Union School Board Member Resigns

Page 2 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - September-October 2003

"No Child Left Behind"

Union Public Schools wants to ensure summer while government teachers at students in ways that we say should
the academic success of each and every the 8th Grade Center have been using demonstrate mastery," Burden said
child in its school district, already well similar tests for some time. This year, explaining the tests are tools for teach-
prepared for the federal No Child Left Union is on target to complete assess- ers to guide them in their instruction.
Behind (NCLB) Act. ments in grades 9-12 in Language Arts,
Algebra IT and Geometry - all written by Union is not dependent on the state to
The basic tenet of NCLB is to assess the Union teachers to cover Union's own measure accountability for NCLB,
academic achievement of students each curriculum. Burden said. "We are ahead of the game,
year so that their progress can be meas- working to know our children and how
ured against the standards of the cur- "These are tests that measure the things to teach them rather than just test
riculum, verifying whether all children we think are important and testing our them."
are making continuous progress and liv-
ing up to the expectations of their Intermediate High School
grades . students Brandon Green and
Andy Warren stand in front
Superintendent Dr. Cathy Burden said an American flag draped on
Union has been preparing for NCLB for the stage of the Union
years. "We didn't need 1,100 pages to Performing Arts Center for
tell us what to do - but now that we the back·to·school kick-off.
have it, we have to conform to a nation- They are members of the Air
al initiative that will ensure that we Force junior Reserve Officer
don't neglect our primary responsibility Training Corps, which pre-
to make an environment that breeds sented the flag ceremony.
student achievement." The ]ROTC program, now in
its third year, recently hosted
The Oklahoma Legislature passed HB an Oath of Enlistment cere·
1414 to bring the state into compliance mony at Union Intermediate
with NCLB. Over the next few years, where 2003 graduate Eric
Oklahoma will have criterion-referenced Winn was sworn in to the U.S.
tests in grades 3-8 in reading and math, A ir Force Reserve.
and some grade testing in social studies
and science along with end-of-instruc- Parents' Right To Know
tion tests in English IT, Algebra I, Biology
I and U.S. History. In accordance with the No Child Left the right to ask for the following infor
Behind Act, parents have the right to mation about their children's teachers:
Rather than wait for tests created by the know the professional qualifications of
state, Union has been developing its their children's classroom teachers. Whether the teacher has met state
own dis tri ctwide tests with great Federal law allows parents to ask for qualification and licensing criteria
results. Clark, Grove and Briarglen certain information about those teach- for the grade levels and subject
teachers have used assessments to ers and requires schools to provide the areas in which the teacher provides
focus their instruction, aligning district information in a timely manner if instruction;
curriculum with PASS (Priority requested. Specifically, parents have
Academic Student Skills) through nine- Whether the teacher is teaching
week blocks of instruction and quarter- New Teaching under emergency or other provision-
ly te sting. Teachers discovered Requirements Announced al status through which state qualifi-
strengths and weaknesses that helped cation or licensing criteria have been
boost the overall achievement levels for Union Public Schools is working with waived;
students. In fact, the results were signif- the Oklahoma Department of Education
icantly above expectations. to make sure that all of its teachers are About baccalaureate degree major of
meeting new standards under the No the teacher and any other graduate
Biology teacher s at the 8th Grade Center Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act. certification or degree held by the
wrote their own assessments over the teacher, and the field of discipline of
"We believe we have the best staff in the the certification or degree;
On the Cover state," said Superintendent Dr. Cathy
Burden, but under the new law, teachers Whether the child is provided services
They're Back! - Office aides at the 6th/7th who were certified before 1982, will not by paraprofessionals and, if so, their
Grade Center show their enthusiasm for the be defined as "highly qualified." Under qualifications.
return of school. The students pictured NCLB, all teachers must be of "high
include: (shown left to right) top, Melissa quality" by 2005. In addition, any Parents wishing to request any of this
Nichols, 11, 6th; Emily Meadors, 13, 7th; schools that receive Title I funds must information should contact the Human
Logan Fitzsimmons, 12, 7th; Josh Adams, be compliant with the law immediately. Resources department at 4 59- 3308.
12, 7th, (bottom) Stephen Dunkelberg, 11,
6th; Howard Scarborough, 12, 7th; Katie Union is working with state officials to Notification of Management Plans
Salamandra, 12, 7th; and Carrington Fox, ensure that its teachers meet the new
12, 6th. standard as painlessly as possible this All buildings in the Union School District have
year. been inspected for asbes tos in accordance witb
the EPA law, "The Asbestos Hazard Emergency
Response Act" (AHERA). Results are in the dis-
trict' s managem ent plans and are available at
the Education Service Center. For an appoint-
ment to view them, contact Hassan Yekzaman
at 459-33 50.

September-October 2003 -------------------------------------------------------------- Page3

Back to School Goes Smoothly at Union

fudging by the happy faces of teachers Alternative students reported to school Superintendent Dr. Cathy Burden and
and students, it is great to be back in August 15, while kindergarten students other administrators toured the schools
school. enjoyed their first day of school August to gauge the impact of state budget cuts
21 - even if some of the young students and increased class sizes. At the end of
"As usual, our principals and staff did a missed their parents. last year, Union was forced to eliminate
wonderful job of preparing for school," 59 teaching positions and 22.5 support
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Jim Jones Union 2003-2004 positions. However, Union teachers
said. "Because of them, each new year is Arts & Crafts Fairs were pleased when the district was able
off to a smoother start than the year to rehire for its classes of 4-year-olds
before." August 14 was no exception. September 20 - 9-5 and a nurse at each school.
High School Band @ Intermediate High
The eagerness of the students was also State allocations this year are tentative,
evident, he said, recalling the many stu- Contact: Teresa Wilson, 610-9359 and administrators are watching fund-
dents who enjoyed meeting their teach- ing closely, maintaining a fiscally con-
ers, rekindling old friendships or mak- October 11 - 9-5 servative stance. Part of the budget cri-
ing new ones. "We have a very consci- HS PTSA @ Intermediate High sis is the fault of an economic downturn
entious staff that cares about every stu- Contact: Dorothy Harkrider, 250-0926 in the state, and if the economy does
dent in our school district, and they are not improve, more cuts could occur.
always considering what is in the best October 25 - 9-5 State funding for schools is based on
interest of our students," Jones said. Peters PTA @ Intermediate High student membership, and final enroll-
Contact: Krista Bell, 461-8490 ments will not be determined until
Parents flooded into elementary sites October.
from Cedar Ridge to Briarglen, carrying November 22- 9-5
school supplies, cameras to record the High School Band @ Intermediate High
event, and often younger siblings of
students - future Redskins, no doubt. Contact: Teresa Wilson, 610-9359

Standing in the doorway, McAuliffe December 6- 9-5
principal Karen Vance greeted throngs Darnaby PTA @ Intermediate High
of parents as they ushered in students Contact: Tracy Rinehart, 496-4877
on their first day. Teachers played
games - from throwing a ball to singing District Focuses on McAuliffe school nurse judy Ford squeezes
exercises - with students, designed to Emergency Management air into a mannequin with assistance {rom
break the ice and teach each other their Grove school nurse Linda Christensen during
names. The Oklahoma Department of Civil a training program at the Union Education
Emergency Management is working with Service Center. School nurses and other per·
At the Eighth Grade Center, principal Union Public Schools officials and coun- sonnel who may deal with medical needs
Charlie Bushyhead and his staff wel- ty public safety and law enforcement attended workshops to learn about new tech·
comed students early with a positive agencies to create and implement new niques and programs related to student
take on explaining the rules of their emergency preparedness plans for the health care in preparation for the new school
school- "Survivor" style. Wearing shirts district. year.
bearing the famous television show
logo, staff members dressed as pop-cul- Jeff Chalmers, state preparedness offi- Adult and Community
ture characters - from tennis star cer for the Oklahoma Office of Civil Education Offering Classes
Serena Williams to Jack Sparrow from Emergency Management, stressed the
Pirates of the Caribbean - to explain importance of schools being prepared Free classes are being offered by the
rules about dress code and the charac- for both natural and man-made disas- Adult and Community Education
ter trait for September - respect. ters in a meeting at the beginning of the Department of Union Public Schools.
school year.
the Communicator Adult Basic Education/General
Representatives from the Emergency Educational Development (GED)
The Communicator (USPS 097 430) is pub- Management Office joined building Preparation classes are available day-
lished bi-monthly with extra issues in October principals and public safety officials on time and evening. For information call
and January by Union Public Schools, 5656 S. a tour of each school. The tour familiar- Sallie Jones at 459-4441.
129th E. Ave., Tulsa, OK 74134-6711. It is ized first responders with the schools
issued to patrons of the Union Public School and enabled the Civil Emergency English as a Second Language classes
District free of charge. Dr. Cathy Burden is Management officials to customize each are also available daytime and evening.
Superintendent of Schools. Gretchen Haas· school's emergency procedures. Later in For information call JoAnna Jamison at
Bethell is Communications Director/Editor. the year, all Union employees will par- 459-4663.
The Communicator staff includes Janie ticipate in a district training session on
Froman, Beverly Thummel and Mike Yore. emergency preparedness.
Periodicals postage paid at Tulsa, OK. POST-
MASTER: Send address changes to The
Communicator, 5656 S. 129th E. Ave., Tulsa,
OK 74134-6711, or call 459·3305 .



Five-year-old Casey Maloy, a new kindergarten student
at Briarglen Elementary, sheds a few tears as Rita New,
a nurse with the Tulsa County Health Department,
swabs her arm with cotton after giving her an immu-
nization shot in the arm. However, Casey quickly
stopped crying when she realized she had received the
shot and didn't feel it. "Is that all I gotta get?" she asked
her mom, Randi, who was holding her. Angela jackson,
clinic van coordinator, pictured far right, worked with
parents to complete paperwork and immunize their chil-
dren during the van's stop at Briarglen.

Peters Elementary principal jennifer Randall dressed as a

clown during Meet the Teacher Day, greeting parents and
students at the door of Peters Elementary. "We are going to
have a great year," Randall said.

Spanish-speaking and English-speaking families ca~e together to c~le­

brate the beginning of school at Clark's Fall Fiesta. Here, E':'ka
Martinez (kindergarten), ]azmin Martinez (fifth grade), !orge Martmez
- ----(second grade), and Javier Penaloza (eighth grade), relish the ~otdogs
cmd picnic atmosphere. Their mother, ~~e_lla Penaloza, (not pictured)
~id they enjoyed the fiesta and the acnvmes.

Alexis Thompson (fifth grade) and Brandon
Thompson (kindergarten) show off their new back-
packs as they get ready for the new school year at

Boevers Elementary.

Page6 ---------------------------------------------------------------- September-October 2003

Foundation Endowment Campaign

The community is The Foundation is involving school sites
and the community in its donor recog-
being invited to take nition plan that would allow schools,
business and other groups to donate
part in a year-long funds to name sections of the stadium
seating.'.For more information, log on to
·endowment campaign www.unionps.org.

sponsored by the Secondary The Union Schools Education
Progress Reports Foundation is collecting donations for
Union Schools its upcoming Foundation Celebration
In an effort to communicate more November 8. This year's theme is "Union
Education Foundation effec.;tively with parents about their Station."
secondary students' academic status,
(USEF) to raise funds progress reports will be sent home fre- The Foundation is seeking a variety of
quently. All students, whether or not donations including dinner gift certifi-
for innovative educa- they are failing a class, will be given an cates, golf items, auto details, hotel
academic progress report in each class stays, new clothing, home decorations,
tional programs for every four weeks during the semester. sport event tickets, furniture and more.
Please note that grades are calculated Donations are tax-deductible.
students. cumulatively throughout the semester.
Proceeds from the auction will benefit
The Trustees are in For the first semester, progress teachers and students, explained
the midst of an ambi- reports will be sent September 19, Foundation member Sharon Forbes.
tious campaign to October 24 and November 21. Report "Support of the Foundation is an invest-
raise $1 million for the Foundation's cards will be distributed January 9, ment in our children, our schools and
endowment. The campaign is tied to 2003. For the second semester, our community. Our mission is to gen-
donor recognitition opportunities at the progress reports will be sent February erate funds for innovative teaching proj-
new Union Multipurpose Activity Center 6, March 12 and April 23. Second ects to reward and reinforce excellence
(UMAC) which will open in November. semester report cards will be mailed throughout the district and for our
May 26, 2004. Union Endowment Fund." Patrons wish-
The Foundation got a major "shot in the ing to donate items or services may con-
arm" this summer when hotel magnate tact Carla Dickinson at 699-0624.
John Q. Hammons donated $750,000. Patrons wishing to purchase tickets for
Those funds will be paid out over a peri- the Foundation Celebration should con·
od of time, explained Foundation tact Sharon Forbes at 254-1621.
President Terry Almond.

Continuous Learning
Calendar Continues

at Clark

For the first time, all Union students Darnaby Child Nutrition Worker Named
enrolled in the K-5 Continuous Learning Union Support Employee of the Year
Calendar (CLC) are attending school at
Clark Elementary. Two former CLC For the past nine years, Toni Mosher has brought a
hubs, Peters and Cedar Ridge, now offer smile to her co-workers faces and to the children at
only the Traditional Learning Calendar. Darnaby Elementary School. As school began, her co-
CLC is an alternative educational calen- workers brought a smile to her face - naming her
dar that provides the student with the Support Employee of the Year. "I couldn't believe it,"
same number of school days as the tra- Mosher said. "I was up against some great people."
ditional year calendar, but breaks the
year into four separate units. Mosher is the Assistant Manager of Child Nutrition at
Darnaby, serving as the main cook for children from
Although Clark is the only school site breakfast through lunch. "Basically, I serve the meals
that offers this alternative, all elemen- and serve the kids. I like the hours and I really like the
tary students within the district are eli- people here at Darnaby. I feel really blessed. My co-
gible to participate. Children attend workers are great and really hardworking. We have a
class for approximately nine weeks then good time here."
have a break or "intersession" which
lasts three weeks. Toni Mosher A humble person, her co-workers say she would never
brag about her work, but Mosher is popular nonethe-
During the fall and spring intersessions,
students may take enrichment courses, less, even dressing as a clown, cowboy or whatever the theme of the day may be.
enroll in remedial classes or use the
time for vacation. CLC students have the "She inspires great loyalty in her fellow workers because she goes out of her way to
same spring and winter breaks and hol- help them whenever possible. She's very safety conscious and thrifty when using
idays as students on the traditional company supplies," Darnaby Child Nutrition Manager Martha Creel said. "She loves
nine-month calendar. A full curriculum to make kids happy, and she decorates the cafeteria for their pleasure. Toni is very
is offered in both calendars. Each offers dedicated to Union and is a very hard worker. We at Darnaby are proud to work witt
an environment that encourages team her!"
teaching, integrated/ thematic units,
cooperative learning and the effective Although Mosher has been at Darnaby for nine years -now entering her lOth year-
use of technology. she worked at McAuliffe for about four years in the late 1980s before taking a b reak
for a few years. She and her husband Jeff have four children and six grandchildren.

September-October 2003 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Page 7

Parent Notification of Child Identification, Location, Screening and Evaluation

The Union Public School District makes gross motor, communication (speech other than English that they shall be
~very effort to contact and evaluate, and and language), academic achievement, afforded written notices and oral com-
to educate, in the least restrictive envi- cognitive/ intelligence, auditory and munication translated so the parents
ronment, all special needs children, ages visual processing and memory, understand the communication. This
three through 21, under the provisions social/emotional development, voca- may be provided by an interpreter or
of the Individuals With Disabilities tional aptitude, and adaptive behavior. other means necessary.
Education Act. The district ensures that
parents or guardians may review any of Union provides educational programs Request for Non-Release
their child's educational records; such based upon the student's needs as of Personally Identifiable
records are kept in limited access, con- defined by the Individual Education Plan
fidential files at the school. Preschool (IEP). If you have a special needs child Information
children, ages three through five, and and are new to our school district,
students enrolled in kindergarten please bring your child's current IEP and It has been the practice of the district to
through twelfth grades, who are sus- most recent evaluation report to the use student names in yearbooks, stu-
pected of having disabilities which may Special Services Office, or contact us at dent honor rolls and athletic programs,
require special education and related (918) 459- 33 25 to discuss your child's as well as in electronic and print publi-
services, may be referred for screening educational programming needs. Our cations. It has also been the practice of
and evaluation through the intervention office is located at the Union Education the district to cooperate with law
process at each site. Union works with Service Center, 5656 S. 129th E. Ave, enforcement agencies and the
the Sooner Start Early Intervention Tulsa, OK 74134. Department of Human Services; to pro-
Program in referrals for identification, vide student names and addresses to
evaluation, and services for eligible In accordance with FERPA, Union Public institutions of post-secondary educa-
infants and toddlers, from birth Schools ensures that the parent or eligi- tion who desire to notify students of
through two years of age. ble student has a right to: educational and scholarship opportuni-
ties; and to the armed forces for recruit-
"Evaluation" means procedures used in * inspect and review the students edu- ment purposes.
accordance with federal laws and regu- cation records within 45 days of
lations to determine whether a child has receipt of request for access; Expansion of the district's web page
a disability, as well as the nature and allows us to post publications such as
extent of special education and related ,., request the amendment of the stu- The Communicator, Insider Home
,ervices required. Procedures are used dents education records to ensure Edition and others, on the Internet. Just
selectively with an individual child and that they are not inaccurate, mislead- as they are included in printed publica-
do not include basic tests administered ing or otherwise in violation of the tions, photos and names of students
or procedures used with all children in a student's privacy or other rights; will appear in these articles on the
school. Written consent of the parent or Internet as well.
guardian for such evaluation must be on '' consent to disclosure of personally
file with the district prior to the initial identifiable information contained in The district will continue to disclose
evaluation for special education and the student's education records, student information for the purposes
related services. The multidisciplinary except to the extent that the act and outlined above and other similar educa-
evaluation shall include a review of the regulations in this part authorize dis- tional purposes unless parents object in
following information: educational his- closure without consent; writing. A form for this purpose, the
tory, academic performance, observa- Request for Non-Release of Personally
tion, social and cultural factors, health ,., file with the United States Depart- Identifiable Information form, may be
and developmental history, and vision ment of Education a complaint under obtained from the Director of
and hearing screening. In addition, 99.64 concerning alleged failures by Communications, 459-3305.
standardized testing may be adminis- Union Public Schools to comply with
tered by a qualified examiner in all or the requirements of the act and this Opt-Out Notice for Internet
part of the following areas: fine and part. Student Use

Union Public Schools shall ensure all The Internet has increasingly become an
parents who have a primary language important tool used by students and
educators. It can provide current,
PUBLIC NOTICE informative and hard-to-find informa-
tion quickly. However, the Internet also
Union Public Schools makes every effort to contact, evaluate, and educate, in the least contains information that may be inap-
restrictive environment, each handicapped child under the provisions of Public Law propriate for students. Union Public
105-17 (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) and State Department of Education Schools has, for many years, had an
guidelines. Parents/ guardians may call 459-33 25 for information. Internet filter in place that blocks most
sexually inappropriate web sites. But it
Union Public Schools ensures that parent/ guardians may inspect and review any edu- isn't perfect; no filter is. Therefore, it is
cational records of their child maintained at the school. Such records are kept in lim- a parent's or guardian's right for their
ited access confidential files. Confidentiality procedures, including a list of persons child to not use the Internet at school.
with file access, are posted in each school building.
If you do not want your child to use the
The Union Public School District Plan for Special Education has been filed with the State Internet while at school, please request
Department of Education, and copies are available for public inspection in the a form from your school principal which
Education Service Center. Inquiries concerning special education programs may be can be completed and returned to your
directed to Dr. Bonnie Johnson, 459-3325. child's school office.

Page 8 September-October 2003

Union School Board Member Resigns

Phil Barr, a member of the Union Public daughter started at Boevers Elementary
Schools Board of Education for more
than seven years, has announced he is School. He has served on the district':
resigning from the board, effective
immediately, to accept an out-of-town Long-Range
job offe.r. Barr is moving to Houston to
work for Levy Sports and Entertain- Planning
ment as the senior manager in charge of
concessions, seating and food services Committee and
at the new basketball arena for the
Houston Rockets. He has held a similar the Union Schools
position at Tulsa's Driller Stadium.
Education
Fight~g back emotions, Barr told his
colleagues and others attending Union's Foundation. He
August 11 board meeting, "My work on
the board has been a labor of love. was a baseball and
Union is one of the best school systems
in the country. It's been easy to be soccer coach and a
involved here, and I'll miss you."
member of the
Barr has been an active Union parent
since joining the PTA in 1988 when his Union Band Parent

Association. In

December of 1993, Phil Barr
Barr was appoint-

ed to the board to fill an unexpired term

and was then elected to the position in

1996.

Pictured left to right are Deputy Mark Penley, In 1999 Barr was among only five school
Sgt. Willie Lewis, who supervises the School board members in Oklahoma to be
Resource Officer program for the Tulsa County named to the All-State Board of
Sheriffs Office, Broken Arrow Officer jim Education. The award from the
Gunter, Deputy E. T. Truewell and Deputy Oklahoma State School Boards
Brandon Hendrix, who fills in for Deputy David Association (OSSBA) recognized his
Kerpon (not pictured). "demonstrated leadership skills, sound
decision-making, foresight in planning
School Resource Officers and concern for students and taxpay-
ers."
Students and faculty can find a friend in
police officers whose daily "beat" Among the board accomplishments Bar
includes the halls of Union secondary is most proud of is the testing progran
and elementary schools. The School Union has developed to assess and then
Resource Officer (SRO) program is a fed- address the individual needs of its stu-
erally funded safety and educational dents. He is also pleased to have been
project involving four local law enforce- instrumental in plans for Union's
ment officers: E.T. Truewell, Mark Marshall T. Moore Elementary School
Penley, and David Kerpon, of the Tulsa and the new Union Multipurpose
Activity Center (UMAC).
County Sheriff's Department, and Jim
Union sophomore Rebecca Fairchild (left) Board members are expected to appoint
Gunter of the Broken Arrow Police received the Manny Graebel Award from the someone from Union's District 1 area to
Department. Gunter is new to the SRO previous recipient, Union junior Nancy replace Barr. Interested candidates
program at Union. jackson. The Manny Graebel Award, which is may send a letter of application to the
given annually by the Tulsa Figure Skating Board of Education Secretary, Union
The officers, who are specially trained Club, honors the skater who is deemed by the Public Schools, 5656 S. 129th E. Avenue,
to work with students and faculty, per- club to the most dedicated to her sport. Tulsa, OK, 74134. To learn more about
form all of the regular responsibilities Rebecca's sister, Victoria Fairchild, a student the District 1 boundaries and require-
normally assigned to on-duty officers. at Grove, also received silver medals and the ments for the position, log on to
In addition, they are trained to teach Kelly Ann Sullivan Memorial Trophy at the [email protected]. To view a map of
"officer friendly" classes and to support 2003 Skate Tulsa Championships. the district board zones go to
the district's Character Counts and www@unionps .org/ pdf/boardzones.pdf
Drug-Free Youth programs. or contact Beverly Thummel at 459-
3305.
Officers provide intervention and pre-
ventative services, make home visits
and offer assistance to families.

Union Public Schools
5656 S. 129th E. Ave.
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74134-6711

www.unionps.org