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 New Board Member Middle School Boundaries Partners In Education
VOLUME 38, ISSUE FIVE • SPRING 2013
BA in the Big Apple
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ARROWPOINT
THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF BROKEN ARROW PUBLIC SCHOOLS VOLUME 38, ISSUE 5 | SPRING 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 Steve Majors, Deputy Clerk Dr. Theresa Williamson, 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
More than 660,000 people in the state of Oklahoma – nearly 18% of the population – struggle to find their next meal. While hunger is often mentioned during the holiday season, it can dramatically impact lives all year long. That’s why Broken Arrow Public Schools recently partnered with Move For Hunger and Accent Moving and Storage to host an enormous food drive that included all 25 of its schools. This district-wide food drive began the week students and teachers returned from Spring Break. From March 25-29, thousands of students and staff from across the district were encouraged to bring non-perishable food items that were collected at each school site. All donations from the drive went directly to stock the shelves of Broken Arrow Neighbors, a non-profit organization that provides basic needs and emergency assistance to Broken Arrow families. I don’t know about you, but it’s hard for me to imagine that hunger exists in our community. However, for a number of our students and their families, hunger is a reality. Our goal in conducting this food drive was to collect a little more than 17,000 items – one for each student in our district – and enable our local food bank to continue meeting the needs within our community. Although this undertaking was a lofty one, this was not the first time the students of BA partnered with Move For Hunger. In the fall of 2012, the class of Mrs. Candy Lievsay at Sequoyah Middle School held a food drive that collected over 3,500 pounds of food – enough to provide over 2,500 meals to local families. I always tell people to dream big, then dream bigger, and it was Mrs. Lievsay who proposed the idea of a district-wide drive. In the week following Spring Break, each school collected the donated food items in boxes at their site, and Accent Moving and Storage, donated their time and resources to safely deliver all donations to Broken Arrow Neighbors at the culmination of the drive. Victory Packaging, a partner of Move For Hunger, generously provided more than 3,000 boxes to assist with the drive, and Broken Arrow Partners in Education such as Charlie’s Chicken and FirsTitle provided rolls of packing tape needed for the project. Each school site had its own site goal, and I am pleased to say that many of the sites not only reached their goal, they went over and above what they thought possible. I want to express my thanks to the students, parents and patrons who gave items, and to the staff for their creative ideas at motivating students to achieve their goal. This was truly a community effort to end hunger, and our efforts were met with success. Sincerely,
ARROWPOINT MAGAZINE • PAGE TWO
Dr. Jarod Mendenhall, Superintendent of Schools
Q&A NEW BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBER
Getting to know
Dr. Theresa Williamson
Tell us a little about your background. Originally, I moved to Broken Arrow in 1980 to accept a teaching position at South Intermediate High School. I decided to remain in Broken Arrow and raise my children, and I never regretted that decision. I worked in the district for five years as a teacher and then returned 10 years later to North Intermediate High School as an administrator. During my career in education, I have earned a doctorate in educational administration from OSU, and I have been able to gain experience in a number of school settings. In addition to being a teacher and administrator in BA, I have also worked in several public and private schools, and I am currently employed as a counselor at Thoreau Demonstration Academy. What motivated you to run for a seat on the Board of Education? I have always loved Broken Arrow Public Schools, and since I passionately care about children, it seemed like a way to volunteer time for the community. What about your new role is most exciting to you; and what makes you the most nervous? It’s exciting to be able to be involved with the children, staff and patrons of Broken Arrow Schools. I look forward to meeting new individuals and learning about their contributions and concerns for BAPS throughout the next five years. The most challenging area for me will probably be to learn more about the complexity and recent reductions of public school budgets. The manner in which schools must predict expenses without any certainty of adequate funding or promise of funding for state and federal mandates is difficult to comprehend. Tell us a little about your family. Do you have children? Grandchildren? Family pets? Hobbies? I am married; and recently my parents also moved to Broken Arrow—five doors away. I have three adult children—Angi, Jody and Andy—and all attended and graduated from Broken Arrow, went on to college and are successful professionals. My grandchildren’s ages range from 22 to 2, and hanging around the pool in the summer with my grandchildren is how I like to spend the majority of my time. My hobby would be to travel internationally whenever possible—ever since I completed a Fulbright Scholarship in India in 1983, I yearn to visit new places and cultures— unfortunately expenses and work commitments restrict my travel plans. As an avid dog lover, I own four dogs: a Giant Schnauzer, a miniature pincher, a Yorkie, a Jack Rat ( Jack Terrier/Rat Terrier mix), and my husband owns a German Shorthaired Pointer to hunt birds. In what areas does the district excel, and in what areas would you like to see improvements? Broken Arrow offers tremendous extracurricular activities for students-- from the nationally acclaimed Pride and other outstanding fine arts programs to the vast variety of athletic programs, clubs and organizations. I would like to see Broken Arrow Schools continue evaluating, strengthening and expanding rigorous academic curricular offerings. Oklahoma’s largest high school should ultimately produce the greatest number of National Merit Scholars for the state. What do you believe is your most important duty as a board member? I believe a board member needs to be prepared, accessible, willing to listen to patrons’ concerns and remain impartial while being responsive in asking relevant questions. After these steps, channeling the patron to the appropriate school personnel would be the most appropriate action. Characteristics of an effective board member would be to focus on collaboration, consensus and confidentiality—simply to become an ambassador for the school district while maintaining fiscal responsibility. Taxpayers’ dollars must be spent efficiently and effectively. ARROWPOINT MAGAZINE • PAGE THREE
REZONE10 MIDDLE SCHOOL BOUNDARIES
Middle school enrollment balanced with new zoning
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For the past two years, a group of 50+ patrons known as the Long Range Planning Committee has assisted the district’s leadership team on gathering community input for major district decisions. This committee played a critical role in the restructuring of $73.5 million of the bond issue passed in 2009, and as recently as last year the group assisted in drawing new elementary attendance zones to better balance enrollment throughout the district (below, left). Since October of 2012, the Long Range Planning Committee has been evaluating
middle school attendance zones and working to redraw those boundaries to balance enrollment at the middle school level. In researching these changes, the group also spent much time researching and discussing the “feeder school” model and if it can be applied in Broken Arrow Public Schools. Using this model, specific elementaries would “feed” students into specific middle schools. This model would enable students to stay with their classmates through their middle school years. Currently, using Arrowhead Elementary as an example, elementary students move to
New Elementary School Attendance Boundaries ARROWPOINT MAGAZINE • PAGE FOUR
one of three different middle schools. The current middle school attendance zones (below center) run predominately east/west and do not follow the feeder school model. The Long Range Planning Committee created three maps proposing new middle school attendance zones, and each provided more continuity for the students by utilizing the feeder school model.
Current Middle School Attendance Boundaries
New M
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Rendering of new middle school, Oneta Ridge Middle School, opening in school year 2013-2014.
Why Map C?
The Long Range Planning Committee recommended Map C to the Board of Education because they believed it to be the best of the three options for the following reasons: • It moves the fewest number of students • It was the favorite on the public survey • Enrollment and capacity percentages are the most balanced • It provides the most leeway for transfers • It allows for future growth in enrollment • Map A resulted in odd routes using existing roads • Map B limited growth potential in the south of the district • It is the best because it achieves the goal of reducing overcrowding in the north
Why “feeder” schools?
These maps were presented to the Board of Education as an information only item at the Feb. 25 Regular Board Meeting, and following that presentation, two public forums were held on Feb. 26 and March 5. The three maps that were presented in the community forums were not presented in any order of preference. The forums allowed patrons an opportunity to learn more about the maps, ask questions and voice concerns. After reviewing all three maps, patrons were invited to complete a brief survey indicating their preference for the three options presented. More than 300 patrons participated in the survey, and maps A and C received the most favorable votes. Following the forums, the Long Range Planning Committee met again to review the community input and make revisions to the maps. At the conclusion of the process, the Long Range Planning Committee presented one final map (left, Map C) as their recommendation to the Board of Education. The Board was responsible for selecting the final map at the April 1 Regular Board Meeting. These boundary changes will be in affect beginning August 2013, and the box on the right contains additional information that will assist patrons during this transition.
The consensus was to stay with the feeder school concept because geographic divisions are not possible based on where each school is located. The benefits of the feeder pattern include: • Increased connectivity for students and parents • Better communication • Increased school spirit • Collaboration between elementary and middle school site staff • Medical & counseling files easily transferred, improving service to students • It is clear for parents to know where their students go throughout their educational career • Provides a more efficient enrollment process and administrative procedures • Allows for adjustments only at elementaries in the future, unless additional middle schools are constructed
Will transfers be available?
Yes, as has always been, parents will have the option to transfer their student to another site within the district if they so choose. However, transfers are never guaranteed, unless a student needs a specific service that can only be provided at a certain site. Many of the concerns that were voiced were for current 6th and 7th graders affected by the movement, and for that reason, the Long Range Planning Committee also suggested the following criteria for accepting transfers: • Give consideration for current 6th and 7th grade students to have priority transfers • Prioritizing transfers based on age, 7th graders first, then 6th graders, and 5th graders who were affected by the changes at the elementary level • Make transfers available only for two years – no grandfathering for entire families, siblings, etc. • The transfers should follow the current transfer guidelines and the district will not provide transportation to the transferred site, unless there is a proven hardship or special need • Accept transfers up to 85% of building capacity • Begin the transfer process as soon as possible and include a deadline
Middle School Attendance Boundaries, 2013-2014 (Map C) ARROWPOINT MAGAZINE • PAGE FIVE
granting
Wishes
Partners In Education begin grant program
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In 1994, the Broken Arrow Public School District initiated the Partners in Education program to team businesses with schools in a mutually-beneficial program. Each of the district’s 25 school sites is “adopted” by a business, and both organizations are able to benefit from the partnership. Job shadowing, guest speakers, mentors, community projects – these are just a few of the positive outcomes of the relationships facilitated by the Partners in Education (PIE) program. Recently, the PIE Program made headlines with the start of its new grant program. After reviewing the annual budget, the Partners in Education Advisory Council made the decision to offer grants to teachers, principals and other school staff. An application process was created and publicized within the district, and while the initial year was a success, the advisory council intends for this to be a growing annual program. “One of our program goals is to improve achievement in reading, communications and mathematics, and I can think of no better way to accomplish that goal than through teacher grants,” said Partners in Education Program Coordinator Jo McCord. “Grants allow teachers and principals the flexibility to be creative in finding ways to engage students, without worrying about the cost.” This year, three BAPS teachers received grants totaling $6,400. Haskell Middle School teacher Gayle Hahn was the only teacher who received two grants for a total of $720. One grant will be used to fund a sea
ARROWPOINT MAGAZINE • PAGE SIX
urchin embryology experiment for her science students, and the other will be used to prepare a team of students for competition in the Science Olympiad. Jenaan Suleiman, a literacy coach at Spring Creek Elementary also received a grant to purchase Read Together Take-Home Packs for the students at her site. This grant will make it possible for Spring Creek to establish a “library” of fun books and other reading materials that students can take home to review with their parents or practice on their own. Receiving the largest grant – totaling a little over $5,000 – was Donna Murray of Leisure Park Elementary. Murray is a PE teacher at that site, and with the encouragement of her principal, she applied for a grant that would allow for the implementation of a Peaceful Playground Recess Program at Leisure Park. The program is designed to reduce playground bullying and increase students’ physical activity through the offering of more than 100 playground games. Each grant that was submitted was reviewed by members of the Partners in Education Advisory Council and measured against the requirements set forth in the application. After the final selections had been made, the members were eager to personally deliver the checks to the teachers. “We worked with the principals to surprise the teachers in their classrooms,” said McCord. “That was the really fun part – our business partners were there to see the teachers’ excitement at receiving a grant that will help their students. It was a nice reminder of the positive impact our businesses have in our classrooms.” Currently, the district has nearly 80 Partners in Education, and the partnership levels are such that any organization can join. For more information about the benefits of being a Partner in Education with Broken Arrow Public Schools, contact Jo McCord at 918-259-5700 or email her at jmccord@baschools.org.
Golden Opportunity
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BAHS fine art students to perform concert at Carnegie Hall
It will be the opportunity of a lifetime for many Broken Arrow students next year, as the Big Apple will be taken over in April of 2014 for a special fine arts performance at the legendary Carnegie Hall. MidAmerica Productions, founded in 1983 by conductor Peter Tibrois, is the presenting arm of this unique production, where more than 200 Broken Arrow High School fine arts students will travel to New York and share their talents with the world. “This is such an amazing and truly lifechanging opportunity for these students,” said Mark Frie, executive director of Fine Arts and the Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center. “We in Broken Arrow have always gone above and beyond to show the importance of fine arts in education, and this golden moment will showcase how dedicated our students are to their craft.”
Choir, band, orchestra and drama students will descend upon New York for a five-day trip. Once there, students will be given two full rehearsals and one grand performance at Carnegie Hall. Students will also get to
sightsee, check out a Broadway show and enjoy a dinner cruise around New York Harbor. “To see the list of the legendary performers who have graced the stages of Carnegie’s many recital halls is unfathomable,” said Frie. “Now these students get to add their names to this impressive list. It really shows the power of fine arts education in today’s ever-changing educational backdrop.” When invited to perform at Carnegie, most public school productions are blended with other public schools. Such is not the case with Broken Arrow, as this will be the first Oklahoma high school to get a standalone date at Carnegie—ever. “MidAmerica Productions is pleased and thrilled to present the Broken Arrow High School organizations in a solo performance on our series in historic Carnegie Hall on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2014,” said Dr. Tibrois, general director and music director of MidAmerica. “As the largest independent producer of concerts in the history of Carnegie Hall–more than 500 since 1988–we have rarely devoted an entire concert to visiting artists such as this and never from the great State of Oklahoma, a state with a distinguished music tradition. As a conductor, I am especially pleased to present Maestro Frie, Maestro Rosser, Maestro Davis and Maestra Ricard on our series.” Community members and patrons interested in helping the students raise funds for the trip can contact Frie at (918) 259-5758.
Getting to know
Carnegie
Andrew Carnegie’s Music Hall officially opened on May 5, 1891. The building was named for Scottish-American Andrew Carnegie, one of the highest profile philanthropists of his era. Carnegie Hall has three distinct performance spaces: The Main Hall, Zankel Hall and the Weill Recital Hall. More than 46,000 events have taken place in Carnegie Hall’s three auditoriums since opening its doors. Bill Haley and the Comets were the first rock ‘n’ roll group to play Carnegie Hall in 1955. The New York Philharmonic has made the most appearances at the Hall, with more than 5,000 concerts. Janette Rankin, the first woman member of Congress, spoke there in 1917. The Beatles played their first ever U.S. show in Carnegie Hall on Feb. 12, 1964. Judy Garland’s “Judy At Carnegie Hall,” recorded in 1961, won four Grammys, including Album of the Year—the first live album AND first album by a woman to win the coveted title. ARROWPOINT MAGAZINE • PAGE SEVEN
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