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School News - Tip Sheet - 9/17/2008

Physical Therapists Help Keep TPS Student-Athletes Safe 

9/9/2008

In a move that will keep students in the Tulsa Public Schools system even safer, Redbud Physical Therapy has partnered with the district to perform free evaluations on student-athletes that incur non-emergency injuries during practice or games.

“We have previously offered this service in our outlining clinics, in Pryor and Wagoner, and felt it was time to offer this to Tulsa Public Schools, especially those schools that are underserved,” said Redbud co-owner Andy Ward.

“Redbud has been very supportive and they are a great partner for the district,” said Dr. Stephanie Spring, athletic director for TPS.

Knowledge is power and officials have been working to stress safety.

“While concussions are obviously something that we are concerned about in football, coaches and parents should also be aware that they can occur in any contact sport including soccer, basketball, and cheerleading,” said Jeff Jankowski, president of the Oklahoma Physical Therapy Association. “We encourage anyone with kids participating in these sports to be aware of the common signs of a concussion so that they may be treated properly.”

 

School Event Will Acknowledge a Father’s Role 

9/19/2008, 8:30 a.m.

He wipes tears away, (hopefully) has no fear of changing a diaper, accompanies his child to the first day of school because he wouldn’t miss it for the world and is always up for a game of catch.

Dads.

With a national debate brewing over a father’s role officials at Remington Elementary are holding Dads and Donuts, an event designed to celebrate the most important man in a child’s life.

“The role of a father is one of the most difficult yet rewarding challenges a man can face in his life,” said Lela Clayton, parent facilitator at Remington. “It is so important for a father to learn how to participate in his child's life and build a strong bridge to their children by passing on important lessons.”

Dads and Donuts is Friday, September 19, at 8:30 a.m. Gary Percefull, president of the Tulsa Public Schools Board of Education, will be the featured speaker. The Remington PTA is providing donuts, juice and coffee.

 

TPS Educator Wins Top Honor 

9/20/2008

The Oklahoma Association of School Library and Media Specialists gave its top honor to a Tulsa Public Schools educator for the second consecutive year. Carver Middle School's Mona Edwards won the 2008 Polly Clarke Award at a ceremony Friday in Oklahoma City.

"It's a great honor for one of the district's specialists to be recognized for what they are doing to benefit their fields of education and instruction," said Ellen Duecker, Tulsa Public Schools' Instructional Library and Media Services Director.

Edwards is no stranger to awards and accolades for her dedication to students. The National Board Certified educator garnered an Instructional Excellence in Education Award from the Oklahoma Education Association in 2000 and earned a state Technology in Education Award in 2003.

Edwards' latest honor was named for Polly Elizabeth Clarke, a veteran educator who passed away in 1986 after dedicating much of her life and career to library science.

Last year Barbara McBride-Smith of Hoover Elementary School won the Polly Clarke Award.

 

Subway’s Jared to Speak to TPS Students 

9/23/2008, 1 p.m.

Jared Fogle, the ubiquitous spokesman of the Subway Restaurant chain, famously lost 245 pounds by limiting his diet to the restaurant’s products. On Tuesday, September 23, Jared is coming to Anderson Elementary to throw his weight behind the school’s Eat, Exercise and Excel program.

“Our focus is on health and nutrition,” said Anderson Principal Brenda Anderson, “and having him here reinforces the importance of a healthy lifestyle.”

Students from Anderson, Celia Clinton, Emerson, Hawthorne and Lee elementary schools are slated to attend Jared’s presentation. After speaking with the youngsters Jared will lead them in a workout.

Jared’s visit is sponsored by the Saint Francis Health System, which is also facilitating transportation.

 

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.

 

Will Rogers Career Day 

9/25/2008, 8:30 a.m.

What do you want to be when you grow up? Students at Will Rogers High School will be exposed to a variety of answers to that question when the school holds its annual Career Day on Thursday, September 25.

School officials say the purpose of Career Day is to bridge the gap between academia and real life so that teens come into contact with professionals from diverse ethnic and career backgrounds.

Thus far 44 professionals have agreed to attend. Career Day is coordinated by the Will Rogers High School Freshmen Academy, the YWCA Tulsa, and Gear-Up, a federally funded program designed to prepare students for college.

 

Students Get Thier Kicks With Historian 

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

Even if you don’t know his face, the voice is one you’ve likely heard a million times. He’s Michael Wallis, a bestselling author, historian and what in Hollywood parlance is known as a “voice actor,” and he’s coming to Daniel Webster High School later this month.

The Missouri native has written historically-accurate books such as "Oil Man: The Story of Frank Phillips and the Birth of Phillips Petroleum,” but he is perhaps more famous for the 1990 offering "Route 66: The Mother Road.” His pipes have been featured as the voice of the Sheriff in the Disney/Pixar film series “Cars.”

Wallis will speak to students on Tuesday, Sept. 30, about Route 66 and his experiences in the film industry. His visit dovetails with an extensive class project about the legendary Route 66. Webster teacher Kevin Short has been leading his pupils as they create maps, correspond with Route 66 enthusiasts from around the world and design postcards about the 1938 Art Deco building in which they attend class.

Webster Principal Phil Garland said Wallis' visit comes on the heels of a Sept. 12 presentation at Webster by Federal Communications Commissioner Robert McDowell. That event drew dignitaries and visitors from across Tulsa and led McDowell to praise Webster’s unique Broadcasting, Digital Media and Marketing strand as giving “Oklahomans a leg up in the 21st Century.”

"Our students and patrons have shown excitement for the program. It's good to see outside celebrities giving it so much attention," Garland said.

For more information about the magnet program or about Wallis’ visit, please contact Kevin Short at shortke@tulsaschools.org or Emily Priddy at priddem@tulsaschools.org or call (918) 746-8000.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to space constraints, this event is open only to media representatives. Cameras are permitted, but for legal reasons, students in Short’s class may not be photographed.

 

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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