BAPS AND UNITED WAY: UNITED TOGETHER
‘EVERY STUDENT, EVERY DAY’ THE EQUATION FOR SUCCESS
THE BA WAY: CHANGES AT BAHS
THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF BROKEN ARROW PUBLIC SCHOOLS | VOLUME 40, ISSUE TWO | FALL 2014
A few words from the desk of Dr. Jarod Mendenhall BROKEN ARROW PUBLIC SCHOOLS VOLUME 40, ISSUE 2 | FALL 2014 Publisher Communications Department Broken Arrow Public Schools Layout/Design/Photography Adam J. Foreman Graphic Artist/Publications Specialist Editing/Content Shelli Holland-Handy Chief Communications Officer 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 48,500 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. Broken Arrow Public Schools will take all necessary steps to ensure that each school and work place in the District is free from unlawful discrimination or harassment based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, marital status or age. 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, Administrative Services, Chuck Perry, should be contacted for all student issues related to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, at 918259-5700 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 non-discrimination 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) 823-1404; Email: OCR.KansasCity@ ed.gov
LONG RANGE PLANNING Select group of citizens, patrons and more gather to point BAPS in the right direction
UNITED TOGETHER Broken Arrow Public Schools supports the United Way year after year
EVERY STUDENT, EVERY DAY The equation for success helps keeps students engaged and geared toward graduation
THE BA WAY: TIGER CAMP Sophomores descend upon the high school campus and become immersed in school spirit, activities
COACH ALEXANDER: CHANGING CULTURE Excitement mounts as Tiger Football heads into a new era
ARROW SPRINGS COMES HOME Former elementary school site transforms into fourth Early Childhood Center
CONTENTS
3 4 5 6-7 8-9 10 11
MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
.D. denhall, Ed Jarod Men ls oo ch t of S Superintenden
A R R O W P O I N T M A G A Z I N E {3}
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LONG RA N GE P LA N N I N G
Focuson theFuture
Committee focuses on growth, plans for the district
A R R O W P O I N T M A G A Z I N E {4}
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or the past three and a half years, a group of over 50 community stakeholders known as the Long Range Planning Committee has assisted our growing district. The members of this committee are charged with the task of reviewing district growth patterns, examining the boundaries for school sites and assisting the board and district administrators in making certain that bond projects are planned to address both current and future needs. “Engaging the community in major decisions impacting the district is very important to me,” said Dr. Jarod Mendenhall, Superintendent of Broken Arrow Public Schools. “This is the community’s school district – my job is to facilitate the conversation surrounding decisions and to listen to what our patrons feel is in the best interest of our students.” Jane York, a parent and a member of the committee since 2011, wanted to be a part of the overall vision of the district, as well as represent the interests of parents and teachers from the schools her children attend. “District leadership presents information and data about district needs then seeks input from committee members about how we should move forward,” said York. “By involving stakeholders, the district is able to get a sense of what is important to the community.” Derek Beller, who currently has three students enrolled in the district, has been a part of the group since its inception. “The best thing about the Long Range Planning Committee is the willingness of Dr. Mendenhall and his administration to truly listen to the community,” said Beller. “Neither the administration nor any of the committee members has an agenda – they are here to do what is best for kids. That’s our guiding principle.” The first assignment of the Long Range Planning Committee was to restructure a portion of the 2009 bond issue which was approved by voters in 2011. The restructuring was necessary based on a significant amount of new data related to district growth. “The changes we made to the 2009 bond issue truly put our district at the forefront of public education,” said Dr. Mendenhall. “With the addition of classroom space at several sites, three new elementary schools, four new early childhood centers and improvements at the high school, our students have what I feel are the best learning environments in the state.” For the past two years, Long Range Planning
has evaluated district needs to accommodate projected growth in preparation for the next bond issue. The district experiences an average growth of three percent each year, primarily in kindergarten through eighth grade. “Our most pressing needs are for additional classroom space at all sites but especially at the elementary and middle school levels,” said Michelle Bergwall, Chief Operating Officer for Broken Arrow Public Schools. “What we are seeing is a large number of young families moving into our district because of the great schools and quality of life Broken Arrow has to offer.” The committee will finalize the list of proposed projects in October then conduct community forums to answer questions and gain additional community input. The list of projects will then be presented to the Board of Education for a formal vote. “I hope anyone who has an interest in learning more about the proposed projects will join us for one of five community forums,” said Dr. Mendenhall. “The Long Range Planning Committee has done an excellent job, and I’m eager to share their work with the rest of the community.”
Community Forums Oct. 20, 6 p.m. Oliver Middle School Oct. 21, 6 p.m. Centennial Middle School Oct. 23, 6 p.m. Childers Middle School Oct. 27, 6 p.m. Oneta Ridge Middle School Oct. 28, 6 p.m. Sequoyah Middle School
BAPS RECOGNIZES IMPORTANCE OF UNITED WAY, AFFILIATED AGENCIES
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roken Arrow Public Schools’ (BAPS) United Way campaign, “United Together,” is in full swing, and BAPS staff are enjoying a number of opportunities to support this organization with various activities and fundraising events. “The Tulsa Area United Way plays such an important role in improving the lives of Broken Arrow residents, and it makes me very proud that our district is such a large contributor,” BAPS Superintendent Dr. Jarod Mendenhall said. “Most people may not realize that a good portion of the funds raised stay right here in Broken Arrow, supporting agencies like Broken Arrow Neighbors and our very own Margaret Hudson Program.” This year, the district’s goal is to raise $110,000 through voluntary giving and fundraising activities. The money raised by BAPS helps the Tulsa Area United Way reach their goal of $26.2 million, which was revealed during the legendary Broken Arrow-Owasso football rivalry dubbed the “Live United Crosstown Showdown.” Since its establishment in 1924, the Tulsa Area United Way has invested more than $669 million into the greater Tulsa area, providing vital health, education and human service assistance to thousands of people through 61 partner agencies. Last year, 31,986 residents in Broken Arrow received assistance from 43 United Way agencies in Broken Arrow and Tulsa. One of those partner agencies is Broken Arrow Neighbors, which helped 1,316 people avoid housing eviction and utility disconnections and provided food and utility assistance to 4,228 residents. Also in 2013, A New Leaf helped 33 individuals with developmental disabilities move into their own homes, and Broken Arrow Seniors (BASI) served hot lunches on-site to
Employees from the Education Service Center volunteer their time during the annual Day of Caring.
9,864 senior citizens and delivered lunches to 7,110 home-bound seniors. “Giving is completely voluntary and the generosity of BAPS employees continues to grow each year,” said Kim Vento, BAPS District Events Coordinator, who is spearheading this year’s campaign. BAPS’ campaign kicked off on Sept. 5, when dozens of employees devoted their time volunteering in the annual United Way Day of Caring, making a difference for local organizations such as Broken Arrow Neighbors, Margaret Hudson Program and Goodwill. Many Broken Arrow students also participated in the Day of Caring by delivering hand-made cards to a retirement facility and helping tidy up their school sites. Following the campaign launch, staff members made individual contributions ranging from $5 to $500, and district United Way team leaders organized fundraising events
for each site and department. From chili cookoffs to silent auctions, BAPS is one step closer to achieving their goal. The campaign concludes on Oct. 9 with the first-ever “BA’s Got Talent!” competition. With singers, dancers, magicians and more, this entertaining evening takes place at the Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center and stars some of the district’s most talented individuals. The community is invited to attend, and tickets are $10. All ticket proceeds directly benefit the United Way. “Every dollar donated helps us inch closer to our goal, but more importantly, each donation improves the lives of those who are struggling within our own community,” Vento said. “We truly have the opportunity to make a difference for those in need by participating in the Tulsa Area United Way campaign.”
A R R O W P O I N T M A G A Z I N E {5}
UNITED TOGETHER
A R R O W P O I N T M A G A Z I N E {6}
‘EVERY STUDENT, EVERY DAY RESULT OF THE EQUATION
“We want to make sure every child succeeds, and this means swinging for the fence... We have a longstanding tradition of excellence on which to build.” Dr. Janet Dunlop Assistant Superintendent Instructional Services
shows that students who are personally engaged in their own educational experience perform better academically.” BAPS Superintendent Dr. Jarod Mendenhall agrees the three principles of success are pertinent to every student in the district. “The journey to reach that ultimate goal of graduation begins the moment they enter our district,” he said. “If students are literate and engaged, graduation for each and every student at the high school becomes possible, and when our students have diplomas in their hands, success is sure to follow.” BAPS is thinking well beyond graduation for its students with a number of initiatives including a College and Career Readiness Center equipped with trained counselors who provide students with personal and academic guidance regarding graduation requirements and college and career preparations. Also housed within the College and Career Center is information about off-campus learning opportunities, such as programs at Tulsa Tech, concurrent enrollment, online classes and internships through the Career Exploration Program. “We want to make sure every child succeeds, and this means swinging for the fence,” Dunlop said. “Having 100 percent literacy, engagement and graduation may seem impossible, but we know that our students, parents, teachers, administrators and the community will pull together to reach this lofty goal. Broken Arrow has always risen to the challenge, and we have a long-standing tradition of excellence on which to build.”
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AY’ IS THE END FOR SUCCESS
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t Broken Arrow Public Schools (BAPS), the equation for student success is simple. “At the start of the new school year, the district released a new mantra, or guiding principle – literacy, engagement and graduation for every student,” said Dr. Janet Dunlop, BAPS Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services. “Our intention is that employees, parents, students and community members recognize and embrace the role that we play in meeting 100 percent success in these principles. We want every single student to be literate, engaged in school and community, and to graduate on to post-secondary education and training.” To assist educators and administrators with moving students toward graduation, BAPS is focusing on enhanced teacher collaboration and smaller learning communities that help teachers quickly identify if a student is struggling and needs extra help, or if he or she needs to be challenged to reach their full potential. Broken Arrow’s instructional specialists and administrative staff also provide educators with a number of high-quality professional development opportunities, as well as continued support through programs such as Reading Recovery, Literacy First, Read 180, Think Through Math and others. “Literacy not only means reading and language arts skills, but it also encompasses a broader range of skills including math, science and technology,” said Dr. Dunlop. “When a person is literate, it opens doors to endless possibilities and is truly the key to successes in life.” But BAPS educators know that student success entails much more than pure academics. Students must also be engaged by investing emotionally in learning, whether through routine requirements like attending class and submitting assignments or through student involvement in extracurricular activities such as academic clubs and sports teams. Having meaningful relationships with peers is also a key factor, and parents play a crucial role in keeping kids engaged in school. Because students spend a large portion of their day at school, educators and district employees are in a unique position to make sure students stay engaged. “At Broken Arrow Public Schools, we truly believe it is every employee’s responsibility to keep students engaged each day through simple kindness and having a heart for kids. We want every student to have a connection with at least one adult in our district, whether that is a teacher, bus driver or coach,” said Chuck Perry, Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services. “Research clearly
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TIGER C AMP
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roken Arrow High School (BAHS) kicked off the new school year with a host of transitions for its students. With the addition of nearly 1,200 sophomores combined with the incoming junior class, two thirds of the student population was new to the campus for the 2014-15 school year. This influx of new students, combined with 93,000 square feet of new campus features, led school leaders to create a two-day orientation known as Tiger Camp.
way
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High School Transformation From fall 2012 to spring 2014, BAHS underwent major renovations made possible by the 2009 bond issue. The 93,000 square foot renovation included a new façade, an expanded media center, high-tech science labs, 41 classrooms, a college and career planning center, numerous fine arts spaces, a student union, an updated cafeteria with several additional food options and an official district spirit store. Not only did the high school undergo a physical transformation, but it also underwent a philosophical transformation in its approach to student learning and engagement. “Our High School Transformation Committee spent two years researching the best practices of the most innovative high schools in the country to ensure our Broken Arrow students had the best opportunities and experiences,” said Dr. Jarod Mendenhall, Superintendent of Broken Arrow Public Schools. “The result is a campus with a college feel that focuses on student achievement.” This year, students are grouped into smaller learning communities that have similar class schedules and teachers. Students are also paired with an assistant principal and counselor who will remain with them throughout their high school career. “By creating these smaller learning communities, our students are able to form stronger peer groups, teachers are able to collaborate on helping those students they have in common, and administrators can make sure every
student is engaged and successful,” said Debbie Renz, Principal at BAHS. “Our focus is to make sure every student has the academic skills and relationships they need to succeed both in high school and after they graduate.”
Tiger Camp – A Boot Camp for the BA Way To lay the groundwork for a successful year, sophomores, juniors and seniors joined together for the inaugural Tiger Camp, creating a sense of unity and pride among the students. With a detailed campus tour and an introduction to the many student services BAHS has to offer combined with icebreakers and teambuilding activities, this two-day orientation was the first of many activities which focus on teaching “the BA way” to more than 3,600 high school students. “Tiger Camp was designed to connect students with the people, places and information they need to be successful in high school,” said Jason Jedamski, Director of Student Life and Activities at BAHS. “Research proves that school connectedness and engagement are the most influential factors for success both
inside and outside the classroom. Our hope is that Tiger Camp helped every student feel at home so they may grow personally and academically.” During Tiger Camp, students were arranged into small groups to participate in a number of group and one-on-one activities. COLABASH (Committee On Life At Broken Arrow Senior High) leaders led an intensive school tour to familiarize students with the BAHS campus and its resources. Students had the opportunity to become familiar with their schedules, meet with each of their teachers and hear about academic expectations. Students also learned what it means to be a Tiger by learning Broken Arrow chants, the Tiger Pep fight song and the alma mater. To celebrate the end of Tiger Camp, students and administration collaborated to create a “lip dub” video with all 3,600 BAHS students. The video, which has already reached more than 175,000 followers on district social media channels, featured a sea of black and gold and a ton of school spirit. “I can’t think of a time throughout my 13 years of education at Broken Arrow where something caused such a massive change in school, student and
y
BROKEN ARROW HIGH SCHOOL WELCOMES SOPHOMORES, BIG CHANGES TO CAMPUS
(TOP) The entire student body participates in a lip dub video. (ABOVE) First day activities for Tiger Camp included ice breaker exercises and (RIGHT) tours of the campus.
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administrative culture,” said Chase Snider, student council president at BAHS. “Since Tiger Camp, there have been multiple sporting events and activities, like our Aloha Bash, with more student involvement than I have ever seen. I really believe that Tiger Camp laid the foundation for school pride and student morale for generations of students to come.” Tiger Camp is just one of many activities planned by the student activities office to immerse students in “the BA Way” and create a culture of inclusiveness that increases student engagement. “As part of our overall objective to transform the high school, it is important we create an interactive environment that helps our students succeed,” Dr. Mendenhall said. “When students find their niche, success is sure to follow, and that is the culture we are striving to create.”
ALL IN
Coach Alexander instills strong values while creating a new team culture
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e once sat on the sidelines of a dirt field and watched the older neighborhood boys throw around the pigskin. From the camaraderie to the thrill of scoring a touchdown, Broken Arrow’s Head Varsity Football Coach David Alexander fell in love with football. His passion for the game only grew stronger as he played alongside the offensive and defensive lines at Broken Arrow High School in the early ‘80s, as a three-year starter at the University of Tulsa, and during 10 seasons as an NFL offensive lineman with the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Jets. Because of his success, he is a member of the Broken Arrow Athletic Hall of Fame and Tulsa University Athletic Hall of Fame. “I firmly believe everything I’ve accomplished up to this point has prepared me for this position as the head coach—to be a mentor to these young men, to be a leader and a teacher,” said Alexander. As a life-long student of the game, Alexander knows firsthand the selfdiscipline required to achieve excellence and the positive attitude essential to fostering success, both of which mirror Broken Arrow’s athletic character recognition program known as Tiger STRIPES. “It stands for service, trust, respect, integrity, positive attitude, excellence and self-discipline,” Alexander said. “I personally know that these traits are correlated to success, and aside from coaching these kids in football, I also want to help them become successful citizens after high school. I want each of them to have the type of character that will serve them well after their athletic career has ended.” From participating in community service projects to setting high standards academically, student athletes are provided with a number of characterbuilding opportunities throughout the
year, including volunteer work at local events and school sites across the district. “It’s important for me to reiterate the importance of these character traits,” he said. “The pillars of Tiger STRIPES serve as the foundation for success on and off the field, and a huge part of being an athlete is understanding the roles played not only within their team, but also their school and community.” The Tiger STRIPES program was created last year by Ken Ellett, long-time athletic director for Broken Arrow Public Schools. “Simply put, the acronym guides athletes outside of their performance on the field,” Ellett said. “Coach Alexander has already proven himself to be a great role model for our students, and our players will be winners on and off the field under Coach Alexander’s leadership.”
TIGER S.T.R.I.P.E.S.
Service – Work done for the betterment of the school and community Trust – Rely on one another by creating healthy, dependable relationships Respect – Display good manners and compassion Integrity – Character is what you do when no one is looking Positive Attitude – Be a role model of optimism in action Excellence – Set high standards of excellence in both athletics and academics Self-Discipline – Use restraint as a tool for self-improvement
Students enjoy the outdoors during the first day of school at Arrow Springs Early Childhood Center.
Arrow Springs transforms into latest Early Childhood Center
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roken Arrow Public Schools (BAPS) serves more than 18,000 students, and of those, nearly 1,110 are enrolled in the pre-kindergarten program. Now in its second year, this all-day program is staying on the forefront of early childhood education by adding a fourth early childhood center to its repertoire, serving the needs of a growing district. In August, Arrow Springs Early Childhood Center (ECC) opened its doors to welcome Broken Arrow’s youngest Tigers to Pre-K. “Early childhood education is vital because it helps establish a lifelong interest in learning,” Arrow Springs ECC Principal Debbie McClellan said. “Research shows that children taught at an early age usually benefit in many ways, including improved social skills and increased language development. They learn strategies for cooperating in groups, voicing their frustration in appropriate ways and solving problems independently. This lays the very basic foundation for future academic success.”
In 2011, Broken Arrow patrons voted to reallocate $73.5 million dollars of the original $295 million bond passed in 2009. The reallocation of funds made construction possible for all four early childhood centers, including Park Lane ECC, Aspen Creek ECC, Creekwood ECC, and most recently, Arrow Springs ECC, which is located at the site of what was once Arrow Springs Elementary. Each ECC is equipped with early childhood certified teachers and teaching aides who educate no more than 20 students per classroom. Through activities centered on reading, writing, math, art and music, students begin developing early reasoning and problem solving skills. “Our philosophy, ‘Explore, Connect, Create,’ permeates through all we do,” McClellan said. “To support this mantra, early childhood teachers ask open-ended questions, explore child initiated areas of interest and create a funloving atmosphere that encourages children to discover new learning for themselves.” Arrow Springs Pre-K teacher Kyle Cole agrees.
“Children at this age learn primarily through play and exploration,” he said. “I put a tremendous amount of energy into creating an environment that is not only rich with literacy, but one that is also interactive, engaging and fun, making sure to have plenty of learning choices and activities that suit each of my student’s own interests.” From engaging classrooms to the architectural design of the building, Arrow Springs was built specifically with four year olds in mind. “Arrow Springs’ underwater oasis theme stimulates the natural curiosities of young children,” McClellan said. “From the moment you walk through the front doors, children are captivated by the bubble lights, water waves and the rock cliff wall. Have you ever met a 4 year old who didn’t love water and underwater animals? Our school is truly a place to nurture our earliest learners.” For more information about Broken Arrow’s Pre-K programs, please contact the enrollment office at 918-259-4301.
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explore connect create
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