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School News - Tip Sheet - 2/4/2009

TPS Leads State in Academic Achievement Awards 

2/2/2009

Teachers in the Tulsa Public Schools system will receive cash bonuses through a state program that rewards teachers based on their schools' Academic Performance Index (API) scores. Of special note: Two Tulsa schools earned perfect scores.

The bonus program is called the Oklahoma Academic Achievement Award and the checks will vary from $500 to $3,000. This is the third consecutive year TPS has led the state in the number of schools receiving AAA awards. API scores are calculated on a scale ranging from 0 to 1500 for each public school. For elementary schools, the score is derived from results on state achievement tests and attendance rates. For secondary sites, dropout and graduation rates are also factors along with as ACT scores and participation, Advanced Placement credit and college remediation rates in reading and mathematics. The awards are divided into categories based on a school’s size.

“How exciting!” said Dr. Keith Ballard, TPS superintendent. “Tulsa really shines.”

The Highest API in Group Three (236-345 students) is Penn Elementary; Greeley Elementary had the second-highest API in Group Two (136-235 students).

The school with the Most Improved API in Group Three is Peary Elementary, with MacArthur Elementary placing fourth; Group Four’s (356-505 students) is Marshall Elementary, with Cleveland Middle School fourth; Group One’s (135 or fewer students) is Newcomer International School. Disney Elementary has the second-highest Most Improved API in Group Five (506 or more students).

Carnegie Elementary posted a Perfect API in Group Four. Eisenhower International School is perfect in Group Three.

“It feels great,” said Phyllis Lovett, Penn’s principal. “I’m elated that our teachers, that have worked so hard to make our students successful, have been given recognition.”

The legislation mandating the awards was passed by the Oklahoma Legislature in 2007.

"It proves that positive incentives work in spurring both teams of teachers and students to reach higher,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Sandy Garrett. “As we continue to raise academic standards, that is our recipe for success and the exciting dynamic we want occurring in Oklahoma schools."

“Our students have the capability and talent,” said Lovett, “and if we guide them they can do wonders.”

 

Signing Day Showcases Cream of TPS Crop 

2/4/2009, 11 a.m.

The local student-athletes preparing to take the world of college sports by storm will attend Tulsa Public Schools’ annual Signing Day at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, February 4, at the Education Service Center.

Director of Athletics Dr. Stephanie Spring says Signing Day has been a district milestone for years.

“This is an exciting event each and every year where the district has the opportunity to recognize the accomplishments of the many talented student-athletes in Tulsa Public Schools,” Dr. Spring said. “Of all the events we hold this one is very special, as it recognizes those students who have earned an opportunity to compete in their sport at the next level.”

Signing Day takes place in the Cheryl Selman Room, located on the first floor of the ESC. Student-athletes have been invited to bring along friends and family members.

 

Jr. Iron Chef Showcases the Culinary Talents of TPS Students 

2/4/2009

Jr. Iron Chef, the cooking event that riffs on a cable TV show, has been rescheduled for February 4 after the original date was cancelled because of January’s ice storms.

The location has also been moved from the Education Service Center to Eisenhower Elementary, located at 2819 South New Haven. It begins at 5 p.m.

Modeled after the game/cooking show hybrid “Iron Chef,” Jr. Iron Chef features students from Edison, Hale, East Central and Rogers squaring off in the kitchen.

TPS Child Nutrition Coordinator Lisa Griffin says the community has cooked up quite a bit of interest in “Jr. Iron Chef.”

“Students and chefs will be preparing and serving the meal, as well as showcasing some musical talent from our high schools,” Griffin said. “Tulsa area chefs are mentors for the students and are honing the students’ skills to get ready for this event.”

Child Nutrition is partnering with Reasor’s to present the cook-off. The local grocery chain has donated $1,000 to the four participating schools.

In addition to creating a culinary sensation, the event benefits a worthy cause: Anderson Elementary’s Eat Exercise and Excel program, a major bid to reduce childhood obesity rates through physical activity and proper nutrition. The winning team will see their meal served on February 11 at the Junior League building at 3633 S. Yale.

 

Tulsa Gangs 101 Features TPS Police Chief 

2/5/2009, 8:30 a.m

Tulsa Public Schools Police Chief Gary Rudick will be one of the experts featured during an upcoming course examining Tulsa’s street gangs.

Tulsa Gangs 101 includes a look at local gangs and their identifiers such as graffiti, hand signals and clothing, a history of the gang phenomenon in northeastern Oklahoma, and specific training on dealing with gang activity.

Chief Rudick is slated to speak on the response local law enforcement musters to gang presence in area schools. Members of the Tulsa Police Gang Unit and community leaders will also appear.

The class is Thursday, February 5, 8:30 a.m-5 p.m., at the Mabee Center. It’s free to members of the Oklahoma Gang Investigators Association, $25 to non-members. Download registration forms at www.ogia.us.

 

Cove Offers Students Unique Experience 

2/5/2009

Connor’s Cove is a children’s theatre designed to stimulate young imaginations. Now schools participating in the Tulsa Area Community Schools Initiative are heading to the cove, which is located at the Hardesty Regional Library. Library personnel say the cove is perfect for reader’s theater, puppet shows, martial arts and dance demonstrations.

What follows are the dates, performers and schools in the TPS system attending assigned performances:

• February 5—Eugene Field, Kendall-Whittier, Mark Twain
• March 5—Alcott, Cooper, McClure
• March 10—Addams, Bryant, Celia Clinton
• March 12—Hawthorne, Marshall, McKinley

The theatre offers seating for 420. Transportation is available courtesy of a grant secured by the Tulsa City-County Library. The capacity for each bus is 55 people. Contact Genie Shannon at 585-5551 for more information. She can also be e-mailed at gshannon@csctulsa.org.

 

Art Show Spotlights TPS Students 

2/6/2009, 6 p.m.

They may be little, but they have big talent and we can prove it as a February show emphasizes the artistic skills of elementary school children in the TPS system.

Slated for Friday, February 6, the show runs from 6-8 p.m. at the Tulsa Artists' Coalition, located at 9 E. Brady St.

Schools being showcased include Greeley, Grissom, Kendall-Whittier, Mark Twain, Patrick Henry and Zarrow International.

The event is free and open to the public. The gallery’s director is Steve Tomlin, who also works as a visual arts educator at Grissom.

 

Hale Open House 

2/6/2009, 10 a.m.

Nathan Hale High School is holding an open house on Friday, February 6. It’s a chance to check out the school’s brand-new magnet facilities, which complement one of the district’s most dynamic (and yummy!) magnet strands.

The open house runs from 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.

Hale’s Restaurant, Lodging, and Health Management Magnet provides focused, intensive, career-oriented training for students interested in pursuing futures in the world of hospitality.

The strands in Hale’s magnet program were developed by world and national industry experts from the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation and the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute.

 

Carnegie Hosts All Kinds of Minds Fair 

2/10/2009, 7 p.m.

The name is certainly attention-grabbing: The “All Kinds of Minds Fair.”

Taking place at Carnegie Elementary, the fair features fun activity stations staffed by Carnegie students and educating participants about aspects of learning including memory, attention, higher-order thinking, sequencing, motor skills and social cognition.

Fun for kids, sure, but there’s also something unique for parents.

“The fair is designed around the premise that students are ambassadors to their families. The fair leverages students’ strengths and affinities to provide entertaining and interactive learning experiences for the entire family,” said Dr. Sheryl Flowers, coordinator for Schools Attuned in Oklahoma, one of the organizations behind the event. “The primary goal of the fair is de-stigmatize and increase awareness about learning differences and to give parents a starting point for learning more about their own child’s mind.”

The fair is Tuesday, February 10, running from 7 p.m.-8 p.m.

 

FREE Parent/Guardian Class
“He Hit Me First!”: Sibling Rivalry 

2/11/2009, 6:30 p.m.

The CREOKS Family Life Training Program provides families, grandparents, etc. with outstanding parenting classes, resources, and referral services to strengthen our parenting skills and parental involvement. Every parent faces challenges while raising children. Unfortunately, our children were not born with an instruction manual. This program will also provide parents with new ideas, tips, advice, and even a support group for the roller coaster journey of raising children. Reservations are required.

For more information, or to enroll please contact Stacey Berry, the Family Life Coordinator, at stacey.berry@creoks.org or by phone 227-2016 ext. 150.

According to the Family Life policy, a class minimum of 3 is required. All classes are subject to cancellation.

“He Hit Me First!”: Sibling Rivalry

Wednesday, 2/11/08, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., Memorial High School Library – 5840 S. Hudson Avenue, Tulsa

Sibling rivalry is probably one of the most frustrating and aggravating aspects of parenting. Some children seem to be in one battle after another, while others appear to be more subtle in their conflicts. During this class, we will discuss strategies for understanding sibling rivalry and techniques to minimize the conflict.

 

University of Tulsa Elementary Art Show 

2/11/2009, 3:30 p.m.

It’s an art lovers dream. Over thirty schools and five-hundred pieces of art will be on display when the University of Tulsa holds its fourth annual art show. The show runs from February 11-20 at the Allan Chapman Activity Center. The opening kicks off with a reception for parents at 3:30 p.m.

The show is free and open to the public.

 

Kids, Kows, and More  

3/12/2009

TPS third and fourth graders are invited to participate in a program providing an up-close look at agriculture.

“Kids, Kows and More” is sponsored by the Tulsa County OSU Extension Service, Southwest Dairy Association and the Texas Extension Service. The program takes place March 12 and 13 at the Tulsa State Fair Grounds.

The exhibits and demonstrations include dairy, cotton, beef, swine, wheat, sheep and wool. Students attending the expo are encouraged to write an essay called, “What I learned about agriculture on my field trip to Kids, Kows, and More.” Essays are evaluated on agriculture knowledge, originality, creativity and mechanics —including grammar, organization, and punctuation. The winning student will receive a $100 savings bond and the class will receive an ice cream party. For more information, contact the Tulsa County OSU Extension Center at 746-3709.

 

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