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School News - Tip Sheet - 10/15/2008

Tulsa’s Largest Light Bulb Draws Attention to Quality After School Programs 

10/16/2008, 5 p.m.

It’s a unique coming together of the entire community—local businesses, educators, parents and children—all designed to draw attention to quality after school programs.

On Thursday, October 16, Veteran’s Park in Tulsa (located at 1875 S. Boulder) will be illuminated as the largest light bulb the city has ever seen glows from 5 to 7 p.m. In addition, there will be activities for children provided by local out-of-school-time programs.

“Lights On Afterschool! events showcase our community’s efforts to remind families, educators, and employers that children’s out-of-school time offers endless opportunities for enrichment and accomplishments beyond the classroom,” said Bobbie Henderson, Executive Director of CampFire USA.

The event is part of a nationwide celebration of after school programs. Tulsa will be one of more than 7,500 sites across the nation sending a message to parents and students alike that after school programs are key to a child’s success. Local organizers say they expect a turnout of at least 300 people. The children attending the event are enrolled in after school programs from all areas.

Parents, media, employers, neighbors, school officials and others have been invited to help rally support for safe and stimulating after school programs.

“Quality after school programs keep kids safe, engage them in healthy recreational pursuits and connect them to activities that expand their creative and intellectual horizons,” Henderson said.

“This program creates awareness of how quality after school programs are important in the lives of parents and children alike,” said Debbie Sekel, chair of the Lights On Afterschool! workgroup and the Before/After Care Coordinator at Tulsa Public Schools.

 

Renowned Educator Headlining OECTA Conference 

10/16/2008, 8 a.m.

Internationally known educator, author and licensed professional counselor Esther Williams is headlining the Oklahoma Early Childhood Teacher’s Association conference at Salk Elementary on October 16.

The conference is open to pre-k through second grade teachers. Various topics will be examined during breakout sessions.

Williams holds a Bachelor of Science and Master’s degrees in counseling from Auburn University. In 1999 she founded the consulting firm Positive Paths.

 

Fundraiser for Memorial’s Special Olympics Team 

10/19/2008, 3:30 p.m.

A benefit concert and dance for Memorial High School’s Special Olympics team is Sunday, October 19, at the Gilcrease Hills Association Clubhouse, located at 1919 West Seminole.

Tickets are $5. Music is being provided by the Salsa Rhythm Project, a group described by its members as “Green County’s hardest working salsa and Latin band.”

Come on out and get down for a good cause.

 

Williams Named NIEA’s Elder of the Year 

10/22/2008

Lillian Williams, a resource advisor with TPS’ Indian Education Office, has received an incredibly prestigious honor. Williams has been named the National Indian Education Association’s Elder of the Year.

Williams will be honored when the NIEA holds its annual convention and banquet in Seattle on October 22-26.

For years involved in coordinating opportunities for Native American students, including pow wows and other cultural activities, Williams has also worked extensively with the Greater Tulsa Area Indian Affairs Commission and the Tulsa Indian Club. She said that since 1973—the year the federal government first approved monies for Indian education—Tulsa Public Schools has taken the lead in recognizing the importance of educating Native youth.

“I am fortunate to be one who was involved from the beginning and participated in the development of this unique program…our graduates represent many tribal nations who have begun to take their place of leadership within their communities,” Williams said.

 

Grammy Winning Artist Coming to Grimes 

10/23/2008, 8 a.m.

You may not know the name but you’ve probably heard his music. He’s an artist that collects accolades the way other people collect stamps and he’s coming to Grimes Elementary.

Steve Seskin will meet with faculty and students on October 23. Seskin is an incredibly successful songwriter that has written the Grammy-nominated “Grown Men Don’t Cry,” recorded by Tim McGraw, and “Don’t Laugh at Me,” winner of NSAI Song of the Year and Music Row Magazine Song of the Year in 1999 as recorded by Mark Wills.

He also harbors a soft spot for children. His recording of Peter, Paul and Mary’s “Don’t Laugh at Me” became the impetus for the Operation Respect/Don’t Laugh at Me project, a curriculum designed to teach tolerance in schools. This program has already been implemented in more than 20,000 schools across the country. The song is now available as a children’s book featuring the song’s lyrics along with illustrations.

His visit to Grimes is two-fold, said Grimes Principal Belinda Baldwin.

“He’s helping us teach about compassion and he’s helping teach about music,” she said.

Seskin will work with the students on songwriting and by the end of the day the musical combo of Seskin/Grimes will have a piece ready for performance.

Seskin’s other #1 hits are “No Doubt About It” and “For a Change,” both recorded by Neal McCoy; “No Man’s Land” and “If You’ve Got Love,” both recorded by John Michael Montgomery, and “Daddy’s Money,” recorded by Ricochet. Other chart toppers include “I Think about You,” recorded by Colin Raye, and “All I Need To Know,” recorded by Kenny Chesney. The video for Raye’s “I Think about You” single was named the Academy of Country Music’s Video of the Year in 1997. Recent recordings of his songs include “Pictures,” by John Michael Montgomery; “We Shook Hands,” by Tebey, and “I’ll Always Be There for You,” by Brian McComas.

 

K-12 Magnet Fair 

10/25/2008, 11 a.m.

A fair highlighting the magnet programs being offered by Tulsa Public Schools is Saturday, October 25, at Woodland Hills Mall. Every district school with a magnet program will have representatives in attendance, and parents and students are invited to come and check out the host of educational opportunities available to them.

It won’t all be booths and pamphlets: Students at Central High School’s Fine and Performing Arts magnet are providing the entertainment, showing first-hand what their magnet strand has taught them.

The following schools have magnet programs: Booker T. Washington HS, Central HS, Edison Preparatory, Hale HS, McLain HS, Memorial HS, Webster HS, Carver MS, Thoreau Demonstration, Wilson MS, Eisenhower International, Mayo Demonstration and Zarrow International.

The fair runs from 11a.m. – 3 p.m. Contact Shelonda Hawkins at 746-6513 for more information.

 

Eugene Field Early Childhood Education Center to Open 

10/30/2008, 1:30 p.m.

Just a few months after opening an early childhood education center in east Tulsa, the Community Action Project and Tulsa Public Schools are ready to go again. This time it’s the Eugene Field Early Childhood Education Center, located at 1116 West 22nd Street.

Funded through a combination of state and private donations—including a multi-million dollar contribution from the George Kaiser Family Foundation—the center reflects a commitment to enhance and expand learning through Oklahoma’s Pilot Early Childhood Program, which State Superintendent of Public Instruction Sandy Garrett calls “one of Oklahoma's greatest hopes for a successful future.”

The program caters to low-income families. Almost nine out of ten recipients are minorities and six out of ten live in a single-parent home.

The grand opening, including a tour of the facility, is Thursday, October 30, at 1:30 p.m. TPS Superintendent Dr. Keith Ballard is one the officials slated to speak.

The public and media are invited to attend.

Parents interested in enrolling their children in the center should call 585-3227.

 

2009 Mock Election 

10/30/2008, 9 a.m.

While they cannot yet vote, students at Eisenhower International School have been studying the presidential election and on Thursday, October 30, they’ll participate in a mock presidential election.

Eisenhower administrators say the children are going through the entire process: Registering to vote and entering a booth to cast a ballot in private. The event is sponsored by the Tulsa World.

 

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