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School News - Tip Sheet - 4/15/2009

Award-Winning Educator to Visit District Schools 

4/15/2009, 1:30 p.m.

The 2009 winner of the Brock Prize for Education is visiting two district schools this week. Lawrence Lezotte will be at Kendall-Whittier and KIPP on April 15.

Lezotte is the chief executive officer and national education consultant for Effective Schools Products, Ltd., in Okemos, Michigan. He’s being honored for his innovative and effective ideas in support of education during the 2009 Brock Symposium, which will be held April 16 at The University of Tulsa. Lezotte is a spokesperson for continuous school improvement based on effective schools research. As a consultant he has touched the lives of thousands of educators and tens of thousands of students each year through workshops and conferences around the country, making the connection between federal and state mandates for school reform and the new mission of what he terms “learning for all.”

Area Superintendent Millard House made arrangements for Lezotte to visit district schools. Lezotte will be at Kendall-Whittier at 1:30 p.m. and KIPP immediately afterwards.

 

French Students to Visit Oklahoma 

4/15/2009

Eisenhower International School is hosting visitors from across the pond as about a dozen fifth graders and their faculty advisors arrive from France to check out Oklahoma culture.

The students attend Ecole de la Salle, a French secondary school, and arrive in Tulsa Wednesday, April 15 at 7:30 p.m. While here they’ll check out City Hall, the Gilcrease Museum, Oklahoma Aquarium, Woolaroc wildlife preserve and take a trip down to Oklahoma City.

The visit is part of Eisenhower’s commitment to cultural exchanges. In May a group of Eisenhower students will accompany their French peers back to France and stay there for several weeks.

 

Partners in Education Recognition Reception 

4/16/2009, 4 p.m.

Area businesses that donate time and money to area youth will be honored during the upcoming Partners In Education recognition reception.

The annual event is an awards ceremony where outstanding partnerships for the current school year are recognized.

Partners in Education is a collaborative effort between TPS and the Tulsa Metro Chamber. The program's focus is to link Tulsa students with community resources to provide the knowledge and skills needed for future success. Partners and schools choose their level of involvement, which may include—but are not necessarily limited to—volunteering within the school, in-kind contributions or financial assistance. To view current Partners in Education success stories or for more information go to www.tulsachamber.com.

The reception is Thursday, April 16, from 4–5:30 p.m. at the Tulsa Marriott Southern Hills, located at 71st and Lewis.

 

Round-Up Comes to the Stage 

4/16/2009, 7 p.m.

A classic event that’s been around since 1940 is back again and the public is invited to check it out! 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!”

It takes place April 16-18 with a 7 p.m. start time. Kristina Vassella, chair of the school’s fine arts department, says the show’s run will feature special guests including Doris “Coke” Meyer, the great-niece of legendary humorist Will Rogers (Meyer will be present opening night) and flamenco guitarist and Rogers graduate Ron Radford (appearing during the final show).

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.”

Ticket prices are $8 for adults and $5 for students.

 

Students Lend Teachers a Helping Hand 

4/17/2009

Talk about some good kids! This month the members of Remington Elementary’s student council are going to give their teachers a hand, taking roles traditionally reserved for educators.

For example, the students will take the job of hall monitors—escorting their peers to and from school buses—and help to “set the tone for the day,” according to Lela Clayton, the school’s parent facilitator.

And there’s another trick up the council’s sleeves. They are raising money to buy their teachers a present, timed to coincide with Teacher Appreciation Week, which runs from May 3-May 9.

 

Neighborhood in Rogers' Feeder Pattern Hosts Block Party 

4/18/2009, 11 a.m.

An upcoming block party is being coordinated by a district school.

McKinley Elementary Principal Cassandra Funderburk says the shindig, set for Saturday, April 18, is one aspect of how the school and community are teaming up to beautify their area.

Funderburk and other McKinley staffers have been working with Cathey Hill, a neighborhood liaison for the city, on a Neighborhood Enhancement Project involving all of Will Rogers’ feeder schools.

One example: “We have gone into the neighborhood with Rogers High School students and painted over vandalism,” Funderburk said.

The upcoming block party has been dubbed "Family Fest.” It’s taking place at Maxwell Park, located at 5251 E. Newton. The public is invited to come on out and have some good, clean fun.

 

One Hale of a Sale 

4/18/2009, 8 a.m.

Bargain shoppers, this one is for you. Nathan Hale High School is holding a garage/yard/rummage sale on Saturday, April 18, running from 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Dubbed “One Hale of a Sale,” the bargain bonanza features students from Hale’s classes, clubs and teams setting up booths chock-full of collectibles and other neat stuff.

 

Meet the New Bosses 

4/20/2009

With all the negative media reports about CEOs, do you think a trio of high school students could do any worse at managing a large corporation?

Let’s find out. Webster students Aaron Carr, Marissa Justice and Daniel Smith are participating in Junior Achievement’s Titan Virtual United States competition. The deal is: The three assume the role of a corporate business leader by making decisions to steer their business to success. Student teams will be prompted to make decisions that affect the profitability and sustainability of their virtual company, and will attempt to outperform competitors in profit, sales and market share. They’ll also set prices, determine production levels, invest in capital, develop budgets and plan marketing and research.

Webster’s team is competing against students from across the country for the chance to win first place, which is a cash prize of $1500. Round one of the contest commences April 20. Contact teacher Lora Reynolds at 746-8000 for more information.

 

TPS Police Department to Swear in Three New Officers 

4/20/2009, 7 p.m.

A trio of officers possessing nearly a century of experience patrolling the streets of Tulsa—including one that will become the oldest on the district’s force, although he is “young at heart,” according to TPS Police Chief Gary Rudick—will be sworn in during the Board of Education’s April 20 meeting.

Here are the bios of the new officers:

William “Bill” Latimer graduated Booker T. Washington in 1938. He’s a former Marine and holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Latimer worked for the Tulsa Police Department for two decades, following that up with a 15-year stint at the Department of Defense. Latimer has been married to his wife Rushella for 45 years and has two children and five grandchildren.

Like Latimer, Gary Pitts holds a degree in criminal justice. He served 20 years with Tulsa police in the narcotics division, worked a foot patrol in low-income housing projects and coordinated with a federal task force in the warrants division. While with Tulsa police Pitts received the department’s Life Saving Award and the Chief''s Award for his service. He has been married to his wife Rhonda for 16 years and has two daughters that attend district schools.

Alvin McDonald worked as a Tulsa police officer for a quarter century in the robbery, homicide, white collar crime, guns task force and hate crime divisions. After retiring from the force McDonald served in the U.S. Marshal's Office for seven years. He has been married to his wife Patrice for over 18 years and has six children.

Chief Rudick says that with the new hires the TPS police department will be up to the 15 officers mandated by the Board of Education.

“These three are all retired Tulsa police officers and they bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to our police force,” Rudick said.

 

District Art Show 

4/21/2009, 6 p.m.

The Tulsa Public Schools District Art Show features over 5,000 pieces of art created by students in K-12 will be on display, representing an awesome array of talent!

The awards assembly is Tuesday, April 21, 6 p.m., at Fulton Teaching and Learning Academy. Doors open at 4 p.m. All schools have been invited to showcase the art work of their students. In addition, youngsters can enter the separate, juried, Levit Prize exhibit. Each year Dr. Simon Levit and his wife grant $6,000 in prizes to the district’s young artists. There’s a new wrinkle to the art show this year. Students at Central High School are running an art gallery, complete with works that are available for sale.

Recipients in the lower grades receive gift bags jammed chock-full of art supplies, while fifth through twelfth grade students earn first, second and third place cash awards. A $1,000 scholarship is granted to a winning high school portfolio. This year that winner is Andrew Thorpe, a student at Booker T. Washington.

“The arts bring opportunity and joy into the lives of students. A visitor to the show will find hope in seeing that the young people in our district are talented, disciplined and focused. The show shouts success,” said Ann Tomlins, the district’s fine arts coordinator.

 

TPS Elementary Music Festival 

4/21/2009, 7 p.m.

Ahhhh! The sound of little voices! That’s what you’ll hear if you attend the fifth annual TPS Elementary Music Festival.

Taking place at Tulsa Community College’s Performing Arts Center for Education, the title of the presentation is “Rivers of Culture.” Festival organizer Sharlotte Rine says the 7 p.m. concert will feature about 250 students representing several dozen schools singing a mixture of folk songs and children’s tunes.

“These students and their dedicated teachers have been working for several months to prepare a concert,” Rine said, “which incorporates classroom instruments, movement, and singing to demonstrate the rich musical experience available every day in our elementary music classrooms in TPS.”

 

FREE Parent/Guardian Classes
Helping Children Learn To Make Healthy Choices 

4/22/2009, 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. 137.

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

“Right/Wrong vs. Good/Bad”: Helping Children Learn To Make Healthy Choices

Wednesday, 4/22/08, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m., Memorial High School Library – 5840 S. Hudson Avenue, Tulsa

“What’s popular isn’t always right, and what’s right isn’t always popular.” There are obviously many considerations to take into account when making important decisions. Our chances of getting to make decisions about how to spend the lottery are pretty slim, but as parents and adults, we are frequently faced with some very difficult choices. In this class we will become aware of the influences on children’s decision making processes, understand the stages of moral development, identify steps of decision making, and develop skills for encouraging responsible decision making in children.

 

Newcomer Tree Planting 

4/22/2009, 1 p.m.

To mark Arbor Day and Earth Day an area group that works with Tulsa youth is planting a tree at Newcomer International School on Wednesday, April 22, at 1 p.m.

The tree was donated by Oklahoma Forestry Services and is being planted in partnership with the Apache Corporation, an organization that distributes funds to charitable causes.

The public is invited to attend. In the United States Arbor Day is celebrated every year on the last Friday in April. Earth Day is April 22.

 

The Wizard of Oz 

4/23/2009, 7:30 p.m.

Memorial High School holds its forty-fourth annual all-school musical this month with a rendition of “The Wizard of Oz.”

Show times are 7:30 p.m. on April 23-25 at the school’s Call Hall. To reserve tickets call 481-8461.

 

Partnership Brings Classical Music to TPS Students 

4/23/2009, 9 a.m.

In a modern sonic landscape featuring waves of hip-hop and rap music, heavy metal and its seemingly endless offshoots and whatever else is on the radio today, how many children do you think know anything about chamber music?

More than you might think, at least at Tulsa Public Schools. That’s due to a unique partnership bringing the venerable form of classical music to impressionable ears across the city. On Thursday, April 23, students and teachers from eight elementary and middle schools are attending artist-in-residence workshops supporting classroom curriculum and the arts in education. The workshops take place throughout the day at Edison Preparatory School beginning at 9 a.m. The 45 minute presentations have been designed by the Cypress Quartet, a California-based quartet of arts educators.

The quartet comes to Tulsa thanks to Chamber Music Tulsa and the Barthelmes Conservatory. District schools participating in the project are: Addams Elementary, Chouteau Elementary, Eugene Field Elementary, Kendall-Whittier Elementary, KIPP Academy, McKinley Elementary, Remington Elementary and Robertson Elementary.

 

TPS Employee Banquet 

4/24/2009, 4:45 p.m.

It’s a big deal when the second-largest employer in Oklahoma thanks its employees. In this case you might say they go overboard! This year’s Tulsa Public Schools Employee Appreciation Banquet features a stage decked out as a large cruise ship and the district’s workers—from educators to administrators, maintenance employees to those nice ladies you see in the cafeteria—garbed in cruse ship attire. Folks nostalgic for the 1970s TV series “The Love Boat” will enjoy this blast from the past and those of us who toiled around an office all year can fantasize we are sailing on the blue Pacific heading to exotic locales.

The banquet’s theme is “All Aboard the SS TPS.” The shindig takes place Friday, April 24, at the Tulsa Fairground’s Exchange Center. Doors open at 4:45 p.m. with dinner served at 6 p.m.

In addition to the undeniably attractive idea of taking a cruise without the worry of pirate attacks, the banquet serves as a chance to recognize some of the district’s best, brightest and most loyal. Being honored are nearly 60 retirees and employees with 30-plus years of experience. The district will also reveal its Teacher of the Year and the Support Employee of the Year.

The Teacher of the Year finalists are: Lianne Cain, Whitney; Brian Grimm, Rogers; Elizabeth Humphrey, Edison Middle; Kelly Spencer, McLain and Bonnie Stone, Mitchell.

Support Employee of the Year: Tammy Dake, cafeteria manager, Columbus; Raul Elizalde, asbestos lead man, Maintenance; Karen Gilbert, principal’s secretary, Tulsa Learning Academy; Amanda Cavin, autism paraprofessional, Carnegie; Patti Phillips-Todd, para-teacher, Thoreau Demonstration Academy; Dana Karlin, instructional library assistant, Eisenhower.

 

Edison Spring Market Arts and Crafts Show 

4/25/2009, 9 a.m.

Even though it keeps raining spring is (theoretically) in the air and an annual rite of the season is Edison's Spring Market Arts and Crafts Show. This year’s show is the seventh annual and features vendors drawn from across Oklahoma and from surrounding states.

Some of the things you can expect to find include apparel, purses, accessories for children, candles, perfume, skin care, boutique gifts, gourmet food and mixes, baby items, toys, home decor, gardening goods and much more.

The show raises funds for scholarships and an annual college fair Edison hosts for high schools students in the region.

 

Teacher, Students Recognized for Fine Arts Acumen 

4/27/2009, 7 p.m.

Some of the district’s most promising fine arts students—and one very special teacher—will be recognized this month during a gala reception in the town of Guthrie. The teacher is from Booker T. Washington and the students attend BTW, Hale and East Central.

According to Ann Tomlins, the district’s fine arts coordinator, every year the Oklahoma Alliance for Arts Education and the Oklahoma State Department of Education provide recognition for graduating seniors across the state who have shown academic and artist excellence and leadership in the field of the fine arts. The Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma helps sponsor the reception.

Officials every year select "approximately one hundred of the top fine arts students from across the state. This year there are 112,” Tomlins said. “These students must have a 3.5 (grade point average) plus be either an all-state music or drama student or have exhibited their work in a state-wide or nationally juried art exhibit. In addition, these students must exhibit outstanding examples of community service and leadership in their schools.”

District students that will be recognized for their contributions to the visual arts are Jenny Eagleton (BTW), Maria Martinez (East Central), Krystin McCulley (East Central) and Andrew Thorp (BTW). In the field of music: Blake Duncan (Hale) and Terri Fleming and Ainsley Theissen (both BTW).

Also being honored is BTW’s Beverly Wissen. Wissen will receive the Fine Arts Educator of the Year award in recognition of a string of accomplishments. Tomlins said Wissen is nationally-board certified, writes curriculum for companion museum shows at both the Philbrook and Gilcrease museums, has developed guidelines for art programs at BTW and takes her students on out-of-state visits to museums.

“(She) is a person of high integrity, far reaching vision, and great humanity. Whenever she participates on a district-level committee I can be assured that her sharp intellect and kind words will help us to find the most effective solutions to problems and the most efficient means of affecting change,” Tomlins said.

The reception is April 27 at the Scottish Rite Temple in Guthrie, starting at 7 p.m.

 

TPS Elementary Nabs Reading Honor 

5/3/2009

A February visit by the Oklahoma Reading Council to Kendall-Whittier Elementary has led to the school receiving a prestigious reading award.

The Exemplary Reading Program Award’s “purpose is to call the public’s attention to outstanding programs in schools throughout Canada and the United States,” according to the website of the International Reading Association. “Each participating state and province can choose one winning school a year.”

This year that winning school is Kendall-Whittier.

Judy Feary, the school’s principal, says the award validates her staff’s efforts.

“I am so proud of them,” Feary said. “Our teachers work diligently and over the years we have taken a lot of professional development in language arts, reading and writing.”

The award will be given during the reading association’s annual convention at the Minneapolis Convention Center, held May 3–7.

 

Billboards Praise TPS Teachers 

5/5/2009

When cruising around Tulsa next month a billboard touting the wonderful teachers at TPS may catch your eye. For the third year in a row Lamar Advertising is placing billboards at strategic locations. The signs are adorned with a message of gratitude and encouragement to those tireless workers that help little minds reach their full potential.

The billboards coincide with the month of May because the first week of the month is Teacher Appreciation Week as established by the National Parent Teachers Association in 1985. The first Tuesday of the month is National Teacher Day. The date this year is May 5.

The billboards will be up all month.

 

Disney and Friends 

5/12/2009, 10 a.m.

It’s become an annual tradition and this year is no different as vocal music students from Nathan Hale High School light up little faces by presenting Disney and Friends for TPS elementary students. This hour-long program is free. The performances are May 12, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., in Hale's auditorium.

Disney and Friends is a live stage performance complete with choreography and costumes. Make reservations by calling Patti Duncan, Hale vocal music instructor, at 925-1231 or by e-mailing your preference of dates and the number of people attending to duncapa@tulsaschools.org.

 

Imagine That! McKinley Students Heading to Destination Imagination Finals 

5/19/2009

Students from McKinley Elementary will be traveling to Tennessee after turning in an impressive showing in a problem-solving contest.

Destination Imagination is a competition for all ages, encouraging students to use their skills and smarts to solve complex problems. Several district schools recently participated in a local contest and now McKinley is heading to the finals on May 19 at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, to compete against hundreds of other schools from across the globe.

The team members are in the second, third, fourth and fifth grades and are coached by Lisa Rutledge, Lindsay Hughes, and Marilyn Gates.

In winning the state competition, McKinley’s team got super-creative and presented skits and detailed research on a variety of topics including the methods elephants use to communicate and the origin of common superstitions. Their entry in the “ViDIo Lit Hits” category involved taking the 1977 classic children’s book “Miss Nelson is Missing” and transforming it into a music video complete with choreography and songwriting.

“Destination Imagination is a great opportunity for kids to develop teamwork and problem solving,” says fourth-grade student Anna Stoner.

For more information about this incredibly unique contest go to www.idodi.org/.

 

Free Program Helps Educators Prepare and Adapt to Classroom Challenges 

6/4/2009

A recent survey reported that 94 percent of teachers believe more preparation to help them adapt their instruction to meet the needs of their diverse classrooms is a critical factor in improving teacher quality.

Help is on the way and it’s called “Schools Attuned.” The program provides a neurodevelopment framework drawn from experts in eight scientific fields to assist educators in making instructional decisions designed to engage students and promote learning success for all children. Educators prepare to understand a student’s unique learning profile of strengths and weaknesses and to specifically pinpoint learning breakdowns for students along with the neurodevelopmental challenges required of them. The program includes interactive face-to-face coursework, optional post-course learning opportunities and ongoing online implementation and sustainability support.

In Tulsa there’s a one day overview of the program on June 4 called “Understanding Learning and Learners.” The registration code is OKSA2010KYP96.

“It’s a chance to come for a day and get immersed in what the program is and walk away with usable strategies to help kids in the classroom,” said Dr. Sheryl Flowers, coordinator of the state program. Next up are two five day courses running from June 8- June 12. One of the courses is designed for elementary educators (registration code is OKSA2006TDE52) and the other for secondary educators (registration code OKSA2007MEX92).

A final course for elementary educators is July 6-July 10 (registration code OKSA2008HMP27). All of the classes take place at Tulsa Technology Center’s Lemley campus.

These courses are provided at no charge to Oklahoma certified and public school educators. To register, go to www.allkindsofminds.org click on “calendar,” scroll down to find the course and then enter the registration code provided for your specific selection. For more information e-mail Dr. Flowers at sflowers@allkindsofminds.org or call (918) 760-4435.

 

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