The 2006-2007 school year produced excellence throughout Broken Arrow Public Schools. That’s why I am so very pleased to present the 2006-2007 ANNUAL REPORT to you. Inside the pages of this publication are charts, graphs and reports that profile and highlight the academic, financial, extracurricular and community-related activities in the school district while also providing a method of accountability to the parents and patrons of our school district and community.
From national championships in marching band and cheerleading to state championships in softball and jazz and numerous individual accomplishments, our students achieved much in the classroom and in many extracurricular activities during the 2006-2007 academic school year.
I am also thankful for the parents, grandparents, friends, and of course our teachers and administrators who have obviously done a terrific job in communicating to our students the importance of service to others. All of our schools carried out special programs like the Veterans Day program at Centennial where three Veterans were able to receive their long hoped for high school diplomas after missing graduation to serve our country.
Broken Arrow High School students were especially impressive during the 06-07 school year. Their Red Cross Blood drive was the largest school drive in this part of the country that influenced more than 1,400 lives. They also assisted Broken Arrow Neighbors with the largest ever canned food drive and supported other programs through the Special Olympics and Blue Star Mothers. Then North Intermediate High School student KiKi Dorshorst and Haskell Middle School Classroom Aide Linda Edwards accepted the Department of Human Services 2007 Volunteer “Leader of Tomorrow Award” for Broken Arrow Public Schools. The award, which was presented by Broken Arrow State Senator Bill Brown in Oklahoma City, recognized the efforts of Dorshorst and the NIHS National Honor Society and Student Council and Edwards and Haskell students who provided Christmas gifts and holiday cheer throughout the year to less fortunate children in the area.
We were again selected as the winner of the “What Parents Want Award.” Only 16 percent of the nation’s more than 15,500 school districts were honored in 2007. The award is given by SchoolMatch of Columbus, Ohio, a consulting firm that compiles data on all schools in the nation and then determines which school districts most closely match what SchoolMatch users (relocating parents and businesses) most often request in a school district. The ACT cited Broken Arrow High School as one of 382 high schools in the nation that “is clearly a leader in preparing all high school students for post secondary education and workforce training programs.” Our Class of 2007 continued our four year run of posting the top ACT scores in the history of Broken Arrow High School, far ahead of state and national averages.
We are pleased to communicate this Annual Report to you. Our Communications Division was honored with five statewide awards for achievements in communicating among school districts by the Oklahoma School Public Relations Association. Thank you for spending a few minutes studying the 2006-2007 ANNUAL REPORT for our school district. We are confident that the more you know about Broken Arrow Public Schools, the more you will be proud to be a Tiger!
Dr. Jim Sisney
Superintendent of Schools
CITIZEN LEADERS MAKE UP BOARD OF EDUCATION
| Who We Are Broken Arrow Public Schools is a dynamic leader in public education. The sixth largest district in Oklahoma, it serves more than 15,000 students and covers 115-square miles in the southeast portions of Tulsa County and the western portions of Wagoner County. BAPS Motto Mission Statement |
The Broken Arrow Board of Education is an elected Board and enjoys an excellent reputation for unselfish service to the community. School Board members voluntarily tackle the enormous job of governing the school district while preserving the core of our democratic values. The Broken Arrow Board is responsible for establishing policies under which the school system operates while acting within the framework of Oklahoma and federal laws and still being responsible for the unique needs of the community.
As citizen leaders, individual school board members face complex and demanding challenges as they contribute hundreds of hours each year leading our district. Whether it’s crafting policies pertaining to the curriculum or the budget, listening to staff and students’ concerns or recognizing outstanding programs, Broken Arrow Board members always focus on student achievement. Board members’ tireless efforts play a significant role in the continuing success of students moving to college and or the workplace. Each year, one of the zones is up for election to a five year term of office on the Board.
“I truly believe that access to a free public education for all citizens is what has made our nation great,” Board President Maryanne Flippo said. “Our children are our future. They must receive an excellent education to become successful, well-informed citizens of our city, state and nation.”
AWARDS & HONORS
Broken Arrow students and staff are continually recognized across the state and nation for achievement. We are pleased to note that the 2006-2007 school year was marked by a significant number of distinguished accomplishments. Following is a list of highlights from the 2006-2007 school year in the Broken Arrow School District.
• BAHS seniors Caleb Griffin, Meghan Leibold, Kelsey McWilliams, Valerie Miller, and Vivian Ting were named National Merit Finalists for 2007. They are the 27th, 28th, 29th, 30th, and 31st National Merit Finalists from BAHS in the past four years.
• Three members of the Broken Arrow High School Class of 2007 were named recipients of the Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Award for the 2007-2008 school year. Matthew Grant, Caleb Griffin, and Vivian Ting are three of approximately 80 recent Oklahoma high school graduates to receive this prestigious award this year. The Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship promotes academic excellence and recognizes exceptional recent high school graduates who show promise of continued achievement in college. State winners of the federally funded program are selected from each of a state’s United States congressional districts. The scholarship in the amount of $1500.00 is awarded on the basis of merit and may be renewed for an additional three years contingent upon the Byrd Scholar meeting eligibility requirements while attending college. Byrd Scholars are required to have a minimum ACT composition score of 32 and or a minimum SAT combined score of 1420. They must also have applied or been accepted for enrollment at an institution of higher learning (public or private; in-state or out of state) as a full-time college student for the 2007-2008 academic year.
• BAHS students Reuben Dolan, Matthew Grant, Megan Philbeck, and Bryce Stubblefield were recognized as 2007 “commended” students by the National Merit Scholarship Program for their performance on the 2005 Preliminary SAT.
• Broken Arrow High School was selected by ACT as one of 382 high schools in the nation that have proven that core courses can be made rigorous and that rigorous content can be effectively taught to students. ACT said BAHS is “clearly a leader in preparing all high school students for post secondary education and workforce training programs.”
• Broken Arrow Public Schools was again selected as the winner of the “What Parents Want Award.” Only 16% of the nation’s 15,571 public school districts received this honor in 2007 in recognition for best meeting the needs of families who are choosing schools.
• 61 members of the Broken Arrow High School Class of 2007 were named 2007 Oklahoma Academic Scholars by State Superintendent Sandy Garrett. The over five dozen BAHS seniors join almost 2100 other seniors from across the state in achieving this recognition. In order to be considered an Oklahoma Academic Scholar, a senior must accumulate a grade point average of at least 3.7 on a 4.0 scale (in grades nine through the first semester of this school year) or be in the top ten percent of his or her senior class. All of the scholars also have achieved at least a 27 composite score on the ACT and or scored a combined reading and mathematics score of 1220 on the SAT.
• 15 Broken Arrow Public Schools seventh grade students who took the ACT or SAT college entrance exams as part of the Duke University Talent Identification Program (Duke TIP) qualified for state recognition honors based on their scores. A student who qualifies for the State Recognition in the Duke TIP is in the top 25 percent of the 16 state talent search pool that includes Oklahoma. The 16 state talent pool represents participation from more than 6,100 middle schools or junior highs. The top 25 percent designation represents a score of 21 or higher in any one of the ACT test components of English, Science, Reading, or Math. The top 25 percent designation represents a score of 520 or higher on the math portion of the SAT or 510 or higher on the critical reading portion of the SAT. Haskell students achieving State Recognition included Samantha Cowen, Aren Macomber, Joshua Tygart. Childers students Angela Ash, Maria Burris, Jesse Guilfoyle, Morgan Kettlewood, and Blake Rasinski earned State Recognition in this program. Centennial students who qualified for State Recognition in this program are Gabrielle Frasco, Grayson Gillette, Tori Kirkland, and Erin Talley. Oliver’s Mitchell Graham joined Sequoyah’s Caleb Bagby and Tavis Phan in earning State Recognition as well.
• BAHS senior Meghan Leibold was named as an Oklahoma Academic All-State student for 2007. She was one of only 100 seniors from the state Oklahoma selected for this recognition by the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence.
• 93 students from BAHS earned the designation of AP Scholar by the College Board in recognition of the students’ achievement on the college-level Advanced Placement Program Exams. Students took AP Exams in May 2006 after completing challenging college-level courses at their high schools. Three BAHS students (Class of 2006 seniors Cory Giles, Shayne Henry, and Daniel Reck) qualified for the National AP Scholar Award by earning an average grade of 4 or higher on a 5-point scale on all AP Exams taken AND grades of 4 or higher on eight or more of these exams.
• For the second straight year, Broken Arrow High School Student Council was named a winner of the Gold Council Excellence Award given by the National Association of Student Councils.
• The American Red Cross named the 2006 blood drives by BAHS 2006 Senior Class and Student Council as the tops in the state.
• BAHS teacher and student council advisor Steve Schwab was honored for the second time by Red Cross as the Outstanding Blood Drive coordinator in the entire southwest region of the United States.
• The Pride of Broken Arrow won the Bands of America Grand Nationals in Indianapolis, the most prestigious high school marching band competition in the nation, to claim the 2006 national championship. Their Final score of 96.75 was the highest ever recorded in the 31 year history of the event. L.D. Bell of Texas was second at 96.35. 92 bands from 25 states competed in the event. The Pride’s win is the first ever in this competition by a band from Oklahoma.
• The Pride of Broken Arrow won its 5th straight Oklahoma Bandmasters Association marching band state championship and 14th in school history by easily outdistancing the field (by nine points over the second place school). It’s the first time in the illustrious history of the Pride that the Pride has been able to win 5 OBA state championships in a row.
• The Pride of Broken Arrow finished second (out of 50 bands from 16 states) at the Bands of America Super Regional Marching Band Competition held in St. Louis, Missouri.
• The Pride of Broken Arrow took top honors including Grand Champion at the Putnam City marching band competition.
• For the second straight year, Broken Arrow High School’s Varsity Cheer Squad won recognition as the best in the nation. As they did in 2006, the BAHS Varsity Cheerleaders won the prestigious “Cheer Power” National Championship in Galveston, Texas, claiming first place in the 2007 event in the “Senior Co-Ed” division. In addition to the overall divisional national championship, the BAHS stunt team of Bethany Yingst, Hannah Moore, Briana Fagan, Katie Dark, and Amanda Carrico was also crowned champion in the Varsity Stunt competition while Carrico placed second in the “Elite Best Cheerleader” category.
• BAHS Varsity Cheer squad was awarded $4,000 for placing second in the World Series of Cheerleading program through Cheer Power. This organization adds up every score that a team receives throughout a competition year at various events. BAHS earned the cash award for its second place finish in the Level 5 school division of Cheer Power.
• BAHS Varsity Cheerleaders Michele Ramler and Mandi Casteel were named Oklahoma All-State Cheerleaders.
• The Broken Arrow High School Varsity Cheerleading Squad and the Broken Arrow Public Schools Competitive 8th Grade Cheerleading Squad both won first place in their respective divisions at the Cheer Power New Year’s Championships held January 6, 2007. The BAHS Varsity Cheer squad also won the “High Point Award.” BAHS Varsity Cheerleader Daniel Kailer won the award for “Best Tumbling Pass,” while the group of BAHS Varsity Cheerleaders Bethany Yingst, Hannah Moore, Amanda Carrico, Briana Fagan, and Katie Dark took top honors in the competition for “Best Stunt Group.”
• The Broken Arrow High School Lady Tigers won State 6A Softball Championship. Head Coach Randall King and the Lady Tigers beat Edmond Santa Fe in the championship game to claim the school’s 9th state championship in fast pitch softball.
• BAHS Softball coach Randall King was named the Oklahoma Coaches Association Region 7 Softball Coach of the Year after guiding the Lady Tigers to the State Championship.
• BAHS softball player Jenna Schwark was named the Oklahoma Coaches Association Region 7 Female Athlete of the Year.
• BAHS softball player Jenna Schwark was named the Tulsa Metro Player of the Year for 2006 by the Tulsa World Newspaper. BAHS players Chelsea Lyon and Tyler Porter were also named to the Tulsa World All Metro first team.
• BAHS softball team (state champions) was recognized by the OSSAA with the academic achievement award for Class 6A for having a team grade point average of over 3.2 (Lady Tigers’ GPA was 3.4).
• Centennial eighth grade student Bruce Haiduk won the Eastern Oklahoma State Spelling Bee (over the top 66 fourth through eighth grade spellers in the area) to advance to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. where he finished in the top 50 in the nation. Earlier Haiduk won the Tulsa County Spelling Bee (the fifth straight year the champion was from Broken Arrow Public Schools). Haiduk also captured the BAPS District spelling bee.
• The BAHS team of Vivian Ting, Matt Grant, Rachelle Jensen and Reuben Dolan from Larry Robinette’s AP Economics classes defeated the team from Lawton Eisenhower and won the State of Oklahoma Economics Challenge Championship held at UCO. This is the 4th time Broken Arrow has won this championship.
• Tiger Life Magazine received a rating of Highest Honors and was awarded All-Oklahoman at the State Competition in Norman. This competition is held each spring by the Oklahoma Interscholastic Press Association.
• Broken Arrow Public Schools was honored with a number of awards by the Oklahoma School Public Relations Association including an Award of Excellence for One Time Project (Broken Arrow is where excellence is a tradition video), Awards of Merit for 2006 Broken Arrow School Bond brochure, 2006 Broken Arrow School Bond Video, Annual Report, and Excellence in Writing (Superintendent’s in letter in the Spring 2006 Arrowpoint).
• The Broken Arrow Academic Varsity Team finished second place at the state tournament event called the Lewis Cup. Members of the team were Vivian Ting, Andrea Maduro, Chris Crane, and Andrew Crews.
• BAHS students Brent Oliver, Robby Flippo, and Miranda Guinn each won a $1000 scholarship in the Jenks Jones Scholarship Essay Contest, sponsored by the Arts and Humanities Council of Tulsa. This marked the second straight year that three BAHS students from BAHS English Department chair Sheila Hayden’s 11th grade AP English classes have won this competition. A total of five scholarships were awarded in a contest open to all juniors from Tulsa County.
• Reuben Dolan was named BAHS Most Outstanding Boy for 2007.
• Vivian Ting was named BAHS Most Outstanding Girl for 2007
• Morgan Wolber as Outstanding School Service Award winner for BAHS in 2007.
• The BAHS Chemistry Club won 2nd place in the Chem. Car competition at the University of Tulsa. The BAHS Chemistry Club was also recognized for its presentation by being first place in that portion of the competition.
• Broken Arrow High School senior Vivian Ting was named one of approximately 550 semifinalists from across the nation in the 2007 Presidential Scholars Program. The semifinalists were selected from more than 2,700 candidates on the basis of superior achievements, leadership qualities, personal character, and involvement in the community and school activities.
• Several BAHS DECA students placed in the top three at the State Career Development Conference to qualify for the 2007 International event in Orlando Florida. Qualifying for Internationals were 1st Place: Kyle Trice – Retail Merchandising Role Play, Jackie Benedek – Technical Sales Event, Leah Miranda – Fashion Merchandising Promotion Plan, 2nd Place: Ashleigh McCormick – Buying & Merchandising Team Decision Making, Josh Schettler - Buying & Merchandising Team Decision Making, Chance Baughn – E*Commerce Team Decision Making, Jared Higinbotham - E*Commerce Team Decision Making, Matt Juby – E*Commerce Business Plan Event, Melissa Griffin – E*Commerce Business Plan Event, Jesse White - E*Commerce Business Plan Event, 3rd Place: Monica Smith – Hotel & Lodging Role Play, Kyle Palmer - Business Law & Ethics Management Team Decision Making, Briana Fagan - Business Law & Ethics Management Team Decision Making, Lacey Dunkle – Hospitality Services Management Team Decision Making, Mandi Michalski - Hospitality Services Management Team Decision Making, Meghan Collier – Travel & Tourism Team Decision Making, Allyson Hall – Travel & Tourism Team Decision Making
• BAHS DECA’s The Cage was awarded Gold Level re-certification by the international DECA organization.
• NIHS student Tara Holloway won first place in the Broken Arrow Rotary Club 4-Way Speech Contest.
• Linda Price and Jared Jennings qualified for nationals in the Public Forum Debate team category for the BAHS Speech and Debate team.
• BAHS student Hayley Spencer was selected as one of the state winners in the President’s Leadership Award.
• BAHS student Hannah Rasure was selected to represent BAHS in the Prudential Spirit of Community Award - this is an honor for outstanding volunteer work in the community.
• North Intermediate High School student KiKi Dorshorst and Haskell Middle School Classroom Aide Linda Edward accepted the Department of Human Services 2007 Volunteer “Leader of Tomorrow Award” for Broken Arrow Public Schools. The award, which was presented by Broken Arrow State Senator Bill Brown in Oklahoma City, recognized the efforts of Dorshorst and the NIHS National Honor Society and Student Council and Edwards and Haskell students who provided Christmas gifts and holiday cheer throughout the year to less fortunate children in the area.
• North Intermediate High School’s Key Club received the third place award in the high school category for collecting food items for the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma food drive.
• BAHS senior Taylor Collins was recognized by the Veterans of Foreign Wars as the district winner of the VFW Voice of Democracy speech contest for 9th through 12th graders. The theme of the speech competition was “Freedom’s Challenge.”
• Haskell Middle School student Cassandra Hubbard took top honors in the VFW Voice of Democracy District Essay contest for students in sixth through eighth grade.
• BAHS junior Drew Partain won the 125-pound wrestling state championship. It was Drew’s second straight state championship. BAHS wrestlers Derek Steeley and Matt Bryan were the state runner up in their weight category.
• BAHS soccer players Katie Richardson and Sarah Salazar were selected to the Oklahoma Coaches Association All State girls’ soccer team.
• BAHS soccer players John Dill, Bryce Taylor, and James Stretesky were selected to the Oklahoma Coaches Association All-State boys’ soccer team.
• BAHS Baseball Player Andy Wilkins was selected to the Oklahoma Coaches Association All-State baseball team.
• BAHS student Andy Wilkins was one of five Oklahoma high school baseball players named as a winner of the Ferguson Jenkins Outstanding Student Athlete Award.
• Broken Arrow High School girls golf coach Jim Burdette was named the Tulsa World Metro Golf Coach of the Year for 2007. BAHS golfer Crystal Reeves was named a member of the Tulsa World All-Metro Golf Team.
• BAHS girls’ golf team qualified for the state tournament by finishing as the team runner-up in the regional tournament at Ponca City. BAHS junior Crystal Reeves won the individual crown at the regional.
• The BAHS girls’ golf team won the Muskogee Invitational Tournament, establishing a new school team scoring record (312). BAHS golfer Crystal Reeves won the individual championship while also setting a new school individual record (67).
• BAHS football players Ky Burgess and Mike Walker were named to the 2006 Oklahoma Coaches Association All-State football team (the official All-State team for Oklahoma).
• Regan Barger and Ky Burgess were selected to represent BAHS in the Wendy’s High School Heisman Trophy 2006-2007 competition. The award is recognition for student athletes who enjoy academic success and participate in worthwhile events in their community.
• Four members of the BAHS volleyball team were named to the Frontier Valley Conference All Academic team. Those student athletes recognized were Paige Alford, Ali Daniels, Sarah Freidenrich, and Tricia Snider
• BAHS Boys’ Varsity Soccer Team won the District Championship.
• BAHS Girls Track and Field team won the Regional Championship.
• BAHS Baseball team won its Regional Championship.
• BAPS 8th grade Competitive Cheerleaders took first place in the American Spirit Championship Regional Competition in Oklahoma City.
• Mandy Casteel was crowned BAHS Homecoming Queen for 2006 fall sports.
• Morgan Wolber was crowned the 2007 Broken Arrow High School Winter Sports Queen.
• Senior Sarah Salazar was crowned the 2007 Broken Arrow Senior High School Spring Sports Queen.
• Holly Anderson Doyle, Steve Dunlap, Sabrina Shanta Hay, Sara Kincaid, and Dave Willhite were inducted into the Tiger Athletic Hall of Fame.
• The Broken Arrow High School Chamber Orchestra received a Superior rating for performance, an Outstanding rating in its class, and an Outstanding rating overall at the Lonestar Showcase of Music at Richardson High School in Richardson, Texas. In addition to the orchestra’s honors, the cello section was recognized as the outstanding cello section for the contest.
• Broken Arrow Jazz Ensembles enjoyed stellar performances at the Oklahoma State Jazz Band Competition. Under the direction of Reid Bennett, “Jazz 1” was crowned the Class 5A State Champion. Also, “Jazz 2” won the Class E (2nd Band) State Championship. Jazz 2 is under the direction of Reid Bennett and Aaron Bryan.
• All three NIHS bands participated in the State Contest. Two of the three bands from NIHS were awarded the “Oklahoma Sweepstakes Award” which is the highest award possible at the competition.
• All three SIHS bands participated in the State Contest. The Concert Band and Symphonic Band both received a “Superior” rating on stage and an “Excellent” rating in sight reading. The Wind Ensemble received a “Superior” rating in both rooms and earned a Sweepstakes Award.
• The Oklahoma Music Educators Association annual convention selected the Broken Arrow High School Vocal Jazz Choir “11 O’Clock” as the honorary vocal jazz choir for the OMEA’s state convention that was held in Tulsa.
• BAHS Choir members Jake Kelsey and Thomas Williams were selected for the Oklahoma Choral Directors Association Vocal Jazz Chorus, Oklahoma Music Educators Association Vocal Jazz Quartet, and Oklahoma Music Educators Association All-State Chorus. BAHS Choir member Laura Hauck was selected to the Oklahoma Choral Directors Association Vocal Jazz Chorus.
• Over half of the approximately 480 member Northeastern Band Directors Association All District band members for grades seven through 12 were Broken Arrow Public Schools students. 265 BAPS students were selected to the All-District bands for 2007 that represent 35 school districts in Northeastern Oklahoma.
• The Childers Middle School Advanced Band won the Sweepstakes Trophy at the Musical Carousel Contest.
• Four Childers students were among 140 students selected from across the state (out of 1,000 that auditioned) for the All OMEA All State Choir. The Childers students selected for this prestigious choir were Erin Westbrook, Victoria Ferguson, Paige Whitson, and Courtney Counts.
• Childers Middle School Band students received a total of 28 medals following the OSSAA District Solo & Ensemble Contest held March 3, 2007 at Jenks Middle School. Every student from Childers who performed was rated Superior by the judges. Those who competed were: Erica Johnson, Contra Alto Clarinet solo; Ashleigh Gerrior, Oboe solo; Kara Stepp and Raelynn Keck, Flute duet; Donnolly Berryhill and Katelyn Heath, Saxophone/Clarinet duet; Stephanie Bahara, Micah Peters, and Jessica Tinsley, Clarinet trio; Helen Vo and Sarah Loukanis, Flute duet; McKenzie Faulkner and Brooke White, Flute duet; Ashleigh Gerrior and Emily Hebert, Oboe/Clarinet duet; and the Seventh Grade Clarinet Choir directed by James Stephens. Clarinet Choir members were Lexis Allen, Cody Brach, Audrey Burkey, Cassie Campbell, Tracee Gulley, Katelyn Heath, Emily Hebert, Erica Johnson, Morgan Kettlewood, Destenee Pershall, Blake Rasinski, Shelby Scott, and Kirtis Waters. Students from Centennial who received a Superior rating were Hayley Melvin, Ann Dang, Anna Van, Allison Lynn, Ellizabeth Ellis, Brandi Galloway, Shelby Russell, Bruce Haiduk, Chance Gonzalez, Hannah Estes, and Kelsey Naumann. The following students from Centennial received an excellent rating: Andy Boggs, Kayla Devault, Matthew Clark, Zac Bettinger, Tyler Davis, and Alex Walker. Sequoyah students who achieved a superior rating in the contest were Hannah Tupas, Matt Bardeaux, Matt Shepperd, Ezra French and Greg Jones.
• BAHS student, Nick Sandella, who represented Peer Tutoring won the 2006-2007 Mr. BA competition.
• Broken Arrow students showcased their artistic talents by participating in the local Playground Safety Poster Contest sponsored locally by the City of Broken Arrow Parks and Recreation Department. Children grades 1-5, were asked to draw a poster that reflected using a Playground Safely. Local winners of the contest were as follows (each school was judged separately): Liberty Elementary - Chelsea Davis, and Brady Moore; Oak Crest Elementary – Olivia Holcomb, Christina Cavazos, and Carrera Starr; and Arrow Springs Elementary – Amy Hanewinkel, Samantha Wert and Reynaldo Raul Uria.
• Breanna Moll (Arrow Springs), Lauren James (Arrowhead), Brandon York (Country Lane), Hannah McGire (Indian Springs) Caleb Cline (Leisure Park), Theodoor Nap (Liberty), Amanda Florea (Lynn Wood), Claudia Proia (Oak Crest), Baylee Sparks (Park Lane), John Luc Wells (Rhoades), Bailey Hulet (Spring Creek), Elizabeth Domeier (Vandever), Addison Lee (Westwood), Haven Scrimsher (Wolf Creek), Bruce Haiduk (Centennial), Victoria Ferguson (Childers), Hannah Rost (Haskell), Sara Paulson (Oliver), Brandyn Parks (Sequoyah), Katie Wenzell (North Intermediate), Nick Livingston (South Intermediate), Maksim Datsko (BA Academy) Sierra Cook (BAHS), Andrea Maduro (BAHS), and Jina Kim (BAHS) were honored and recognized by BAPS and Partners in Education as “Celebrating the Arts” winners for being the top “fine arts” student at their school.
• Haskell Middle School student Jessica Howard submitted a drawing that was selected to adorn the front cover of the City of Broken Arrow budget report
• Oak Crest students Jackson Richey and Jaycie McElroy had art work selected and published in the Oklahoma Highway Safety 2007 calendar.
• BAHS students Kyle Todaro and Sean Henderson were named Gold Key Winners in the Oklahoma Region Scholastic Arts Awards of 2007. Gold Key signifies best in the region. Their work was selected from some 1500 entries in Oklahoma.
• Country Lane student A. J. Wagner won the 2007 BAPS Geography Bee. He edged Park Lane student Cole Wheaton by one correct answer in an exciting four question championship round.
• Several BAPS Middle and Intermediate High School students enjoyed success at the District Seven History Day academic competition held at Tulsa Community College. Sequoyah students Caleb Bagby, Ty Schnautz, Christina Damron, and Drew Carter were the winning team in the Group Exhibit (Junior Division). Centennial students Catherine Thomas and Victoria Thomas won first place in the Group Documentary (Junior Division) while Centennial student Kyle Boles was runner-up in the Individual Documentary (Junior Division) and Centennial student Brandi Galloway was runner-up in the Individual Performance (Junior Division). Haskell student Aaron Rase won the Individual Performance (Junior Division) category while Haskell student Alley Graves placed third in the same category. The Haskell group of Sarra Sturgeon, Annie Archer, and Jessica Donohue finished as runner-up in the Group Performance (Junior Division). The Haskell tandem of Kaiti Embrey and Hannah Rost was runner-up in the Group Documentary (Junior Divison) while Haskell students Geoffrey Fries, Kevin McLean, and Tyler Downes won third place in the Group Documentary (Junior Division. Haskell students Ahmad Mustafa and Austin Strickland won third place in the Group Exhibit (Junior Division). South Intermediate students Alex Paul and Leslie Rowland won second place in the Senior Division Group Documentary category. Lena Endsley of BAHS won first place in the senior division Individual Documentary category.
• BAHS student Lena Endsley won first place in the State History Day competition in the individual documentary category.
• Several BAHS Latin students participated and placed in the Oklahoma Junior Classical League State Convention in Oklahoma City: Chris Crane (8th Place-Overall Academics for Latin IV), Serenity Cypert (5th Place-Overall Academics for Latin III), Audrie Sykora (9th Place-Overall Academics for Latin II), Joseph Van Matre (6th Place-Overall Academics for Latin I). Other awards won by BAHS Latin students at the convention include Chris Crane (2nd Place Reading Comprehension Latin IV and 3rd Place Grammar Latin IV), Serenity Cypert (4th Place Derivatives, Latin III), Chelsea Beall (4th Place Reading Comprehension Latin II ), Lauren Rutland (4th Place Vocabulary Latin II), Audrie Sykora (3rd Place Mottoes/Quotes/ Abbr. Latin II, 4th Place Vocabulary, Latin II), Joseph Van Matre (4th Place Vocabulary Latin I)
• BAHS announced that 2007 seniors had officially reported $4 million in scholarships received. These are scholarships officially reported to the BAHS counseling office.
• The Broken Arrow FFA Chapter had a successful trip to the State FFA Convention where several BAHS students were recognized on stage. BAHS had 6 State FFA Degree winners. James Billinger, Carmen Coulter, Justin Lee, April Wolfe, Tiffany Harrington, and Cynthia Walters were young people recognized with this degree based on their 4 years of agriculture studies. Oklahoma FFA has over 24,000 members and only about 600 students are recognized with this degree each year. Carmen was also recognized as an “Academic Excellence” award winner. Jessica Korver finished 2nd in the state in the secretaries’ contest, and the highlight of the convention for the BAHS chapter was when Justin Lee was recognized as the Northeast District Star in Agribusiness! This put him in the top 5 in the state out of those same 24,000 students.
• Leisure Park Teacher Judy Mullins was the Wal-Mart (121st and Elm location) Teacher of the Year.
• Oak Crest Teacher Melissa Armstrong was the Wal-Mart (Neighborhood Market location) Teacher of the Year.
• Centennial Middle School teacher Melenda Knight was selected to be a participant in the Oklahoma State Superintendent Master Teacher’s project.
• Broken Arrow High School Advanced Placement History teacher Karen Sturgis, BAHS Yearbook, BAHS Journalism teacher Kari Chancey, and BAHS AP English teacher Tracy Chambers were selected as a Claes Nobel Educator(s) of Distinction by The National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS). The Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction award recognizes teachers who have made a lasting difference in their classrooms by encouraging students to strive for excellence.
• Three of the Eleven Grants awarded by COX CONNECTS FOUNDATION for the 2006-2007 school year went to BA Teachers for Innovation in Education. They were Arrowhead Elementary School – Clay Animations Videos - submitted by Sharon Petrik; Centennial Middle School – Research This - submitted by Tricia Melgaard; Childers and Oliver Middle School – Music Notation Platform Project –submitted by Robert Reck
• Jennifer Deal of North Intermediate High School was selected as the Broken Arrow Public Schools 2007 Teacher of the Year.
ACADEMIC PERFOMANCE INDEX DISTRICT SCORES 2006-2007
The API (Academic Performance Index) is a numeric score created by the Oklahoma State Department of Education to indicate school performance and meet the accountability standards and requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.
The report contains data for the district’s 14 elementary school sites. In addition, data for the district’s five middle schools, two intermediate high schools and senior high school is also included. The contents of this report were produced by the Oklahoma State Department of Education on November 3, 2007. All school districts in Oklahoma including Broken Arrow Public Schools are required to share this data with district parents and patrons.
API scores are based on seven indicators including Oklahoma School Testing Program, attendance, dropout rates, graduation rates, ACT performance and participation, college remediation rates and Advanced Placement participation. It is important to note that the seven indicators are grouped into three components: Oklahoma School Testing Program, school completion and academic excellence.
The API components for high schools are different from the API components for the middle and elementary schools. High School API components base 80% of the score on student performance in the Oklahoma School Testing Program (EOI test in English II and Algebra I), with 10% of the score based on school completion (dropout, graduation, and attendance rates), and 10% of the score based on academic excellence (ACT performance, advanced placement, college remediation)
Elementary and Middle schools’ API components base 90% of the score on the Oklahoma School Testing Program (3rd , 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grade student performance in reading and math) with 10% of the score based on school completion (attendance rates).
Statewide performance targets for 2006-2007 were 932 in Math and 914 in Reading. At the District level, all NCLB student sub-groups made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). The District’s total API increased for the sixth consecutive year and now stands at 1347. An explanation of the contents of the Academic Performance Index is available at http://sde.state.ok.us.
DISTRICT FINANCES
Preparation of the Operating Budget begins in January, with the gathering of current year data and preparation of the budget calendar. The calendar includes major benchmarks and timelines for tasks, as well as responsible individuals for each step in the process. In a normal year, the budgeting cycle takes place during the spring and summer months, with final allocations and funding confirmed in the early fall. Once the Estimate of Needs is completed and approved by the County Excise Board, the district prepares the operating budget.
The General Fund is used to pay teacher, support and administrative staff salaries. Other expenses include textbooks, classroom materials, utilities and insurance. Revenue sources for the General Fund include State Aid, Ad Valorem Taxes and various state and federal grants. For 2006-2007, the budget for the General Fund was $87,689,495.
Expenditures are categorized by functional area; such as Instruction, which includes teacher salaries, textbooks and classroom materials. Expenditures for the 2006-2007 General Fund were $87,327,979.
The District’s Net Assessed Valuation (NAV) refers to the local property wealth. Ad Valorem Tax revenue is apportioned to the General, Building and Sinking Funds (for payment of principal and interest on bond issues). The NAV has grown steadily over the last 10 years due to a healthy and growing local economy.
• The Building Fund can be used for: erecting, repairing or maintaining school buildings; purchasing furniture, equipment or computer software; paying energy or utility costs; purchasing telecommunication services; and other building-related costs. For 2006-2007, the budget for the Building Fund was $4,045,054.
• The Child Nutrition Fund is used to account for the collection of all local, state and federal monies dedication to the District’s Child Nutrition Program. On average, the program provides lunch for more than 13,000 students every school day. Revenue is received from payment for student lunches, the Federal School Lunch program and other sources. For 2006-2007, the budget for the Child Nutrition Fund was $6,876,088.
• Bond Funds are used to account for the spending of District bond issues, once the issue has been approved by the voters. Bond issues are used to fund new school construction, other building construction, additions, renovations and classroom equipment. Voters approved a series of bond issues in 2006, which will fund the completion of the Performing Arts Center, construction of a new 4th and 5th Grade Center, replacement of portable classrooms, various other facilities and instructional equipment.
FOUNDATION
The Broken Arrow Public Schools Foundation once again provided exceptional support of Broken Arrow teachers during the 2006-2007 school year. The BAPS Foundation provided teachers with incentive grants and Teacher of the Year award recognition.
Thanks to the success the 2006 Foundation Golf Tournament (held September 12, 2006), the BAPS Foundation delivered $39,524.47 worth of grants (71 grants in all) to 69 Broken Arrow teachers. The grants, which were awarded in March 2007, were used by Broken Arrow teachers on projects that enhanced the educational experience of their students.
“We are truly blessed as teachers in Broken Arrow Public Schools to have a ‘Foundation’ of support!” exclaimed Haskell Middle School science teacher Kelly Flindt, whose $257.24 grant for ‘Blowin’ in the Wind’ was approved by the BAPS Foundation in 2007. “The Broken Arrow Foundation’s goal is to assist teachers to provide the best educational opportunities to our students.”
For the second straight year, the Foundation provided financial support to the district’s Teacher of the Year program. The Foundation awarded the district Teacher of the Year (Jennifer Deal of NIHS) $1,500. This award was renamed the Matt Brown Award by the BAPS Foundation in recognition of the late Matt Brown, a founding member and longtime Treasurer of the BAPS Foundation who passed away in 2006. Each of the other nine finalists for Teacher of the Year received $500 from the Foundation. In addition, the Foundation for the first time also provided cash rewards (in the amount of $250) to the remaining 14 school site Teacher of the Year winners.
“Our Foundation is just amazing in their support of the teachers and education in general in Broken Arrow,” 2006-2007 BAPS Director of Professional Development Cindy Williamson said.
The Broken Arrow Public Schools Foundation, which started in 1992, is able to positively influence the educational process in Broken Arrow by providing funds for incentive grants to teachers. Teachers in the Broken Arrow school district submit applications for grants that will impact the education of Broken Arrow students. A sub-committee of the Foundation, plus educational personnel not involved in the grant writing or submission process, chooses those grants for projects they consider most exemplary.
A Board of Directors, representing a variety of businesses, the PTA, the teaching and administrative staff, and individual citizens is elected annually to serve as trustees of the Foundation. Currently, the Foundation’s primary fundraiser is the Annual Education Grant Awards Golf Tournament. The Seventh Annual tournament will take place in September 2008.
During the 2006-2007 school year, Foundation Board members included Delbert Frieze (President), Kecia Holloway (Vice-President), Hazel Koehler (Secretary), Jimmy Tygart (Treasurer), Brandi Abbey, Jim Beavers, Ed Bryson, Charles Buxton, Marcia Davis, Stacey Deavenport, Jack Edwards, Connie Frieze, Butch Green, John Herndon (Grant Committee Chairman), Virginia Johnson, Thomas Keeter, Jim King, Wade McCaleb, Brenda Martin, Skip Mefford, Chad Mitchell, Doris Murphy, Greer Nichols, Russell Peterson, Narissa Rampey, Joe Robson, Steve Schooley, Bruce Schutte, Dr. Jim Sisney and Barry Thompson.
COMMUNITY
Volunteers In Education
The Broken Arrow Public Schools Volunteers in Education Program continues to experience success. Volunteers provide valuable services to the district as test monitors, resource speakers, clerical help, chaperones as well as site and classroom volunteers. Volunteers assist with site-based Kindergarten Clinic, Senior High College and Career activities, and Project Graduation.
Several Broken Arrow Public Schools boast a volunteer reading program that has become very successful in helping students improve their reading skills.
During the 2006-2007 school year, more than 1,600 volunteers, ranging from 14 to 80 years of age, volunteered on a regular basis. The volunteers logged 102,783.75 hours. Based on the number of hours that were logged, using the wage of $7.50 per hour, the dollar equivalent for volunteer services is $770,878.
Jo McCord is the District’s Coordinator of Volunteers.
“The school volunteer chairmen are to be commended for their efforts,” she said. “Their assistance with the program at the building level, their constant encouragement of the volunteers and their communication with the district make it possible for this program to produce excellent results for all involved.”
“Our volunteers are one of the best PR tools that Broken Arrow Schools could have. When parents are active in the schools, they tend to feel an ownership with the school and the staff. They are able to see firsthand what an excellent education their children are receiving,” said Mrs. McCord. “They not only save the schools money by volunteering but parent volunteers are instrumental in passing bond issues and talking with legislators on issues concerning education. When new people move to our district and want information about the schools, they prefer to talk to other parents about the schools. Many times volunteers help ‘sell’ Broken Arrow Schools to new residents.”
Partners In Education
The Broken Arrow Public Schools Partners in Education Program celebrated its 12th year of excellence during the 2006-2007 school year. This ultra-successful program that is dedicated to bringing together BAPS schools with the business community helps provide community support to the school system and encourages communication between the community and the schools. During the PIE program’s 12th year in Broken Arrow, 81 business partners provided more than $180,000 worth of financial contributions and in-kind-services to the school district, individual school sites and the Broken Arrow Public Schools Foundation.
Business Partners provided financial support for such things as field trips, classroom supplies and equipment, student school supplies, student incentive programs encouraging citizenship and leadership skills and assistance for students to attend state and national school activities. The PIE program also provided financial support for district items or functions, such as the “Adopt a Tiger,” rings for the Pride in recognition of their being named “Bands of America Grand National” winner, Above and Beyond, Teacher of the Year and Broken Arrow School Foundation.
“The Partners were instrumental in helping pass last year’s bond issue by providing awareness to their employees and speaking publicly of the importance of passing school bond issues,” Partners in Education Coordinator Jo McCord said. “They have also participated in our volunteer and mentoring program. Our PIE financial contributions and in-kind services amounted to hundreds of thousands of dollars given to the district, school sites and B.A. School Foundation.”
The PIE Program has provided community pride and recognition for the districts’ teachers by sponsoring the city-wide “National Teacher Appreciation Week” project and “Celebrating the Arts.”
“Community leaders have notified me that they enjoyed being a part of the projects and are looking forward to planning other projects to promote Broken Arrow Public Schools and students,” Mrs. McCord said.
Partners in Education Coordinator Jo McCord is contacted on a regular basis by school districts from Oklahoma and others parts of the country to find out why the Broken Arrow Partners program is so successful.
“I always tell those from other communities who called to ask about our Partners program that our program is the absolute best because our Partners value education and understand investing in our students today will produce results for years to come in our community,” Mrs. McCord said.
Taco Mayo owner John Lare was recognized as the district’s 2006-2007 Partner of the Year.
Haskell Middle School Principal Philip Tucker summed up the feelings of the district’s principals toward the Partners’ program.
“The Partners in Education of Haskell are always available when our school has a need. Whether it’s food for special events or money for supplies, or any number of things our Partners have provided over the years, all we have to do is ask.”
The Oklahoma School Public Relations Association also recognized BAPS Partner in Education Air Assurance as the 2007 OKSPRA Distinguished Partner Award winner for the entire state.
TRANSPORTATION
Broken Arrow Public Schools Transportation Department enjoys an exceptional record and reputation for safety and skill. The excellence displayed by the Broken Arrow Public Schools Transportation Department on a daily basis is especially impressive when the BAPS Transportation Department’s 2006-2007 school year statistics regarding number of students transported and miles traveled while transporting students are examined:
• Number of Students Transported by BAPS-8,500 each day
• Miles Traveled on Regular School Routes-750,000 miles
• Miles Traveled on Special Ed Routes-430,000 miles
• Summer School Miles-40,000 miles
• Miles Traveled to Vocational Education-63,000 miles
• Miles Traveled to Activity Trips-115,000 miles
• Number of bus drivers-102
• Number of bus aides- 32
• Number of mechanics- 9