2009 K20 Winter Institute
Hundreds of people are expected to attend the ninth annual K20 Winter Institute, which will bring people from education, government, business, and non-profit agencies together to examine and discuss ways to prepare students for the modern and future workplace.
The institute is scheduled 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, at the new Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center, 2501 Conference Drive, in Norman. It’s open to anyone from any discipline who is interested in learning about advances in education.
Participants can attend any number of 60 sessions, and the registration cost including lunch is $25. To register, see the session titles and schedule, or for any other information, visit http://k20winterinstitute.com or call 325-1267.
– Staff writer James S. Tyree
Oklahoma Christian will hold grant workshop
Oklahoma Christian University will host the Grants8manship Training Program from March 16-20 in the Gaylord Student Center on the OC campus.
“With tight state and federal funding, we must acquire the skills to compete for limited resources,” Jo Griffin, the university’s foundation and corporate relations director, said in a news release.
The cost is $895 for the workshop tuition and one year of membership benefits and services from the Grantsmanship Center.
The workshop helps grant seekers learn how to properly search for grants, write proposals and negotiate with funding sources.
Registration is limited to 30 participants. For more information, call 425-5119 or (800) 421-9512.
Sandy Garrett’s Weekly Column
Voting Makes a Difference
On Tuesday, February 10, Oklahomans have an opportunity to make a difference in their communities by voting in local school board elections.
Registered voters will decide which candidates will be the strongest representatives and select the best choices for the children in school districts across our state.
School board candidates should be willing to put the time and effort into being an effective member and their main concern is the academic success of each student in the district.
For more information on the qualifications, requirements or duties of a school board member, please visit the State Department of Education’s Web site at <www.sde.state.ok.us> or call (405) 521-3331.Elections for school board members usually take place on the second Tuesday of February and, if needed, run-off elections are held, the first Tuesday in April (April 7).
In order to cast a ballot, you must be a registered voter in Oklahoma.
There is still time to contact your county election board for more information on registration.
Being a school board member is both demanding and challenging.
Important, sometimes tough, decisions must be made on local policies that adhere to state and federal laws and directly impact boys and girls.
Members make decisions regarding personnel and how to best use local, state and federal funding for school operations.
Serving on a school board requires commitment and work to be effective.
Numerous meetings are held throughout the year and appearances requested at local school or community events, as well as meetings with citizens and
civic leaders.
Voting is one of the single most important rights and privileges we have in America and one of our responsibilities as citizens in a democratic republic. By voting, we are able to express our individual opinions on important issues while also making a difference in our future.
Remember Oklahoma’s children and your community need your vote, Feb. 10, 2009.
Oklahoma Christian University counselor to appear on Food Network
By Tim Henley, staff writer
Matt Johns had no problem consuming 1,500 calories in a single meal. Multiple trips to a local fast food restaurant were an essential part of his daily routine.
When the Oklahoma Christian University admissions counselor tipped the scale at 242 pounds last January, he knew it was time to make a lifestyle change.
Johns, 25, gradually eliminated fast food trips from his routine and started exercising regularly. Four months later, he weighed 225 pounds.
He heard representatives from the Food Network were having casting call interviews to select someone who was willing to have their weight loss documented. Johns attended the interview in May, and he was selected.
“They said I was the only one who didn’t cry in the audition, and they wanted someone upbeat,” Johns said.
The crew filmed Johns’ weight loss journey from the end of May through the beginning of August as his weight dropped from 225 to 206 pounds.
They filmed him at home, followed him to work, documented his fitness routine and zoomed in on every calorie he swallowed.
The footage will be featured on the show “My Life in Food,” which airs 5:30 p.m. Jan. 17 and Jan. 24 on the Food Network.
The episode also will highlight Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett’s weight loss initiative, which challenged residents to lose a million pounds.
Johns said losing the weight wasn’t the hardest part of the process. He said maintaining the weight loss has been the biggest obstacle.
“It’s difficult to keep it off because it’s difficult for me to change my lifestyle and not go to fast food restaurants as much,” he said.
Since the cameras disappeared, Johns lost 10 more pounds. He now weighs 196 pounds.
Oklahoma Christian professor to serve on national panel
After years of testing students in reading, writing and math for the Nation’s Report Card, the National Assessment of Educational Progress will incorporate technological literacy into the test. 
Oklahoma Christian University journalism professor Philip Patterson was selected to serve on the panel.The panel’s work will shape the National Assessment of Educational Progress test from 2012 to 2027.
This will be the first time technological literacy will be evaluated on The Nation’s Report Card. Patterson said he is excited to help assess such a crucial matter.
“If schools know that tech literacy will be tested, they are more likely to teach it,” he said in a news release. “That means colleges get the benefit of better qualified students, as well.”
During the next 18 months, Patterson will make trips to Washington to help evaluate current and proposed assessment models with the committee. The committee consists of technology experts, engineers, teachers, scientists, business representatives and state and local policymakers. The committee will determine how to evaluate whether children are comfortable with and objective about the use of technology.Patterson said one of the reasons he was selected was because of Oklahoma Christian University’s reputation for graduating technologically literate students. In 2001, university officials offered wireless Internet throughout campus and a free laptop to every student who was enrolled full time.The university also offers free iPhones.
Eat chili to help students
The University of Oklahoma School of Art and Art History will host a chili cook-off fundraiser from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Jan. 29 at the Lightwell Gallery, 520 Parrington Oval, in Norman.
Chili will be sold in ceramic bowls made by art students. Cost is $15 for chili in a bowl or $8 for chili not in a ceramic bowl. The bowls are dishwasher and oven safe.
Money raised through the event will go to student scholarships.
For more information, contact David Akbaran at (405)325-2691 or dakbaran@ou.edu.
Northeastern State University announces interim optometry dean
TAHLEQUAH – Lynn Cyert has been named interim dean of the Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry.
Cyert assumes the position with 28 years experience at the college.
She has been a professor of optometry at NSU since 1981 and pediatric clinic chief since 1986.
During her tenure, she has served as associate dean for Academic Affairs twice and also as interim dean of the college of optometry during a previous transition. Cyert replaces George Foster who retired in December after 11 years of service.
Prior to teaching at NSU, Cyert was assistant professor in physiological optics at the New England College of Optomery in Boston, and assistant professor of psychology at Ithaca College in New York.
OCU benefit set for Saturday
The Oklahoma Wizards League and Oklahoma City University will host Mistletoe Masquerade at 5 p.m. Saturday (Jan. 17) in the campus ballroom,
The event will feature performances from seven bands, an auction and refreshments.
Cost is $35 for adults and $15 for children. Proceeds will benefit the Harry Potter Alliance, a nonprofit organization that helps raise awareness about genocide, poverty, AIDS, discrimination and global warming by relating these issues to the Harry Potter series.
For more information, go to www.thehpalliance.org.
Tulsa Union JROTC Marching in Inaugural Parade
Tulsa Union High School’s JROTC unit is raising money to go to Washington for the inaugural parade. Students and instructors have raised about $21,000 but they need about $35,000. They are set to leave Friday for the Tuesday parade.
The unit is one of six JROTC units from across the country that will be marching in the parade and Oklahoma’s only representative. Students will march in formation three to five miles before getting to the parade route on Pennsylvania Avenue.
Students said they are excited to be part of this historic event and are ready to represent their state well.
Contributions can be mailed to Union AFJROTC Booster Club, care of Carol Anderson, 8535 E 64, Tulsa, OK 74133. People can also contact the AFJROTC instructors for more information or to help. Their e-mail addresses are Lt. Col. Ronald McCool, mccool.ronald@unionps.org, or Senior Master Sgt. Dan Snow, snow.daniel@unionps.org.
- Staff Writer Dawn Marks
A Piece of History
I had the chance to get a peek at the newly renovated Edgemere Elementary School last week. The school, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, still retains much of its historic character. The outside of the building still blends into the neighborhood and even has some of the old touches inside. Crews enclosed the fire escape and you can still see some of the original outside brick in a walkway there.
One of the most interesting touches was the statue of Joan of Arc donated by the class of 1946. Principal Dennis Gentry told me that students used to touch the statue for good luck. He also said that in the 1980s when the building was being renovated, someone put the statue out to be thrown away. An alumni followed the trash truck and rescued the statue. It was returned to the school where it stayed and will remain, Gentry said.
There are pieces of history throughout schools all over the state, I imagine, whether they are buildings named for people or statues like the one at Edgemere. What kind of history is in your districts?
-Staff Writer Dawn Marks
