BOND ISSUE 2015: THANK YOU!
BAPS FOUNDATION DELIVERS GRANTS
LITERACY A PRIORITY IN BROKEN ARROW
THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF BROKEN ARROW PUBLIC SCHOOLS | VOLUME 40, ISSUE FIVE | SPRING 2015
A few words from the desk of Dr. Jarod Mendenhall BROKEN ARROW PUBLIC SCHOOLS VOLUME 40, ISSUE 5 | SPRING 2015 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
EARNING OUR STRIPES
Catch up on the accomplishments that continue to put BAPS at the forefront of education
BOND ISSUE 2015: THANK YOU! Voters stepped up to pass one of the largest bond issues in Broken Arrow history
BAPS FOUNDATION GRANTS BAPS Foundation helps teachers with surprise grant deliveries
BEYOND & ABOVE AWARDS Five support staff employees are nominated for their excellence in service
THE NEED TO READ
BAPS and literacy go hand in hand through all grade levels
CONTENTS
3 4 5 6-7 8-9 10-11
MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
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.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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t Broken Arrow Public Schools, we strive to earn our stripes as we educate our students, and engage them both in and outside of the classroom. Here are a few highlights of the many great things being achieved each day in our district. Not only do we hope to inform BAPS patrons, but we also hope you will share the accomplishments of our students and staff with friends and family members who live outside the district.
EARNING OUR
STRIPES
• STEM at Broken Arrow High School (BAHS) – BAHS science teacher Donna Gradel and her LemelsonMIT InvenTeam students, dubbed Metamorphix, recently presented their midterm prototype, which could one day produce low-cost, sustainable fish food for impoverished regions in Africa, to an audience of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) representatives, district staff and community partners. In June, the team, which is one of only 15 grant recipients in the nation and the only Oklahoma school ever selected, will showcase their final project in Cambridge, Mass. • Community Connection – Every year, students and staff from across the district participate in a number of food drives benefiting Broken Arrow Neighbors, a local hunger relief organization that provides basic needs and emergency assistance to Broken Arrow families. From August to December, more than 23,400 food items were collected and approximately $4,661 were donated in support of BA Neighbors. • Staff Professional Development – Broken Arrow is leading the way in providing educators with the skills they need to be their best. “Choose Your Own Adventure” is a participant-driven event that puts staff members in charge by allowing participants to set the agenda for the day. “Choose Your Own Adventure” gives educators a platform to collaborate and network together, learning exactly what they want to learn and taking ownership of the topics discussed. These topics include classroom management, parent communication, enhancing the classroom with new technologies, Twitter for education, student engagement and more. • Cheryl Kelly Honored as Elected Official – BAPS Board of Education
• Athletics – Broken Arrow won its ninth state wrestling championship and crowned four state champions – Markus Simmons, Paden Bailey, Christian Kaiser and Steven Allen. In the Class 6A Swimming State Championships, Breonna Barker won her sixth and seventh state titles in the 50-yard freestyle and the 100-yard freestyle. For the second year in a row, the Lady Tigers brought home the 6A state basketball championship. In addition, 34 student-athletes signed their national letters of intent, officially announcing where they will continue to showcase their athletic talents beyond high school.
President Cheryl Kelly was named the Elected Official of the Year during this year’s Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet. Each year, the Chamber recognizes an elected official who best demonstrates a commitment to the chamber and community through participation in events and programs, support of pro-business and pro-Broken Arrow initiatives, and demonstration of superior leadership. This award is one of 21 presented at the banquet. • Retired Educators Breakfast – Superintendent Dr. Jarod Mendenhall meets quarterly with retired educators from the Broken Arrow area. These breakfasts are informal in nature and serve as a time to update the educators on school district initiatives, receive feedback and input, see updated facilities and
reconnect with fellow retired educators. • Kristin Chenoweth National TV Broadcast – In August, Broken Arrow alumna performed two once-in-a-lifetime concerts in her namesake theatre at the Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center. Both were filmed for the worldwide DVD release and nationally-televised special “Kristin Chenoweth: Coming Home” that aired on PBS in November. The concerts featured the Broken Arrow High School choir under the direction of Justin Rosser and the community of Broken Arrow. While we are proud of all we have done to earn our stripes, our success is the direct result of the support of our community. Your patronage is appreciated and crucial to the success of Broken Arrow Public Schools.
STUDENTS AT LEISURE PARK ELEMENTARY SHOW THEIR APPRECIATION TO THE PEOPLE OF BROKEN ARROW FOR PASSING THE 2015 BOND ISSUE.
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n Feb. 10, Broken Arrow patrons passed the 2015 Broken Arrow Public Schools (BAPS) bond proposal, allowing the district to begin its next phase of transformation. “First and foremost, I want to thank our community for passing this bond issue,” BAPS Superintendent Dr. Jarod Mendenhall said. “It sends a clear message to our teachers and students that our patrons believe in them and want to provide them with the tools they need to succeed.” The 2009 bond issue and the reallocation of bond funds in 2011 were a major step in addressing long overdue needs of the district, including eliminating all modular buildings, securing school entrances and building additional school sites to meet the demands of enrollment growth. The 2015 bond issue provides BAPS the opportunity to continue this momentum by meeting the needs of a district that is growing at a rate of 3 percent per year. The 2015 bond issue projects total $370 million and will be completed over the course of 12 years. By planning for long-term capital improvement projects, the district can better utilize resources
while ensuring taxpayer dollars are used efficiently. These projects were carefully identified by the Long Range Planning Committee— a group of more than 50 community stakeholders— to include classrooms for growth, facilities for student programs, improvements in security and facility maintenance, advances in technology and instruction, and upgrades in transportation. “It is very rewarding to see Broken Arrow voters showing confidence in the work that the BAPS administration and Long Range Planning Committee have done in preparation for this bond issue,” said Derek Beller, member of the Long Range Planning Committee and father to three Broken Arrow students. “The bond issue projects will continue to improve our great schools and allow our Broken Arrow students more opportunities to do great things. I am excited to witness all the changes we will see over the next 12 years and beyond.” BAPS Board of Education President Cheryl Kelly echoed Beller’s sentiments. “We are grateful for the recent passage of the school bond issue and are thankful
to our community for continually demonstrating an understanding of our student growth,” she said. “This bond issue supports the expansion of 21st century learning opportunities, helping us prepare our students for college or career at graduation.” The structure of this bond issue was intentionally designed to provide flexibility. If at any time a new need is identified, approved projects that have not yet begun can be postponed until a later date. Additionally, much like in 2011, the district can present a new proposal to voters if a reallocation of funds is needed. “I’ve said many a time that a bond issue is a gift to our school district from the community,” Mendenhall said. “In return for this gift, we are able to provide the best facilities possible to provide outstanding educational opportunities for our students. We will begin planning for the first phase of projects right away and look forward to keeping our patrons updated on our progress. Great things are happening in Broken Arrow, and I feel very fortunate to be part of this community.” For frequent bond issue updates, please visit baschools.org/2015bond.
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Gratitude Bond issue passes with community support
Your Wish Is
Granted
BAPS Foundation delivers grants to teachers
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ince 1992, the Broken Arrow Public Schools Foundation has positively influenced education in Broken Arrow by providing funds to teachers for incentive grants, supporting innovative projects that increase interest and achievement among Broken Arrow students. This year, the Foundation graciously hand delivered $46,830.86 in grants, the largest total to date, to 87 teachers across the district. “Providing funds for teacher grants is one of the main reasons the Foundation was founded, and having a positive impact on Broken Arrow students and teachers is our objective,” said Foundation President Kamara Washington. “As always, the caliber of the applications this year was exceptional. We saw everything from building robots to integrating iPads in the classroom.” The Foundation operates by a Board of Directors who are elected annually as trustees and represent a variety of businesses, the PTA, teaching and administrative staff, and community members. These individuals host the Foundation’s fundraiser, an annual golf tournament held at Forest Ridge Golf Club in October, with the proceeds funding classroom grants. “Support for the Foundation gives the community an opportunity to participate in the educational process and to improve student learning,” BAPS Director of Community and Fund Development Amanda Summers said. “Each year, the community has provided its overwhelming endorsement for the Foundation’s mission through generosity, enthusiasm and participation.” Every fall, hundreds of teachers submit applications for grants that will impact the education of their students. The Foundation sub-committee chooses those grants for projects it considers most
“I have been working on innovative ways to bring science into the classroom and get my students excited about it. I cannot thank the Foundation enough.” Kristen Deitz, STEM Teacher Aspen Creek Elementary
exemplary, creative and original. Members of the Foundation then award the checks to the teachers by paying a surprise visit to their classroom. Kristen Deitz, Aspen Creek STEM teacher and recipient of five Foundation grants, said the funding provided by the Foundation takes learning to the next level. “I have been working on innovative ways to bring science into the classroom and get my students excited about it,” she said. “The kits that I ordered are designed to take mundane science skills and turn them into exciting engineering and design projects. Students will not only learn the skills necessary per the objectives, but they will learn problem solving skills that will help them throughout their lives. I cannot thank the Foundation enough.” Broken Arrow High School English teacher Amy Dyer was ecstatic when two members of the Foundation walked into
her classroom. “When the committee came in to present the grant, I knew almost immediately what it was and wondered which grant I had received,” she said. “When I found out I received both of the grants I applied for, I felt like it was Christmas morning!” Dyer received a grant to buy props and costumes for Shakespeare reenactments, helping increase engagement, comprehension and public speaking skills. She also received a grant to provide learning stations for her Advanced Placement (AP) literature classes, helping to boost scores on the AP exam. “Regular instructional money only goes so far, but to be on the cutting edge of education, we want students engaged beyond just a textbook and a worksheet,” she said. “Students and teachers both enjoy classes so much more when the lessons are active, such as in the Shakespeare grant, or when they are tailored to their specific interests, such as in the AP grant. Foundation grants enable teachers to take learning to a whole new level.”
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STRON Support Syst
District introduces Beyond & Above Award for support employees
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very April, Broken Arrow Public Schools honors its “stars” with an evening full of gratitude, laughter and applause during the Star Awards Gala, a dinner dedicated to Site Teachers of the Year, retirees and service award recipients. This year, one more group is being added to that list – support staff. Known as the Beyond & Above Award, the new support staff recognition program honors employees who consistently demonstrate excellence, going that extra mile for the district’s goals and objectives. Nominations were made by teachers, administrators, supervisors and coworkers. A five-member committee consisting of site and district administrators conducted a review of all candidate nominations before spring break. This year’s five Support Employee of the Year finalists are: Terry Austin, custodian at Leisure Park Elementary; Jim Leonard, custodian at Vandever Elementary; Steve Moos, custodian at Country Lane Intermediate; V.A. Morgan, custodian at Park Lane Early Childhood Center; and Patty Sutton, principal’s secretary at Centennial Middle School. “Our district could not reach the desired level of excellence without the help of our support staff,” said Dr. Jarod Mendenhall, Superintendent of Broken Arrow Public Schools. “I am pleased we have added the Beyond and Above Award to the honors presented at the annual Star Gala and look forward to recognizing these individuals for their dedication to our students and staff.”
Jim Leonard
Custodian Vandever Elementary 29 years at BAPS
Terry Austin
Custodian Leisure Park Elementary 29 years at BAPS “Every morning, teachers walk into unlocked classroom doors, clutterfree hallways, crystal clear glass doors and utter serenity. There’s not a nook or cranny in the school that is neglected because ‘Mrs. Awesome’ sees it as her personal duty to care for the school like she would her own home. She is the superhero of our school and undeniably adds to its strength, character and values.” -Stacy Beauregard Leisure Park Elementary Fifth Grade Teacher
“Jim Leonard is the type of person everyone would like to work with. Whether he is helping with lunch in the cafeteria, buffing floors or cleaning up after a child who was sick, his attitude never changes. Jim takes time to speak to students as they come down the hall, especially if he sees a child who seems to be having a hard day. He is one of the most positive individuals I have ever met.” -Judy Mullins Vandever Elementary Second Grade Teacher
ONG tem
V.A. Morgan
Custodian Park Lane Early Childhood 35 years at BAPS
Steve Moos
Custodian Country Lane Intermediate 3 years at BAPS “There are not enough words to describe the positive impact this man has on the students and staff at Country Lane Intermediate. He is very kind and compassionate, greeting our students every morning in the main hallway with high fives, hugs and just making the students laugh. His encouraging words and laughter are what make this man so special.” -Jill Schmitt Country Lane Intermediate Fourth Grade Teacher
-Larry Smith Aspen Creek Elementary Principal
Patty Sutton
Principal’s Secretary Centennial Middle School 25 years at BAPS “Not only do the adults know that Patty is the person who holds our school together, but our students also know that if they need anything, all they have to do is find Ms. Patty. Her love for others goes deep, and her dedication to her fellow employees and BA’s students cannot even begin to be measured. One would have to look far and wide to find a more dedicated employee, colleague, friend and person. BAPS is fortunate to have this lady on its staff.” -Shelly Swisher Broken Arrow High School English Teacher
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“If you mention V.A. Morgan to anyone who has spent any time in this district, a smile comes across their face. Everyone who has had the opportunity to work with V.A. over the years knows of his love and dedication to this district. He works tirelessly each and every day, sometimes even when he isn’t feeling well. He is one of a kind in BA and a gem of this district.”
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the
Needto READ Literacy is a top priority at Broken Arrow Schools
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n 2010, Broken Arrow Public Schools began a journey of improving literacy among its students. Five years later, the work is paying off with improved literacy rates throughout the district. “Literacy is the key to opening doors to everything else. It is the gatekeeper for success which is why we’ve set a goal of 100 percent literacy in our district,” said Dr. Janet Dunlop, BAPS Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services. “With more than 18,000 students in our district who each have unique needs when it comes to literacy, we have to be very strategic in our approach.” With this in mind, the district utilizes a strong core curriculum in conjunction with a tiered instructional approach where struggling learners are identified and provided intervention. The instructional team has aligned interventions vertically so there are no gaps from Pre-K to graduation. This model allows not only for continuous monitoring throughout a student’s academic career but also for intervention whenever a student enters the district. Known as Response to Intervention (RtI), this research-based technique develops equity in effective literacy programming at each school site. Therefore, no matter which Broken Arrow school a student attends, he or she is getting the same highly effective curriculum and the same targeted interventions. Decisions about the intensity and duration of the intervention are based
a 100 percent third grade reading test pass rate for all students who participated. At the middle school level, Broken Arrow utilizes AMP Reading System, an intervention curriculum proven to increase a student’s reading skills by focusing on seven strategies: summarizing, questioning, previewing, text structure, visualizing, inferencing and metacognition. The program incorporates vocabulary, fluency and comprehension into each exercise. “Often times, reading issues are not apparent until middle school because students are able to ‘word call,’ or read words vocally, but they never reach the point of reading fluency where comprehension takes place,” Dunlop said. “With almost all learning taking place through reading, comprehension in middle school and high school is paramount.” Now in its third year, the AMP Reading System curriculum is proving to be successful at Broken Arrow. “Since implementation, the program has served nearly 500 middle school students,” said Mark Officer, BAPS Executive Director of Secondary Instruction. “These students are catching up with their peers and experiencing increased success in other core classes.” At Broken Arrow High School, Read 180 is utilized and is the equivalent of Reading Recovery for secondary students. The program is rich in technology and provides students with personalized, rigorous
instruction for college, careers and beyond. “In general, it is expected that students grow 100 Lexile points, which is the scientific approach to reading measurement, per academic year,” Officer said. “On average, Read 180 students grow 67 points in one semester, nearly two grade levels per school year. In addition, 82 percent of senior Read 180 students have already successfully passed their English III End-of-Instruction Core Curriculum Test.” BAPS has not only paved the way for student success at home, but many surrounding school districts are looking toward BAPS as a model for their own literacy programs, creating a unique opportunity to set the trend for future learning. Oklahoma educators regularly tour Broken Arrow’s Reading Recovery lab to learn how they can achieve similar success in their own district. Recently, Reading Recovery teachers Jan Grisham and Nancy Jones presented the district’s Reading Recovery implementation model at the National Reading Recovery and K-6 Literacy Conference. “The work of our instructional team will not only have an impact on the students in our district but also open doors for countless numbers of students across the country,” said Dunlop. “It’s exciting to know we are creating a legacy of literacy and learning that reaches far beyond the boundaries of Broken Arrow.”
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on a student’s response to instruction and the ongoing mini-assessments given by the classroom teacher. The results of these assessments provide data for a school’s RtI team to study and prescribe additional support. Now in its fourth year at BAPS, Reading Recovery is designed for the bottom 20 percent of first grade students who are experiencing difficulty in reading. Broken Arrow is only one of two districts in the state to offer this program to its students and was able to do so through a funded grant partnership with Texas Women’s University, one of 22 Reading Recovery training centers in the U.S. Currently, there are 21 trained Reading Recovery teachers in the district, with an additional five being trained this year by Reading Recovery teacher leader, Jan Grisham. “If a first grader is struggling with the most fundamental skill we use throughout our educational system, it often causes the child to feel inadequate and disenfranchised, putting them at risk later in upper grades,” said Grisham. “Early intervention is key so that children never get a psychological block that they can’t read well or are ‘less than’ their peers.” Since its inception at BAPS, Reading Recovery has served 529 first grade students. In addition, the students served in the first year of implementation in 2011 were in third grade last year, and there was
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