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School News - Tip Sheet - 4/2/2008

Artist at Central High School 

4/2/2008

Acclaimed New York sculptor Mark Parsons wraps up his visit today to an AP biology class at Central High School Academy of Fine Arts. Parsons has been exploring the relationship between art and biology. Students are discussing the similarities between the scientific and the creative processes, examining artwork based on DNA and genetics, and learning about the process of casting a sculpture, Parsons' expertise.

Parsons is an established sculptor who works out of his Brooklyn Studio and is currently director of production for the Pratt Institute School of Architecture. His work has been exhibited at The United Nations, The Kennedy Center, The Provincetown Art Museum, the New Bedford Art Museum, and in numerous private galleries. Parsons' Foundations series was featured in VSA arts/Weekly Reader's "Portrait of an Artist-Scientist," a nationally distributed cross-disciplinary educational resource. Cross-disciplinary education is a growing trend in classrooms across the country, as teachers seek ways to foster creativity and critical thinking skills. In the Foundations series, Parsons altered the scale of medieval cathedral architectural drawings and compared them to enlarged images of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) nucleotides to reveal fascinating similarities.

Parsons, who has multiple sclerosis, speaks to the students about his experiences living with a disability.

"Central High School Academy of Fine Arts is committed to integrating the arts into a comprehensive educational program," said Suzette Huggins, principal of Central High School.

Central offers both fine arts and comprehensive academic programming. The school recently received a federal grant enabling them to build a glassworks studio, metalwork lab and ceramics studio, as well as a black-box theater, recording studio and ballet dance floor.

 

Pirates Comes To Roosevelt 

4/3/2008, 10 a.m.

The cast and crew from the Pirates of Penzanze is making another stop at an area school, coming to Roosevelt Elementary on April 3. The theater-types are bringing along sets and costumes so fifth graders can perform the Gilbert and Sullivan classic themselves.

Williams, the school’s Partner in Education and a supporter of the Tulsa Opera, has donated tickets so Roosevelt students can check out a performance of “The Magic Flute” this spring.

 

Testing Kickoff  

4/4/2008, 1 p.m.

TESTING TIPS: FEED YOUR BRAIN! 4/3/2008 Location Tulsa Public Schools Contact Tami Marler 746-6298 marleta@tulsaschools.org When state standardized testing begins next week, it won’t just be students feeling performance anxiety. TPS teachers and administrators are determined to help their kids do their personal best, while helping their school and district meet guidelines set forth by the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) act. KIDS CAN’T DO IT ALONE… TPS teachers and administrators are doing their part to ensure students feel good about their testing performance. Outside of the classroom, they’re holding pep rallies, bringing in motivational speakers and celebrity readers to help pump up the enthusiasm. Upcoming Testing Rallies: Wright Elementary School – Monday, April 7th at 8:00 a.m. Emerson Elementary School – Friday, April 4th at 1:00 p.m. Cooper Elementary School – Wednesday, April 9th at 1:00 p.m. Academy Central Elementary School - Friday, April 11th at 10:00 a.m.

 

Project XII Student Awarded Scholarship 

4/4/2008, 7 p.m.

Cameron Samuel Miller, a student at the Project XII alternative school, has been selected to receive a scholarship of $500 from the 100 Black Men of Tulsa Inc. The group is part of a national organization working with youth who are considered at-risk, striving to provide positive images of African-American men and an environment where children can thrive.

All of the local chapter’s scholarship recipients will be recognized during an awards dinner at the Double Tree Hotel Ballroom on April 4.

 

Carver, Eisenhower, Byrd Students to Compete In Bee 

4/4/2008

At least three TPS students have promising careers ahead of them as cartographers. Patrick Wilson of Eisenhower, Nicholas Vandivort of Carver and Michael Kramer of Byrd qualified for the Oklahoma Geographic Bee, taking place at the University of Oklahoma in Norman on April 4.

The trio made the cut after fourth through eighth graders competed to determine their school’s geographic bee winner. Those winners then took a qualifying quiz submitted to the National Geographic Society. The society picked those with the top 100 scores to compete at the state level. The state winner moves to the national competition.

Nicholas is a sixth grader, Carver, fifth grade; Kramer, eighth.

 

Cooper Testing Rally 

4/9/2008, 1 p.m.

They. Want. To. Pump. You. Up.

Cooper Elementary is the latest school to sponsor a rally aimed at getting their students psyched about upcoming state tests. This particular dose of you-can-do-it takes place April 9 and focuses on Cooper’s third, fourth and fifth grade students. Our arena football team, the Tulsa Talons, is bringing their players and cheerleaders to the rally, speaking to the students about the importance of studying hard and staying in school.

 

Art Ambassadors on the Move 

4/9/2008

Beth Howard, art teacher at Mark Twain Elementary and mentor of the Art Ambassadors, continues to blaze a trail of creativity. Her workshop proposal has been picked for next year’s 19th Annual National Service-Learning Conference, Youth for a Change.

The conference is billed as the largest gathering of youths and practitioners involved in the service-learning movement. The 2007 conference drew attendees from across the United States and 19 other countries. The event provides access to new ideas and networking opportunities, with more than 200 workshops and countless opportunities for informal meetings.

The conference runs from April 9-12 in Minneapolis. Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa and urban educator Pedro Noguera are delivering the keynote addresses.

Howard is used to awards. In 2006 she was named the Oklahoma Elementary Art Teacher of the Year. She mentors the Art Ambassadors, an organization of students attempting to bridge the gap between school and community with art that beautifies and teaches us all to give back.

 

Anderson Reveals Secret to Success 

4/11/2008, 10 a.m.

What a difference a year has made for Marian Anderson Elementary. They’ve gone from a Title I at-risk designation with more suspensions than any other elementary school in the district to the number one most improved school in Academic Performance Index scores. In January they earned the TPS Exemplary School Award.

How did it happen? Credit a four-word program: Eat Exercise and Excel. The idea is that students receiving the proper nutrition and exercise will excel in academics.

Anderson pupils began eating meals in the classroom with their teachers and have constant access to filled water bottles. Physical education is more than triple the state minimum. Multi-vitamin supplements are offered. In 2007 the school had only one business willing to serve as a Partner in Education. Today they have nine.

The results have been amazing.

Principal Brenda Anderson says, “Anderson is enjoying a calm environment with significantly fewer behavioral problems. Teachers are reporting an atmosphere of respect… Relationships are enhanced as students and teachers eat together as families.”

The public is invited to check out the new-look Anderson, what TPS Curriculum Specialist Barbara Marshall calls, "eager engaged learners that are respectful and excited about school (and) teachers and staff members that are prepared and believe that everyone is valued and capable."

The open house is April 11 at 10 a.m. RSVP by emailing Brenda Anderson at anderbr@tulsaschools.org or by calling Anderson Elementary at 925-1300.

 

Honor Society Takes On Diabetes 

4/12/2008, 2 p.m.

According to the American Diabetes Association, 20.8 million children and adults in the United States — seven percent of the population — have diabetes. On April 12 area students try to draw attention to the disease’s symptoms and risks, an effort that has an added sense of urgency since it’s personal.

James Factor, an assistant football coach at Booker T. Washington and the advisor to the school’s National honor Society, has been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Society members have organized the School Walk for Diabetes, a five K route featuring food, games and a raffle. A bit of fun injected into a deadly serious topic and health advocates are completely behind them.

We are “thrilled to see this school take on such a challenge,” says Bridgette Hennings, an official with the ADA’s Tulsa branch.

Money raised during the walk will be used to purchase Physical Education and nursing supplies. All area students are invited to participate.

 

Zarrow 5K Run 

4/26/2008, 7:30 a.m.

The sixth annual Zarrow 5K Run is coming up April 26, with the Riverside Drive event again benefiting the Foundation for Tulsa Schools.

A one kilometer fun run occurs simultaneously. Early registration costs are: $20 for the 5k run, $10 for the fun run; same-day registration for the 5k is $25, $15 for the fun run. Early registration must be postmarked by April 19. Make checks out to the TPS Athletic Department, PO Box 470208 Tulsa, OK 74147-0208.

 

Park Celebrates a Century 

5/2/2008, 10:30 a.m

Park Elementary School celebrates its ten carat diamond anniversary on May 2, marking a century that the school has been in existence. Taking place from 10:30 a.m. until 12:45 p.m., the celebration includes the school’s annual May Pole event along with a hamburger cookout and entertainment by area performers.

Located in West Tulsa’s Red Fork community, Park was established in 1908, one year after Oklahoma became a state. Park became a part of TPS in 1927. Their current building was built in 1972.

Anyone interested in attending the celebration should RSVP to stoddju@tulsaschools.org or call 746-8860.

 

A Day at the Aquarium 

5/6/2008, 10 a.m.

Children attending Mark Twain Elementary School are taking a trip to the Oklahoma Aquarium in Jenks courtesy of a national retailer with local stores.

The Target Corporation is footing the bill for the students to check out the aquarium’s numerous marine and aquatic animal exhibits.

The aquarium is public and non-profit, dedicated to the mission, “Conservation Through Education.” Located on the Arkansas River, the aquarium opened in 2003.

 

Booker T Students Make Team Oklahoma 

6/6/2008

Dylan Hames and Onkur Sen have their summer plans already set.

At least for a couple of days in June that is.

The two Booker T. Washington students have earned positions on the six-member academic quiz team that will represent the state of Oklahoma at the Panasonic Academic Challenge to be held at Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

Hames is a senior and Sen is a sophomore. Their trip to the Sunshine State comes after the duo took part in a three- hour competition against students from Oklahoma in the areas of mathematics, science, social studies, and humanities to earn the right to be a part of Team Oklahoma this year. The Panasonic Academic Challenge runs from June 6 through June 11.

 

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