district home page     contact us

School News - Tip Sheet - 9/24/2008

Jared the Subway Guy Throws His Weight behind Healthy Eating Habits 

9/22/2008

Subway Restaurant spokesman Jared Fogle relayed his remarkable story to students at Anderson Elementary this week. Fogle, who lost 245 pounds by limiting his food intake to the chain’s products, also stressed the importance of a healthy diet and daily exercise.

First off: How did Jared get so obese? Doing something too many kids do, he says. “All I was doing was just playing video games all day long while eating all day long and never staying active,” he said.

A burning desire to change and a chance reading of a Subway menu led Jared to turn his life around.

“You know, the funny thing was, I never thought it would lead here,” he told the students. “I never thought I would ever be on TV, I never thought I would be known as Jared the Subway Guy, but a friend of mine who wrote an article about me when I was in college—that article got picked up by other magazines…”

A commercial followed. Then Oprah called. So did Larry King. The unhappy, overweight college student morphed into a national celebrity.

The Saint Francis Health System sponsored Jared’s visit to Tulsa. Students from Celia Clinton, Emerson, Hawthorne and Lee elementary schools also attended Jared’s presentation.

“Right now kids your age today are proportionally heavier and heavier than ever before,” he said. “And I want to be sure that (you) get to learn a little bit from my story and see what can happen to you if you make those poor decisions like I made.”

 

Partner in Education Appreciation Day 

9/24/2008, 8:30 a.m.

Remington Elementary honors business and individuals that take the time to help the school with a Partner in Education appreciation day on Wednesday, September 24.

“This will be a time for us to recognize, acknowledge and thank our partners who make the effort to enhance the education experience for our students,” said Remington parent liaison Lela Clayton. “We have found this is a great way to keep the lines of communication open in the partnerships between the school and the business community.”

The event starts at 8:30 a.m. in Remington’s library. That’s sort of early, but Clayton says the school’s PTA is handing refreshments (coffee, anyone?).

 

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.

 

Central’s Poetry Night 

9/25/2008, 7 p.m.

Let’s see that talent! Central High School is hosting a Poetry Night on Thursday, September 25, featuring original and selected poems. Central’s Donna Carter says that the theme is “beat” —so run with that whatever way you wish.

The evening’s entertainment will be ably supplied by Central’s jazz band under the direction of Earl Clark.

Here’s something you may not have known: The word “poetry” has its roots in ancient Greek and literally means “making” or “creating.”

 

Longtime TPS Stalwart Retires 

9/30/2008, 3 p.m.

TPS Physical Education Curriculum Specialist Barbara J. Marshall is retiring after 37 years. Marshall began her career with the district as a Physical Education instructor at Jones Elementary, following that with a stint at Lincoln. She came to the Education Service Center in 1981.

“My professional career has been blessed with many opportunities to provide service to Tulsa Public Schools. Life is a journey and my life has been richly rewarded with friends and colleagues that will also remain in my heart forever,” Marshall said. “Continue to do great work for the kids and know I value the work we have done together.”

A reception in Marshall’s honor is Tuesday, September 30, from 3 – 5 p.m. in the ESC’s Selman room. Everyone is invited to attend and say goodbye to one of the nicest ladies ever to grace our halls.

 

Dedication, Ribbon-Cutting of Carver Literary Garden 

9/30/2008, 10 a.m.

Members of the public and the media are invited to attend the dedication of the George Washington Carver Literary Garden on Tuesday, September 30, at 10 a.m.

The garden came about thanks to British Petroleum. Every year the company holds the BP Classic, a portion of which involves employees working on community-service projects.

“This year they chose Carver Middle School,” said Carver Secretary Carol Crumb.

“We’re putting in a literary garden with granite stones, benches, doing some landscaping and building a plaque containing quotes from George Washington Carver himself,” said BP spokesman Steve Smith. Smith said the garden area will be a place where teachers and students can gather outside for classes to enjoy reading and the arts.

This is the second time BP has improved Carver. In 1998, the BP Classic received one of Oklahoma’s highest awards for historical restoration for their work at Carver Stadium.

 

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.

 

East Central’s Dawson Named Counselor of the Year 

10/1/2008

She’s called the “Energizer Bunny” by at least one of her colleagues so perhaps it’s no surprise that Dr. Karen Dawson has been named the Oklahoma Counseling Association’s Counselor of the Year.

Dawson instructs at East Central and she’s amassed an array of professional accomplishments. She’s a nationally board certified counselor, a licensed professional counselor and counselor supervisor, and holds a Master’s Degree in psychology.

“I refer to her as the Energizer Bunny because of her incredible energy and enthusiasm. She has a fabulous relationship with our students,” said fellow East Central counselor Carol Axley.

“A brilliant lady, a hard worker, a true professional and a person who is devoted to the education and success of her students in three words—Dr. Karen Dawson,” said East Central teacher John Nein.

Dawson is a 1980 graduate of Northeastern University. She’s also won the Northeast Regional Counselor of the Year Award, the Oklahoma Education Association’s Excellence Award for Teachers Teaching Teachers and the Mayor’s Pinnacle Award.

 

Bully Proofing Kids 

10/11/2008, 10 a.m.

While hard statistics are tough to obtain, most people that have attended school in the United States have at least anecdotal evidence of bullying and the pain it causes.

A one-day workshop aimed at all parents and teachers—as well as students in the fourth and fifth grades—will address the problem. “Bully Proofing Kids” is at the Tulsa Technology Center’s Lemley Campus on Saturday, October 11, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

In a flyer promoting the event, organizers sound an alarm about bullying: “Across the United States, countless students are afraid to go to school while others are helpless witnesses. And children who bully have been shown to have significant problems later in life.”

For more information or to pre-register call 918-560-1114. The deadline to register is Oct. 8.

 

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.

 

Choose your style.