ARROWPOINT} TH E OF F I CI A L M A G A Z I N E O F B RO K EN A R R O W P U B LIC S C H O O LS
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SEE IN S I D E Superintendent’s Message District Recycling A-F Grading Scale Pre-K Information
VOLUME 38, ISSUE FOUR • MID-WINTER 2013
Strategic Plan
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ARROWPOINT
THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF BROKEN ARROW PUBLIC SCHOOLS VOLUME 38, ISSUE 4 | MID-WINTER 2013 Publisher Communications Department Broken Arrow Public Schools Editing/Content/Photography Tara Thompson Public Information Officer Layout/Design/Photography Adam J. Foreman Graphic Artist/Publications Specialist Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jarod Mendenhall Board of Education Cheryl Kelly, President Steve Allen, Vice President Jerry Denton, Clerk Shari Wilkins, Deputy Clerk Steve Majors, Member
The ARROWPOINT is published by the Communications Department of Broken Arrow Public Schools and is distributed to approximately 45,000 households in the Broken Arrow school district. The ARROWPOINT is printed at Printed Products, Inc., and is the official communication tool for parents, students, staff and patrons of Broken Arrow Public Schools. Any information, content and photos contained herein are property of Broken Arrow Schools and are to be used by outside sources only with permission of the Communications Department. All contents are copyrighted.
Broken Arrow Public Schools (BAPS) does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or age in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following people at BAPS have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: The Executive Director of Human Resources should be contacted for all non-student and/or employment related issues at 918-259-5700 or at 701 South Main Street, Broken Arrow, OK 74012. The Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services should be contacted for all student issues except those related to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 at 918-259-5700 or at 701 South Main Street, Broken Arrow, OK 74012. The Director of Special Education should be contacted for all student issues related to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 at 918-259-5700 or at 701 South Main Street, Broken Arrow, OK 74012. Inquiries concerning non-discrimination can also be made to the United States Department of Education’s Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights.
Broken Arrow Public Schools Education Service Center 701 South Main Street Broken Arrow, OK 74012 (918) 259-5700 | F: (918) 258-0399 www.baschools.org
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SUPERINTENDENT
It has been some time since I’ve talked about the changes to the attendance zones, but since the new zones will take effect in August, I thought it best to take a few moments to remind you of these changes. But before I really begin, I must first explain the group that has helped with these changes. The Long Range Planning Committee is a group of more than 60 parents and patrons who have provided stakeholder input on a variety of topics. Their first task was to assist other administrators and I in realigning the 2009 bond issue. Their recommendations were put before the public in the form of a bond issue in October of 2011. The public overwhelmingly approved of the changes that had been suggested, and because of the work of this committee, you now have several new elementary schools currently under construction, as well as numerous other projects that were made possible by the realignment of bond funds. After the committee successfully realigned the bond, they were asked to look at elementary attendance zones. Their challenge was to balance enrollment as much as possible, making sure that enrollment matched what our facilities were capable of handling, and ensuring reasonable commute times. The Long Range Planning Committee was presented with volumes of information, maps, and demographic data to assist them in this task. In considering the attendance zones, the group had a number of things to take into consideration. For example, with the passage of the bond issue, three new elementaries were to be constructed, and Arrow Springs will be transformed into an Early Childhood Development Center. New housing additions and apartment complexes will increase enrollment in some areas, and the demographic data indicates the eastern side of the district has the capacity for tremendous growth in student enrollment. This was not an easy task for the committee. They had many of tough conversations and even spent a great deal of time driving the district to get a better idea of what our parents and students would experience in their daily commute to school. After months of planning, each group created a map for discussion and debate amongst the other members of the committee. Those options were combined and reduced to three final plans which were presented to the public for comment in early April. Two community forums were held for the purpose of gathering citizens’ input on three plans. After the forums, the Long Range Planning Committee met one more time to discuss and finalize a plan, which was then presented to the board on April 30. The Board of Education approved the committee’s final plan to alter the elementary attendance zones beginning in August of the 2013-2014 school year. You can review that map by clicking on the “New Elementary Zones” link on the right of our district website. Currently, the committee is reviewing the middle school attendance zones to determine if changes are needed at that level. They are considering many of the same factors that were debated when redrawing elementary boundaries, and they are also exploring the possibility of feeder patterns at the middle school level. Any proposed changes will be presented to the Board of Education for approval this spring, and the changes to middle school enrollment zones would also go into effect in August of 2013. I continue to be impressed with the dedication shown by these parents, as well as their willingness to be open to all ideas and options. They put the interests of all students above their personal preferences, and I am quite confident their proposal regarding middle school attendance zones will be something that moves our district in a positive direction. Sincerely,
ARROWPOINT MAGAZINE • PAGE TWO
Dr. Jarod Mendenhall, Superintendent of Schools
theREWARDS ofRECYCLING BAPS partners with TRT to keep district going in the ‘green’ direction
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In late fall of 2012, the district made a change to its recycling program and introduced the Broken Arrow Tigers to the environment conscious Mr. Murph – the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) at Tulsa Recycle and Transfer (TRT). The first of its kind in the state of Oklahoma, Mr. Murph is a system of conveyor belts, high-powered magnets and other mechanical devices designed to reclaim recyclables by sorting through all sorts of discarded materials. The technology used in Mr. Murph has allowed Tulsa Recycle and Transfer to move from a 15% recovery rate through manual sorting to a 60% recovery rate with the automated Mr. Murph. “When we discovered we did not have a contract in place with our previous recycling service provider, we took steps to not only correct this business practice, but also to see what other recycling opportunities might exist for our district,” said Chief Operating Officer Michelle Bergwall. “We had been recycling paper for a number of years, but now, with the new program, we can also recycle products such as metal, plastic, paper and cardboard.” While Mr. Murph accepts all sorts of recyclable materials, families, businesses and individuals are not required to separate recyclables before tossing them. Everything - garbage and recyclables – can go into one container. “All materials can be placed in the same containers that are now present in our buildings, and that is also true of the collection bins that can be found around the community, such as those at TTCU the Credit Union locations,” Bergwall said. “Mr. Murph then handles the sorting of all those materials, making recycling an easy thing for everyone.” An additional benefit to the students of Broken Arrow is the free field trip program offered by TRT. The field trip program is part of TRT’s mission to educate the community about recycling. Prior to the trip, the teacher receives a packet of information that includes lesson plans and activities, and TRT even covers the cost of transporting the students and chaperones. “Aside from helping us be better stewards of our environment, this partnership with TRT also enables our students to get a behindthe-scenes look at the recycling process used in Mr. Murph,” said Bergwall. “Our curriculum experts have already participated in one of these tours so that they can align our instruction with the hands-on experience students will receive when they visit Mr. Murph.” For more information about Mr. Murph, including a complete listing of collection bin locations and recyclable materials, visit the program’s website at www. feedmrmurph.com.
ARROWPOINT MAGAZINE • PAGE THREE
A-F GRADING SCALE
PROGRESS REPORT
b
New grading scale for districts, sites now in place
We have excellent teachers, intelligent students, are scored with the High School – and all and even though we are one of the largest schools schools received a B or C grade. To view any in the state, our scores have traditionally been of the Broken Arrow A-F report cards, go to higher than the state average on the numerous https://sdeweb01.sde.ok.gov/Transparency/ state-mandated tests,” said Superintendent ReportCards/. Dr. Jarod Mendenhall. “We are still learning In addition to the letter grades, the A-F the terminology, requirements, and calculation System also involves four categories of methods that go with this overall performance classifications. A school new system, but I have no SCHOOLS BY GRADE may be classified into one doubt that we can and will improve our performance.” of these four categories, Arrowhead – C some of which include Although the assignment *Arrow Springs - C additional regulations: of a letter grade seems simple Country Lane Intermediate - B enough, the grade itself is 1. **Reward Schools Country Lane Primary - B are high achieving in all actually the result of multiple Highland Park – B state assessments or have calculations using a variety high progress in reading of percentages, formulas, and Indian Springs – B and mathematics. grading scales. Twenty-three Liberty –C 2. Priority Schools of the district’s 25 schools Lynn Wood – C are in the bottom 5% of received a letter grade – the Leisure Park – B achievement in reading Alternative Academy and Margaret Hudson Programs and mathematics, have *Oak Crest – C a graduation rate below Rhoades – B 60% for at least three Spring Creek -B years, or receive a School Vandever – B Improvement Grant *Westwood – C (SIG). 3. *Focus Schools are Wolf Creek -B low achieving in reading Using your smartphone, click on the QR Centennial – B and mathematics in the code to the left to access the Oklahoma Childers - B State Department of Education’s website State’s lowest performing Haskell -C that shows all the detailed report cards subgroups or have low for each BAPS school site. Oliver -B graduation rates in the State’s lowest graduating Sequoyah –B subgroups. **North Intermediate – B 4. Targeted **South Intermediate - B Intervention Schools High School -B are in the bottom 25% of District – C achievement in reading and mathematics. ** Indicates a Reward School “As I’ve said before, * Indicates a Focus School testing is a necessary part of measuring the educational process, but it should not be the most important thing we do,” Mendenhall said. “If we will take care of the whole child – their education, engagement, and well-being – then the test results will take care of themselves.”
Based on the recommendation by the State Superintendent Dr. Janet Barresi and her staff at the State Department of Education, the Oklahoma Legislature adopted a new grading system for all public schools in the state. Known as the A-F School Grading System, this method of reporting was intended to be an easier way for parents to understand the academic progress of their child’s school. Instead of a numerical score as was assigned under the previous grading model, individual schools and districts now received a letter grade score based on the following percentage scale: 3.75-4.0 = A, 2.75-3.74 = B, 1.75-2.74 = C, 0.75-1.74 = D, and 0.74 and below = F. School and district grades under the A-F Grading System will be calculated in three main sections: Student Achievement (33%), Student Growth (34%), and Whole School Performance (33%). “As a district, we received a C grade. I’m not thrilled about the grade, but I’m also not upset.
EXPLORE FURTHER
EXPLORE EVEN FURTHER
Using your smartphone, click on the QR code to the right to read how the grades are calculated under three sections: Student Achievement, Student Growth and Whole School Performance.
ARROWPOINT MAGAZINE • PAGE FOUR
Easy As 1, 2, 3
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Three Pre-K centers opening in 2013
In approving the 2011 bond issue, the citizens of Broken Arrow enabled the district to create four Early Childhood Development Centers to house Pre-K students. Three of these new Early Childhood Centers will open in August of 2013, and enrollment for these new Pre-Kindergarten facilities will begin in just a few weeks. “For the 2013-2014 school year, parents will be able to complete Pre-K application forms online, at
school sites or at the Enrollment Center,” said Kay Long, Director of Enrollment. “The Early Enrollment Period will run from February 11 until March 8, and during this time parents will have their first opportunity to make their first, second and third choices for which Early Childhood Center they would like their child to attend.” Each of the three Early Childhood Centers can accommodate up to 300 Pre-K students and Before & After Care will be offered at the sites as well. Transportation of Pre-K students will not be provided by the district, and parents should keep this in mind when making their selection. “Once the Early Enrollment period has closed, parent choices will be placed in a program that will randomly select placements,” said Long. “The BAPS administration will make every effort to place the majority, if not all, children in a Pre-K program of their choosing.” If the number of Pre-K students exceeds what can be
accommodated at the three Early Childhood Centers, the district will continue to offer Pre-K programs at a small number of its elementary schools. All parents will receive notification of their child’s placement at an Early Childhood Center, and at that point they will be contacted and can formally enroll their child. “I am thrilled at the early learning opportunities that will exist at each of these Early Learning Centers,” said Gayla Nida, Executive Director of Elementary Education. “Not only will the facilities be state-of-theart and developmentally appropriate, but the curriculum will be engaging for four year olds.” The Early Enrollment Period will run from February 11 to March 8, and general enrollment will take place after the early enrollment window closes. Pre-K enrollment may continue up to August of 2013, but parents who wait will be less likely to receive their first choice of placements. For more information about the Pre-K program or questions, please call the Enrollment Center at (918) 259-4301 or visit the website at www.baschools.org.
ARROWPOINT MAGAZINE • PAGE FIVE
here’s
the
PLAN
Strategic Plan establishes new vision, mission for the future of BA Schools
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Strategic planning is a process the district has On August 30, approximately 150 individuals used to accomplish its vision and mission while were gathered at a Special Board Meeting at establishing plans for the future. Community Central on Main and assigned to one of the members, parents, faculty and staff were part of 12 Action Teams. Each Action Team had one this intensive, year-long process of developing leader and at least nine other individuals on a district-wide Strategic the team. These small Plan, the first step of groups were assigned VISION which was for the Board the responsibility of Broken Arrow Public Schools. . . members to determine meeting throughout the Educating Today – Leading Tomorrow the beliefs, vision and months of September MISSION categories that would and November to create The mission of Broken Arrow Public Schools is drive the process. That Action Plans that to educate, equip and empower a community of took place at a special learners by providing dynamic learning opportunities accomplish each of the which enable all students to be successful. board meeting in January Strategic Objectives. 2012. In November of 2012, The second step was the members of the a two-day retreat for the 30+ members of Strategic Planning Committee reconvened to the Strategic Planning Committee, which modify and approve the 23 Action Plans that included parents, staff members and patrons of had been created by the members of the Action the community. Their task was to develop the Teams. These plans were presented to the Board mission, objectives and strategies in the spring of Education for a first reading at their January of 2012. By July, it was time to train the 12 2013 regular meeting, and once approved Action Team Leaders, each of whom would lead Dr. Mendenhall will assign each Action a group of stakeholders through the next step of Plan to a specific group of staff members for the process. implementation over the next three to five years. * The Strategic Plan is pending approval by the Board of Education at the February meeting.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES 1. Teaching and Learning: Create engaging, relevant and rigorous learning experiences for all students. a. Develop collaborative relationships that lead to student success. b. Define student engagement and identify engaging learning experiences. c. Implement reflective instruction through authentic assessments for and of learning. 2. Human Resources: The district will develop and support a dynamic workforce which will enable all students to be successful. a. Recruit a diverse and quality staff. b. Retain a quality staff. 3. Finance: All stakeholders will responsibly utilize financial resources to optimize student success. a. Influence factors that impact revenue streams at the local, state, and federal levels. b. Implement best fiscal practices to bring about transparency, equity and visionary progress. 4. Facilities: Create a proactive approach that results in equitable facilities throughout the district. a. Develop best- in- class 21st Century technology-based facilities. b. Implement a process to continually assess the future facility needs of the district. 5. Co-curricular: Create comprehensive co-curricular offerings for every student. a. Analyze the current structure of the school day in order to integrate time for co-curricular opportunities. b. Develop and implement a systematic plan that addresses the co-curricular needs of each student. 6. Communication: All communication should reflect the vision and mission of the district. a. Identify, design and develop a communication process that is relevant to all stakeholders.
ARROWPOINT MAGAZINE • PAGE SIX
COMING UP
ROSES t
The holidays were more than magical for the 300+ members of The Pride of Broken Arrow, who just days after Christmas boarded a bus and headed to the west coast. As the 2011 Bands of America Grand National Champions, The Pride earned a slot marching in the 2013 Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., on New Year’s Day, and they represented their school and community with the usual style and class for which The Pride is known. Aside from the sights and sounds of the 5 ½ mile march down Pasadena’s main thoroughfare, the students also performed at the 2013 Bandfest and in the happiest place on earth – Disneyland. Between performances, they managed to find time for some fun in the sun, and even squeezed in a stop at the Grand Canyon. This trip would not have been possible without the generous donations of numerous sponsors whose support helped make this dream come true.
ARROWPOINT MAGAZINE • PAGE SEVEN
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