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Due to the recent need to transition to distance learning because of inclement weather, the district has made the decision to cancel the previously scheduled Distance Learning Monday scheduled for Monday, Feb. 6.

While we recognize that our pre-planned Distance Learning Mondays are important for teacher collaboration and instructional planning, we also understand the positive impact in-person learning has on our students. Therefore, all students will be in-person learning at their school sites on Feb. 6.

If your student has a medical appointment planned on Monday, please communicate with your teacher or site principal regarding attendance.

In support of its ongoing literacy efforts, Broken Arrow Public Schools is joining school districts from across the nation to celebrate Read Across America to showcase the importance of reading Feb. 27 through March 3.

During the week, school sites and classrooms will focus on making reading fun with many exciting reading activities, volunteer readers and dress up days.

“Broken Arrow educators truly understand that literacy is the key to student achievement and are committed to providing students with a variety of opportunities that lead them to success,” Deputy Superintendent Dr. Karla Dyess said. “We have more than 20,000 students enrolled at Broken Arrow Public Schools, and we realize that each comes with unique needs in regards to literacy.”

Anyone interested in volunteering their time to be a guest reader in a classroom during Read Across America can sign up online.

Broken Arrow Bands is hosting its annual band fair for current 5^th grade students interested in exploring the instruments in which they can choose to play in 6^th grade band. The event will take place Friday, Feb.3, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and again on Saturday, Feb. 4, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Freshman Academy, located at 301 W. New Orleans.

All instruments will be thoroughly sanitized for each student to try with no sign-ups necessary.

Please note that students need to be enrolled in band starting in 6^th grade in order to be part of band during their high school years.

Broken Arrow's Special Olympics program is hosting a mandatory parent meeting for students who are participating on the Special Olympics team for the 2023-24 school year. The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 7, at Central on Main located at 210 N. Main Street.

For any questions about this program, please contact:

Christina Gould, Head Coach
Michele Huebert, Special Education and Assistive Technology Coordinator

Broken Arrow High School is hosting sessions on Tuesday, Feb. 7, for parents and students that are currently in grades 8-11 to learn more about high school academic opportunities. The evening will begin at 5 p.m. and will last until 7:30 p.m. The following is the schedule for the five breakout sessions (download flier):

Breakout Session #1: 5 p.m. to 5:25 p.m.

Breakout Session #2: 5:30 p.m. to 5:55 p.m.

Breakout Session #3: 6 p.m. to 6:25 p.m.

Breakout Session #4: 6:30 p.m. to 6:55 p.m.

Breakout Session #5: 7 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Each of the following nine topics will be repeated in the above time slots:

• Advanced Placement (AP) Courses: Learn about how AP courses will prepare your child for college and earn them college credits while in high school. Presentation will be in the BAHS media center.
   
• Career Tech (CTE) Courses: Learn about available CTE courses and career pathways including Marketing/Business, Agriculture, Family and Consumer Science (life skills), BMITE, Computer Science and Graphic Design/Photography. Presentation will be in the BAHS Building C commons area.
   
• TulsaTech Courses: Learn about why Tulsa Tech is one of the best career and technical training centers in the country. Presentation will be in the BAHS Building C, room 204.
   
• Dual Credit at Tulsa Community College: Learn about the requirements for dual credit courses and how these courses can save money for college. Presentation will be in the BAHS student union, classroom 106.
   
• Early College High School (ECHS): Learn about the requirements for students to graduate from high school with their associate degree. Presentation will be in the BAHS student union, classroom 108.
   
• Athletics & NCAA: Learn about the NCAA requirements needed for college admission. Presentation will be in the BAHS media center's classroom.
   
• JROTC: Learn about the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps program, an elective course that provides a Fine Arts credit for 9^th through 12^th grade students that promotes leadership, service to the nation and community service. Students can participate in marksmanship, physical fitness and drill teams. Presentation will be in the BAHS vocational building.
   
• College Scholarships: Information on Oklahoma's Promise, Tulsa Achieves and other scholarships. Presentation will be in the College and Career Center, main 124.
   
• Virtual Academy: Learn how students can receive their education on a virtual format while also receiving assistance from certified, highly qualified teachers. Presentation will be in BAHS Building "C" room 108.

Please contact the high school at 918-259-4700 for more information.

Administrators from Early College High School are hosting an informational forum about the benefits of ECHS for current 8^th and 9^th graders and their parents. This forum will take place 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 16 in the auditorium at Northeastern State University in Broken Arrow, 3100 New Orleans Street. 

ECHS allows students to take high school level courses on the Northeastern State University-Broken Arrow campus while simultaneously equipping them to successfully undertake college coursework upon completion of 10^th grade. Visit this webpage to watch an overview of ECHS.

“Early College High School was made possible by our partnerships with Northeastern State University and Tulsa Community College,” said Sharon James, executive director of secondary education for Broken Arrow Public Schools. “This program truly increases college readiness and provides students the access to university labs, libraries and other support services.”

Data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center shows that time in a postsecondary classroom during high school can lead to more college-going behavior. It also supports the “Power of 15,” an initiative based on studies indicating that students who leave high school with 15 college credits are more likely to attend college and stay there longer. This program also saves parents money for college and increases first generation college attendees.

Additional student benefits of Early College High School include peer/study groups, a smaller learning environment, ease of college enrollment, easier transition after high school, increase in college grades and more focused support for college entrance scores.  

All courses will be taught by Broken Arrow teachers. Students in athletics and fine arts are able to participate and still meet necessary requirements. Online applications will open on the dates listed below.

• Jan. 16 - Students currently enrolled in BAPS. (View application information.)
• Feb. 6 - Students NOT currently enrolled in BAPS, but interested in enrolling in BAPS.

Questions about ECHS, please contact Julie Sunderland at jlsunderland@baschools.org or 918-449-6185.