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School News - Tip Sheet - 4/9/2008

Byrd Students Win Honors at TSA 

Two Byrd Middle School students, Michael Kramer and Jonathan Bausch, are probably really, really good at knowing which wire goes where. The duo placed in the top ten at the Oklahoma Technology Student Association’s state conference.

On Byrd’s website, Kramer says technical education has “changed how I feel about jobs, school, and technology.”

Bramsch says about the TSA, “although there are many requirements, and it is hard work, we still have lots of fun.”

 

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.

 

School Library Renamed in Honor of Volunteer 

4/9/2008

A man that dedicated his life to an area elementary school is now forever immortalized in that school’s library. A committee appointed by Board of Education president Gary Percefull approved creating the Mike Chittom Library at Celia Clinton Elementary. Chittom was chairman of the Rotary Club of Tulsa’s Adopt-A-School committee for Celia Clinton. The club adopted the school in 1993 and spent the next decade-and-a-half donating office furniture, clothes, landscaping and mentoring readers.

Chittom passed away Jan. 17 at the age of 56, the day after attending a pizza party at the school. Administrators brought in grief counselors to help students cope with his death.

“Mike was an incredible volunteer,” said Celia Clinton Principal Cindy Taylor. “He worked here for ten years, here every day.”

In 2003 Chittom spoke about his relationship with the school.

“This summer, with school out, a little girl started calling me every week to go to church with her. That church, which is a poor one, ministers to all the poor people in the neighborhood where our adopted school is located. I finally went and, much to my surprise, there were at least 10 children from our adopted school there. They all ran to me and hugged me,” he said. “…I have six sacks of love notes and letters of appreciation from children who I was lucky enough to help. There is no greater reward on this Earth that I know of.”

 

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.

 

Carver Wins Academic Bowl 

4/10/2008

Students from Carver Middle School won the 2007/2008 TPS Middle School Academic Bowl competition. Teams representing 13 Tulsa middle schools competed in one-on-one matches during the school year, and all teams were seeded into the final round based on their win/loss record. Nearly 180 students in the sixth, seventh and eighth grades participated in their school’s Academic Teams this year. The Championship Round came down to Carver Middle School (seeded #1) vs. Thoreau Middle School (seeded #2), with Carver taking the title 320-180.

Carver’s winning team members are: Jonathan Aston, Tyrance Billingsley, Stephen Brower, Caleb Christie, Peter Folkins, Katie Grantham, Gabi Inhofe, Ricky Jones, Taylor Joyner, Adam Morgan, Basir Mujiamin, Max Root, Cody Tucker, Kryste Turley, Nick Vandivort, Jeremiah Vann and Rachel Victor. The team is coached by 8th grade Language Arts teacher Nancy Christy.

Academic Bowl competition teams, consisting of four members each round, answer questions that range across the curriculum. Toss-up rounds (in which students attempt to “buzz in” first with the correct answer) alternate with written rounds. Here are some sample questions from this year’s playoffs.

(1) If the area of a triangle is 6 units, and two of its coordinates are (1,1) and (5,1), what are the coordinates for its apex?
(2) Because iron working was introduced directly by colonization, there was never an Iron Age on Antarctica or on what three other continents?
(3) The U.S. Congress was a unicameral body under what law of the land?
(4) Wave amplitude relates to the brightness of light and what property of sound?
(5) What is always the subject of an imperative sentence?

Answers:
(1) 1,4
(2) North America, South America, Australia
(3) Articles of Confederation
(4) Loudness
(5) You

 

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.

 

Race to Benefit Physical Education 

4/11/2008, 7:30 a.m.

A 5k race with the dual goals of benefiting TPS’ physical education programs and bringing healthy lifestyles and fitness awareness to the Tulsa community is Saturday, April 12. Registration concludes April 11 at Runners World. The entry fee is $25 with a t-shirt, $20 without. Race day registration starts at 7:30 a.m. The race starts at 8:30 a.m. the University of Tulsa on Harvard and 11th.

Although this is the third year for the run, there’s a new wrinkle this time around: the chance to become a running mentor. Sign up at www.getfittulsa.com to help a child learn the benefits of getting fit.

 

Cutting a Rug at Central 

4/11/2008, 2 p.m.

The Tapestry Dance Company, a professional non-profit dance organization based in Austin, Texas performs at Central High School on Friday, April 11.

The company was founded in 1989 by tap dancer Acia Gray and ballet artist Deirdre Strand. Today the company is home to seven resident artists with a pre-professional and adult training facility and a major dance company, all based in the Texas capitol.

The performance the company is putting on is called, “Souls of Our Feet” and celebrates American tap dance and recreates some of the most famous dance scenes from Hollywood musicals.

 

Will Rogers Commended For Placement on Historic Register 

4/11/2008, 11 a.m.

Built in 1938, Will Rogers High School is now on the National Register of Historic Places. On Friday, April 11, Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor and other officials will attend a ceremony lauding the school for its inclusion on the famous register.

Will Rogers was constructed by Joseph R. Koberling, Jr. and Leon B. Senter in Art Deco, a popular international design movement lasting from about the mid ‘20s until 1940.

“Tulsa Public Schools is privileged to have one of the city’s foremost representations of Art Deco in the form of Will Rogers High School as a part of our district,” said TPS School and Community Marketing Specialist Paula Wood.

Will Rogers was named after noted humorist Will Rogers, who died in 1935. Some of its approximately 39,000 alumni include: author S.E. Hinton, NCAA college football coach Dave Rader, musicians Leon Russell, Elvin Bishop, Anita Bryant and David Gates and cartoonist Russell Myers, creator of the “Broom Hilda” comic strip.

Taylor and other officials, including TPS representatives, will gather on the lawn in front of the school at 11 a.m.

 

Lindbergh Pancake Breakfast 

4/12/2008, 7 a.m.

Get ready for some flapjacks smothered in syrup with all the trimmings as students and administrators at Lindbergh Elementary holds their annual Pancake Breakfast, a mainstay since 1996. The eats are a chance for folks living in communities near the school to come on out and meet everyone. Sponsored by the Pilgrim Rock Masonic Lodge, Oklahoma Natural Gas and Lindbergh’s PTA, the breakfast assists the school’s partnership with the Masonic lodge, with all money going towards needed supplies for students. The cost is $3 at the door.

 

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.

 

TPS Human Resources Officer Honored For Saving Scores of Jobs 

4/21/2008, 4:30 p.m.

TPS human resources officer Bill Naftzger is being honored for his efforts in ensuring district paraprofessionals meet federal guidelines. He’ll be recognized by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education at 4:30 p.m on April 21 at Rose State College.

A couple years ago Naftzger had a serious dilemma. Under the just-passed No Child Left Behind legislation, some 150 TPS paraprofessionals—assistants to special education teachers—were suddenly under qualified and in danger of losing their jobs. He immediately contacted officials at Tulsa Community College. The upshot: TPS and TCC collaborated on creating a new program enabling the paraprofessionals to complete training and continue towards an associate’s degree. Today all paraprofessionals in the TPS system have met the No Child Left Behind mandates and at least three have earned associate’s degrees from TCC.

 

Attorneys Take Hamilton Students to State Capitol 

4/24/2008

Students at Hamilton Middle School get an up-close–and-personal look at the inner workings of state government when they take a tour of the State Capitol on Thursday, April 24.

Sponsored by several local legal groups—the Tulsa County Bar Association, the Tulsa County Bar Foundation and the Oklahoma Bar Association—the tour is a reward for completing a course study called, "We the People: The Citizen and The Constitution.” The course is a nationwide curriculum funded by the U.S. Department of Education, and directed by the Center for Civic Education. It teaches the history and current application of the Constitution and the Bill Of Rights.

The bar association and foundation have been involved with Hamilton, teaming up with students for a lunch-buddy program and presenting an annual Law Day at the school.

 

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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