundation of Muskogee.

A special thank you to John Rich, MPS Director of Operations, who works closely with our campuses and the Cenergistic team to help us operate efficiently and make the most of our resources. This recognition reflects a team effort across the district!

Congratulations to our MIT Robotics Team on a strong showing at State!

This past weekend, the Muskogee High School robotics team competed at the state tournament, finishing 13th overall. They were the only team all day to hold the No. 1 team in the state and the No. 7 team in the world under 200 points in a match!

MIT also earned 1st Place in the Sustain Award for excellence in sustainability, recruitment, and community outreach. We’re so proud of our team and their successful season!

This week we’re celebrating National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day and are so thankful for our MPS Campus Police team. From keeping our campuses safe to supporting students and staff every single day, they make a real difference, and we appreciate all they do! 💚

Love and friendship were celebrated across our school sites this week for Valentine’s Day! 💌 Check out how our littlest Roughers at the Muskogee Early Childhood Center celebrated with sweet treats, dance parties, and lots of smiles!

REMINDER: There will be no school Monday, February 16, 2026 to allow professional development for our teachers and staff. We will see you back in school on Tuesday, February 17!

Feeling the love as Valentine's Day approaches! A huge thank you to Main Street Muskogee for the hearts on the front windows of the Education Service Center, created by Muskogee-area students! We are grateful to be part of such a vibrant, welcoming community. 💖

#LoveYourDowntown #TheMuskogeeWay

Valentines are arriving at Tony Goetz Elementary from all 50 states! 💌

Ms. Clark’s 2nd graders have been opening cards, reading thoughtful messages, and learning interesting facts about communities across the country. This hands-on project has been a great way to bring geography to life in the classroom.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this experience possible for our students!

Our 8th & 9th Grade Academy students spent the week spreading kindness in our community. 💚 From creating Valentine’s cards for senior citizens to assembling toiletry kits and blankets for our unhoused neighbors, they’re learning that small acts of service can make a big difference!

Our 4th grade students at Tony Goetz Elementary did an amazing job performing at their “All You Need Is Love” concert! Thank you to music teacher “Professor” Rappe for leading such a special performance, and to all of our families and staff for supporting our students. We are so proud of their hard work and talent! 💚

Congratulations to Sophia Darden-Crewse from the 8th & 9th Grade Academy on finishing in the top 3 places for the MAEC Math and Engineering Design Competition! We are incredibly proud of your achievement! 🎉

Last night, we had the privilege of celebrating excellence, service, and lasting legacies at our Alumni Excellence Awards. It was a special evening of reflection and pride as we honored alumni whose achievements and contributions have made a meaningful impact on our schools, our community, and beyond. 💚

Congratulations once again to our 2026 honorees:

- Angelique Hillmon – Rougher Hero Award
- Dr. Carlton M. Caves – Professional Achievement Award
- Dr. Barbara Staggs – Service to the Community Award
- Lt. Gen. Phillip Buford Davidson, Jr. – Lifetime Achievement Award
- Porter LaVare Reed – Service to the Community Award
- Joan Hill – Lifetime Achievement Award
- Dr. John Martin Beal – Professional Achievement Award

Big things are happening for literacy at Rougher Alternative Academy!

Thanks to a state classroom support grant, teacher Vickie Johnson is leading a powerful Literacy Empowerment Initiative that’s helping students reconnect with reading, writing, and their own voices.

Through interdisciplinary novel studies, small-group support, and even creating and publishing children’s books for elementary students, our secondary students aren’t just strengthening literacy skills — they’re becoming mentors, authors, and role models. 💚📚

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! 💚

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

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

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

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

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