LEF News Roundup
Programs
EDITOR’S NOTE: The LEF News Roundup is designed to recognize LEF achievements and share ideas with others. To submit information for the LEF News Roundup, write to Brenda Wheelock, Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence, 120 N. Robinson, Suite 1420-W, Oklahoma City, OK 73102 or e-mail bwheelock@ofe.org.
Bethany Public Schools Foundation celebrated its 10th anniversary with its annual foundation/district awards banquet. Students were recognized for outstanding academic achievement while teachers and administrators were honored for outstanding service. Former Gov. George Nigh served as keynote speaker for the event.
The Blackwell Public School Foundation hosts the annual Hall of Fame/Bell Ringer Banquet to honor those who have donated to the foundation and to recognize Miss BHS, Maroon Spirit, the district's Teachers of the Year and an outstanding alumni. Bell Ringers are those who contributed $1,000 or more to the foundation. During the 2007 banquet, a record number 23 Bell Ringers were honored. Outstanding alumni are inducted into the Blackwell Hall of Fame and nominated for their vocational and academic achievements, community service, leadership, military service or any other field of endeavor.
First Lady Kim Henry served as the keynote speaker at Blanchard Public Schools Foundation's 2006 Hall of Fame Banquet. The event also featured the induction ceremony for the recipients of the Blanchard Student Lifetime Achievement Award and Blanchard Schools Educational Service Award.
The Clinton Public School Foundation administers scholarship programs that have been established by donors according to their specific preferences. The scholarships are either for one year or multiple years. The foundation recently awarded grants to teachers for projects such as the creation of DVDs for pre-k and kindergarten students to use at home to reinforce basic reading and early math skills, a field trip focusing on Oklahoma history, and resources to teach basic economic and consumer skills.
The Enid Public Schools Foundation is continuing to support an elementary school's reading program initially funded by a state Department of Education grant. While the state grant only funded the program for three years, other organizations, including the local education foundation, are helping the school continue the Literacy First program by providing funds for resources and teacher training.
The Friends and Alumni of Lookeba-Sickles Schools, Inc. was formed earlier this year to benefit the Lookeba-Sickles school district. The foundation accepts tax-deductible donations to provide scholarships and support for school programs.
Jenks Public School Foundation is playing a significant role in the implementation of Jenks High School's new program, AVID, which stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination. The program was approved by the school board in early 2006 but required more than $10,000 to implement, which the foundation agreed to provide. AVID was created to increase enrollment in AP classes.
During Newcastle Education Foundation's annual banquet, patrons, sponsors and alumni were able to tour the new middle school. The event also features a silent auction and a "Run for the Money" game worth $25,000 cash. Rounding out the evening was a live auction, featuring a residential parcel of land valued at $30,000. Newcastle Education Foundation raised additional funds for its organizations by operating a fireworks stand during the July 4 holiday.
The Northwest Technology Center Foundation sponsors and funds the center's Superintendent's Leadership Class. The class provides leadership development training for its members through monthly seminars and activities designed to prepare students to become future leaders. Earlier this year, students participated in a business and professional etiquette seminar held at High Plains Technology Center in Woodward. Northwest Technology Center has campuses in both Alva and Fairview.
To celebrate Okarche's Oklahoma Centennial celebration, the Okarche Educational Foundation sponsored a t-shirt design contest for students. The top six designs were used as the inspiration for the final design. The students who submitted the winning designs each received $25 from the foundation.
To recognize outstanding teachers, the Okarche Education Foundation honors the school district's Teacher of the Year. The foundation accepts nominations from parents, students, administration or members of the community. Nominees must have taught in the district for three years, plan to teach at Okarche the next year and be a full-time classroom teacher. The Teacher of the Year is eligible to be considered for the state Teacher of the Year honor.
The Okemah Public School Foundation selected five Academic All-Stars from the senior class who have earned a 4.0 grade point average. The senior All-Stars also selected four teachers to receive the Polaris Award for their support and dedication to education. All honorees were featured in a two-page spread in the local newspaper. The students were given the opportunity to share what they believe was special about attending Okemah High School.
To support efforts to recruit and retain highly effective and competent teachers, Oklahoma City community leaders established the Jean G. Gumerson Teachers Endowment Fund, a scholarship program for district teachers seeking national board certification. The program, managed by the Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation, has enabled a greater number of district teachers to pursue national certification.
To encourage, promote and recognize academic excellence, the Okmulgee Education Foundation recently established the Okmulgee Academic Ring of Honor. Seniors, who who meet certain academic criteria, receive the honor and are awarded their choice of a letter jacket or an academic ring especially designed by Herff Jones Inc. The names of each honoree are engraved on a plaque that hangs in the hallway of the high school.
Putnam City School educators and staff were honored with the Putnam City Public Schools Foundation's Golden Apple Awards. School district employees and volunteers receive the award in recognition of their service and dedication to students. Recipients of the award, which is presented twice a year, also received a check for $200.
Stillwater middle school students became rocket scientists this summer while participating in a four-day engineering camp sponsored by the Stillwater Public Education Foundation. Students used a list of approved materials to design a rocket propellant. After conducting launch tests, they wrote a final report outlining ingredients, costs, timing and height of launch.
During its fall Pride Gala, the Stillwater Public Education Foundation awarded the Pioneer Service Award to Ro Poindexter for 20 years of volunteering. Poindexter has spent the past two decades serving in various areas of the school district, including several years with the reading buddy program at Highland Park Elementary and her most recent stint with Friends of Lincoln, a program designed to ensure Lincoln Academy students have someone they can depend on when they need help.
Woodward Middle School students combined science and art instruction through a grant funded by the Woodward Education Foundation. Through their grant titled “Astronomy Through the Mind of an Aerosol Artist,” Woodward teachers were able to bring professional artist Carey Huckabey to their school for a stellar art demonstration using aerosol paint cans. Each student combined his or her art lessons with research on the solar system to create a “My Planet Book.”