ARROWPOINTTHE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF BROKEN ARROW PUBLIC SCHOOLS

VOLUME 38, ISSUE THREE • WINTER 2012

SEE INSIDESuperintendent’s Message

BAPS Event Streaming

Site Teachers of the Year

National Merit Semifinalists

Rumor Has It

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The new A-F Grading System has been the subject of a number of news stories in recent months, and there is still much to be learned about this new system. In late October, the State Board of Education approved the new system, despite the concerns expressed by parents, more than 300 superintendents, and a number of other educators.

The schools within our district received B’s and C’s, and the district’s overall score is a B. You can access the report cards for each of our schools and the entire district by visiting https://sdeweb01.sde.ok.gov/Transparency/ReportCards/ and typing in the words Broken Arrow. As district administrators break down and understand each score, more information will be shared, and you can expect to see an article on this topic in the February issue of this magazine.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the system, the A-F Grading System replaces the one used under the No Child Left Behind Act. Instead of each school receiving an Academic Performance Indicator (API) score of 0-1500, schools will receive an A-F letter grade. I am very much in favor of an easy-to-understand system; however, the problem with the A-F Grading System is in the details. The system contains errors, utilizes poorly derived formulas, and is based on systems that have proven to be flawed in other states, namely Florida.

If you read last month’s issue of Arrowpoint, you know that multiple grading scales are used in the calculation of each letter grade, and what most people would consider an A – 90% and up – isn’t necessarily an A according to this new system. A large percentage of each school’s grade is dependent upon small subgroups of specific students, and even the calculation that determines “average growth” is not what you and I would think of as an average. As a former quarterback, I’ll use this analogy. In football, average yards per carry is calculated by including yardage gained and lost on every carry and dividing by the number of carries. By omitting the losses, the SDE is inflating growth numbers. This distorts the grades and directly impacts the amount of support some parents and students receive, including options for school choice

I believe in accountability and assessment. I believe that schools should constantly seek opportunities for improvement at all levels. I believe in a grading system for schools; however, I am opposed to a system that is inaccurate, political, and harmful to the students of Oklahoma. Lawmakers have assured us this topic will be revisited during the 2013 Legislative Session, and I am hopeful they will be true to their word. I encourage you to continue to educate yourself on this issue, as it will impact our entire community.

Sincerely,

Dr. Jarod Mendenhall, Superintendent of Schools

VOLUME 38, ISSUE 3 | WINTER 2012

PublisherCommunications DepartmentBroken Arrow Public Schools

Editing/Content/PhotographyTara ThompsonPublic Information Officer

Layout/Design/PhotographyAdam J. ForemanGraphic Artist/Publications Specialist

Superintendent of SchoolsDr. Jarod Mendenhall

Board of EducationCheryl Kelly, PresidentSteve Allen, Vice PresidentJerry Denton, ClerkShari Wilkins, Deputy ClerkSteve Majors, Member

The ARROWPOINT is published by the Communications Department of Broken Arrow Public Schools and is distributed to approximately 45,000 households in the Broken Arrow school district. The ARROWPOINT is printed at Printed Products, Inc., and is the official communication tool for parents, students, staff and patrons of Broken Arrow Public Schools. Any information, content and photos contained herein are property of Broken Arrow Schools and are to be used by outside sources only with permission of the Communications Department. All contents are copyrighted.

Broken Arrow Public Schools (BAPS) does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or age in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following people at BAPS have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: The Executive Director of Human Resources should be contacted for all non-student and/or employment related issues at 918-259-5700 or at 701 South Main Street, Broken Arrow, OK 74012. The Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services should be contacted for all student issues except those related to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 at 918-259-5700 or at 701 South Main Street, Broken Arrow, OK 74012. The Director of Special Education should be contacted for all student issues related to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 at 918-259-5700 or at 701 South Main Street, Broken Arrow, OK 74012. Inquiries concerning non-discrimination can also be made to the United States Department of Education’s Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights.

Broken Arrow Public SchoolsEducation Service Center701 South Main StreetBroken Arrow, OK 74012(918) 259-5700 | F: (918) 258-0399www.baschools.org

ARROWPOINTTHE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF BROKEN ARROW PUBLIC SCHOOLS}

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ARROWPOINT MAGAZINE • PAGE TWO

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ARROWPOINT MAGAZINE • PAGE THREE

Dr. Mendenhallshares the scoopon the rumorsconcerning BA schools

RUMORHAS IT

Rumor has it that full-day Pre-K will be a requirement next year.

“No. Next year, we will open three of the Early Childhood Centers that the patrons approved in the 2010 bond reallocation: Park Lane and the new Indian Springs and Westwood facilities – all of which have yet to be named. The fourth Early Childhood Center at Arrow Springs will not open until the 2014-2015 school year. Full-day Pre-K will be offered at each of these sites; however, it will not be a requirement. Parents will have access to a free program in which their child will have a class size of no more than 20 students, a certified teacher and an aide, but the parents will decide whether or not the student is enrolled in half-day of full-day services. A committee is currently meeting to create the Pre-K schedule and curriculum, and before-and-after care services will be provided at the sites.”

Rumor has it the district doesn’t recycle.

“Not true. Recently, the district did have to remove the green Abitibi bins due to a lack of a contract with the company, but we are in the process of securing new recycling services. I would like to work with a company that accepts recyclable materials other than just paper, and I also want to make sure the company we select is at no cost to the district, or will provide our sites with a percentage of the profits generated from our recycling efforts. Being good stewards of the environment should not have to come with a high monthly fee. We put out a request for services, and have received responses from three different companies. Right now, we are reading through each proposal to determine which will best meet the recycling needs of our district.”

Rumor has it that the sophomores are moving to the high school.

“Maybe. Right now, we have two committees that will be looking at that possibility: the Long Range Planning Committee and the High School Transformation Committee. The staff members and parents serving on these committees are asking questions like, can the sophomores be contained in one building on the High School

campus, taking core classes in that space with access to upper level classes in other buildings? Can juniors and seniors leave campus more frequently through the Career Exploration Program, concurrent enrollment, technical school or online courses? Can the High School be configured more like a college campus, where students attend classes based on their ‘major?’ I don’t have a simple answer, but movement of the sophomores to the High School is being openly discussed.”

Rumor has it that all 9th graders are moving to South Intermediate and North Intermediate will be closed.

“Not exactly. I like the idea of a Freshman Academy concept in which all ninth graders are at a site

composed entirely of ninth graders, but we would first need to deal with the inequity of facilities.

South is currently under construction, and North is in dire need of construction

– a lot of construction. If we created freshman academies at both sites, we would need to place all ninth graders at

South for at least one year in order to be able to remodel North and bring it up to the

standard established at South. Any movement of students would likely not happen until the

2014-2015 school year. ”

Rumor has it that the district will run another bond issue in 2013.

“No. If we run another bond issue – and I do believe we need to – it would not be until the fall of 2014. The $295 million bond that was

passed in 2009 helped remove portables and make much needed repairs and replacements,

but it will take another bond issue to finish what we’ve started. For example, the 2009 bond issue did not

meet the needs of North Intermediate or Sequoyah, nor did it address some of the annual maintenance needs at the newer sites. Another bond issue would take care of these items, in addition to allowing us to plan for the future. We constantly need to add technology, we must build a new elementary school in the next few years to keep up with growth, and I am hearing increasing talk of the community’s desire to build a pool. We will need to pass another bond issue to fund these and other projects, but it will not be in 2013.”

ARROWPOINT MAGAZINE • PAGE FOUR

On behalf of Broken Arrow Public Schools, the Professional Development Committee is proud to announce the 2012-2013 Site Teacher of the Year Recipients.

“While our district is full of phenomenal educators, each of these 25 individuals were elected by their peers as outstanding educators who have continually displayed innovation and leadership at their sites,” said Dr. Jarod Mendenhall. “The Professional Development Committee faces a very tough assignment in the coming months, because only one of these educators can be selected as our District Teacher of the Year.”

Now that all the Site Teachers of the Year have been announced,

SHININGSTARSD i s t r i c t a n n o u n c e s S i t e T e a c h e r s o f t h e Y e a r

the Professional Development Committee will conduct an informational meeting to discuss the District Teacher of the Year process.

“The Site Teacher of the Year recipients will have until February to submit portfolios to the Professional Development Committee,” said Diana Beaulieu, BAPS Director of Professional Development. “As a committee, we will then thoroughly review each portfolio, interview the candidates, and eventually arrive at the person we believe to be the best candidate for the District Teacher of the Year. It’s an arduous process for both the candidates and the committee, but it’s incredibly rewarding.”

The District Teacher of the Year is announced every spring at the Teacher of the Year Gala. This year’s annual reception will be held on Thursday, April 4, 2013. The District Teacher of the Year will then go on to represent Broken Arrow Public Schools at the State Teacher of the Year Competition later in the summer of 2013.

“I hope every employee will join me in congratulating these individuals on their accomplishment,” Mendenhall said. “Each of them is an example of the high-quality professionals who work to make our district great, and I am excited to see which one will represent our district at the state level.”

TEACHER OF THE YEAR 2013

Terrill HendrixBroken Arrow Academy

Greg JamesHaskell Middle School

Michael BromileySouth Intermediate High School

Jenny SmithOliver Middle School

Janice AirhartMargaret Hudson Program

Barbara HinkleCentennial Middle School

Debbie PettusBroken Arrow High School

Bill ZellersErnest Childers Middle School

Gina RackleyNorth Intermediate High School

ARROWPOINT MAGAZINE • PAGE FIVE

Kelley O’BrienSequoyah Middle School

Kathy SeymourArrow Springs Elementary

Kendra DoseArrowhead Elementary

Sarah SchadeCountry Lane Primary

Jennifer AdamsSpring Creek Elementary

Kurt BaugessVandever Elementary

Haley EvansWestwood Elementary

Jana WilliamsWolf Creek Elementary

Kelli CollinsLiberty Elementary

Brenda FrenchLynn Wood Elementary

Tera LandrumOak Crest Elementary

Cindy BrixeyRhoades Elementary

Lea Ann FlintCountry Lane Intermediate

Stacy DurbinHighland Park Elementary

Kayte WeinachtIndian Springs Elementary

Mendy SchanckLeisure Park Elementary

ARROWPOINT MAGAZINE • PAGE SIX

tThe National Merit Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955. Out of 1.5 million entrants in the United States there are only 16,000 students who qualify as semifinalists.

Broken Arrow Public Schools is proud to recognize the following five seniors as National Merit Semifinalists, and as the students go on to compete for positions as finalists, great things are expected from each of these Tigers.

Andrew Abbott is the son of Scott and Elizabeth Conrad. He is a member of the National Honor Society, Mock Trial Team and is an AP scholar. Andrew plans to major in Accounting and Economics while attending Baylor University. Upon completing his college degree he hopes to become a certified public accountant and/or

NationalRecognitionFive BAHS students recognized as National Merit Semifinalists

a lawyer.Marissa Griffin is the daughter of the

late Ms. Sharon Griffin and granddaughter of Judy Carr. She participates in National Honor Society, Key Club, Environmental Science Club and the French Club. Marissa is also an AP scholar and has been awarded the certificate of Achievement from the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology.

She would like to attend one of the following schools: Carnegie Mellon, University of Michigan, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Columbia University or Rice University. She aspires to be a scientist, but currently is leaning toward becoming a chemical engineer.

Brian Haiduk is the son of Mark and Julie Koble. He is a member the Pride of Broken Arrow and has been recognized as an All

District and All State musician. He would like to be a mechanical engineer and attend the University of Tulsa.

Alex Harper is the son of Jack Harper and Shelley Mashburn. He is a member of the Broken Arrow symphonic band. He plans to attend Rochester Institute of Technology and obtain a Bachelors and Master’s of Science in Video Gaming. He aspires to be a lead designer or programmer for a major gaming company.

Brennen VanderVeen is the son of Mark and Laura VanderVeen. He is a member of the Mock Trial Team, Academic Team, Latin Club and the National Honor Society. Currently Brennen is undecided on the university he plans to attend, but believes it will be an Ivy League school. He is interested in becoming a lawyer, judge or economist.

(L-R)Bottom row: Alex Harper

and Brian HaidukTop Row: Brennen

VanderVeen, Marissa Griffin and Andrew Abbott

i

ARROWPOINT MAGAZINE • PAGE SEVEN

BAPS goes global with internet streaming, radio coverage

In both academics and athletics, Broken Arrow has seen a steady rise in success over the past few years, and with this success comes the desire to continue to do things bigger and better than ever before.

This fall, the Broken Arrow Athletics Department partnered with KXBL Big Country 99.5 FM for football radio coverage. This powerful, 100,000 watt station will give Tiger football fans the ability to catch the game just about anywhere in the state of Oklahoma.

According to BAHS Athletic Director Ken Ellet, “This is the strongest signal ever for a Tiger football broadcast. For the 2012 season, Steve Scott did the play-by-play for the 19th consecutive season, while Mark Frie added the color commentary. These guys do a great job on our games, and making the move to a station with a more powerful signal allowed more of our fans to tune in to games. ”

In addition to the upgrade in radio coverage, Broken Arrow fans also have the opportunity to follow numerous athletic events that are now being streamed live in high definition on the web. The site is www.brokenarrowtigers.tv, and by visiting this website, fans will be able to watch a variety of live sporting events. In its pilot year, brokenarrowtigers.tv will carry more than 40 different athletic events throughout the school year including football, boys and girls basketball, boys and girls soccer and wrestling.

“The addition of our own streaming channel through GameView TV really brings us to the forefront in athletic coverage,” said BAPS Director of Technology Brian Daley. “Fans can watch on their smart phones or tablets while at the game or sitting at home, and the more we experiment with the program, the better the game coverage becomes.”

One of the challenges of streaming athletic events is the manpower needed to run the system. A crew of BAPS staff members work in a rotation to cover the games – both home and away – but also keep up with the responsibilities of their day jobs.

“We wanted to begin utilizing the program with just a small number of sports to become familiar with the way the system operates, but I foresee us expanding to streaming a number of other sports in the future,” Daley said. “The

Technology and Athletic Departments are collaborating with the BATV Program at the High School, and eventually, our goal is to have student crews running the show, gaining academic credit and real-world experience in sports media.”

In addition to a variety of sporting events, patrons who visit www.brokenarrowtigers.tv will also find a section for educational videos and other district projects being produced by the BATV Program at the High School.

“As we continue to utilize this type of technology, the possibilities are endless,” Daley said. “We’re a l r e a d y d i s c u s s i n g ideas like s t r e a m i n g graduation, because we believe it’s just one more way we can give our Broken Arrow fans, parents, and patrons access to the incredible things happening in our district.”

MASSMEDIA

ONLINE STREAMING:brokenarrowtigers.tv

Photo courtesy ofRuth Kelly Studio

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