Putnam City announced summer feeding dates

Here’s a news release from Putnam City Schools about the district’s summer feeding program:

Eight Putnam City schools are participating in a summer food service program that will provide free breakfasts and lunches to children in much of June.

Anyone 18 or younger is eligible for free meals at any district school hosting the program. Children who wish to take advantage of the free meals may simply show up at the school during the designated times. They do not need to be enrolled in the school, nor is there an application required to receive the free meals. The meals provided will be the same for all children regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability.

Meals will be provided at the locations, times and dates shown below:

Central Elementary School, 5721 N.W. 39th

Breakfast: 8 to 8:30 a.m.

Lunch: 11:30 a.m. to noon

Dates: Monday, June 3 – Friday, June 21 (No meals on Saturdays or Sundays)

Hilldale Elementary School, 4801 N.W. 16th

Breakfast: 8 to 8:30 a.m.

Lunch: 11:30 a.m. to noon

Dates: Monday, June 3 – Friday, June 21 (No meals on Saturdays or Sundays)

Northridge Elementary School, 8501 N.W. 82nd

Breakfast: 8 to 8:30 a.m.

Lunch: 11:30 a.m. to noon

Dates: Monday, June 3 – Friday, June 21 (No meals on Saturdays or Sundays)

Rollingwood Elementary School, 6301 N. Ann Arbor

Breakfast: 8 to 8:30 a.m.

Lunch: 11:30 a.m. to noon

Dates: Monday, June 3 – Friday, June 21 (No meals on Saturdays or Sundays)

Western Oaks Elementary School, 7210 N.W. 23rd

Breakfast: 8 to 8:30 a.m.

Lunch: 11:30 a.m. to noon

Dates: Monday, June 3 – Friday, June 21 (No meals on Saturdays or Sundays)

Hefner Middle School, 8400 N. MacArthur

Breakfast: 7:30 to 8 a.m.

Lunch: 11:30 a.m. to noon

Dates: Monday, June 3 – Friday, June 21 (No meals on Saturdays or Sundays)

Western Oaks Middle School, 7200 N.W. 23rd

Breakfast: 7:30 to 8 a.m.

Lunch: 11:30 a.m. to noon

Dates: Monday, June 3 – Friday, June 21 (No meals on Saturdays or Sundays)

Putnam City West High School, 8500 N.W. 23rd

Breakfast: 7:30 to 8 a.m.

Lunch: 11:30 a.m. to noon

Dates: Monday, June 3 – Thursday, June 27 (No meals on Saturdays or Sundays)

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Janet Barresi offers help for schools affected by tornados

We’ve heard that tornadoes have damaged several schools during this three-day sweep of storms, and the state Education Department sent out this notice this afternoon:

The Oklahoma State Department of Education is expressing great concern for all Oklahomans affected by the tornados today and yesterday. “This has just been devastating and a horrible reminder of the May 3rd tornados. My staff and I stand ready to offer full support to any school districts that have experienced injuries or damages from these terrible tornados,” State Superintendent Janet Barresi says.

“Right now we are waiting for word of exactly what has happened at Briarwood Elementary School in Moore as well as pulling together information about school districts that may have suffered damage yesterday in Carney, Bethel, Dale, Little Axe, Shawnee and other areas. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone who has been affected by these deadly tornados,” adds Superintendent Barresi.

The Oklahoma State Department of Education stands ready to assist affected school districts. Those in need of assistance in the aftermath of the tornados may call (405) 521-3301.

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Tulsa outlines summer feeding program

Here’s a news release from Tulsa Public Schools about where to go for free meals during the summer:

TULSA, Okla. – During the school year, 85 percent of students in Tulsa Public Schools are reliant upon free and reduced price meals. Ever wonder what those same kids do for meals during the summer? Sadly many often go hungry.

To help make sure no child goes hungry over the summer, TPS Child Nutrition Services is a sponsor for the Summer Food Service Program.

The Summer Food Service Program for children is a federally-funded program operated nationally by the United States Department of Agriculture. Free meals will be served to all children 18 years of age or younger at any approved meal site.

TPS will operate the Summer Café program at 65 sites this year from June 3-July 26. Lunch only or lunch and breakfast options will be served at various times at the different sites.

In 2012, the Summer Café program served 81,690 breakfasts and 121,201 lunches in the Tulsa community.

2013 Summer Cafe Site list:

SITE ADDRESS TELEPHONE DAYS IN OPERATION
Antioch Baptist Church 110 E. 56th St. N. 918-582-0768 June 10-July 19
Apache Community Center 2402 N. Marion Ave. 918-836-0249 June 3-July 26
Bradford Apartments 550 E. 32nd St. N. 918-425-0720 June 3-July 26
Celia Clinton Elementary School 1740 N. Harvard Ave. 918-746-9338 June 3-July 26
Church of God in Christ 1101 E. Apache St. 918-425-9141 June 3-July 26
Church of the Living God 1559 E. Reading St. 918-584-3206 June 17-July 3
Comanche Park 3608 N. Quaker Ave. 918-425-0736 June 3-July 26
Community Action Resource Association 3636 N. Peoria Ave. 918-428-5255 June 3-July 26
Cooper Elementary School 1808 S. 123rd E. Ave. 918-746-9480 June 17-July 12
Deborah Brown Community School 2 S. Elgin Ave. 918-425-1407 June 3-June 28
Divine Inheritance Ministry 3 N. Phoenix Ave. 918-561-6187 July 9-July 25
East Central Community Center 12330 E. Archer St. 918-438-4023 June 3-July 26
Edenwood Apartments 2171 N. Hartford Ave. 918-583-4306 June 3-July 26
Emerson Elementary School 909 N. Boston Ave. 918-925-1320 June 24-July 26
Eugene Field Elementary School 2249 S. Phoenix Ave. 918-746-8840 June 3-July 26
Full Gospel Christian Child Care 1609 N. Evanston Pl. 918-834-2325 June 3-July 26
Gilcrease Hills Baptist Church 2001 W. Newton St. 918-583-6552 June 3-July 26
Greenwood Cultural Center 322 N. Greenwood Ave. 918-596-1020 June 3-June 28
Grimes Elementary School 3213 E. 56th St. 918-746-8732 June 3-July 26
Hamilton Elementary School 2316 N. Norwood Pl. 918-746-9440 June 17-July 12
Hawthorne Elementary School 1105 E. 33rd St. N. 918-925-1340 June 17-July 12
Holsey Chapel  CME Church 1804 E. 48th St. N. 918-425-6151 June 5-July 26
Hoover Elementary School 2327 S. Darlington Ave. 918-747-7780 June 3-July 26
Hutcherson YMCA 1120 E. Pine St. 918-382-9622 July  9-July 26
In The Spirit Christian Church 1020 S. Garnett Rd. 918-836-6823 June 3-July 26
Jackson Elementary School 2137 N Pittsburgh Ave. 918-746-9340 July 15-July 26
John 3:16 Mission 2027 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. 918-587-1186 June 10-July 25
Kendall-Whittier Elementary School 2601 E. 5th Pl. 918-833-9900 June 10-July 26
Key Elementary School 5702 S. Irvington Ave. 918-833-9480 June 17-July 12
Lanier Elementary School 1727 S. Harvard Ave. 918-833-9398 June 3-July 26
Learning Kurve Child Care Center 1619 N. Boston Pl. 918-794-7754 June 3-July 26
Livingstone Baptist Church 6021 N. Osage Dr. 918-428-2652 July 9-July 26
London Square Apartments 2217 E. 59th St. 918-748-8009 June 3-July 26
McClure Elementary School 1770 E. 61st St. 918-746-8760 June 17-July 12
McKinley Elementary School 6703 E. King St. 918-833-8720 June 3-June 13
McLain High School for Science &Technology 4929 N. Peoria Ave. 918-833-8500 June 17-July 12
Memorial High School 5840 S. Hudson Ave. 918-833-9480 June 17-July 11
Metropolitan Baptist Church 1228 W. Apache St. 918-425-5403 June 3-July 25
Mohawk Manor 3637 N. Birmingham Ave. 918-425-1723 June 3-July 26
Nathan Hale High School 6960 E. 21st St. 918-925-1200 June 17-July 12
New Beginnings Christian Church 4606 N. Hartford Ave. 918-779-6270 June 3-July 26
Parkview Terrace 1615 W. 59th St. 918-446-6830 June 3-July 26
Penn Elementary School 2138 E. 48th St. N. 918-951-5189 June 17-July 26
Remington Elementary School 2524 W. 53rd St. 918-746-8880 June 3-June 7
Riverview Park 2212 S. Jackson Ave. 918-587-5113 June 3-July 26
Robertson Elementary School 2721 W. 50th St. 918-746-8900 June 17-July 12
Robyn’s Nest  Child Development Center 4903 S. Cincinnati Ave. 918-712-1135 June 3-July 26
Will Rogers Early College High School 3909 E. 5th Pl. 918-833-9000 June 17-July 12
Ross Child Nutrition Center 8934 E. Latimer St. 918-833-6679 June 3-July 26
Salvation Army North Mabee Boys & Girls Club 3001 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. 918-425-7534 June 3-July 26
Sandy Park 6301 W. 11th Pl. 918-245-4144 June 3-July 26
Seminole Hills 1624 E. Virgin St. 918-587-1259 June 3- July 26
Sister D’s Playhouse & Learning Center 5039 N. Peoria Ave. 918-425-7900 June 3-July 26
Skelly Elementary School 2940 S. 90th E. Ave. 918-402-2576 June 3-July 12
Skelly Primary Elementary School 2714 S. 90th E. Ave. 918-925-1560 June 17-July 12
South Haven Recreation Center 4012 W. 56th Pl. 918-446-7139 June 3-July 26
Southern Hills United Methodist Church 6160 S. Lewis Ave. 918-743-2013 June 3-July 25
Springdale Elementary School 2510 E. Pine St. 918-378-1934 June 10-July 26
St. Matthews United Methodist Church 12424 E. 31st St. 918-622-8703 June 3-July 26
Sts. Peter & Paul Day Camp 1428 N. 67th E. Ave. 918-836-3114 June 3-July 26
Towne Square Apartments 1607 E. Young Pl. 918-425-8200 June 3-July 26
Tulsa Community College Northeast Campus 3727 E Apache St. 918-595-8487 June 10-July 12
Wesley United Methodist Church 2750 N. Cincinnati Ave. 918-734-0471 June 3-July 26
World Won Summer Camp 5484 N. Madison  Ave. 918-430-3947 June 3-July 26
YMCA Westside 5400 S. Olympia Ave. 918-728-3926 June 3-July 26

 

Additional information about Summer Café is available at www.tulsaschools.org/summercafe.

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The future of Classen School of Advanced Studies

The Oklahoma City School Board voted to deny out-of-district transfers to Classen School of Advanced Studies for the 2013-14 school year. (Kiddos who already go there will be allowed to keep attending.) But the decision has been controversial and has lots of parents asking questions about the future of the school. On Friday morning, PTSA President Dixie Hendrix sent out this statement in the school’s weekly newsletter:

There have been numerous rumors of late, and I would like to address the most recent one regarding the future of Classen: No Classen PTSA officers have talked about or have ANY intention of applying for Classen SAS to become an enterprise or charter school. NO PLANS WHAT SO EVER!!! I have heard nothing from anyone who has any plans to do this. And I will not support any attempt to do so.

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Oklahoma Speaker T.W. Shannon coming out against Common Core

A tweet from the Oklahoma Speaker of the House is all the buzz in state education circles. Here’s what T.W. Shannon said Wednesday:

Common Core 1

Common Core is a set of national education standards that many states have adopted, including Oklahoma. It was adopted here as part of the Race to the Top grant competition in 2010 but hasn’t been implemented by all Oklahoma school districts yet.

I asked for a response to Speaker Shannon from state schools Superintendent Janet Barresi, and her spokeswoman sent this:

Superintendent Barresi looks forward to continuing discussions with Speaker Shannon about the work of the Department of Education to ensure more rigorous Oklahoma academic standards for the success of Oklahoma’s children.

Speaker Shannon tweeted about Common Core again today, and he linked to this story.

Common Core 2

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Roosevelt Elementary teacher named Norman Teacher of the Year

Norman Public Schools has announced the Teacher of the Year. Here’s the info:

Norman Public Schools named Roosevelt third grade teacher Brooke Brown as its 2013-2014 Teacher of the Year amid ceremonies last night at its annual Celebration of Excellence banquet.

The event was held at the National Center for Employee Development (Postal Training Center) in Norman and Brown was one of five finalists for the district’s top teaching honor. The other finalists were Calypso Gilstrap, a library media specialist at Norman High; Suzanne Price, a counselor at Truman Primary; Donna Quee, an anatomy/physiology teacher from Norman North; and Amy Young, a Cleveland Elementary fifth grade teacher.

Brown has been employed with NPS since 2008. She previously worked for Yukon Public Schools and has taught 1st, 2nd and third grades in her nine total years of teaching. She is a National Board certified teacher and earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Central Oklahoma.

In the portfolio she submitted for the Teacher of the Year competition, Brown wrote: “Because my level of enthusiasm usually determines the success of a lesson, I make a conscious effort to model a love of learning for my students. A majority of third grade content is brand new, therefore, I facilitate numerous breakthrough moments. It is so rewarding to watch eyes light up as they discover an interesting science concept, write their name in cursive for the first time, or gain fact power with multiplication facts. … Although I’ve taught in two schools with widely varying needs, my philosophy has remianed the same with regard to ‘how I want to be remembered’ by my students. It is my hope that by teaching the essentials of love, life and learning, I am shaping the next generation of young leaders and learners.”

Brown and the other four finalists were chosen from a pool of NPS school site Teachers of the Year, and Brown emerged after a competitive process involving a written portfolio, video and individual interviews with the district’s Staff Development Committee. She will now be NPS’ representative in the state Teacher of the Year program, which is an affiliate of the national Teacher of the Year program.

Both Superintendent Dr. Joe Siano and NPS Director of Professional Development and Student Assessment Beth Spears said the district’s Staff Development Committee had a tough task selecting one Teacher of the Year from the five finalists.

“Brooke will be an excellent representative of the Norman Public Schools and we congratulate her on this much-deserved honor,” Siano said. “I know that she agrees that her four colleagues who were also finalists are also exemplary teachers and we are so fortunate to have them all on our team. As I do every year, I also feel fortunate that I have no part in the selection of finalists or the Teacher of the Year. Selecting just one among a pool of so many great teachers is not an enviable task.”

Brooke Brown

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Cherokee Nation gives $3.2 million to Oklahoma schools

The Cherokee Nation donated about $3.2 million to more than 90 Oklahoma school districts this month. The money comes from tribal car license plates. About a third of tag sales are designated for education. Grants are awarded based on the number of Cherokee students enrolled. Here’s a breakdown of the grants the tribe awarded this year.

Adair Public Schools $38,492.19
Afton Public Schools $13,585.48
Bartlesville Public Schools $32,498.60
Belfonte Public School $21,443.75
Bluejacket Public Schools $7,991.46
Braggs Public Schools $5,194.45
Briggs Public School $27,037.77
Brushy Public School $10,655.28
Caney Valley Public Schools $18,779.93
Catoosa Public Schools $43,420.26
Cave Springs School $10,655.28
Central Public Schools $23,974.38
Chelsea Public Schools $43,020.69
Cherokee Nation Head Start $86,307.76
Cherokee Nation Immersion $26,638.20
Cherokee Nation Sequoyah High School $97,495.80
Chouteau-Mazie Schools $26,638.20
Claremore Public School $107,485.12
Cleora School $4,395.30
Colcord Public Schools $26,371.81
Collinsville Public Schools $50,213.00
Copan Public Schools $4,528.49
Dahlonegah Public School $13,718.67
Dewey Public Schools $15,450.15
Fairland Public Schools $20,511.41
Fort Gibson Public Schools $85,774.99
Foyil Public Schools $23,707.99
Gans Public School $12,919.53
Gore Public Schools $26,638.20
Grandview Public School $33,430.94
Greasy Public School $2,131.06
Grove Public Schools $70,191.65
Hilldale Public Schools $62,599.76
Hulbert Public Schools $43,953.02
Inola Public Schools $30,367.54
Jay Public Schools $84,309.89
Justus-Tiawah Schools $14,118.24
Kansas Public Schools $49,147.47
Kenwood School $7,325.50
Ketchum Public Schools $27,836.92
Keys Public Schools $55,940.21
Leach School $11,854.00
Liberty Public School $5,194.45
Locust Grove Public Schools $85,242.23
Lowrey Public School $3,196.58
Marble City Schools $8,257.84
Maryetta Public School $65,929.54
Miami Public Schools $29,568.40
Moffett Public School $7,059.12
Moseley School $7,991.46
Muldrow Public Schools $51,944.48
Muskogee Public Schools $96,297.08
Norwood Public School $11,188.04
Nowata Public Schools $38,891.77
Oaks Mission Schools $10,921.66
OK School for the Blind $932.35
Okay Public Schools $15,583.34
Oklahoma Union Public Schools $21,976.51
Oologah-Talala Public Schools $38,891.77
Osage Hills School $3,729.35
Osage School $11,454.42
Owasso Public Schools $83,510.75
Peavine Public School $9,722.94
Peggs Public School $13,851.86
Porum Public Schools $16,515.68
Pryor Public Schools $94,299.22
Rocky Mountain School $15,183.77
Roland Public Schools $33,830.51
Salina Public Schools $49,680.24
Sallisaw Public Schools $81,779.26
Sequoyah Public Schools $44,219.41
Shady Grove Public School $10,788.47
Skelly Public School $2,397.44
Skiatook Public Schools $42,487.92
South Coffeyville Public Schools $5,327.64
Spavinaw School $4,128.92
Sperry Public Schools $22,242.89
Stilwell Public Schools $88,305.62
Tahlequah Public Schools $182,338.45
Tenkiller Public School $22,109.70
Tulsa Public Schools $29,035.63
Verdigris Public Schools $22,376.09
Vian Public Schools $54,608.30
Vinita Public Schools $61,667.42
Wagoner Public Schools $51,145.34
Warner Public Schools $33,963.70
Watts Public Schools $13,052.72
Webbers Falls Public Schools $11,587.62
Welch Public Schools $11,454.42
Westville Public Schools $65,663.15
White Oak Public Schools $1,331.91
Wickliffe School $7,991.46
Woodall Public School $35,961.57
Zion Public School $24,507.14
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Bomb/gunman threat at Tulsa Union a hoax

Here’s information from the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office:

On Thursday, March 28, 2013, at approximately 1:30pm (1330 hours) Tulsa County Sheriff’s Deputies/Dispatch received a call from an AT&T operator indicating that she had received an internet call placed from a person claiming to be a Union Student. The caller gave information suggesting that there were two individuals in the building, one with a gun and one with a bomb. The caller indicated that they had heard shots and heard a large amount of screaming coming from an area within the school.

Tulsa County Sheriff’s Deputies assigned as School Resource Officers responded to the area of the suggested incident within two minutes of receiving the information. Additional Tulsa County Sheriff’s Deputies responded along with numerous Tulsa Police Officers and conducted a complete and thorough search of the Union High School campus determining that the information they had received was false and that there was no threat to Union Students. This search was concluded at 2:14pm (1414 hours).

School Superintendent Dr. Burden and other Union School Officials are on site and will administratively be releasing students in conjunction with their regular school day. Union school officials will be putting out a press release informing parents of the administrative processes that took place.

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Representative, education group plan rally against Common Core

Here’s information out of the House of Representatives about a rally Wednesday:

Common Core will make sweeping changes to the education system in Oklahoma and the nation, but the cost-benefit analysis of these changes has yet to be scrutinized, according to one state lawmaker.

A rally will be held at noon, Wednesday, March 27, 2013, in the Oklahoma State Capitol building, Second Floor, west hallway of the Supreme Court offices. This rally will be sponsored by state Rep. Gus Blackwell (R-Laverne) and Restore Oklahoma Public Education (R.O.P.E.). Blackwell, Glenda Murphey, the Reverend Paul Blair, Traci Montgomery and Jenni White will be speaking about problems with the Common Core agenda.

Common Core was written into state law in 2010. It was one of four education ‘reform’ measures necessary to make the state competitive for a federal Race to the Top, Common Core became law before the standards were available for review or any research had been accumulated on their efficacy or cost. Oklahoma never received that grant. Now that the Common Core and its testing arm, PARCC, are being instituted across the state, districts must have hundreds of thousands of dollars in eRate grants and writing school bond initiatives to fund these mandates. Oklahoma taxpayers are being asked to fund these reforms through property tax, cell phone plans and an increase in the state education budget. The total cost of which is still unknown.

The Common Core changes will also necessitate changes to the increased collection of personal student data, student testing, teacher evaluation, and school performance. At a conference attended by Blackwell and sponsored by Common Core advocates, in the summer of 2012, Common Core was likened to the hull of a ship sailing out of a harbor, while still under construction.

“The fact of the matter is: Few people know the extent of the changes, driven by the private groups advocating this change, which will result in large profits for a few private companies.” Blackwell said.

This year, Blackwell authored House Bill 1907 to create a task force to study the cost of Common Core. Though the bill passed its committee hearing unanimously, Blackwell learned it would not be heard in the state Senate. Blackwell was able to reach an agreement with House leadership authorizing a long-overdue extended legislative study on the costs of Common Core in Oklahoma schools.

“I do not think Oklahomans want to relinquish the local control of their schools or the state-guidance of standards to the nationalization of education, by a handful of elitists in Washington, D.C.,” Blackwell said. “The Common Core State Standards must be brought to bear under public scrutiny before we move further into its implementation. Taxpayers should not bear the brunt of a program for which we know little about, even three years after its inception.”

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Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb talks about school security

Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb put out his monthly column recently. Here it is:

As parents we want our children to be healthy and to do well academically, but our first priority is for our children to be safe and secure during their school day. Following the tragic event in Newtown, Connecticut last December, Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman and House Speaker T.W. Shannon asked me to chair the Oklahoma Commission on School Security (OCSS). The OCSS was a statewide, nonpartisan commission comprised of 22 professionals from various fields including local school personnel, law enforcement, emergency response, mental health and parents.

I previously served as a special agent with the United States Secret Service. As state senator, I was the principal author of the Oklahoma School Security Act. School security has been a focus of mine for many years.

The OCSS members sacrificed their time and provided their expertise to conduct a several week comprehensive analysis of this very important issue. Commission meetings included speaker testimony and discussion on the various factors related to school security including but not limited to public safety, access control, physical assessments, training, mental health and local control.

The OCSS was given a March deadline in order for recommendations to be placed in bills this legislative session. After hearing expert testimony and completing their study, the OCSS released five policy recommendations in the 2013 Report of the Oklahoma Commission on School Security:

1) Formation of the Oklahoma School Security Institute (OSSI)

2) Establish a Mental Health First Aid Training Pilot Program

3) Amend and change state law to consolidate and require safety drills

4) Require the reporting of illegal firearms found on school property to local law enforcement

5) Establish a school security tip line

At the time of printing deadline, I am happy to report that the recommendations have received unanimous support in the State Senate and will now move to the State House for consideration.

No policy can prevent evil from occurring, but the OCSS’s hope is that these recommendations will mitigate and lessen the potential of future large scale school violence. We want our children to be not only healthy and thrive in our great state, but we want to make sure they remain safe and secure during their school day.

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