district home page     contact us

School News - Tip Sheet - 10/8/2008

Future Educators of America Inducts Officers 

10/9/2008, 6 p.m.

The local branch of the Future Educators of America is inducting officers from each individual high school’s association. The event takes place Thursday, October 9, at the Education Service Center, located at 3027 S. New Haven Avenue. It’s a chance for the media and public to meet the future of education in our community.

The FEA is an international program for middle and high school students interested in exploring teaching careers. The program is similar to the Future Teachers of America, an activity that existed prior to 1969 under the auspices of the National Education Association.

The way the program works is each high school creates and maintains an FEA association. Hale High School’s association will act as Master of Ceremonies for Thursday night’s event. Joey Newsom, the Thoreau Demonstration Academy instructor recently named the district’s Teacher of the Year, will provide an address.

According to the organization’s website, local chapters offer a wide range of services: They assist students interesting in teaching as a career and enable educators to shape our nation's future by providing input into the ever-evolving education profession. Chapters also give teachers opportunities to examine, clarify, and explain their role in students' lives; expands the pool of applicants to teacher education programs and provides early identification of potentially excellent future teachers and creates a positive image of teaching for students, parents, and other citizens. The FEA also encourages the influx of new ideas and diverse points of view.

The following TPS schools have FEA branches: Booker T. Washington, Central, East Central, Edison Preparatory, Memorial, Nathan Hale, Daniel Webster, Tulsa School of Science and Technology and Will Rogers High School.

 

Fifth-graders get Healthy, Yummy Lesson in Food Production 

10/10/2008, 8;30 a.m.

Fifth-graders from Jones Elementary School and other schools in the area get a lesson in agriculture by donning (metaphorically speaking) the hat of a farmer. Representatives from Borden’s Dairy, the Oklahoma State University Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service and the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture visit the school on Friday, October 10.

“Farm to Market,” organized by Sodexo and Tulsa Public Schools’ Child Nutrition Services, enables students to plant their own wheat seeds, take them home and watch them grow. The lesson doesn’t end there: The agricultural experts also teach about worm composting and herb growing. As a special treat the children get to sample Oklahoma-grown watermelon, squash and wheat. Ever eat Watermelon salsa? These students will get a taste come Friday.

“Many of our students know their food comes from the store or a drive-through window. This is a great way to teach them about the farmers who help to put food on America’s tables,” said Howard Benyon, principal at Jones.

This is another example of the healthy and informative programs regularly offered by the district’s Child Nutrition department.

“Child Nutrition provides TPS students with nourishing meals (and) also with valuable lessons about how nutrition factors into a healthy lifestyle,” said Kit Hines, director of operation for Sodexo School Services at TPS.

 

Zarrow Students Display Artwork at Noche de Gala  

10/11/2008, 6:30 p.m.

Artwork created by students at Henry Zarrow International School represents some of the items auctioned off at this year’s Noche de Gala, a fundraiser for the Hispanic American Foundation. The foundation provides “scholarships for students studying Spanish and promoting Spanish cultural issues. They also partner with educational intuitions in the city,” said Cristina Smith Williams, a foundation board member.

“The Zarrow International art project is an example of a wonderful partnership between (the foundation) and educational programs in the community. The children are so proud to be making something that helps raise money for scholarships,” said Dr. Nilda Reyes, chair of the foundation.

Zarrow teacher Sondra Williamson says Tulsa artist Juan Robinson Franco served as a creative muse for the students, inspiring their artwork.

Noche de Gala (the closest literal translation is “fancy evening”) is at the Southern Hills Country Club on Saturday, October 11, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

 

Bully Proofing Kids 

10/11/2008, 10 a.m.

While hard statistics are tough to obtain, most people that have attended school in the United States have at least anecdotal evidence of bullying and the pain it causes.

A one-day workshop aimed at all parents and teachers—as well as students in the fourth and fifth grades—will address the problem. “Bully Proofing Kids” is at the Tulsa Technology Center’s Lemley Campus on Saturday, October 11, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

In a flyer promoting the event, organizers sound an alarm about bullying: “Across the United States, countless students are afraid to go to school while others are helpless witnesses. And children who bully have been shown to have significant problems later in life.”

For more information or to pre-register call 918-560-1114. The deadline to register is Oct. 8.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Choose your style.