Arrowpoint Magazine, Vol. 37, Issue 4, 2011-12 School Year

ARROWPOINT} TH E OF F I CI A L M A G A Z I N E O F B RO K EN A R R O W P U B LIC S C H O O LS

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SEE IN S I D E Superintendent’s Message Reading Buddies Sharon Whelpley Retires New Board Member

VOLUME 37, ISSUE FOUR • LATE WINTER EDITION 2012

Partners In Education

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ARROWPOINT

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF BROKEN ARROW PUBLIC SCHOOLS

VOLUME 37, ISSUE 4 | LATE WINTER EDITION 2012 Publisher Communications Department Broken Arrow Public Schools Editing/Content/Photography Tara Thompson Public Information Officer Layout/Design/Photography Adam J. Foreman Graphic Artist/Publications Specialist Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jarod Mendenhall Board of Education Cheryl Kelly, President Shari Wilkins, Vice President Jerry Denton, Clerk Sharon Whelpley, Deputy Clerk Steve Allen, Member The ARROWPOINT is published by the Communications Department of Broken Arrow Public Schools and is distributed to approximately 45,000 households in the Broken Arrow school district. The ARROWPOINT is printed at Alpha Graphics, and is the official communication tool for parents, students, staff and patrons of Broken Arrow Public Schools. Any information, content and photos contained herein are property of Broken Arrow Schools and are to be used by outside sources only with permission of the Communications Department. All contents are copyrighted.

Broken Arrow Public Schools (BAPS) does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or age in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following people at BAPS have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: The Executive Director of Human Resources should be contacted for all non-student and/or employment related issues at 918-259-5700 or at 701 South Main Street, Broken Arrow, OK 74012. The Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services should be contacted for all student issues except those related to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 at 918-259-5700 or at 701 South Main Street, Broken Arrow, OK 74012. The Director of Special Education should be contacted for all student issues related to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 at 918-259-5700 or at 701 South Main Street, Broken Arrow, OK 74012. Inquiries concerning non-discrimination can also be made to the United States Department of Education’s Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights.

Broken Arrow Public Schools Education Service Center 701 South Main Street Broken Arrow, OK 74012 (918) 259-5700 | F: (918) 258-0399 www.baschools.org

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SUPERINTENDENT

The past few months have been anything but dull for Broken Arrow Public Schools. For starters, we have construction taking place all across the district. Lynn Wood, Vandever, Rhoades, Arrowhead, Leisure Park, Park Lane, South Intermediate, Spring Creek – all these sites are currently under construction. These improvements and expansions are made possible by the voters of Broken Arrow who passed a bond issue in 2009 and approved the reorganization of that bond issue in 2011. By the summer of 2012, 19 of the 25 Broken Arrow school sites will be under construction, and the entire scope of construction projects will not be completed until 2014.

While I’m on the topic of construction, I think it’s worthwhile to mention another building project that’s a bit less visible. At the January board meeting, the Board of Education took action to begin the process of creating a strategic plan for the district. It has been more than a decade since the last strategic plan was put into place, and I believe this is a very important tool needed to guide our district. This will be an arduous process that involves many stakeholders, including members of the community. While it will no doubt be difficult, I believe it will be tremendously rewarding.

This month also begins the excitement of the legislative session. District staff members are working to research and keep up with the many bills that will impact education, and I encourage you to become involved as well. If you would like to learn more about the bills that will have a direct impact on your student, I encourage you to become involved with the Tulsa Area Parent Legislative Action Committee (PLAC). The PLAC is a nonpartisan, parent-led group who works to educate themselves and others about educational issues. They meet once a month, and beginning this month, they will actually travel to the Capital to converse with legislators about specific bills. Currently, there are about 70 parents from at least 10 different school districts involved in this group, and their mission is to improve public education for all Oklahoma students. To find out more information about the group, send an e-mail to TulsaAreaPLAC@yahoo.com.

Finally, be sure to visit our website at www.baschools.org to review the 2012-2013 calendar which was recently board-approved. If you were one of the nearly 2,000 people who participated in the survey, thank you for sharing your opinions. The first day of school will again be in late August, Thursday 23, in order to take advantage of available funding. Parent teacher conferences will follow the evening/morning pattern – the first day of conferences will take place on an evening, followed by morning conferences the next day when students are not in session. The winter break will span two full weeks, and the tentative last day of school is May 31.

In summary, it’s an exciting time to be a Tiger, and I look forward to the final few months of this school year.

Sincerely,

Dr. Jarod Mendenhall, Superintendent of Schools

ARROWPOINT MAGAZINE • PAGE TWO

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

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New Reading Buddies program aims to give extra literacy support with the help of volunteers, groups

Reading is a critical component of every child’s education, because a student’s ability to read affects their success in every subject. From word problems in math, to charts in science, to maps in geography, a student who struggles to read will face unnecessary challenges in every class and subject.

The development of reading skills begins very early in a child’s life, and parents are typically the first teachers. Once in school and receiving high quality reading instruction, children still need the extra support outside the classroom and additional practice during the school day. To address this need, the Broken Arrow Public School District is launching a new program called Reading Buddies.

“The Partners In Education Program, now encompasses both business partners and individuals, and Reading Buddies is a program in which both groups can participate,” said Volunteer Coordinator Jo McCord. “Volunteers are invited to visit the elementary schools during specific time frames to read to students of various ages and skill levels or to simply sit and listen as students read to them.”

Each elementary school site has its own way of utilizing Reading Buddies at different times throughout the school day. With so many options available, volunteers are sure to find a site that will best meet their schedule and comfort level.

“We would greatly appreciate anyone willing to spend time reading to entire classes or small groups,” said Leisure Park Principal Janet Dotson. “Volunteers can also help students by listening to them read while a teacher is in the classroom and working with other students. Students learn at different paces and by using different learning styles, but the one thing they all need is practice.”

Reading Buddies is open to any person willing to volunteer a bit of time. Even companies and organizations are invited to participate by bringing a portion of or their entire staff to a school site to read to students.

“To participate, we simply need the volunteer to fill out the Volunteer Contract and Affidavit forms which can be found online or in my office at the Education Service Center. These are very simple forms that just take a few minutes to complete,” McCord said. “I can then help the person contact the individual at the school site who will help them find their niche as part of the Reading Buddies program.”

To learn more about becoming a Reading Buddy, contact McCord at 918-259-5700 or jmccord@baschools.org. Patrons can also visit the BAPS website and click on “Community” then “Partners In Education.”

check it out

Click on the above QR code using a smart phone to access a schedule of the Reading Buddies program.

ARROWPOINT MAGAZINE • PAGE THREE

LENDING

Three local businesses help set the standard for the stellar Partners In Education program in Broken Arrow Public Schools

ARROWPOINT MAGAZINE • PAGE FOUR

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A HELPING H

Funding in education has historically been a roller coaster ride for school districts, but the Broken Arrow Public School district enjoys the constant support of numerous local businesses and individuals who are part of the Partners in Education Program.

At the highest level of sponsorship, three local businesses are using their resources to positively impact students and staff across the district.

Owned by Brad and Karen Bouse, Charlie’s Chicken has been partnering with the district, and specifically Spring Creek Elementary, for almost a decade. The Bouses have not only provided the students and staff at Spring Creek with food for all their events, such as carnivals, teacher lunches, and PTA fundraisers, they have also provided gift cards to teachers, donated food and clothing

for needy students, sponsored field trips, purchased classroom supplies.

“Spring Creek is so blessed to have Charlie’s Chicken as a Partner in Education.

It is one thing to be a ‘partner’ and provide all the great things they do for us, but Karen and Brad go way beyond that…they give from their hearts,” says Sherri Kindley, principal at Spring Creek.

While they hold a special place for Spring Creek, the Bouses work with the Partners in Education (PIE) program to provide meals for district events such as the Back-toSchool Secretary Luncheon, the Community Leadership Program and ACT student workshops. They feed the Pride and football team each year, and sponsor many other district events.

“We joined the Partners in Education

HAND Program to allow our restaurant to help the Broken Arrow school district’s students and teachers in many different ways,” says Karen Blouse. “This program enables us to give back to the community what this community has given us.”

James Matthews, owner of Matthews Ford, joined the Partners in Education Program last year with a very exciting donation – a brand new Ford Escape. Matthews agree to donate the vehicle as part of the Teacher of the Year Program. Kyla Leeburg, the 2011 District Teacher of the Year, was shocked when the curtain was pulled to reveal the car which she was given to drive for the year.

“Most of us have children, and we realize how much these teachers shape our kids,” Matthews said. “It’s a great way to show appreciation for the best of the best.”

Matthews Ford has been in the Broken Arrow Community for six years, and being in the auto business, Matthews said the idea for the car “just made sense.”

“This partnership gives our company more exposure to the community while also showing the teachers how much we appreciate them,” said Matthews.

AVB Bank opened a Main Street location in 1905, two years before Oklahoma’s statehood, and was the first business to become a Partner in Education in 1994.

In its long history with the Partners Program, AVB Bank has supported the district in a variety of ways. AVB Bank became the first multi-year Season Sponsor for the Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center (BAPAC) in the facility’s inaugural season, their employees roll out the grill to offer staff members a tasty treat during Teacher Appreciation Week and they have developed the annual “Shop With A Banker” program where three teachers are selected to go on a shopping spree for back-to-school room supplies.

Although their partnership benefits the entire district, the representatives of AVB Bank can be seen most often at Rhoades Elementary and Childers Middle School – the two school sites closest to their Broken Arrow branch locations.

“We are pleased to have been in on the

ground floor of such a collaborative effort, between local businesses and schools, to foster a healthy relationship between community and education,” said Kelley Rash, AVB Bank Chairman of the Board. “We continue our

support and encourage other local businesses to consider a partnership.”

ARROWPOINT MAGAZINE • PAGE FIVE

snapshots of

Sharon Whelpley retiring from Board after 20 years of dedication

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Sharon Whelpley began her 20 year career as a member of the Broken Arrow School Board in the early months of 1992.

“I wasn’t alone in that first campaign,” Whelpley remembers. “My family and friends went right along with me knocking on doors and braving the cold weather and even poison ivy to gain support for my bid at a seat on the board.”

Their efforts paid off.

Whelpley defeated the three other candidates and was sworn in during the summer of 1992.

Prior to running for the school board, Whelpley worked in the district for 10 years, and as her children attended BAPS, she was actively involved in various extra-curricular activities.

Despite a busy schedule, she found time for involvement in numerous legislative initiatives and believes this experience led her into a new role as a board member.

ARROWPOINT MAGAZINE • PAGE SIX

SERVICE

“As a parent visiting with legislators, I was a voice for my children,” Whelpley said. “As a board member, I was a voice for the thousands of Broken Arrow students, and I was always willing to fight for them just as ferociously as if they were my own children. What’s best for students – that’s the question I have constantly posed to our elected officials.”

Much has changed in the 20 years Whelpley has served the community in her role as a board member, 20 years that seemed to her, as if little more than a blink.

“I remember that one of the first items we discussed as a board was the need for air conditioning in some of the modular buildings,” she recalls.

“So, running a bond issue in 2009 to completely eliminate

modulars was, for me, coming full circle.”

Throughout her tenure, Whelpley has remained a passionate champion of public education, and one of the things she will miss the most is participating in the graduation ceremony.

“Every child deserves the opportunity to receive the highest quality education our nation can offer, and walking across the stage at graduation is just the beginning for these young men and women,” Whelpley said. “Education is an important part of the foundation of our great country, and although there have been many positive changes in the past 20 years, there is always room for improvement. Never stop learning.”

Q&A NEW BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBER

Steve Majors looks forward to helping students, district

Tell us a little about your background.

I grew up in Tulsa and graduated from East Central High School in 1978.

I went to the University of Oklahoma for one year on a baseball scholarship then transferred to Westark Community College which is now University of Arkansas at Fort Smith. While in Arkansas, I played ball for one year before suffering a knee surgery that ended my athletic career. I went on to graduate from Spartan School of Aeronautics, and shortly after graduation, I married my beautiful wife Sheryl. We moved to Broken Arrow in 1981. I currently work as the Plant Manager for P&M Industries, which is a metal fabrication company that creates products for the oil and gas industry.

What motivated you to run for a seat on the Board of Education?

The kids: that’s the thing that motivated me to run for the board. I enjoy watching kids experience success at the things they have been taught. I have coached several sports at the youth and high school levels, and I always got pleasure out of teaching the kids how to play and then watching them become successful both on and off the field. I feel very strongly that kids today must have the best education possible to be successful in life.

What about your new role is most exciting to you; and what makes you the most nervous?

Since I can’t teach and don’t coach anymore, the thing I’m most excited about is the fact that I will have a voice in making sure the kids are receiving the best possible education and have the resources they need to be successful. The thing that makes me the most nervous is voting on something that turns out to be the wrong thing for the students and teachers. I really hope that doesn’t ever happen, and I plan to do my best to be as educated as possible on each issue that comes before the board.

Tell us a little about your family. Do you have children? Grandchildren?

Family pets? Hobbies?

My wife and I have two boys, Mick and Matt, and one daughter-in-law, Audra. Mick graduated from Broken Arrow in 2003 and the University of Central Oklahoma in 2008. He currently works for Paycom in OKC, and he was elected to the BA Athletic Hall of Fame in 2011. Matt is currently a 9th grader at South Intermediate and plays soccer. I have one grandson named Peyton who is almost two months old, and we have a beagle named Maggie. When I’m not working, you might find me on the golf course or cheering on my Sooners at an OU game.

In what areas does the district excel, and in what areas would you like to see improvements?

I think it’s a little too early for me to say what the district excels in or where we need to improve. As a parent and Broken Arrow citizen, I have my opinions, but until I start working as a Board Member and begin to understand the hows and whys of school business, I don’t think I can honestly answer that question.

What do you believe is your most important duty as a board member?

Without a doubt, my most important duty as a board member will be to make sure the students and teachers have all the things they need to be successful.

ARROWPOINT MAGAZINE • PAGE SEVEN

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