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Parents of students in grades 6-12 can now purchase Chromebook insurance online for the 2019-20 school year and skip the Chromebook lines this fall during schedule pickup.

The cost for protection is $30. To purchase insurance, visit www.baschools.org/insurance.

If purchased, the insurance package will cover 100% of the first repair and 50% of the second repair. Only damaged charge cords will be covered by insurance (not lost or stolen). Acts of intentional damage will not be covered by the insurance.

Please keep in mind if insurance is not purchased at the time of device acceptance, parents/guardians are responsible for the full cost of any repair or replacement. Please read the details in the Student Technology Insurance Program overview to learn more about the various costs associated with the Chromebooks.

With the 2019-2020 school year right around the corner, Broken Arrow Public Schools is holding its annual Support Job Fair on Thursday, June 27, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Central on Main Ballroom, located at 210 N. Main St.

Many job opportunities are available for the upcoming school year, including support positions in transportation, child nutrition, plant operations, before and after school child care, clerical work, paraprofessionals, behavior coaches and teacher assistants.

“Whether applicants are seeking full-time jobs or part-time employment, this job fair is a great way to expedite the introduction process between our departments and those interested in working for Broken Arrow Public Schools,” recruitment & staffing coordinator Lindsay Taylor said.

District representatives will be present to answer any questions, and online applications will be available on site. Online applications can also be completed before the job fair.

For more information, please call the Human Resources Department at 918-259-5704.

School supply lists for the district’s early childhood centers and elementary schools are now available for the 2019-20 school year.

For all middle schools, the Freshman Academy, Broken Arrow High School and the Options Academy, supply lists will be provided to students by their teachers on the first day of school. We encourage parents to wait before buying supplies, as each teacher has a specific list that students will need for their particular classes.

Broken Arrow Public Schools announced today a historic financial investment into its teacher salary scale, which will increase a starting teacher’s compensation by nearly $3,700.

The pay scales, which are pending approval by the Board of Education and the Broken Arrow Education Association, will provide all teachers in the district with a salary that is $1,720 above the state minimum in addition to completely funding the 7.5% employee contribution to the Teachers’ Retirement System of Oklahoma (OTRS).

“Increasing teacher pay has been a constant focus of our Board of Education,” said Superintendent Dr. Janet Dunlop. “I commend our board members for their support and commitment to investing every additional state operational funding dollar toward teacher compensation. We are excited to be able to reward our teachers while maintaining small class sizes and direct classroom support. We appreciate our teachers’ union, BAEA, for coming to the table with this shared priority of raising teacher pay.”

The new scale would pay a teacher with a bachelor’s degree in their first year a total compensation of $41,348 when including base salary, the district-paid retirement contribution and life and disability insurance. (State law requires teachers to join OTRS and contribute 7.5% of their salary. BAPS pays the entirety of this contribution directly on the employee’s behalf as an added benefit.)

These salary increases will result in the district investing an additional $4.2 million directly into teacher compensation, made possible by the support of our state legislators through increased common education funding.

“We are so proud to make this historic investment in our teachers,” said Dunlop. “Our teachers deserve the best, and these increases will directly benefit our students in recruiting and retaining outstanding educators.”

The Teaching & Leading Initiative of Oklahoma has named Kelsey Hicks, a third-grade teacher at Broken Arrow’s Timber Ridge Elementary, one of the top novice teachers in Oklahoma. Hicks was included on TLI’s inaugural 20 Under 2 list, which celebrates emerging teacher leaders, high performers and educators with two years of experience or fewer who make Oklahoma’s future look bright.

Hicks recently completed her second year at Timber Ridge, where she led her students to impressive academic gains and continues to lead a Kindness Club focused on improving school culture.

“From the very first day of school, Ms. Hicks stood out as an exceptional first-year teacher,” said Timber Ridge Elementary Principal Tiffany Green. “She seemed to have an instinctive ability to set classroom expectations while creating a strong rapport with her students to establish a safe learning environment. She is most deserving of this award.”

Hicks credits Jennifer Baek, one of her teachers while growing up in Houston, for inspiring her to choose a career in education.

“In her classroom, I was valued, respected and I knew I was cared for,” Hicks said. “I want to be a Mrs. Baek for all of my students. Each student brings so much life into our classroom and I hope they walk away feeling loved, just as I did.”

Hicks, a graduate of Evangel University in Springfield, Mo., says her favorite part of the day is the moment of affirmation as the final bell rings.

“When they leave the classroom, each child receives a hug, handshake or high-five,” she explained. “Whether they had a good day or a bad day, that last minute connection with them hopefully makes them look forward to the next day at school.”

Principals, veteran teachers and district leaders across Oklahoma submitted teachers for consideration. Each nomination was reviewed and scored by a panel of education professionals to determine the 20 honorees based on outstanding classroom culture, academic results and contributions to Oklahoma’s public schools.