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School News - Tip Sheet - 9/10/2008

TPS, Residents, Clear Air Over Proposed Academy 

9/9/2008

Louise Corder hadn’t yet made up her mind on the New Vision Academy—a substance-abuse program for local teens housed at Fulton Teaching and Learning Academy—when she walked into a community forum addressing the issue. By the meeting’s end, however, she was a firm supporter of the facility. The program might have saved the life of a family member that fell prey to the sometimes-fatal nightmare of drug and alcohol abuse, she said.

“When I came here I was at first very negative,” she said. “But we lost a grandson. He was 21. He did not have what they are talking about here.”

Another area resident, Davy Fields, agrees. A drug counselor at the Tulsa Boys Home and the father of a five-year-old daughter, he knows first-hand the need for early intervention.

“I’m not paranoid about it at all,” he said. “My daughter and I go on bike rides all the time and I see our former residents around here. They’re doing well.”

More than one-hundred residents of the Longview and Briarwood neighborhoods gathered to hear from Tulsa Public Schools officials about plans to create the New Vision Academy. The closely-supervised program houses 20 high-school students from across the city caught committing minor infractions. The Fulton site is a temporary location.

The students "will not be free to go anywhere else,” said Director of Staff Development and Leadership Marvin Jeter in response to community concerns that children in the program would be free to “roam” about the neighborhoods.

“The bottom line is a student coming to this program is a student that made one or two bad choices,” he added.

“It’s good that (TPS) had this meeting,” said Eloise Lamprich, a 45-year resident of the area. “The best way to get the news out is to have meetings.”

“It’s in our interest to have ongoing meetings,” said Dr. Mary Guinn, chief academic officer at TPS.

 

TPS Hosts Bus Rodeo 

9/11/2008

It’s a rodeo but there are no bucking broncos—no livestock at all. Try this on for size: It’s the national School Bus Mechanics Rodeo. Imagine mechanics engaged in an intense competition with their colleagues from across the country in all areas of bus operation including general inspection procedures, federal regulations, brakes, engines, driveline and steering/suspension.

Tulsa Public Schools has two employees participating. Stanley White has a whopping 31 years experience as a mechanic while Kenneth Anderson tops that with 48 years.

“They are a couple of experienced guys that have been around the block a few times. They know what they are doing,” said Fleet Operations Manager Doug Charette.

The rodeo is September 11 and 12 at the transportation department, located at 1815 N 77th East Ave. It’s sponsored by the National Association for Pupil Transportation and Hydrotex, a leading lubricant manufacturer.

 

FCC Commissioner: Webster’s Magnet Program Preparing Oklahoma for the Future 

9/12/2008

Federal Communications Commissioner Robert McDowell offered strong words of praise for Webster High School’s unique Broadcasting, Digital Media and Marketing strand during a visit to Tulsa today.

“If the district is helping to educate students about digital media, that will give Oklahomans a leg up in the 21st Century,” McDowell said.

McDowell spoke to Webster students about the role and makeup of the FCC and next February’s deadline for ending analog broadcasts.

Webster Principal Phil Garland said McDowell’s stop at the school served another purpose. “(The visit) speaks to the fact that we are a magnet school and we are working towards the goals we have set,” he said. “Bringing in an FCC official brings those goals to life.”

Webster’s broadcasting strand has a fan in Tulsa Major Kathy Taylor.

“I think it’s great,” she said, “especially to get the kids interested in digital media and to understand where the industry is headed.”

McDowell’s visit coincides with the completion of Webster’s new, state-of-the-art television studio.

Lloyd Wright, Webster’s Broadcast/Digital Media Coordinator said, “Webster students will have access to equipment only seen in first-rate television stations and they’ll have the opportunity to learn and develop skills that will directly launch a professional career in the field and/or advance them up the ladder to a good broadcast journalism school in college.”

Webster has three coordinators to help teachers integrate the Broadcast/Digital Media, Journalism, Marketing/Graphic Arts and Information Technology strands into the core subjects of Math, English, History and Science. Specialty classes in all three Magnet disciplines are slated for next year.

 

TPS Workers Take Part in Day of Caring 

9/12/2008, 7:30 a.m.

Scores of Tulsa Public Schools employees are taking part in the United Way Day of Caring, lending their brains and brawn to solve community problems.

“They saw a need and they addressed it,” said Paula Wood, TPS’ United Way co-chair.

This year's Day Of Caring is Friday, Sept. 12, and kicks off at the new BOK Center. The program starts at 7:30 a.m. Local American Idol star Alaina Whitaker will sing. Volunteers will then spread out across the city, heading out to various sites to spruce up, clean and repair.

TPS workers will hit the following locations: 1888 East 15 Street (painting and outdoor work on the entrance ramp) and the Child Care Resource Center at 18 North Norwood (heavy outdoor work, carpentry, etc.).

The United Way’s Day of Caring was established in 1992 to promote the spirit and value of volunteerism, increase the awareness of local human service agencies and schools, and demonstrate what people working together for the community's good can accomplish. The Tulsa branch estimates close to 4,000 volunteers will take part this year, working on over 450 projects.

 

Reminder: Feds Sending Big Gun to Address Webster Broadcast Students 

9/12/2008, 1:30 p.m.

The nation’s largest magnet schools assistance grant is bringing Federal Communications Commissioner Robert McDowell to a Tulsa high school on Friday. Webster High School’s Broadcasting, Digital Media and Marketing students will talk with the FCC official about key issues that impact Webster’s new magnet curriculum, including the deadline for television stations to make the switch from analog to digital transmission.

McDowell’s visit coincides with the completion of Webster’s new, state-of-the-art television studio.

Lloyd Wright, Webster’s Broadcast/Digital Media Coordinator said, “Webster students will have access to equipment only seen in first-rate television stations and they’ll have the opportunity to learn and develop skills that will directly launch a professional career in the field and/or advance them up the ladder to a good broadcast journalism school in college.”

Webster has three coordinators to help teachers integrate the Broadcast/Digital Media, Journalism, Marketing/Graphic Arts and Information Technology strands into the core subjects of Math, English, History and Science. Specialty classes in all three Magnet disciplines are slated for next year.

“When the FCC Commissioner walks in to Webster, he’ll see the beginnings of a full scale broadcast center in one of the most beautiful high schools in Tulsa,” said Webster Principal Phil Garland.

Attending this event will be John Durkee, strategic communication director, and Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor.

 

Eisenhower Goings-on 

9/24/2008, 9 a.m.

With a naturalization ceremony, a visit to the HelmZar Challenge Course and an international student exchange, Eisenhower International School has already kicked the new school year into high-gear.

On September 24 the Spanish and French fifth-grade classes head on over to HelmZar (located at 1006 N. Quaker—and if you haven’t checked it out yet you really should!) for the ropes challenge. Teacher Leonardo DeAndrade says the timing is intentional.

“This activity, at the beginning of the school year, helps students improve their self-esteem, while developing cooperation skills that will be beneficial during their last school year,” he said.

The children arrive at the course at 9 a.m. and stay until 2 p.m. The next day Eisenhower’s student body and administrators hold a 2 p.m. going-away party for the ten student ambassadors traveling to San Luis Potosi, Tulsa’s Mexican sister city. The exchange is the latest in a 16-year partnership between Eisenhower and San Luis Potosi’s Instituto Cervantes Apostolica.

“Long term friendships, international understanding and language proficiency are some of the benefits experienced by the students and the school at large,” said Emily Wood, Eisenhower’s exchange coordinator.

On October 8 the school hosts an 11 a.m. naturalization ceremony, welcoming about 35 people as they officially become Americans. Eisenhower students have been rehearsing a musical number that they plan on serenading the immigrants with. The media and public are invited to attend.

 

Renowned Educator Headlining OECTA Conference 

10/16/2008, 8 a.m.

Internationally known educator, author and licensed professional counselor Esther Williams is headlining the Oklahoma Early Childhood Teacher’s Association conference at Salk Elementary on October 16.

The conference is open to pre-k through second grade teachers. Various topics will be examined during breakout sessions.

Williams holds a Bachelor of Science and Master’s degrees in counseling from Auburn University. In 1999 she founded the consulting firm Positive Paths.

 

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