PTA GIVES VOICE TO PARENTS WITH ADVOCACY
BAPS FOUNDATION, PARTNERS GRANT WISHES TO TEACHERS
(RE)THINKING BAHS STUDENT ACTIVITIES
THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF BROKEN ARROW PUBLIC SCHOOLS | VOLUME 39, ISSUE FIVE | SPRING 2014
A few words from the desk of Dr. Jarod Mendenhall BROKEN ARROW PUBLIC SCHOOLS VOLUME 39, ISSUE 5 | SPRING 2014 Publisher Communications Department Broken Arrow Public Schools Layout/Design/Photography Adam J. Foreman Graphic Artist/Publications Specialist
EARNING OUR STRIPES Catch up on the accomplishments that continue to put BAPS at the forefront of education
Editing/Content Christina Dixon Communications & Community Relations Coordinator 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 six times a year by the Communications Department of Broken Arrow Public Schools and is distributed to approximately 47,000 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 does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status or age in its employment, programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following people within the District have been designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination issues and concerns: • The Chief Human Resources Officer, Ed Fager, 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 Administrative Services should be contacted for all student issues related to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, at 918-259-5700 or at 701 South Main Street, Broken Arrow, OK 74012; • The Director of Special Education, Carol Gruben, should be contacted for all student issues related to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 (IDEA), at 918-259-5700 or at 701 South Main Street, Broken Arrow, OK 74012; • The Assistant Athletic Director, Melenda Knight, should be contacted for all student issues related to Title IX, of the Education Amendments of 1972, at 918-259-4310 or at 1901 E. Albany, Broken Arrow, OK 74012; • The Chief Operating Officer, Michelle Bergwall, should be contacted for issues related to accessibility to facilities, services and activities pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, at 918-259-5700 or at 701 South Main Street, Broken Arrow, OK 74012; • Inquiries concerning nondiscrimination can also be made to the United States Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights. The contact information for the Kansas City Enforcement Office is: Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education One Petticoat Lane 1010 Walnut Street, Suite 320 Kansas City, MO 64106; Telephone: (816) 268-0550; TTY: (877) 521-2172; Facsimile: (816) 8231404; Email: OCR.KansasCity@ed.gov.
CONTENTS
3 4 5 6-7
MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
PARENT ADVOCACY PTA gives voice to parents with a new legislative advocacy program
GRANTS FOR TEACHERS
BAPS Foundation and Partners In Education give back to the classroom with monetary grants
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READING RECOVERY Students receive help from innovative programs designed to help reading skills soar
9 10-11 BAHS RIBBON CUTTING
Relive this historic day with great photos and a visit from Kristin Chenoweth
(RE)THINKING STUDENT ACTIVITIES Student life at BAHS has seen a change in attitude with exciting new offerings
ON THE COVER: STUDENTS AT PARK LANE EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER ENJOY ONE OF THE FIRST WARM DAYS OF THE YEAR.
.D. denhall, Ed Jarod Men ls t of Schoo Superintenden
A R R O W P O I N T M A G A Z I N E {3}
the employees at nor its “star” ill ho w to s ve fi an , pl oduced district formally intr agazine, the be m of l r il is w be th r m g ea in nu Y of the event, a you receiv te Teachers oughout the a few days of d for event, our Si e Year. Thr e th Within just th be recognize of g so in er al ur l ch il D ea w a. T e t al ic ic G n rv tr ds se is war years of itted a portio crowned D 2014 Star A s has comm one will be given 20 plus al d ve du an ha vi in s di st ho ul in li sf w na these succes cipients be named fi PS. Each of would not be ice award re r years at BA the district ei well as serv s, th as rt , ng fo es ri ef re r du ti ei re t for th ’ve made ople d were it no impact they amples of pe students, an the positive of n io at uc . ral other ex rs ed ve e ne ion se th at ar nd le to nd fi l fe er ou il you w hools F d empow of their li Arrowpoint, ow Public Sc ate, equip an rr ’s uc nce A th ed n ha on ke to en m ro to is on B its missi rs of the s each year pages of th be ar e ll em th m do h e ug of th s ro th thousand Association or example, As you flip ent Teacher on who give e district. F ti ar th P ca e to du th d E h te it In it m eer w lear n. artners who are com s who volunt they need to rve as our P . The parent sses who se everything ts ne ve en si ha our Board ud bu st is ts e at en to th e and ice, and th Arrow stud rv hers provid n se ac ke r te ro ei r last B th ou n r n ai thank fo ing cert rs, and just the educatio a moment to l role in mak ese voluntee ta th ke vi r ta a fo Ms. to . t ay on no ke pl ti li Educa e were it I would (PTA) also our Board of not take plac r g roup that of d he r ity. ul ot be rs e co ve em on ct ni m ri ’s There n State U term as a of the dist Northeaster consecutive , ed he business of rv T nd e . se co at d on se du ti r an ra ca and a g of Edu began he l of K-12 blic schools ay ose members at every leve pu m th a ht u of ug om yo e ta , ah e on lly kl , sh month that time sten carefu oduct of O li pr ng u d ri yo ou du if d pr d a an is ach, an district, Cheryl Kelly time as a co years by the r e also spent Sh ployed for 30 t. em en m as le asset to ou w op e Sh n is a valuab ional Devel io ss at fe . e ro uc ly sh P el ed e K h of us d beca rity wit r as Coach as Director e changes, an d her familia l refer to he iv an il at s r st m or de le or at ol sf op uc eh pe an line of ed ining stak hear some mber of tr cate of obta from a long role in a nu e vo es l th ad m ra g h in co te s nc ly in ct el au Ms. K st distri ayed an e is a st e of the be . She has pl presents, sh g on on re ti in e ca ow nc sh rr du ha m A E en ho n Board of ing Broke om those w intention of ak fr e m th ar in h he it ly w to el done ants de Ms. K she takes is genuinely w rve alongsi d each action ill an rateful to se g ed er am id I ns l that we w t. inpu rward to al rict. e carefully co fo st ar di g s e in on to th si ok s ci lo ut rt de rougho our effo rm. I am nation. Her t lear ning th als who join five year te en r du ud vi he st di ot r in an fo d s r fo ups an opportunitie s. Kelly back y other g ro d to have M t of the man or pp su e I am excite th d with er. together, an y to be a Tig accomplish is a g reat da y da y er ev n that make certai
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A R R O W P O I N T M A G A Z I N E {4}
s a patron of Broken Arrow Public Schools, it’s likely you are already aware of the many great things the students and staff accomplish each and every day at sites throughout the district. But what about your neighbors who don’t have children in school, family members who live out of town or business acquaintances looking for a place to relocate – do they know about the great things Broken Arrow Public Schools has to offer? This feature, “Earning Our Stripes,” is designed to equip you with brief bits of information you can use to educate others on why Broken Arrow Public Schools continues to “earn stripes” in its mission to be one of Oklahoma’s premier public school districts.
EARNING OUR
STRIPES
• STEMulating Teaching Grant – Broken Arrow Public Schools was awarded a $146,985.01 Mathematics and Science (MSP) grant that will fund a summer workshop entitled “STEMulating Teaching!” to assist science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) teachers in their classroom. Broken Arrow is one of only seven districts to receive this STEM training grant and is the only district in eastern Oklahoma. • Superintendent Coffees –Throughout the school year, Dr. Mendenhall attends each school site and department to give staff members the opportunity to announce accomplishments, ask questions or voice concerns. Two to three coffees take place each week. • Star Awards Gala – To congratulate and honor the “stars” of its district, Broken Arrow Public Schools is combining many of its yearly awards ceremonies into a single celebration full of gratitude and applause. This year’s inaugural event will be a sit-down dinner dedicated to recognizing Site Teachers of the Year, retirees and service award recipients in the Grand Ballroom of the Tulsa Renaissance Hotel. During the event, 27 Site Teachers of the Year will be formally introduced, five will be named finalists and only one will be crowned District Teacher of the Year. • District-wide Art Show – Students from across the district will have an opportunity to see their creativity on display at the annual art show, running April 14-18. This all-encompassing show features art from every school and grade level and is hosted at Northeastern State University-Broken Arrow on the first and second floors in the Administration Building.
• Athletic Signing Day – Thirty six Broken Arrow High School senior athletes recently signed their national letters of intent, officially announcing where they will continue to showcase their athletic talents beyond high school. • Career Exploration Program – By partnering with local community businesses, Broken Arrow seniors are provided with the opportunity to participate in an exploration of the career field of their interest. Students in the program receive hands-on experience for two hours of their school day to earn academic elective credit. • BAHS Wrestling – The Tigers were ranked No. 3 entering into the state tournament, and beat Southmoore in the quarterfinals and No. 2 Edmond North in the semi-finals. The Tigers then took on No. 1 Pioneers to claim the Class 6A dual state wrestling championship for the seventh time overall. • SAFARI Montage - SAFARI Montage™ is a premiere multi-media teaching tool that gives educators access to a content bank of more than 20,000 readyto-use digital media resources, including full-length videos, high-quality images,
audio files, e-books and website tools. The district is currently piloting SAFARI to control digital signage throughout school common areas, displaying important school announcements, events and BATV programs. • Chamber Banquet –The executive leadership team from Broken Arrow Public Schools was honored with the “Citizen of the Year” award during the annual Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce awards banquet. This honor is given to one who displays a “service above self ” mentality, consistently working with organizations in the community to improve the city of Broken Arrow. These are just a few of the accomplishments and accolades that give you – a patron of Broken Arrow Public Schools – a better idea of how our district is earning its stripes. A new list will be featured in the next issue of Arrowpoint Magazine, so stay tuned.
Beyond & Above
PTA Council establishes Parent Advocacy Task Force
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PTA Values Collaboration We work in partnership with a wide array of individuals and organizations to accomplish our agreed-upon goals. Commitment We are dedicated to promoting children’s health, well-being and educational success through strong parent, family and community involvement. Accountability We acknowledge our obligations. We deliver on our promises. Respect We value our colleagues and ourselves. We expect the same high quality of effort and thought from ourselves as we do from others. Inclusivity We invite the stranger and welcome the newcomer. We value and seek input from as wide a spectrum of viewpoints and experiences as possible. Integrity We act consistently with our beliefs. When we err, we acknowledge the mistake and seek to make amends.
welcome to attend the meeting, whether or not they are members of the PTA. “Advocacy can take many forms, including writing to legislators, raising awareness of a cause through events or even just discussing an issue with friends. The information parents will receive at these meetings will be of help to them in all these scenarios,” Hardwick said. “If parents want to learn more about issues like the A-F Grading System, third grade retention, parent trigger, vouchers, etc., then I encourage them to join this task force.” Learn more about the Broken Arrow PTA Parent Advocacy Task Force by emailing baptacouncil@hotmail.com.
“There are a number of legislative issues that parents need to be aware of, and so our goal is to educate parents on these issues and also provide them with resources on how they can play a role in shaping legislation.” Wendy Hardwick Oklahoma PTA Vice President of Advocacy
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hroughout much of the district’s history, the Broken Arrow Parent Teacher Association (PTA) has played an active role in improving public education for all Broken Arrow students. Its several thousand members volunteer their time and creativity in a number of ways, and this year, they are seeking to open up yet another avenue for parents to become involved. “After visiting with Dr. Mendenhall about ways the PTA can support the district, we’ve decided to place an additional focus on our advocacy efforts this year,” said Wendy Hardwick, Oklahoma PTA Vice President of Advocacy. “There are a number of legislative issues that parents need to be aware of, and so our goal is to educate parents on these issues and also provide them with resources on how they can play a role in shaping legislation.” In January, the Broken Arrow PTA began hosting informative meetings for a group known as the Broken Arrow PTA Parent Advocacy Task Force. This is a parent led, nonpartisan committee, and the goals of the task force are to educate and equip parents to become vocal advocates for their students. “The legislative session has begun, and it is time for parents to make their voices heard,” Hardwick said. “The bills being introduced in the state legislature will have a major impact on our state educational systems, which will impact our students. Broken Arrow students need advocates - they need parents to advocate on their behalf, because no one knows better what our children need than we do as their parents.” The next BA PTA Parent Advocacy Task Force meeting will take place on May 13 at 6 p.m. in the Education Service Center board room. All parents are
Granting Wishes Foundation, Partners In Education make dreams come true with grants
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J
ust before students and staff members left for spring break, there were a number of exciting visits that took place in classrooms throughout our district. Two very important groups – the Broken Arrow Public Schools Foundation and the Partners In Education – recently completed their 2013-14 grant process by awarding several teachers with thousands of dollars in grant monies. The Broken Arrow Public Schools Foundation delivered $31,333.62 to Broken Arrow teachers at sites across the district. “The Foundation plays a very important role within the district and directly impacts student learning with their grant program,” Broken Arrow Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Jarod Mendenhall said. “Every spring, teachers across our district are surprised with checks that fund their grant requests, and these grants are used to give our students a more enriched educational experience.”
Started in 1992, the Broken Arrow Public School Foundation has positively influenced education in Broken Arrow by providing funds for incentive grants to teachers. A Board of Directors, representing a variety of businesses, the PTA, the teaching and administrative staff and individual citizens, is elected annually to serve as trustees of the Foundation. The Foundation has only one fundraiser – an annual golf tournament held at Forest Ridge – and the proceeds of that tournament go toward funding classroom grants. Every year, teachers in the district submit applications for grants that will impact the education of Broken Arrow students. A subcommittee of the Foundation, as well as educational personnel not involved in the grant writing or submission process, chooses those grants for projects it considers most exemplary. Members of the Foundation then award the checks to the teachers in the spring by paying a
Karen Bouse with Charlie’s Chicken presents a Partners In Education grant to Ronda Tipton of Sequoyah Middle School, along with Jo McCord.
Kamara Washington, BAPS Foundation president, receives a warm welcome from Cindy Ellett’s kindergarten students at Oak Crest Elementary after their teacher receives a grant.
Leslie Jones,Vandever Elementary teacher, receives two grants from Theresa Sallee, Foundation board member.
“Not only do the funds fulfill wish lists, but the support shows that not only do the Partners believe in what I am doing, but they are willing to invest resources to make it happen.” Andrea Fort Oneta Ridge Art Teacher
learners with the educational opportunities needed to create experienced, well-rounded future citizens,” Mendenhall said. “This year, the Partners In Education program was pleased to award a total of $9,921.63 in grant monies to five different schools, directly benefitting approximately 2,000 students.” A total of thirteen grant applications were submitted to the Partners In Education this year, and those grants ranged in cost from $400 to $8,000. After reviewing all the grants, assessing them against the criteria established in the application form, and debating the strengths and weaknesses of each, seven grants were selected and approved by the Partners In Education Grants Committee. Prior to spring break, teachers were treated to a visit by a Partners In Education representative who stopped by the classroom to deliver a check. “I have always been a big supporter of Partners In Education,” said Karen Snider, fourth grade teacher at Spring Creek. “Our school has been blessed with several excellent partners over the years, and while this has been my first year to apply for a Partners grant, I assure you, it will not be my last! What a wonderful opportunity to enhance our curriculum with items that are needed for our classrooms.” Snider received a grant to buy her students an iPad for the classroom, and she was overjoyed. “There are so many wonderful apps out there that will help build fluency and comprehension skills for my students,” she said. “I think my kids were even more excited because they walked in this morning looking for our new iPad.” Together, the BAPS Foundation and Partners In Education supplied approximately $41,000 in classroom grants. “I am thankful for the citizens and business owners who choose to be part of the BAPS Foundation and Partners In Education programs,” Mendenhall said. “I also appreciate our teachers’ efforts to creatively enhance their students’ educational experience by applying for these grants.”
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surprise visit to the teachers in their classroom. “I am so grateful for the grant program through the BA Foundation,” said Lindsay Little, special education teacher at Lynn Wood Elementary. “During the past few years, they have granted our class numerous materials that help engage and motivate my students to learn new things. Their gifts provide a variety of wonderful resources in the classroom to help make it possible for our students to have fun while learning new concepts through all different learning styles.” The Partners In Education also showed their support for Broken Arrow students and staff by awarding more than $9,000 in grants during the month of March. “The mission of the Partners In Education program is to unite community businesses, organizations and individuals in providing all
REA DIN G RE COVE RY
Key to Learning A R R O W P O I N T M A G A Z I N E {8}
E
New program restores confidence in young readers
very year, nearly 200 Broken Arrow students walk into their first grade classroom with literacy skills behind those of their peers, and since 2011, a program called Reading Recovery® is providing them with the tools they need to enter second grade with a newfound confidence in their reading and writing skills. “Reading is the key to accessing the entire curriculum in school, and it allows our students to pursue any goal they might have in life,” said Dr. Janet Dunlop, Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services. “This program is a life-changer for our students and their families. Literacy changes the trajectory of a child’s life, and often times it can change the trajectory of generations to come.” Reading Recovery is a short-term reading intervention program designed for
RUTHIE BALTZELL Vandever Elementary
the bottom 15 to 20 percent of first grade students who are experiencing extreme difficulty in reading. Now in its third year at Broken Arrow, the program has proven evidence that it is successful in identifying first graders who are having trouble and then providing them with intensive one-onone, 20-minute instructional lessons that last 12 to 20 weeks. “The numbers speak for themselves,” Dunlop said. “At the end of last year, we had 90 graduates from Reading Recovery with 85 of them currently reading on their appropriate grade level, a 94 percent success rate. If a student doesn’t show progress using this program, we know that there is another variable influencing his or her ability to read.” Broken Arrow is only one of two districts in the state of Oklahoma to offer this program to its students and was able to do so through a partnership with Texas Women’s University, one of 22 Reading Recovery training centers in the U.S. In 2010-11, the university received a $3.7 million grant as part of the literacy initiative to train 50 teachers a year for five years, and as a result, Broken Arrow was able to fully implement this research-proven program with minimal district funding. The key to the successful implementation of the program in Broken Arrow is due to the district’s Reading Recovery teacher leader Jan Grisham who traveled to Texas Woman’s University in Denton, Texas, every other week for 18 hours of doctoral-level courses that taught her how to train other teachers in the district. Since then, she has provided Reading Recovery training to 25 teachers in the district. “With Reading Recovery, we are able to intervene early in a child’s academic life,” Grisham said. “Most of the students who receive Reading Recovery are able to catch up to their peers in 12 to 20 weeks, and that acceleration is so important. No longer do students have to ‘wait to fail’ before they receive the help they need.” One Broken Arrow parent couldn’t be more pleased with the program and the
progress her daughter Addison Smith has made. “Addison was in tears the first month of school because she couldn’t read or write, but once she started the program, it gave her so much more confidence “ said her mother, Jennifer Smith. “She is doing 120 percent better since she graduated the program.” Within the past three years, Reading Recovery has served 321 first grade students, and Grisham predicts that by the end of this year, more than 419 students will have graduated from the program. “Reading is the key,” Grisham said. “It unlocks all the doors to a productive education and life, and Reading Recovery is successfully providing a safe, esteembuilding environment where we take kids from where they are and use their strengths to move them forward.”
LANDEN FOSTER Aspen Creek Elementary
Coming Home
Kristin Chenoweth celebrates ribbon cutting with students, community at high school
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Student life continues to evolve as new activities arise
A R R O W P O I N T M A G A Z I N E {10}
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aughter filled the air as Broken Arrow High School students were welcomed back to school with a giant slip ‘n’ slide at the Aloha Bash in August. Excitement amplified throughout Tiger Memorial Stadium as the recently dubbed student section, The Jungle, chanted “GO BA!” during football season. Camaraderie improved as intramural teams dominated in dodgeball and volleyball games throughout the year. “Seeing the smiles on the student’s faces as they create memories to last a lifetime give us confidence that our hard work is paying off,” BAHS Director of Student Life and Activities Jason Jedamski said. “At Broken Arrow High School, we continually strive to create opportunities that will help our students develop a high capacity to favorably influence their peers, school and community.” With the success of this year’s inaugural student activities, the BAHS student life team is excitedly implementing a number of creative extracurricular activities over the next few years that will promote self-esteem, improve leadership traits and provide a sense of what it means to be a Broken Arrow Tiger.
(re)inventing the ‘BAHS way’ “Research shows school connectedness, along with family connectedness, is one of the two most influential factors that positively support behaviors inside and outside of the classroom,” Jedamski said. “Right now, I think we have some great ideas on paper but it will be the students who breathe life into them, truly impacting the
high school campus and the Broken Arrow community.” Two ideas that are being transformed into a reality are TIGER Camp and New Student Launch, both designed to familiarize students and parents with all that Broken Arrow High School has to offer. TIGER Camp will introduce sophomores and juniors to the high school campus, staff, student life and academic support options, while the New Student Launch program will make it their mission to welcome new students and their families into the district. “As a part of our overall plan to transform the high school, it is very important to create an environment in which every student has a niche,” Superintendent Dr. Jarod Mendenhall said. “With these two initiatives, we are hopeful that every student will feel at home, finding activities that help them grow personally and academically.”
(re)fueling leadership training To further leadership experience and skill development at BAHS, a Leadership Academy and yearly leadership retreat will soon be offered to students. “We take our vision, ‘Educating Today, Leading Tomorrow,’ to heart, so it’s imperative that we educate, prepare and empower our students to become successful leaders who inspire those around them” Mendenhall said. “Studies have shown that participation in leadership activities is an indicator of future success among students, and I want all of our students to experience success, both now and in the future.”
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thi ing
STUD
ACTIV
STUDENTS LEARN TO LINE DANCE AT ANOTHER NEW ACTIVITY.
THE REVAMPED STUDENT SECTION AT SPORTING EVENTS FINDS STUDENTS GEARING UP TO SUPPORT THEIR TEAM.
ink
BAHS
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For the Leadership Academy, BAHS will partner with local community leaders to facilitate monthly leadership seminars before or after school, helping students develop a more diverse skill set. During the off campus leadership retreats, student-to-student connections will strengthen. Students will spend a weekend building trust and determination with interactive games, icebreakers and one-onone conversations. “We currently have a strong base of traditional leadership options, like student council, at the high school, but the strength of these new efforts will provide diverse opportunities for students who are not typically in leadership roles within the school,” Jedamski said. Another plan Jedamski is enthusiastic about implementing is recognizing students and teachers who exemplify the definition of what it means to go above and beyond. “BAHS currently distinguishes ‘Students of the Month’ and a ‘Teacher of the Year,’ but I think it’d be great to have another program that goes along side these,” he said. “This new plan will also recognize teachers and students who participate in schoolsponsored events, demonstrate behaviors congruent with the BAHS way and positively contribute to the personal and academic success of our school.”
(re)establishing student engagement In addition to boisterous pep rallies, a revamped student section and multiple themed dances, the student activities office is frequently thinking of additional ways to increase student engagement and fellowship
at the high school. One of the ways to continually grow engagement is with a student-led intramural program. Currently BAHS partners with the Parent-Teacher Association Council to offer dodgeball and volleyball tournaments, but Jedamski hopes to expand into flag football, basketball, rock climbing and paintball with the help of an Intramural Board. This board will partner with community and district resources to develop and execute intramural programming, including the selection of sports, marketing, registration, transportation and logistics.
(re)newed energy on campus Student response has been incredible thus far, and one senior student who is involved in more than six extracurricular activities knows why. “Getting involved in student activities has made high school a more enjoyable experience for me,” BAHS senior Dena Mossop said. “Because our high school is so large, student activities bring a smaller group of people together to work towards a common goal. It’s also fun to get to know new people and make lifelong friends.” Jedamski expects involvement to keep increasing year after year. “I’m confident that as participation in student activities becomes the ‘new normal’ for our students, a new energy will overtake the high school campus,” he said. “Young adults have exceptional potential and often just need the structure and opportunity to make something great happen. That is the culture we are striving to create.”
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