INSIDE JROTC Launch T.I.G.E.R. Challenge Tulsa Tech Partnership BAHS Principal Profile
THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF BROKEN ARROW PUBLIC SCHOOLS
VOLUME 41, ISSUE 2 | FALL 2015
contents
INSIDE
ARROWPOINT MAGAZINE BROKEN ARROW PUBLIC SCHOOLS VOLUME 41, ISSUE 2 | FALL 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 Amanda Summers Executive Director of Public Relations 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
From the Superintendent Page Three
The ARROWPOINT is published six times a year by the Communications Department of Broken Arrow Public Schools and is distributed to approximately 50,000 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.
BAPS teams up with Air Force Pages Four & Five
Taking the T.I.G.E.R. Challenge Pages Six & Seven
Tulsa Tech & BA: Workforce Ready Pages Eight & Nine
Profile: Elizabeth Burns, BAHS Principal Page Ten
Choose Your Own Adventure Page Eleven
PHOTO BY CHRISTINA DIXON
There will be no discrimination in the District because of race, color, sex, pregnancy, gender, gender expression or identity, national origin, religion, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, age, or genetic information in its programs, services, activities and employment. The district also provides equal access to the Boy Scouts of America 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. The following people within the District have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the District’s non-discrimination policies, issues and concerns: • For all student issues related to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended (questions or complaints based on race, color, and national origin), the Assistant Superintendent, Student Services, Chuck Perry, should be contacted at 918-259-5700 or at 701 South Main Street, Broken Arrow, OK 74012; • 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) (for questions or complaints based on disability),The Director of Special Education, Debbie Renz, should be contacted at 918-259-5700 or at 701 South Main Street, Broken Arrow, OK 74012; • For all student issues related to Title IX, of the Education Amendments of 1972 (for questions or complaints based on sex, pregnancy, gender, gender expression or identity), the Assistant Athletic Director, Melenda Knight, should be contacted at 918-259-4310 or at 1901 E. Albany, Broken Arrow, OK 74012. • For issues related to accessibility to facilities, services and activities pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, The Chief Operating Officer, Michelle Bergwall, should be contacted at 918-259-5700 or at 701 South Main Street, Broken Arrow, OK 74012; • For all non-student and/or employment related issues (including questions or complaints based on age), or for any individual who has experienced some other form of discrimination, including discrimination not listed above, the Chief Human Resources Officer, Ed Fager, should be contacted 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.
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greetings
letter from the
SUPERINTENDENT We have great kids! I realize that many people may say this about our students in Broken Arrow, but I wanted to provide two anecdotes to confirm this notion. In both of these examples, I found myself beaming with pride. For the past six years, I have had a superintendent’s student advisory council that meets regularly to discuss student life in the district. Our first meeting was held last week and I was totally amazed at the respect and thought provoking nature of this group. We began our meeting with open dialogue about many of the social issues in today’s world. Even though these topics can be quite controversial even for adults, the students handled it with grace and style. As you may expect, there were individuals on both sides of these issues. However, they were respectful to one another, allowed everyone to participate and were never dismissive of anyone’s opinion. I feel like our adults, and definitely our politicians, could have learned some valuable lessons from this group. A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to travel to Texas to watch our varsity football team play the Coppell Cowboys. Along with our team, the band, cheerleaders, Tigettes, parents and nearly 180 students attended this game. Coppell was a worthy opponent and, after going into overtime, our team emerged victorious. But, the real story was our kids! While it was nice to win the game against a great team in the Dallas area, the best part of the trip was witnessing our student section, known as “The Jungle,” cheering our team to victory. Our team showed a lot of courage on the field, but the tenacity and grit of our kids in the stands was truly special – they never gave up on their team! Upon leaving the stands, a Coppell fan saw our students cleaning up and asked what they were doing. One of the students explained that they were picking up their trash. “At BAHS, we are taught to always leave a place better than when we found it,” she said. We might have a fantastic football team, a championship band program, a phenomenal cheer squad and talented Tigettes but the bottom line, and what matters most, is that we have great kids. Both on and off the field, our students show respect for each other and for others outside of school. This is why I’m so proud to be the superintendent in Broken Arrow – we have great kids!
Sincerely,
Dr. Jarod Mendenhall Superintendent of Schools
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s e r v i c e
Down
The C
New elective cour This year, Broken Arrow Public Schools (BAPS) offered students in grades 10-12 the opportunity to participate in the Air Force National Defense Cadet Corps program, an elective course promoting leadership, personal responsibility, service to the community and nation, as well as instruction in air and space. “With our major focus on student engagement, this program will have a direct impact on reaching young men and women who may not typically be involved in our traditional student activities,” said Chuck Perry, BAPS assistant superintendent of student services. “It not only creates opportunities for those who wish to pursue a military career, but it also teaches leadership and discipline skills that will serve students in both their personal and professional lives.” Led by Lieutenant Colonel Walter Gagajewski and Chief Master Sergeant Oscar
CADETS ENDURE PHYSICAL TRAINING ONCE A WEEK, INCLUDING REGULATORY MILITARY EXERCISES.
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rse creates partnership with Air Force program JROTC of the Year Instructor Award in 2013. In addition to future expansion, this program will enhance scholarship opportunities for Broken Arrow students. “Strong academic achievement in this class will provide access to scholarships that were not available to our students in the past,” Perry said. “Students completing two or three years of JROTC may be able to enlist in the military at a higher rank or receive credit for up to a year of college ROTC. We are excited about the endless possibilities for our students.”
“I want to continue JROTC throughout college and enlist into the Marines. Davis, this program resembles the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) but is fully funded by BAPS. Ninety four students are enrolled this year. “We have a great group of students who are ready to embrace this program,” said Gagajewski, a 20-year Air Force veteran. “Broken Arrow High School has a positive culture of success that is demonstrated by the achievements in the classroom as well as fine arts and athletic programs. We want to establish that same winning culture with our drill team.” The curriculum is comprised of 40 percent aerospace science, 40 percent leadership education and 20 percent physical fitness. In addition to classroom instruction, students are able to participate in field trips to military bases, aerospace facilities and aviation
museums. Other aspects of the cadet experience include community service, drill competitions, honorary academic groups and more. “Above all, JROTC is a cadet-run program,” Gagajewski said. “The cadets are given opportunities to lead the activities, choose community service projects and chart the way for the future of our program.” Whether students attend college, join the workforce or enter the military after high school, Gagajewski and Davis want their students to be prepared. “JROTC gives students a glimpse into the military while also providing them with the opportunity to gain leadership experience that they will use throughout their lifetime, whether they want to enter the military or not,” said Davis, who earned the Outstanding
Colonel has already taught us so much about not giving up and that a good attitude can take you far in life.” – Ashleigh Jones Broken Arrow High School Sophomore
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curriculum
Meeting The Cha
Revamped program takes character core values into What does it mean to be a T.I.G.E.R.? In an effort to encourage the development of positive character traits in students, Broken Arrow Public Schools (BAPS) is adding the T.I.G.E.R. Challenge into its curriculum and extracurricular activities. This revamped districtwide program is based on five core values: tenacity, integrity, gratitude, expectation and respect, all of which create lifelong student success. “This program provides every student with a focused program for character development, concentrating heavily on the BA way and what it means to be a Tiger,” said Jason Jedamski, director of student life and activities. “I hope to hear students using the words from the acronym and embody the terms as part of their everyday lives.” In 2011, BAPS adopted a series of student empowering initiatives through Rachel’s Challenge, a national program created to form a culture of kindness. Rachel Scott was the first person who died at Columbine High School in 1999, and her acts of compassion, coupled with contents from her six diaries, have become the foundation for one of the most lifechanging school programs in America. The mission of Rachel’s Challenge is “to inspire, equip and empower every person
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“Our school district focuses not only on high academic standards but also on producing exceptional members of society, and to me, that is what it means to be a Tiger.” – Morgan Jones Broken Arrow High School Senior
curriculum
allenge
o the classroom
PHOTOS BY GREG SPENCER
to create a permanent positive culture change in their school, business and community by starting a chain reaction of kindness and compassion.” This school year, BAPS is building upon the foundation of Rachel’s Challenge to build a Broken Arrow-centric program for students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. “Broken Arrow has experienced great success with Rachel’s Challenge over the last few years,” said Jedamski. “As we evaluated the program, we saw opportunities and benefits in creating something unique to our district that focused on what it means to be a Broken Arrow Tiger.” The embedded curriculum is differentiated for each school level. Some activities are schoolwide, including presentations, awards assemblies and community service projects, while others take place at the classroom level. Past districtwide initiatives have included a Walk-A-Thon to raise funds for programming, food drives for local hunger agencies, and secondary students hosting kindness programs for elementary students. T.I.G.E.R. Challenge teacher-sponsors at each school help facilitate and encourage integration into the school’s atmosphere. “By providing a number of resources
“I am a TIGER. I am TENACIOUS in pursuit of my goals. I act with INTEGRITY and show GRATITUDE in my daily life. I have high EXPECTATIONS for myself and others, and I show RESPECT through my actions and words. I am a TIGER.” for our students, the T.I.G.E.R. Challenge tenets encourage them to belong to something bigger than themselves,” said Ashley Tselee, Broken Arrow teacher and T.I.G.E.R. Challenge sponsor. “This program is about developing students so that they think about their actions and how they affect others. My role is to facilitate this and fuel their ideas.” Broken Arrow High School senior Morgan Jones considers herself to be an ambassador for T.I.G.E.R. Challenge. “By promoting the positive values encouraged by the program, I hope to be part of a movement that produces individuals with high moral character that lasts beyond our years at Broken Arrow,” Jones said. “Our school district focuses not only on high academic standards but also on producing exceptional members of society, and to me, that is what it means to be a Tiger.”
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outreach
STUDENTS PRACTICE THEIR AUTOCAD DRAFTING SKILLS IN CLASS.
Workforce Ready
Broken Arrow Public Schools partners with Tulsa Technology Cent According to the U.S. Census Bureau, manufacturing is the fourth largest employer in the nation, hiring more than 11 million people annually. In Oklahoma, the manufacturing sector has been a key component in strengthening the state’s economy in recent years, and because of this, Broken Arrow Public Schools (BAPS) is partnering with Tulsa Technology Center (Tulsa Tech) to offer an ongoing manufacturing program for secondary students. “As a school district, we strive to offer a variety of opportunities to keep students plugged in and engaged, while also preparing them for the workforce,” said Shannon Turner, BAPS director of federal programs. “Local manufacturers are excited about this partnership because it provides a skilled workforce that will be ready to fill the gaps.” The manufacturing curriculum for grades 8-12 is designed to create a pathway to Tulsa Tech’s full-time program.
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Gateway to Technology Beginning in sixth grade, all students are introduced to Gateway to Technology (GTT) in their science classes. Students in seventh and eighth grade may then select a GTT course as an elective. These classes focus on the history of inventions and innovations, emphasizing the core concepts of technology and various approaches to problem solving, including engineering design and manufacturing. “Gateway to Technology helps students move beyond the pages of a book in order to develop and hone skills that will allow them to be productive leaders in a STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) world,” said Turner.
The Building Blocks of Learning With an interest in manufacturing established at the middle school level,
students have the opportunity to progress into an Introduction to Manufacturing course in ninth grade. This course, which doesn’t require any prerequisites, provides a jump start into advanced manufacturing courses at the high school and vocational level. Students will learn about safety and tool usage, the basics of blueprint reading, welding principles and more. “I believe Intro to Manufacturing will help develop engineering and career skills, and it is a very interesting class,” Broken Arrow freshman Caleb Willis said.
The Hands-On Approach After completing the Introduction to Manufacturing course, students at the high school are able to enroll in Foundations to Manufacturing, a course taught by Tulsa Tech teacher Charles Young. “Oklahoma is doing something that is completely unheard of,” Young said. “We are becoming pioneers of career and
outreach
To create STEM awareness with hands-on technology activities, Tulsa Tech utilizes a Mobile Outreach Trailer to visit various Broken Arrow middle schools throughout the year. This trailer has student advisors on hand along with videos of students in action at Tulsa Tech.
Manufacturing Advisory Committee
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ter for progressive manufacturing program technical education, and we continue to take things to the next level. BAHS and Tulsa Tech are coming together to provide students with an opportunity to help them find a high paying, rewarding and highlyskilled career – not a job, but a career.” This course, offered by Tulsa Tech on the Broken Arrow High School campus, covers topics ranging from welding to fundamentals of robotics while teaching the concepts of creating products. “Not only will students learn how to build, make, machine and design things, but we will also work on developing soft skills that will include leadership and communications skills, among many others,” said Young, who attended Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology and majored in engineering design. This year, 83 students are enrolled in the ninth and 10th grade manufacturing program. “I hope that other surrounding school
districts see what Broken Arrow High School and Tulsa Tech are doing together, and then duplicate it,” he said.
Manufacturing community members and district administrators meet three times a year, working toward the common goal of assuring that students are college and career ready upon graduation. Local manufacturers provide the district with basic curriculum, job openings and resources, while BAPS provides the most appropriate education to feed the growing job needs of the Broken Arrow community.
explore further
Mobile Outreach Trailer
Creating a path to success Once students have completed the Foundations to Manufacturing course, they have the opportunity to apply to one of Tulsa Tech’s manufacturing-related programs during grades 11 and 12. These programs include applied engineering technology, drafting, machining, mechatronics and welding. “This partnership is ideal because Tulsa Tech delivers the programming, materials and expertise, while the district provides the student population,” said Dr. Janet Dunlop, assistant superintendent for instructional services. “Filling highskill and high-salary careers with Broken Arrow graduates is key to the economic development of our community.”
MOBILE OUTREACH TRAILER AT SEQUOYAH MIDDLE SCHOOL
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Lifelong Educator
Elizabeth Burns takes reins as Broken Arrow High School principal Thirty eight years ago, Ms. Liz Burns walked into her Broken Arrow High School (BAHS) classroom as a timid, yet enthusiastic first-year student teacher who was eager to make a difference in education. Now she serves as the principal at the same high school that helped mold her into the educator and administrator she is today. “I truly believe that one of the most significant things anyone can choose to do is pursue a profession that allows you to invest in the lives of others,” Burns said. “I can’t think of a better way to spend my days.” Known as a third-generation Oklahoma educator, Burns holds two degrees from Oklahoma State University—a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism and a Master of Science degree in curriculum supervision. She joined the Broken Arrow Public Schools staff in the fall of 1978, teaching language arts for two years at Haskell Middle School before leaving to pursue a two-year term as a missionary English teacher in Taiwan. When she returned to the United States, she also returned to Broken Arrow and to Haskell where she remained as a language arts teacher until accepting a position as a teacher of journalism and English at BAHS in 1993. In 1998, she returned to Haskell
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“If I can have the same impact on just one of my students like Ms. Burns had on me, I will be honored.” – Karen Snider Spring Creek Elementary teacher Middle School as an assistant principal and subsequently assumed the position of principal at Childers Middle School in 2000, a position she held until 2015 when she was named BAHS principal. “Even in today’s fast-moving world, I still believe that education is the great equalizer, the gateway to opportunity for those who are willing to take advantage of all that learning can offer,” she said. “As a school administrator, it is my responsibility to provide the best possible environment in which teachers can teach and students can learn, while also supplying the vision and resources they need in order to be
most successful.” Speaking of successes, Burns is a past recipient of the State PTA Outstanding Oklahoma Educator of the Year award and a two-time recipient of the Broken Arrow PTA Council Principal of the Year award. She currently serves as a member of the Oklahoma Association of Secondary School Principals Executive Committee, representing the Tulsa and Broken Arrow region. “Ms. Burns has a deep understanding of the district’s rich history and culture, and she has a proven track record in both academics and establishing longterm relationships with her students, parents and colleagues,” said Dr. Jarod Mendenhall, BAPS superintendent. “She has witnessed a number of her former students grow up to become educators within our district, and that in itself is something special.” One of those former students is now a fourth grade teacher at Spring Creek Elementary. “It was in Ms. Burns’ class that I got the calling to teach,” Karen Snider said. “To this day, I can still remember several of her assignments and the fun way she taught them. If I can have the same impact on just one of my students like Ms. Burns had on me, I will be honored.”
d e v e l o p
EDUCATORS GATHER IN THE HIGH SCHOOL MEDIA CENTER FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
Adventure Time Professional development is given a new spin with teachers choosing own topics A group of elementary and secondary teachers gathered in a quiet, student-less classroom at Broken Arrow High School in September, patiently waiting to learn tips about successfully managing a classroom from one of their colleagues. The quiet would not last. Before long, teachers were discussing, collaborating and teaming together to share ideas and best practices with one another. Karla Dyess, executive director of elementary education, was one of many instructors who facilitated a handful of topics during Broken Arrow Public Schools’ new spin on professional development, Choose Your Own Adventure. “Broken Arrow is truly leading the way in providing educators with the skills they need to be their best,” Dyess said. “It gives them a platform to collaborate and network, learning exactly what they want to learn and taking ownership of the topics discussed.” This second-annual event included access to more than 75 different topics ranging from parent communication, Twitter for education, enhancing the classroom with new technologies, student engagement and more. Several BAPS high school students even took time from their long weekend to facilitate sessions during which teachers could gain valuable insight into how students prefer to learn.
“These sessions are taught by fellow professionals who live in the same world, which brings a great deal of credibility and comfort to the learning environment,” said Mark Officer, BAPS director of secondary instruction, who assisted with the development of Choose Your Own Adventure. As opposed to providing educators with a one-size-fits-all approach, the district tailored its professional development to meet the needs of each individual. “Simply put, we are in charge of our own professional development,” said Beth Johnson, instructional technology specialist and Choose Your Own Adventure session leader. “It’s exciting to have educators come together and learn from each other, exploring the different resources we have right here at BAPS.” Broken Arrow teacher Jo Curlee is excited to take everything she learned back to her Leisure Park Elementary classroom. “This year, we had so many classes to choose from that it was challenging to schedule everything I wanted to attend in just two days, and that’s pretty exciting,” she said. “I am bringing a fresh take on scheduling my literacy centers, managing parent communications and new classroom management strategies, all of which will be beneficial for both my students and myself.”
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