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The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is an exam that helps students prepare for the SAT and provides entry to the National Merit Scholarship Program, an academic competition conducted by NMSC. Broken Arrow High School is giving this exam on Wednesday, Oct. 14.

This will be a distance learning day for BAHS and Options Academy students not taking the test. These students will complete coursework at home.

To prepare for the PSAT/NMSQT, students can visit www.collegereadiness.collegeboard.org to access practice tests.

Current BAHS Sophomores

All BAHS sophomores will be taking this exam free of charge so they can assess their skills and know if they have the potential to become a National Merit Finalist. BAHS sophomores will be required to attend school on Wednesday, Oct. 14.

For any questions, please call Denny Beach at 918-259-4700 or email him at jbeach@baschools.org.

Current BAHS Juniors

All INTERESTED BAHS juniors are encouraged to take the PSAT/NMSQT if they would like to apply for National Merit Finalist. Taking the PSAT/NMSQT and achieving a qualifying score as a junior is the first step in this process. The test is $17 and the fee can be paid in the BAHS main office any time before Thursday, Oct. 1. 

The top 10% of the sophomore class who took the PSAT last year will have their test paid for by the school. These students and parents should have received a letter of qualification earlier this month.

For any questions, please call Denny Beach at 918-259-4700 or email him at jbeach@baschools.org.

Virtual Academy Sophomore Students

Virtual Academy sophomore students will take the PSAT/NMSQT at the high school on Wednesday, Oct. 14.

On Monday, Sept. 28, a pre-administration session will be conducted where virtual students provide demographic information and receive their copy of the “2020 PSAT/NMSQT Student Guide.” This session also assists with receiving scores in a timely manner. For your convenience, there are morning and afternoon sessions available on Sept 28. Virtual students can report to the high school between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. or between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. The session will take approximately 45 minutes. For the administration of the test on Oct. 14, virtual students must arrive at the high school by 7:40 a.m.

For any questions, please call Caleb Starr at 918-505-5270 or email him at cstarr@baschools.org.

Early College High School Sophomore Students

Early College High School sophomores will be taking the PSAT/NMSQT at their regular location on the campus of Northeastern State University on Wednesday, Oct. 14. This will be a regular school day for all ECHS students. For questions, please call Dr. Kim Garrett at 918-449-6185 or email her at kgarrett@baschools.org. 

BA Options Academy

All BA Options Academy sophomores will be taking this exam free of charge so they can assess their skills and know if they have the potential to become a National Merit Finalist. BA Options Academy sophomores will be required to attend school at the Broken Arrow High School on Wednesday, Oct. 14.

All INTERESTED BA Options Academy juniors are encouraged to take the PSAT/NMSQT if they would like to apply for National Merit Finalist. Taking the PSAT/NMSQT and achieving a qualifying score as a junior is the first step in this process. The test is $17 and the fee can be paid in the BAHS main office any time before Thursday, Oct. 1. 

The top 10% of the sophomore class who took the PSAT last year will have their test paid for by the school and those students and parents should have received a letter of qualification earlier this month.

Oct. 14 will be a distance learning day for BA Options Academy students not taking the test.

For any questions, please contact BA Options Academy at 918-259-4600.

Broken Arrow Public Schools is partnering with TEAM Clinics, an Oklahoma based technology company, to provide high-quality, immediate medical care to children where they are – at school. The district is currently one of only a few in Oklahoma who offer this service to its students.

TEAM Clinics is currently available at every elementary and secondary school site. At this time, it is not available at the early childhood centers. Parents MUST opt-in to this service by completing registration forms via this flier.

“We wanted to provide our students with more accessible medical care, so we are partnering with TEAM Clinics to provide quick on-site healthcare to students using technology to expedite diagnosis and treatment, ” said Derek Blackburn, executive director of student services. “This partnership with TEAM Clinics will provide a tremendous value to our families. Currently, TEAM Clinics can diagnose various illnesses, including strep and flu, rashes, common colds, etc. Rapid COVID tests should be available soon.”

TEAM Clinics expands the school’s abilities to serve their children by connecting nurses, licensed healthcare providers, parents and children for efficient, immediate healthcare. With the use of telemedicine technology, the TEAM Clinics provider can assess the child’s medical needs. TEAM Clinics visits are covered by most insurance companies. 

“An illness isn't just hard on your child, it affects your whole family,” said CEO of TEAM Clinics Trevor Nutt. “Parents and other members of the family often rearrange their schedules and have to miss work to take their child to the doctor. We came up with a convenient way for children, who are already at school, to see a licensed healthcare provider. The parent can be at the appointment either via video or in person at school.”

How does Team Clinics work? When a child is not feeling well, he or she makes a visit to the nurse's office. The nurse and licensed healthcare provider, use telemedicine devices and if needed, use an on-site lab to run tests. This allows parents and licensed providers to see, hear and be a part of the visit from the very beginning to the end. The provider can make a diagnosis and send prescriptions, if necessary, to the pharmacy.

“We’re proud of the high-quality medical care we can provide our communities, and we want to give back as much as we can to support them,” said Nutt.

For more information, visit www.teamclinics.com or contact student's school site.

As the 2019-20 academic school year got under way for Broken Arrow Public Schools, no one could predict that the final lap of the year would be clouded in uncertainty and the unknown. But as a pandemic swept across the nation, Broken Arrow teachers, staff, administrators and students banded together, showcasing once again that education and learning cannot be silenced.

Adapting the district’s core values into a distance-learning environment, paradigms were shifted and tasks were completed, and the Class of 2020 was able to walk across the stage in a ceremony like none other before it. It’s this dedication to the students of today and tomorrow that keeps Broken Arrow Public Schools in the forefront of innovation, no matter the obstacles strewn along the path to success.

To highlight the district’s progress both inside and outside of the classroom for the 2019-20 school year, the district’s communications team partnered with financial services to create Broken Arrow Public Schools’ Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR).

The PAFR combines the district’s financial information with district highlights and accomplishments from the previous year. The PAFR is designed to be readily accessible and easily understandable to the general public and other interested parties without a background in public finance.

Questions, comments and feedback regarding this report are encouraged, so please do not hesitate to contact the district at 918-259-5700.

Broken Arrow’s district-opener against the Westmoore Jaguars on Friday, Sept. 25 has been canceled, the district said in a press release late Monday afternoon.

Kickoff was scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Memorial Stadium in Broken Arrow for what was the YurView Ford Game of the Week.

“Westmoore contacted us Monday afternoon after they determined that Friday’s game could not be played due to COVID-related issues,” said Broken Arrow executive director of athletics Steve Dunn. “While we are disappointed for our student-athletes and coaches, we certainly understand and have anticipated setbacks like this occurring throughout this school year.”

The Tigers will open district play next Friday, Oct. 2 at Jenks High School’s Allan Trimble Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. and will be the YurView Ford Game of the Week for the third time this season. There will be limited capacity, and ticket information will be announced as soon as it is made available.

After careful consideration, Broken Arrow Public Schools is unable to host the 2020 edition of its homecoming parade in an effort to protect the health and safety of alumni, students, staff and community members. This cancelation is unrelated to the planned football game against Edmond Memorial at 7 p.m. on Oct. 9.  

“Due to the complexities of organizing an event with so many outside organizations at this time, it is not possible to hold the homecoming parade this year,” Broken Arrow Public Schools Student Activities Director Christian Welborn said. “Our main goal as a school district is to focus our energy and resources on having school and continuing co-curricular activities that can be properly social distanced.”

Broken Arrow High School’s student council is hosting a tailgating event for students with games, music, prizes and food at on Oct. 8. The Homecoming Court students will be recognized at this event. Tickets will be sold in the student union, and capacity will be limited to allow room for social distancing. Masks will be required. More info coming soon. 

This year’s homecoming theme is “Life is What You Make It,” inspired by Hannah Montana, and dress up days are as follows:

• Monday – Distance Learning Day  
• Tuesday - Wrecking Ball (construction)
• Wednesday - Best of Both Worlds (twin/duo)
• Thursday- Hoedown Throwdown in Space (Space Cowboy)
• Friday- Wherever I Go (BA gear)

Although the homecoming football game is sold out, alumni, students, parents and community members are encouraged to tune into ArrowVision.tv to cheer for the Tigers from afar.

Every kid counts, especially in the 2020 census.

The federal government is currently conducting its decennial census to receive a population count of everyone in the United States. This count includes newborn babies, children, citizens, noncitizens, and those temporarily staying at a household. The census can be completed at www.2020census.gov by Sept. 30. 

Data from the census provides the basis for annually distributing billions of dollars in federal funds to communities across the country to support vital programs that impact education, housing, transportation, health care and more.

What does this mean for Broken Arrow Public Schools? An accurate census count is the critical first step to helping educators address the needs of every child who walks through its doors. The census count only happens once every 10 years, and when young children aren’t counted, the consequences can last most of their childhood.

According to the National Education Association, census data determines the distribution of more than $800 billion, which impacts the amount of federal funds communities receive for special education, classroom technology, teacher training, after-school programs and school lunch assistance.

Research shows young children are at high risk of not being counted. The Annie E. Casey Foundation notes that the 2010 census “missed 10 percent of children under the age of five”–that’s more than 2 million kids.

"Our students deserve the very best. They deserve to be counted," Broken Arrow Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Janet Vinson said. “All federal funds are allocated from the U.S. Department of Education to states based on their census count. An inaccurate count could mean lower federal funds for Oklahoma students. This is our only shot for the next 10 years to get the census right."

In an effort to increase census participation, the U.S. Census Bureau has made it easier than ever. You can respond in 13 different languages, and it can be completed in less than 15 minutes by mail, by phone or online. Your responses are safe, secure and confidential.