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School News - Tip Sheet - 6/11/2008

Fans Welcome National Champs 

6/11/2008

Scores of well-wishers—including cheerleaders and the school drum line—greeted Booker T. Washington’s Academic Bowl Team with balloons, posters, smiles and hugs at Tulsa International Airport Tuesday afternoon. The newly‐crowned National Academic Champions were exhausted but exhilarated after their impressive win at the Chicago tournament this week.

“We had a really strong team this year and they did really well,” said Coach Marilyn Turmelle. “We had a feeling something good was going to happen.”

The Superintendent of Tulsa Public Schools also had a feeling BTW would make a strong national showing after ranking among Newsweek magazine’s Top 100 High Schools; earning its third consecutive state academic title; and sweeping the academic regional semi‐finals in Washington, D.C.

“Tulsa Public Schools is proud of its flagship magnet high school and its outstanding performance at the National Academic Tournament,” Dr. Michael Zolkoski said of BTW’s latest accomplishment. “Booker T. Washington has ascended to national prominence while strengthening TPS’ mission of being the District of Choice.”

Booker T. Washington was designated a magnet school in 1973 with the goal of attracting students from throughout Tulsa to its rigorous advanced curriculum. The academic team is made up of students who live within BTW’s boundaries and those who transferred from other public and private schools for an unparalleled AP (Advanced Placement) and IB (International Baccalaureate) course load. Their success is a testament to the magnet concept’s ability to infuse diversity with academic excellence.

BTW team member Billy Chyan is just happy he and his friends were able to complete their school year on such a positive note.

“I’m most proud of us for sticking together,” Chyan said. “It’s great to finish up this way.”

The six-member team won their final match against a team from Delaware with a score of 385‐300, giving BTW its first national title since 1992. Team captain Dylan Hames was named the National Academic MVP and earned a rare spot in the tournament’s Hall of Fame.

Dylan Hames’ father is Mark Hames, BTW chemistry instructor and coach of the ’92 championship team.

“I had resource books that my son was always picking up and studying,” Mark said when asked what prepared Dylan for such a stunning accomplishment.

Jordan Rogers said he and his fellow teammates had a foolproof way to relax: “We stayed calm by watching Disney and Rocky movies—‘The Lion King’ and ‘Rocky 3’ with Mr. T.”

The Booker T. Washington National Championship Academic Team includes captain Dylan Hames, Jordan Rogers, Billy Chyan, Carl Engle‐Laird, Susanna Michael, and Onkur Sen.

 

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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