district home page     contact us

School News - Tip Sheet - 11/12/2008

TPS Indian Ed. Lauded for Cultural Program 

11/12/2008

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. That effort is still glaringly apparent as for the second time in the last five years TPS’ Indian Education is recognized for their exemplary Johnson O'Malley program.

The honor was handed out during the National Johnson-O’Malley Association Conference, held November 9-11 at the Marriott Southern Hills Hotel in Tulsa.

“I’m elated,” said Jean Froman, coordinator of Indian Education at the district. “I’m especially pleased because the award relates to the cultural aspect of our program and that’s something we take great pride in.”

Froman, a member of the Creek Nation, has been with the district for a decade.

Passed in 1934 and named after the senators that authored the act, Johnson O’Malley originally featured five components, with the education of Native youth as major beneficiary. Subsequent additions to the legislation include language allowing Native parents a greater say in their children’s schooling.

 

BTW, Whitsel to be Honored at Health Association Celebration 

11/13/2008, 5:30 p.m

A Tulsa high school and a Tulsa Public Schools employee will both be honored when the Mental Health Association in Tulsa’s board of directors holds its 2008 Annual Meeting and Awards Celebration this evening.

Booker T. Washington High School is slated to be recognized as a recipient of the association’s Community Collaboration Award.

TPS Director of Counseling Tenna Whitsel has been picked to receive the Youth Outreach Services Award.

“Whitsel is truly concerned about her students’ well-being and is extremely committed and interested in every program brought to her attention, including SafeTeam and Columbia TeenScreen,” said Christina Siemens, director of Youth Outreach Services.

The event begins with a reception at 5:30 p.m. with the program starting at 6 p.m. It’s at the OU-Tulsa Schusterman Learning Center, Founders’ Hall, located at 4502 E. 41st Street.

 

Meeting for Parents, Guardians of Gifted and Talented Students 

11/13/2008, 4 p.m.

An organizational meeting for parents and guardians of gifted and talented students is Thursday, November 13, at 4 p.m. in the Tulsa Public Schools Education Service Center, located at 3027 S New Haven.

Gifted and Talented Coordinator Debra F. Hull, PhD, says the meeting will focus on the dual issues of education and advocacy. Young children are welcome to attend. Contact Hull at 746-6674, hullde2@tulsaschool.org, for more information.

 

Rogers Round-Up Fundraiser 

11/14/2008, 6 p.m.

An on-and-off Tulsa tradition since 1940 is holding its first major fundraiser of the year and the public is invited to attend. Will Rogers High School’s Round-Up goes by a different name each year. This time around the moniker is, “Round-Up a Go-Go: 2009!”

A silent auction benefiting the Round-Up is November 14, 6-7:30 pm. Kristina Vassella, the school’s theater director, says all proceeds from the auction go towards costumes, sets and lighting.

“The cast and crew have brought in incredible baskets just in time for the holidays or birthdays,” Vassella said.

According to a 2007 Tulsa World op/ed article by Dick Risk, a 1959 Rogers graduate: “The Round-Up originated in 1940, during the school's initial school year and was produced every year until 1972, when funds ran short and the show was called off. It was not revived until 25 years later, in 1996.”

 

TPS and PTA Team Up to Save Students 

11/15/2008, 8:30 a.m.

The Tulsa Council of PTAs and Tulsa Public Schools are teaming up to challenge parents to get involved and stem the tide of students dropping out of school. Each year, only about 70 percent of U.S. high school seniors graduate on time with a regular diploma. Research indicates the most powerful tool to save children can be found in nearly every home: Parents.

A recent study from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation found that students with involved parents, regardless of their family income or background, are more likely to earn higher grades and test scores, enroll in higher level classes, attend school and pass their classes, develop better social skills, graduate from high school, attend college, and find productive work. "One Dream, Two Realities" confirms what common sense suggests: Parents are central to the educational success of their children.

The Tulsa Board of Education recognized years ago the importance of parent/guardian involvement in schools, setting a goal of 100 percent participation in each school’s Parent Teacher Associations by 2010. About 41,000 students currently attend Tulsa Public Schools. According to the Tulsa Council of PTAs, the governing organization over parent groups at the District’s 88 TPS sites, current membership is 10,000 – less than halfway toward the 2010 goal.

According to "One Dream, Two Realities," most parents believe their involvement is vital to their child’s academic success, but many are not sure how to find their way in to their child’s education process. Tulsa Council of PTAs leaders say their organization can be the gateway parents need to get involved.

Parents are encouraged to attend Parent University on Saturday, November 15, from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the Fulton Teaching and Learning Academy, 8906 East 34th Street. Those who bring $5 or two canned food items will receive a PTA membership from their child’s school. Attendees will have the opportunity to attend expert-led learning sessions about school choice; partner/volunteer opportunities; resources and support groups for parents/grandparents of TPS students; how to encourage children’s unique learning styles; law enforcement in schools; and much more.

The Parent University keynote address, “Empowering Parents,” will be presented by Dr. Rita Pierson of Houston, Texas. Also scheduled to speak at Parent University is Tulsa Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Keith Ballard.

Parent University includes free childcare with advance reservations and a free continental breakfast for parents. Spanish translation will be available. Contact TCPTA President Radious Guess for more information: (918) 745-2329 or (918) 520-3782, or at tulsapta@tulsaschools.org.

One Dream, Two Realities was commissioned by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The full report can be accessed at: www.civicenterprises.net.

 

New Magnet Schools Fair 

11/15/2008, 11 a.m.

A fair showcasing Tulsa Public Schools' four new magnet programs is Saturday, November 15, from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. at Promenade Mall.

District officials say the timing of the event of the intentional.

“The fair is to provide student and parents with information about course offerings,” said Shelonda Hawkins, New Magnet Schools Recruiter at TPS. “Each school understands that parents are working during the day so we hope that having the magnet fair on a Saturday will give parents and students time to research career paths.”

The magnet programs that will be highlighted on Saturday are Central High School: Fine and Performing Arts; Hale High School: Restaurant, Lodging, and Health Management; McLain High School: Scientific and Technological Utilization and Webster High School: Broadcasting and Digital Media.

Contact Shelonda at 746-6513 for more information.

 

Noted Author and Actor Michael Wallis to Visit Alcott 

11/17/2008, 12:30 p.m.,

A bestselling author, historian and Hollywood voice actor is returning to Tulsa Public Schools. Michael Wallis is appearing at Alcott Elementary School at noon on November 17.

Wallis—who visited students at Webster High School earlier this fall—is a Missouri native that has written historically-accurate books such as "Oil Man: The Story of Frank Phillips and the Birth of Phillips Petroleum,” and the 1990 offering "Route 66: The Mother Road.” An online biography reports that Wallis lives in Tulsa and has been nominated three times for the Pulitzer Prize. His voice was heard by millions in the role of Sheriff in the Disney/Pixar film series “Cars.”

Alcott Principal Julian Wilson says Wallis’ visit was facilitated through the Partners in Education program

 

PIE Pays off Again as Addams Students to get Laptops 

11/19/2008, 1:30 p.m.

Students at Addams Elementary are getting 20 new laptop computers courtesy of the school’s Partner in Education.

Atlas Pipeline, a full-service midstream company providing gas gathering, compression and processing, is footing the bill for the computers. The laptops will be formally handed over to Addams administrators during an assembly on Wednesday, Nov. 19 at 1:30 p.m.

According to the Partners in Education handbook (available online at www.tulsachamber.com): “Being a partner can be as simple as having lunch with a child, sharing a professional expertise, donating supplies and much more. Every resource, big or small, helps. Companies can also identify what resources they can easily implement at a school.”

 

Partner in Education to Donate to Sam Houston 

11/19/2008, 8:30 a.m.

The Partners in Education program continues to pay dividends. On Wednesday, November 19, Sam Houston Elementary School’s partner, the Tulsa Dream Center, is donating $1,600 to the school.

Described on their website as a church that “offer(s) help and hope to many who are desperate to see a change in their life,” the Dream Center provides a host of services including food and clothing distribution, recreation opportunities, volunteers and mentors and a car clinic designed to help financially-strapped members with vehicle repairs.

Tulsa's Partners in Education program is a joint effort between the Tulsa Metro Chamber and Tulsa Public Schools. The program seeks to link community resources with Tulsa’s children in order to provide them with the knowledge and skills necessary for future success.

Established in 1983, the PIE program has brought thousands of volunteers into Tulsa's schools.

 

TPS to Receive $100,000 Grant 

11/20/2008, 10 a.m.

The media and public are invited to attend as the AT&T Foundation awards Tulsa Public Schools $100,000 to support a program aimed at increasing graduation rates for at-risk students at five Tulsa high schools.

“With this generous grant, we can build upon our current program to help struggling students stay in school and receive their high school diplomas,” said TPS Superintendent Dr. Keith Ballard . “By finding new ways to help these students learn and encouraging them to be in the classroom, we’re opening new doors for further education and careers they might never have thought possible.”

The grant will go to help fund Project REACH (Raising Expectations & Achievement to Challenging Heights), a program that will target an estimated 500 ninth-grade students at Hale, Rogers, McClain, Webster and Central high schools. The project will offer a specialized curriculum in math and reading to students who are performing at least two grade levels below normal. Other activities will include career development, job shadowing and a special summer camping experience for some students.

Dr. Nilda Reyes, director of diversity and equity for Tulsa Public Schools and one of the grant’s authors, will oversee the day-to-day operation of Project REACH. A former teacher and principal, Reyes said her goal is to provide resources and raise the level of learning for every student.

The grant presentation is November 20 at 10 a.m. at the Nathan Hale High School auditorium.

 

Roosevelt Food Drive Dance 

11/21/2008, 10:45 a.m.

Roosevelt Elementary School administrators say they expect hundreds of guests to attend their annual Food Drive Dance. Slated for November 21, a child’s entry into the dance is assured as long as he or she brings along a holiday-related can food item such as stuffing or pumpkin pie filling.

Roosevelt’s student council sponsors the dance. If previous years serve as any example, the students will bring enough food to fill 25 holiday baskets.

The turkeys are provided by Warehouse Market, Roosevelt’s Partner in Education.

 

Choose your style.