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School News - Tip Sheet - 5/7/2008

Partners in Education Awards 

4/28/2008

The AT&T Telecom Pioneers are the 2008 Partner of the Year, recognized for their work with Cooper Elementary School. The Pioneers are an organization within AT&T that’s been involved with Cooper for 17 years, happily donating countless volunteer hours and helping thousands of students. Just a few of their contributions include opening an emergency clothes closet, furnishing non-PASS related school supplies and giving out snacks, electronic maps and test monitors.

The Pioneers recently began a free reading program for fourth and fifth graders that’s been very successful. The program—Power Up to Read—began at Cooper and has been expanded to other elementary schools in TPS.

“It’s very rewarding,” Vicki Reagor, a Pioneer currently teaching at Cooper, said of the relationship between the school and the company.

The Pioneers were honored at the year’s Partners in Education reception, held at the Southern Hills Marriott.

The Partners in Education program is a collaborative effort between TPS and the Tulsa Metro Chamber. The program's focus is to link Tulsa students with community resources in order to provide the knowledge and skills needed for future success. Partners and schools choose their level of involvement, which may include—but is not 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

Partners in Education Awards

Partner	School	Award
AT&T Telecom Pioneers	Cooper Elementary School	2008 Partner of the Year
Southside Rotary	Springdale Elementary School	Valuable Investment Award
Verizon	McKinley Elementary School	Award for Excellence
First United Methodist Church	Eugene Field Elementary School	Dedicated Partnership Award
T.D. Williamson, Inc.	Robertson Elementary School	Champions Award
Sheridan Road Baptist Church	McKinley Elementary School	Investing in the Future Award
Exteriors Unlimited	Sequoyah Elementary School	Outstanding Small Business Partner Award
Spirit AeroSystems	TPS District	Outstanding District Partner Award
Turley United Methodist Church	Cherokee Elementary	Outstanding Faith-Based Partner Award
Herb Beattie	Jackson Elementary School and Hamilton Middle School	Chittom Challenge Award Recipient

 

Robertson Elementary Mother's Day Tea 

5/8/2008, 1:30 p.m.

It’s been going on for two decades now, and we can assure you that for mom it’s never going to get old. Robertson Elementary School’s annual Kindergarten Mother’s Day Tea is Thursday, May 8, 1:30 -2:30 p.m.

In appreciation for her countless good deeds, kindergarteners invite mom into the classroom and sing songs, give gifts and serve tea, cookies and mints. It culminates in what just might be the best part of the day: The kids do all the cleaning up.

Robertson administrators say that if mom cannot attend they welcome stepmothers, grandmothers, aunts or an adult female friend of the family.

 

Greeley Art Show/Science Fair 

5/8/2008, 3 p.m.

The two disciplines may be a left brain/right brain sort of thing, but administrators at Greeley Elementary are nonetheless combining art and science into one extravaganza.

The school’s first annual Art Show and Science Fair is May 8 from 3-5 p.m. Greeley officials say it’s a chance to celebrate the creativity, imagination and skill of their student body. The event is “positive reinforcement to all the students involved because it will give them a chance to put their talents and what they have learned in the public eye,” said Greeley art teacher Wynita Harris.

 

Welcome to Henryville 

5/8/2008

What are you doing this weekend? Bet it doesn’t compare to what students over at Patrick Henry Elementary have planned.

They’re building a city.

That’s right, a city.

According to Principal Dan DePalma, the massive scale model city happened through a partnership with Selser Schaefer Architects. The students have been acting as mini-apprentices, learning from the architects about city planning, community needs and general construction.

On the evenings of May 8 and 9 the city—officially dubbed Henryville—will be unveiled on the gymnasium floor with students providing walkthrough tours. The students used recycled materials to create their three-dimensional buildings, and every child at the school created some portion of Henryville.

 

Webster Class Gives Blankets to Cancer Patients 

5/9/2008, 9:15

For the past three years students at Webster High School’s Family and Consumer Sciences class have been quietly doing some very good deeds for some very needy people. Just this school year alone they’ve held a canned food drive, sponsored leadership/recognition events, facilitated a blood drive and created bookmarkers for kindergarten students, delivering them personally.

Next up: Dropping off no-sew blankets to patients at the Cancer Treatment Centers of America. They’ll be there Friday, May 9, at 9:15 a.m.

Family and Consumer Sciences teacher Lynetta Tart says that with too much negative publicity attached to today’s youth, the public should be aware of the good things teens do.

“The kids respond very well,” she said. “They really enjoy doing this for other people.”

Hart’s class at Webster is comprised of students in grades 9-12. The Cancer Treatment Centers of America is located at 10109 S. 79th Street.

 

Hats off for Books at Lanier 

5/9/2008, All day

Lanier elementary students get to sport unusual and interesting headgear as their school holds the final Reading is Fundamental book distribution of the year. Since the theme is “Hats off for Books,” the youngsters have been invited to don their favorite hat when they come to the library to pick out a book for their personal collection.

RIF is a major non-profit organization focused on youth literacy. The group was initially founded in 1966 by Margaret McNamara, wife of then-Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, when she brought some used books to four boys in Washington, D.C. When she told the children they could each pick out a book to keep, their positive reactions led her to discover that these children, and many of their classmates, had never owned any books.

 

Teacher Job Fair 

5/10/2008, 10 a.m.

Tulsa Public Schools will conduct a teacher job fair for teaching positions available during the 2008/2009 school year. The fair will be held Saturday, May 10, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Tulsa Expo Square Pavilion located at 4145 E. 21st St.

All interested May of 2008 graduates and certified teachers are encouraged to attend. Principals from all elementary, middle schools, alternative schools, and high schools will be available to collect resumes and discuss openings at their school sites.

Pre-registration is required and may be accomplished by completing a short online form found on our web site: www.tulsaschools.org. Simply click on the “Job Fair Registration” link. Additional information regarding our schools can also be found on the web site.

Whether you are an experienced teacher, or you are just starting your career, come explore the many opportunities available with Tulsa Public Schools!

 

Tulsa Teens Unveil Their Ideas on Community Improvement 

5/12/2008, 10 a.m.

Teenagers getting involved in their community prove that Tulsa is one of the Greatest American Cities. You’ll see that commitment when students from six area high schools gather to discuss ways to increase civic engagement.

The students and six of their teachers spent time attending workshops in Washington, DC, to identify problematic community issues and develop a plan for addressing them. On Monday, May 12, they’ll gather at the Education Service Center and use multimedia to present their ideas on making Tulsa a better place for everyone.

The student-led drive to improve the city came from Tulsa’s inclusion as one of the Close Up Foundation’s Greatest American Cities. Surveys of urban youth reveal high levels of political alienation and civic disaffection. The Greatest American Cities program aims to address that alienation while proving a sense of empowerment and responsibility to urban youth to constructively address issues in schools, neighborhoods, and communities.

 

Saying Goodbye 

5/13/2008, 5 p.m.

With summer approaching, many school administrators in the TPS system are being forced to say goodbye to longtime, valuable employees. Two elementary schools holding retirement receptions for those employees are Eisenhower and Alcott.

Alcott is marking the departure of veteran first-grade teacher Denice Washington with an informal get-together on Tuesday, May 13, at 5 p.m. Over at Eisenhower, head custodian Mae Terry is hanging up her mop after 32 years. She’ll be honored by school staffers, friends and family members on Monday, May 12, at 3:20 p.m.

For more information on Terry’s retirement contact Stacy Strow at strowst@tulsaschools.org. To learn more about Washington’s swan song contact Susan Yates at yatessu@tulsaschools.org.

 

Students Use Math to Build a Home 

5/13/2008, 9:30 a.m.

It’s hammer time!

Ron Givens in the Career Tech department at TPS says “the ‘If I Had a Hammer’ program has been used in other urban school districts with great success.” It essentially involves using math concepts to construct a house. The program is being used to benefit Madison Middle School as some 25 students will build a pre-fabricated 8’ by 11’ house, with windows, door, and a porch in less than three hours. Students will wear tool bags, special Hammer T-shirts and use power screw drivers to construct the home, renamed here the Hammer House.

The program was made possible by a $25,000 Carl Perkins supplemental grant authored by Givens. On May 13, the public and media are invited to check out this innovative program. The grand opening is at Tulsa Tech Lemley, located at 3420 South Memorial Drive, Room H-105, from 9:30 a.m. until noon.

 

Louie the Lightning Bug Lights Up Bell Elementary 

5/14/2008, 12:30 p.m., 1:15 p.m.

Electrical hazards can cause burns, shocks, electrocution and death. Officials at Bell Elementary want to educate their students about the importance of electrical safety—but the question is, as always, what’s the best way to go about it.

Enter Louie the Lightning Bug.

Louie is no flash in the pan—he’s been around for over three decades. According to Moore Syndication, a company specializing in safety communications for electric and natural gas utilities that also distributes Louie products and services, Louie was created in 1983 by two major electrical utilities for an innovative electrical safety campaign aimed at children. The program was syndicated to other utilities the next year. Components include a series of animated television commercials, more than 50 different electrical safety handout items, a safety video, a computer software package and live theatrical performances.

Louie lights up the stage at Bell on May 14 at 12:30 p.m. and 1:15 p.m.

 

Fourteenth Annual Superintendent’s Review 

5/15/2008, 7:00 p.m.

NOTE: The date has been postponed from May 13 to May 15th due to the threat of severe weather.

Tulsa Public Schools has the largest number of leadership education programs in the region, and the JROTC is no exception. In 1994, the Junior JROTC was established in each of the district’s nine high schools. The following year TPS became the first district in the nation to create a Leadership Corps program (modeled after the JROTC) for middle schools.

Fast forward over a decade. This year over 2,000 TPS middle and high school students have developed leadership skills through studies in citizenship, communication skills, character education and service to their community and school.

The review the evening of May 15 features cadets from all over the district. In addition, dozens of students will receive the Superintendent’s Award, given for outstanding leadership, scholarship and citizenship. It happens under the backdrop of the World War 2/Vietnam Veteran’s Commencement, with the appearance of six local veterans of those two conflicts.

 

Gilcrease Holds College and Career Night 

5/15/2008, 5:30 p.m

Administrators at Gilcrease Intermediate School are holding a Parent College & Career Night Dinner on Thursday, May 15. Eighth-grade Gilcrease students and their parents are invited.

The event is a chance to ask representatives from area colleges and technical schools questions about the college admissions process, learn about the choices available at magnet schools in the district, watch a demonstration about the Oklahoma Career Information System and discover opportunities available through Workforce Oklahoma.

The event begins 5:30 p.m. and concludes at 7. It takes place in the Gilcrease cafeteria.

 

Dr. Z Teaches E=MC2 

5/21/2008

Tulsa Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Michael Zolkoski grabs the chalk and erasers and heads up to the blackboard as this year’s Superintendent’s Summer Algebra Camp kicks off June 2 and runs until June 13. Yes, Dr. Z is the instructor for a fun and educational experience that’s open to all public and private school students entering the sixth through ninth grades this school year. The camp is tuition-free with transportation provided. In fact, all that interested students need to bring with them is a spiral notebook and pencil—and, of course, their thinking caps.

“I always look forward to each new Algebra Camp and sharing multiple methods of instruction that help students prepare for their next school year,” Zolkoski said.

Anyone interested in the camp should respond to Janice Jones by May 21st at 746-6298 or jonesja@tulsaschools.org.

 

Burroughs Competes in International Competition 

5/30/2008

It’s called “Odyssey of the Mind” and it’s a creative, problem-solving competition for teams of students in kindergarten through college. John Burroughs Elementary, a Title 1 school, did so well in April’s state finals in Ada that they’ve qualified to travel to Maryland for the world finals.

The school’s team, coached by librarian Lisa Rutledge, is currently in the process of raising money to attend. Thus far they have sold pens and pencils and received a private donation from a Tulsa family foundation, getting them a quarter of the way towards their goal: They raised $2500 but still need $5000.

Odyssey of the Mind has been around for nearly three decades. According to their website, the international competition “encourages students to apply their creativity to solve problems that range from building mechanical devices to presenting their own interpretation of literary classics.”

The students on the Burroughs team are: Tarik Brewer, Alonzia Fairchild, Brandy Holmes, Evelyn Johnson, Jasmyne Monteilh, Alex Rutledge and Jade Thornton.

 

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.

 

Tournament Benefits Ailing Teacher 

6/22/2008, 8 a.m.

Meningioma is a type of brain tumor that can cause seizures, headaches, and focal neurological defects, such as arm or leg weakness, or vision loss.

Sheryl Clark, a teacher at Edison Preparatory School, is bravely battling the disease.

The cost of treatment can be prohibitive, so Sheryl’s friends and co-workers have organized a golf tournament to help her out. Set for June 22, the tournament is $55 per person or $220 per team and includes the green fee, golf cart, breakfast, lunch and great prizes.

It’s at The Canyons at Black Jack Ridge in Sand Springs with an 8 a.m. shotgun start. For more information call Adrienne Elias at (405) 818-9785.

 

TPS Teachers Head North to Alaska 

7/1/2008

The incredibly diverse cultures and ecosystems in Alaska have long fascinated researchers and scientists. It’s the largest state in the union, home to 100-degree weather swings, where it’s broad daylight at 2 a.m. during the summer and you can toss a cup of hot coffee outside and watch it freeze before it hits the ground in winter. Now two teachers from Oklahoma—Nimitz Middle School Library Media Specialist Robin Leach and Leslie Brown, an Arts Resource Teacher at Addams, McKinley and Remington elementary schools—have been tapped to receive a 2008 grant award for $10,000 to pursue the Road Scholar program fellowship project.

They’ll be heading to the Great White North on July 1.

“We’re looking at alternative sources of energy and climate change,” Leach said. “We’ll be studying wildlife and Leslie is bringing a tape recorder to make sounds of the environment.”

Students of Leach and Brown will also benefit as the two teachers plan on blogging about their travel experiences and incorporating what they’ve learned in lesson plans.

The Road Scholar program is a not-for-profit service of Elderhostel, an organization providing trips with educational value. Go to www.roadscholar.org/ fore more information.

 

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