Vinita Public Schools
Home of the Hornets
2026 Ratcliff, Hartley, Cresap Scholarship — Now Accepting Applications
Scholarship Link for 2026: https://forms.gle/3FHDJjgnSCbLGiog9
Vinita Public Schools is proud to offer the Ratcliff, Hartley, Cresap Scholarship Fund to support our graduates as they pursue their futures beyond Vinita High School. This scholarship is available to previous VHS graduates currently enrolled in a college, university, or technical school, with a minimum award of $1,000.
To be considered, applicants must have a college GPA of 2.5 or higher, have completed 12 credit hours in the previous semester while enrolled in 12 hours in the current semester, and submit an essay outlining their course of study and future goals. Civic, community, and college involvement are also considered.
Applications must be submitted by 11:59 a.m. on Monday, August 3rd, 2026. Please note that 2026 graduates are not yet eligible.
We are grateful to invest in the young men and women who carry the Vinita Hornet spirit with them wherever they go. Apply today and take the next step toward your future.
Happy Flag Day from Vinita Public Schools!
Did you know the American flag has been waving since 1777? That's almost 250 years ago!
The red, white, and blue mean something special — and there's a really cool story about how Flag Day got started thanks to a teacher, just like yours!
Want to learn more fun facts about our flag? Ask a grown-up to help you visit:
www.history.com/articles/what-is-flag-day
And if you'd like to become a Vinita Hornet, we'd love to have you! Reach out to us at:
Enroll@VinitaHornets.com
Go Hornets!
#FlagDay #VInitaHornets #LearningForAll #GoHornets
We Did It, Hornets! Time to Celebrate!
Great news, Hornets! We reached a huge goal, and it is time to celebrate!
A few years ago, the state told us our schools needed extra help to get our scores up. And, as you know, Hornets never give up! Because our amazing teachers, principals, and students worked so hard, we are officially off that list. We climbed right out of the bottom 5% and are moving forward!
This is a huge win for our town. To say "Great job!" we are throwing a party. Please join us this Monday at 5:30 PM for a fun reception, as mentioned at April's BOE meeting. We will have mini cupcakes and M&Ms for everyone to enjoy!
We are so proud of Vinita Elementary - Hall-Halsell Elementary & Will Rogers Elementary, and Vinita High School. Thank you for making our schools a great place to learn and grow.
You can read the full story of our hard work right here: https://www.vinitahornets.com/article/2844093
Big Trucks and Big Changes for Our Schools!
Look at our parking lots! We have giant yellow trucks, rollers, and big stacks of new roofing blocks ready to go. The heavy lifting has officially started to fix up our schools! Our workers are busy putting a brand-new roof on the High School, the rain may have slowed the outside start. They are also fixing the windows at the Middle School gym and giving us a new, safe power box. Over at Hall-Halsell Elementary, big tractors are moving dirt to build a brand-new, strong storm shelter to keep our kids safe, with a bus loop, and a parking lot for our staff!
Because the big trucks are working hard, the North parking lot at the High School and the West lot at Hall-Halsell are closed for the summer. We moved our fun summer activities to Will Rogers Elementary so everyone stays safe. Thank you for being patient while we build a better, stronger school for our Vinita Hornets!
Want to see more cool details? Keep an eye out for a story coming soon (now online) in the Vinita Daily Journal! Mrs. Angela Thomason wrote a great newspaper piece to show our whole town how these awesome projects are coming to life. #VinitaPublicSchools #BuildingOurFuture #SafeAndStrong #2025BondProject
Community & Remembrance
Today, Vinita Public Schools joins our community and nation in celebrating Memorial Day—a sacred time dedicated to mourning and honoring the deceased service men and women who gave everything to protect our freedoms.
Although our schools are closed for the summer, our gratitude remains constant. We encourage our Hornet families to take a moment today to remember the true cost of our liberty and to honor the local heroes who never made it home.
To explore the profound history of this day of remembrance, you can read more here: https://www.cem.va.gov/history/Memorial-Day-history.asp
May we always remember. 🇺🇸🌾
#VinitaHornets #RememberAndHonor #MemorialDay2026
🚧 PARDON OUR PROGRESS: 2025 Bond Projects Underway 🚧
The idea for these projects started with a facilities review over two years ago, moved to our first Royal Blue Ribbon Committee meetings 18 months ago, and became a reality when our community passed the February 2025 Bond. Today, the heavy lifting officially began! Crews started internal prep and draining the HVAC lines at Vinita High School, signaling the start of a transformative chapter for our district.
⚠️ CRUCIAL LOGISTICAL UPDATES:
- High School Parking: The parking lot on the North Side of the High School is now CLOSED to accommodate construction crews and equipment. Please plan alternative routes and parking accordingly.
- Ewing Halsell Middle School: Upgrades are officially underway! The MS gym windows are getting a major face-lift. Power Outage Notice: In the near future, the Middle School will experience a temporary power shutdown. We are replacing a 75-year-old transformer to bring our power grid straight into the 21st century to support these new facilities. (We will share specific dates/times for the outage as soon as they are finalized.)
Thank you, Hornet Nation, for your patience, support, and vision. We are building a better environment for our kids, one brick and one upgraded transformer at a time! 🐝🏗️ #VinitaHornets #PardonOurProgress #Bond2025 #BuildingTheHive #LearningForAll
🏁 Love the Game? Get Under the Lights! 🏈
Friday nights in Vinita are legendary, but the game can’t happen on Friday nights without the men and women in stripes. We are looking for community members who love football, value fair play, and want to give back to our Hornets by becoming a certified official!
Why Put on the Stripes?
Stay in the Action: It’s the best seat in the house.
Give Back: Support our student-athletes and keep the game safe and fair.
Earn Extra Income: Get paid to stay active and involved in the sport you love.
📢 Not Ready to Ref? You Can Still Support!
If you aren't ready to blow the whistle, you can still be a "game-changer" from the stands. Official shortages are a reality across Oklahoma, and the best way to keep them coming back is with Hornet Hospitality.
Respect the Call: Remember, these officials are often neighbors and fellow fans doing their best for our kids.
Keep it Positive: Making Vinita the favorite destination for every officiating crew because of our sportsmanship and class.
Ready to sign up? Visit the OSSAA website or contact our Athletic Department for more information on how to get started.
It’s a great day to be a Hornet!
#VinitaHornets #HornetPride #OKHighSchoolFootball #BecomeAnOfficial #SportsmanshipMatters #CommunityStrong
Help us celebrate the wonderful careers of Mrs Peggy Wells and Mrs. Lori Moss! 🎓✨
Please join us for a retirement reception on Monday, May 11 at 5:30 PM in the VHS Cafeteria. Let’s gather to share our favorite stories and thank them for their tireless commitment to our students and community.
Our "Listening & Learning" tour continues! After meaningful conversations at Clanton’s and Swift Bros. last week, Superintendent Gabriel Schmidt is heading to Eastside Coffee this Tuesday.
Whether you have a specific question about our goals or just want to chat about the upcoming school year, we’d love to see you there.
• When: Tuesday, May 5
• Time: 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM
• Where: Eastside Coffee
We are committed to keeping the conversation going. Coffee is on us—the insight is on you!
Congratulations to Isaac Birkes and Xerek Hitchcock who signed scholarship offers for band from Oklahoma Baptist University today.
Team Lierle Returns to Vinita Public Schools
Vinita Public Schools is proud to announce the hiring of Brittani and Brandon Lierle for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year.
Mrs. Lierle will serve as the Director of Alternative Education and Virtual Vinita, focusing on expanding non-traditional learning opportunities for our scholars. Mr. Lierle will join to the district as a Middle School Mathematics instructor.
"Landing Team Lierle is a testament to the momentum we are building here in Vinita." says Superintendent Gabe Schmidt. "We are excited to see the impact they will have on our students and our community as they return home."
We had such a great time connecting last week that we’re adding a second stop this week! Superintendent Gabriel Schmidt is hitting the streets to hear from YOU. Whether you’re a family, a business owner, new to Vinita, or a proud Hornet alum, we want to hear your perspective on our district’s journey.
This week's schedule:
☕ Tuesday Morning (April 28) Join us at Clanton's Cafe for Coffee & Conversation from ⏰ 7:00 AM – 10:00 AM
💈 Wednesday Afternoon (April 29) Join us at Swift Bros. Barbershop ⏰ 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM for Happy Hour
No formal agenda—just open doors and honest conversation. Let’s keep moving Vinita forward together!
#VinitaPublicSchools #TheHornetStandard #ListeningAndLearning #LearningForAll #VinitaHornets
Vinita students Xerek Hitchcock and Jayde Carson qualified for and performed at state instrumental solo contest in Stillwater. Xerek received a rating of Superior and Jayde a rating is Excellent.
"Ms. Bible is passionate about her subject matter. Not only that, she creates high expectations for student writing skills and she maintains a good rapport with students in her classes." - Mrs. Melissa Williams, VHS Principal
Teacher Proud Tuesday Nomination Form: https://forms.gle/JHUfAfynSt9hg4LX6
Vinita Schools is excited to be celebrating Teacher Proud Tuesday on (at least) the second Tuesday of every month. The purpose of the Teacher Proud Tuesday campaign is to lift up and celebrate the profession and those currently serving, to recruit and inspire candidates to consider teaching, and to inform communities, business leaders and policymakers the importance of public education.
We need your help in selecting teachers to spotlight each month. To nominate an outstanding teacher please submit the form below. Nominate as many teachers as you'd like and keep in mind that the nominations will roll from one month to the next, so there is no need to repeat your nominations.
Join the celebration! On the second Tuesday of each month, watch for the #TeacherProud hashtag and share the celebrations.
Teacher Proud Tuesday Nomination Form: https://forms.gle/JHUfAfynSt9hg4LX6
Vinita Schools is excited to be celebrating Teacher Proud Tuesday on (at least) the second Tuesday of every month. The purpose of the Teacher Proud Tuesday campaign is to lift up and celebrate the profession and those currently serving, to recruit and inspire candidates to consider teaching, and to inform communities, business leaders and policymakers the importance of public education.
We need your help in selecting teachers to spotlight each month. To nominate an outstanding teacher please submit the form below. Nominate as many teachers as you'd like and keep in mind that the nominations will roll from one month to the next, so there is no need to repeat your nominations.
Join the celebration! On the second Tuesday of each month, watch for the #TeacherProud hashtag and share the celebrations.
🎨 Hornets Downtown: Art Meets Community!
Come see Vinita Main Street this afternoon! As you enjoy the festivities and stop by local businesses, be sure to check out the beautiful updates downtown created by our very own Art Club students.
A huge thank you and congratulations to Ione Cox, Jaycee Hensley, and Ella Terrell for their hard work and creativity in helping prepare for today's celebration of the City of Vinita.
We are so proud of the way our students are leaving their mark on our community! 🐝✨
#VinitaHornets #VinitaMain Street #HornetPride #CommunityStrong #StudentArtists
Come see Vinita Main Street this afternoon! As you enjoy the festivities and stop by local businesses, be sure to check out the beautiful updates downtown created by our very own Art Club students.
A huge thank you and congratulations to Ione Cox, Jaycee Hensley, and Ella Terrell for their hard work and creativity in helping prepare for today's celebration of the City of Vinita.
We are so proud of the way our students are leaving their mark on our community! 🐝✨
#VinitaHornets #VinitaMain Street #HornetPride #CommunityStrong #StudentArtists
Are you passionate about education and dedicated to student success? Vinita Public Schools is seeking talented and enthusiastic individuals to join our team. From the front of the classroom to the baseline, your impact starts here.
✅ Focus on student success
✅ Competitive pay
✅ Supportive community
Apply TODAY to join the Hornet team: https://www.vinitahornets.com/page/career-opportunities
#VPS #Hiring #HornetWay #VinitaOK
Celebrating Our Road Warriors! 🚌
Today we celebrate the men and women who keep Vinita moving! Our bus drivers are the first smiling faces our students see in the morning and the last ones they see before heading home.
Thank you for your commitment to safety, your patience on the road, and your unwavering support of our students. Next time you see your driver, be sure to give them a "thank you" for all they do!
#VPS #SafeTravels #HornetPride
Today we celebrate the men and women who keep Vinita moving! Our bus drivers are the first smiling faces our students see in the morning and the last ones they see before heading home.
Thank you for your commitment to safety, your patience on the road, and your unwavering support of our students. Next time you see your driver, be sure to give them a "thank you" for all they do!
#VPS #SafeTravels #HornetPride
Celebrating Our Vinita School Resource Officers 🛡️🐝
At Vinita Public Schools, safety is our priority, yet it’s the relationships that make the difference. Today, we want to recognize our incredible School Resource Officers (SROs): Troy Messick, Jim Curry, and Benny McCord.
These gentlemen do a phenomenal job of living out the "SRO Triad"—serving as public safety educators, mentors, and law enforcement officers all in one. Their approach balances tactical safety with proactive mentorship, fostering positive relationships with our students, families, and staff every single day.
Whether they are in the hallways giving high-fives, in the classroom teaching safety, or simply being a trusted adult our students can turn to, Troy, Jim, and Benny are essential threads in the fabric of our Hornet community.
Thank you for keeping us safe and for investing in the future of our scholars!
#VinitaHornets #LearningForAll #SRO #SchoolSafety #CommunityMentors
At Vinita Public Schools, safety is our priority, yet it’s the relationships that make the difference. Today, we want to recognize our incredible School Resource Officers (SROs): Troy Messick, Jim Curry, and Benny McCord.
These gentlemen do a phenomenal job of living out the "SRO Triad"—serving as public safety educators, mentors, and law enforcement officers all in one. Their approach balances tactical safety with proactive mentorship, fostering positive relationships with our students, families, and staff every single day.
Whether they are in the hallways giving high-fives, in the classroom teaching safety, or simply being a trusted adult our students can turn to, Troy, Jim, and Benny are essential threads in the fabric of our Hornet community.
Thank you for keeping us safe and for investing in the future of our scholars!
#VinitaHornets #LearningForAll #SRO #SchoolSafety #CommunityMentors
Save the Date: Family Health Fair @ WRE! 🩺✨
We’re bringing the community together for our families! Join us at Will Rogers Elementary on Feb 26th from 4-6 PM to meet with local health partners and explore wellness resources available right here in our community. Let’s work together for a healthier day ahead!
#VinitaHornets #WREHealthFair #StrongerTogether #VinitaPublicSchools
Thank you, Hornet Families!
We want to extend a sincere thank you to all of our families who joined us for our Spring Conferences this evening (and will until 9:30pm).
Your partnership is what makes "Learning for All" possible at Vinita Public Schools. We truly value the time spent discussing your students' progress and success.
Reminder of the coming days:
• Friday, February 13: Schools will be CLOSED for Conference Break.
• Monday, February 16: Schools will be CLOSED in observance of President’s Day.
We look forward to welcoming all our students back to the classroom on Tuesday, February 17.
Enjoy the long weekend, Hornet Nation!
P.S. Save the Date: 2/26 Community Health Fair from 4-6pm at Will Rogers Elementary.
