05-09 - Bartlesville Public Schools

Volume 2, Number 38Bartlesville Public Schools’Friday, May 9, 2008www.bps-ok.orgThe BruinWeekly E-Mail Newsletter“ExcellenceInEducation”Superintendent’sChalkboardNever toolate to thanka teacherThough the special day hasalready passed, its sentimentshouldn’t be forgotten.Tuesday marked NationalTeacher Appreciation Day, adate on which people throughoutthe country were encouraged toexpress theirgratitudetoward theinstructor orinstructorswho havehelped tomake a positiveimpacton their lives.Within the Bartlesville PublicSchool District, we have awide array of teachers who worktirelessly every day to ensurewe live up to our motto: “Excellencein Education.” They workout of a passion for learning andeducation. They work to build abetter future for our community,our country and the world ingeneral. They work because theyhave a burning desire to see theyoung people in their respectiveCHALKBOARD - Cont. to Page 11Before departing for the 39th Annual Summer Games for Special Olympics Oklahoma inStillwater on Wednesday morning outside of Bartlesville High School, the athletes from theBartlesville Public School District received a special send-off.Special Bruins go for goldB’ville squad gets offto strong start at stateSummer Games forSpecial OlympicsRain gave way to gold for theBruins.After rain washed out most of theopening-day competitions on Wednesdayfor the 39th Annual SummerGames for Special Olympics Oklahomain Stillwater, the sun was shiningagain on Thursday. And the athletesrepresenting the Bartlesville PublicSchool District made the most of thecooperative weather, sparkling in theirrespective endeavors en route to sixgold medals. Heading into Friday’sevents – which marked the final day ofthe Summer Games – the Bruins hadfive silver and four bronze medals totheir credit in addition to seven fourthplaceand three fifth-place finishes.“Everyone has done very well,”said special education instructorSandy Bliss, who is in her 13th yearas the BPSD’s Special Olympics teamcoach, this morning. “I’m very proudof our athletes.”GAMES - Continued to Page 10

Famed coach to speak at HOF dinnerSEC Living Legend Brown, alongwith inductees, will highlight B’villeSports Commission event May 17The Bartlesville Sports Commission’s inauguralBartlesville Athletic Hall of Fame dinner will packplenty of star power.Dale Brown, the decorated former coach of theLouisiana State University men’s basketball team, willserve as the featured speaker for the event while inducteesBob Kurland, Dallas Dobbs, Dee Ketchum, BaileyRicketts and members of the 1967 College High basketballteam will be on hand as well.The Bartlesville Hall of Fame dinner is scheduledfor Saturday, May 17, at the Bartlesville CommunityCenter. Proceeds from the event will benefit BartlesvilleHigh School athletics. Checks can be made payable tothe Bartlesville Community Foundation. Table sponsorshipsand individual tickets are available for the eventby contacting BSC executive assistant Sherri Lynn at(918) 440-4119 or sherri@bartlesvillesports.com.The second winningest coach in the history of theSoutheastern Conference, Brown spent 25 years as theLSU coach. He is a member of both the North Dakotaand Louisiana sports halls of fame as well as the NorthDakota and Louisiana coaches halls of fame. The SEChonored Brown by officially naming him an SEC LivingLegend.“Coach Brown was an outstanding coach at LSUand is truly a legend in college basketball,” says TimBart, the Bartlesville High School boys basketball headcoach. “I have had the pleasure of hearing him speakand I know those attending the hall of fame event are infor a real treat.”Selections to the Bartlesville Athletic Hall of Famewere made by a nine-member committee after nominationswere received by the Bartlesville Sports Commission.“We are privileged to induct some of Bartlesville’sgreatest athletes into the Hall of Fame,” said GeneBatchelder, the chairman of the Bartlesville SportsCommission. “This first-class event will be a great opportunityto showcase how proud Bartlesville is of itsathletic achievements.”A seven-foot center, Kurland starred for legendarycoach Henry Iba’s Oklahoma A&M College (nowOklahoma State University) basketball team. He playeda vital role as the team captured consecutive NCAANow a motivational speaker and author, Dale Brown served 44years as a basketball coach. He spent 25 years as the head men’sbasketball coach at Louisiana State University.men’s national championships in 1945 and ‘46. Kurlandwent on to play with the Phillips 66ers for six years andled the U.S.A. squad to gold medals in the 1948 and‘52 Olympics. He was elected to the Basketball Hall ofFame in 1961.A gifted athlete, Dobbs played basketball, footballand baseball at College High from 1949-1952. A prolificscorer, he broke the Wildcat record for most points in abasketball game in ‘52. Dobbs made the All-Region andAll-State teams in 1951 and ‘52. He went on to star onthe hardwood for the University of Kansas (1953-56)and later for the Phillips 66ers.Ketchum played football, basketball and golf forCollege High from 1955-57. He set a basketball conferencerecord for scoring and was named all-state in1957. Ketchum played for the University of Kansasfrom 1958-1961. He spent many years coaching areabasketball teams. A book and movie entitled “The LongJourney Home” has been released about Ketchum, hisfamily and the Delaware Indians. He served as Chief ofthe Delaware tribe from 1998-2002.DINNER - Continued to Page 6

Rotary Students of the Month: MayBartlesville High School juniors ScottElks Students of theMonth: MayHull and Candace Grimes have been selectedas the Rotary Students of the monthfor May.Scott is the son ofGuylene and BrowningHull. He is involved inSpanish Club as well asbaseball.Candace is thedaughter of Terri Wadleigh.She is a memberScott Hullof the National HonorSociety as well as theSpanish Honor Society.She is employed as a server at Montana Mike’srestaurant.The Rotary students of the month – bothseniors and juniors are eligible – are chosen bya committee of BartlesvilleHigh Schoolteachers. The studentsshould be of high moralcharacter, have initiative,show leadershipcapabilities, be goodstudents, and be activeand interested in theirCandace Grimesschool and community.One boy and one girlare selected each monthfrom September through May.The Bartlesville Public School District’s2007-08 campaign is scheduled to conclude onFriday, May 23.Launch time is fast approaching for the BartlesvilleMid-High School’s rocket team.Scheduled to be held May 17 in The Plains, Va.,the Team America Rocketry Challenge will feature thetop-scoring 100 squads from across the nation competingfor $60,000 worth of prize money, which will bedivided up among the top finishers. The Mid-High team,which is the only entry from Oklahoma, is comprisedBartlesville High Schoolseniors John Sloan and MonicaGalvan have been named ElksStudents of theMonth for May.John is theson of Cindy Sloan.He is a member ofthe National HonorSociety, the NationalTechnical Honor Societyand the SeniorService League. He isa member of the BoyScouts of AmericaTroop 11, for whichhe is an Eagle Scout.John plays for a clubsoccer team and is amember of VentureCrew 21 and theF.I.R.S.T. RoboticsTeam 2165.A member ofBartlesville HighSchool’s Fourth Estatenewspaper staff, he works atKuman Math and Reading and isa member of the Eastern HeightsJohn SloanMonica GalvanBaptist Church.Monica is the daughter ofKevin and Adriana Potts. Herhobbies includedancing, workingout, applying makeupand styling hair.She enjoys spendingtime with her family.She is employedat GoldiesPatio Grill.Elks Studentsof the Month – all ofwhom are seniors –are chosen by a committeeof BartlesvilleHigh School teachers.They must be of highmoral character, haveinitiative, show leadershipcapabilities, begood students, and beactive and interestedin their school andcommunity.One boy and one girl are selectedeach month from Octoberthrough May.Mid-High rocket team prepares national launchSquad to compete in Team AmericaRocketry Challenge on May 17of sophomores Andrew Quinn, Daniel Sauceda, ChrisHeath and Sam Denyer.The Team America Rocketry Challenge wasfounded in the fall of 2002 as a one-time celebrationof the Centennial of Flight. But the competition was sowell received that the Aerospace Industries Associationand the National Association of Rocketry stepped up tomake it an annual event. This year is the first in which aBartlesville team has competed. It’s been at least threeyears since an Oklahoma squad has qualified for theROCKET - Continued to Page 9

Bruin pom squadrosters for 2008-09announcedThe rosters for the Bruin varsity and juniorvarsity pom squads were released earlier thisweek by the Bartlesville High School athleticoffice.Comprising the squads will be the followingstudents, with their current grade levellisted:2008-09 Varsity SquadCara Ambler (Sophomore)Katie Boatright (Sophomore)Brittnee Bossley (Sophomore)Taylor Brooks (Sophomore)Kelsey Cochran (Sophomore)Erin Ennis (Sophomore)Mahria Epperson (Sophomore)Shianne Fouts (Junior)Emily Friedman (Junior)Kimbery Gray (Sophomore)Olivia Hart (Captain) (Junior)Melissa Hoelting (Sophomore)Brook Kimrey (Sophomore)Marisa Samson (Captain) (Junior)Courtney Stokes (Sophomore)Maggie Tatum (Junior)2008-09 Junior Varsity SquadAbby Barnes (Eighth Grade)Lizzy Barnett (Freshman)Natalie Bond (Eighth Grade)Catie George (Captain) (Freshman)Taylor George (Eighth Grade)Alyson Griffin (Eighth Grade)Rachel Hedge (Freshman)Courtney Landon (Eighth Grade)Ryan Lester (Eighth Grade)Riley McDaniel (Freshman)Emily Rainwater (Freshman)Amanda Reese (Freshman)Peyton Reitinger (Captain) (Freshman)Hanna Sise (Captain) (Freshman)Liz Standridge (Freshman)Mackenzie Wright (Freshman)Members of the 2008-09 Bruin varsity pom squad include (from left) (frontrow) Taylor Brooks, Kelsey Cochran, Brittnee Bossley, Erin Ennis, BrookKimrey, Melissa Hoelting, Mahria Epperson, (middle row) Kim Gray, CaraAmbler, Shianne Fouts, Katie Boatright, Emily Friedman, Courtney Stokes,(back row) Maggie Tatum and captain Marisa Samson. Not pictured is captainOliva Hart.Members of the 2008-09 Bruin junior varsity pom squad include (from left)(front row) Alyson Griffin, Lizzy Barnett, Rachel Hedge, captain Catie George,captain Peyton Reitinger, Natalie Bond, (middle row) Courtney Landon, LizStandridge, Mackenzie Wright, captain Hanna Sise, Taylor George, AmandaReese, (back row) Emily Rainwater and Riley McDaniel. Not pictured are teammembers Abby Barnes and Ryan Lester.Bartlesville High School’s 2008 graduation ceremonyis fast approaching. The event is scheduled for Friday,May 23, at Custer Stadium. It is set to start at 8 p.m.Mark the date and support the BHS Class of ‘08.

DINNER - Continued from Page 2Ricketts, a graduate of BakerUniversity in Kansas, was the headbasketball coach at College Highfrom 1950-1964. Under Ricketts’guidance, the Wildcats qualifiedfor seven state tournaments andcaptured seven regional championshipswhile finishing 208-98 overall.Ricketts was named the 1959Oklahoma Coaches AssociationAll-State Basketball Coach andwas inducted into the OklahomaCoaches Association Hall of Famein 1969. He coached fellow inducteesDobbs and Ketchum.Led by Sid Burton, the 1967College High basketball teamfinished 24-2 overall en route tocapturing the Class 3A state championship.In the title contest, theWildcats upset top-ranked OklahomaCity Douglass, 74-72. Burtonwas the Tulsa World’s coach ofthe year for the 1966-67 campaignwhile Ernest Guery was an all-stateselection.The mission of the BartlesvilleSports Commission is tofurther the support of athletics andathletic excellence in the Bartlesvillearea, to build relationshipsand rekindle old relationshipsamong Bartlesville alumni for thebetterment of Bartlesville PublicSchool Athletics, to promote athleticevents and endeavors in theBartlesville area, and to broadlyserve as an ambassador for athleticsin Bartlesville.The BSC is an independent,non-profit 501 (c) (3) organizationunder the Bartlesville CommunityFoundation. It is privately fundedthrough individual, family andcorporate memberships. A 12-member board of directors and alarger advisory board, consisting ofregional business, community andsports leaders direct the organization.For more information, go towww.bartlesvillesports.com.Madison Team Takes In Book CeremonyMadison Middle School’s Battle of the Books team attended the annual Sequoyah BookAward ceremony on April 21 in Tulsa. Madison library specialist Cheryl Shoemake ledthe team, which included (from left) (front row) William Wade, Katherine Boulanger,Nicole Biddinger, Beth Fentress, Kelly Shelts, (back row) Shoemake, Tim Stouffer,Caitlyn Tappehorn and Katy Layman. Sponsored by the Oklahoma Library Association,the annual Sequoyah Book Award is a student’s choice honor presented since 1959. Theprogram added a Young Adult literature award in 1987.ConocoPhillips Serves Up Ace for BruinsBartlesville High School tennis recently received a $500 grant from ConocoPhillipswhich was put toward the program’s annual Bartlesville Invitational event. Taking partin the grant check presentation are (from left) BHS tennis head coach Bill Amburn,ConocoPhillips’ Pam Blake, BHS tennis athletes Amy Grisham, Kurt Hodges and DanielBlake, BHS tennis assistant coach Terry Rogers and ConocoPhillips’ Craig Blake.

‘Flood-A-Polooza’Richard Kane Elementary students and staff membersrecognized the one-year anniversary of the flood whichdamaged the school building on April 30 in a light-heartedmanner. Pictured is Melba Henson, a pre-kindergartenassistant at Kane. In an event dubbed “Flood-A-Polooza,”the Cougars dressed up in their best flood gear as theylooked back on the events of April 30, 2007. The floodoccurred in the early-morning hours after a six-inchpipe burst beneath the building. The pipe fed the school’ssprinkler system. A large-effort cleanup effort ensued andclasses had to be relocated to three area churches – FirstChurch of the Nazarene, Adams Blvd. Church of Christ andFirst Baptist Church – for nearly two weeks.Bruin baseball team wins Class6A State Academic ChampionshipThe Bartlesville High School baseball team haswon the Class 6A State Academic Championship.Officials from the Oklahoma SecondarySchool Activities Association informed the BartlesvillePublic School District of the Bruins’ featearlier this week. The team had the best cumulativegrade-point average from the semester - inthis case, the first semester of the 2007-08 academicyear - which preceded the spring season.The Bruins are scheduled to collect theiracademic championship trophy prior to the startof the state baseball title game, set to take placeTuesday at Drillers Stadium in Tulsa.Church volunteers give freshlook to Kane teachers’ loungeThe teachers’ lounge atRichard Kane ElementarySchool boasts some new-foundcharm thanks to the BartlesvilleSouthern Baptist Church.Volunteers from thechurch performed a makeoveron the lounge on April 12, addinga leather sofa, new tablesand some designer screens.They even added some pawprints on one of the walls for adistinct Kane Cougar touch.“The response from theteachers has really been positive,”says Kane first-gradeteacher Jennifer Hamilton,who is friends with many ofthe volunteers. “The workwas very much appreciated.“Projects like this makethe teachers really feel appreciatedfor all of the hard workthat they do.”Bartlesville SouthernBaptist’s Allison Hacklerhelped to organize the projectalong with church missions directorJim Griffin. Among thevolunteer group was Hacklerand her husband, David, aswell as the couple’s daughters,Rachel and Sadie. Also onhand were Jeannette Miller andher sons, Taylor and Jordan,and Joy and Robert Poole.“We started workaround 1 p.m. and finished upabout three hours later,” saysHamilton, who served as avolunteer worker on the project,also. “It was a nice transformationof the lounge.”Bartlesville SouthernBaptist volunteers are nostrangers to Kane. Theypitched in to help the schoolget back on its feet followingthe flood of 2007, whichresulted in classes having tobe relocated from the buildingfor nearly two weeks.Hamilton is in her firstyear as a teacher at Kane. Herdaughter, Erin Rebekah, is inthe fourth grade at the school.The teachers’ lounge at Richard Kane Elementary School has a fresh,welcoming look these days thanks to a volunteer effort by members of theBartlesville Southern Baptist Church.

Little Ropers make reading fun with special eventsStudents and staff members atthe Will Rogers Early ChildhoodCenter have been enjoying fun readingactivities recently.Home to kindergarten andpre-kindergarten students, WillRogers kicked off its first annualRead-a-Thon fundraising event inearly March in conjunction withthe birthday of famed children’sauthor Dr. Seuss. The Little Roperscollected pledges from friends andfamily members, who were asked tomake a donation for each book thatthe students read.At the conclusion of the Reada-Thon,the Little Ropers had read2,800 books while collecting morethan $8,500. The money will beused by the Will Rogers parentteacherorganization to purchasesome “wish list” items for teachers’classrooms.Four students – Hannah Lindsley,Briley Ann Brown, AsherPhillips and William Shiflet wererecognized for their outstanding effortsduring the Read-a-Thon. Theywere celebrated with a limo ride toWashington Park Mall where theyRecognized for their outstanding efforts during the first annual Will Rogers EarlyChildhood Center Read-a-Thon are (from left) Hannah Lindsley, Briley Ann Brown, AsherPhillips and William Shiflet. Among the foursome’s prize package was a limo ride.received a drink and a pretzel aswell as a free book from Waldenbooks.Will Rogers played host to“Dinner With Mrs. Wishy-Washy”last month with the help of theschool’s PTO organization as wellas Home National Bank. As familiesgathered and dined along with theiryoungsters – approximately 600 hotdogswere served during the event– Mrs. Wishy-Washy visited witheveryone, talking about the bookswhich have been written about her.The goal of the evening wasto show families how much fun itcan be interacting with a book whilelearning literacy concepts. Afterdinner, students and their familymembers went into classrooms atWill Rogers where teachers modeleda read-aloud session.FishingDerbyScheduledThe annual BartlesvilleDowntown KiwanisFishing Derby is scheduledto take place on Saturday,May 17 - from 9 a.m. untilnoon - at Jo Allyn LowePark. Soft drinks, candyand prizes will be availableat the event. All childrenare invited to attend,though kids betweenthe ages of three and 12must be accompaniedby an adult. For moreinformation, call 336-1504.

ROCKET - Continued from Page 3TARC.The Mid-High team had to survivea qualifying competition earlier this yearin order to make the national event. Thesquad’s rocket had to fly 750 feet for 45.00seconds while carrying two raw eggs. Theeggs had to be returned to the ground unbroken.The teams with the top 100 scoresthroughout the country were extended aninvitation to the national TARC competitionin Virginia.After a full day of launches – whichwill be held at the Great Meadows facility inThe Plains – the TARC national winners willbe crowned.Quinn, Sauceda, Heath and Denyer arescheduled to fly to Virginia for the TARCevent on May 16.Madison’s Recycling Effort Pays OffMadison Middle School received a check for $1,000 from Abitibi ConsolidatedCorporation’s recycling division on May 2 after the school reached its ultimatepaper recycling goal. Madison’s recycling effort – for newspaper, magazines,shopping catalogs and mail as well as school and office paper – is led by itsVisionQuest program. The school has three paper recycling bins on campusgrounds which are used by students and staff members as well as citizens fromas far away as Kansas. Madison’s goal – from the period of October until March– was to have at least 20 percent more recycled product than from the same spana year earlier. If the school would have seen an increase of 15 percent moreproduct, it would have received $500. All told, Madison recycled 45.3 tons ofpaper between its three bins to reach its goal and collect the $1,000.The Bartlesville Mid-High School’s rocket team -comprised of (clockwise from upper left-hand corner)sophomores Andrew Quinn, Sam Denyer, Chris Heathand Daniel Sauceda - has qualified to compete in thenational Team America Rocketry Challenge event onMay 17 in The Plains, Va.The Eighth Grade Bruin Bash isscheduled to take place tonight (7p.m.) in the Mid-High gymnasium.Schools plan farewell eventsfor departing staff membersWith the 2007-08 academicyear nearing its conclusion, someteachers and other staff membersare preparing to say goodbyeto their respective secondaryschools within the BartlesvillePublic School District.Bartlesville High Schoolhas planned a retirement/farewellceremony for May 20 – from3:15-4:45 p.m. – in the hospitalityroom of the Fine Arts Center.Making up the group of eightwhich will be honored are SusanMueller, Roger Purser, RendaSheets, Beth West, Gary Aaron,Rob Blevins, Leon Christensenand Linsey Tompkins.The Bartlesville Mid-HighSchool has scheduled a retirementreception for Mike Wilson,Marjoleine Gravely and KayJared on May 23 – at 11 a.m. –in the Mid-High library.Madison Middle Schoolhas planned a retirement/goingawaybreakfast for May 23 – at9 a.m. – in its library. Amongthose who will be honored willbe longtime instructor MargieBrookshire. Central MiddleSchool will play host to a farewellreception in its library onMay 16 from 3:15-4:15 p.m.

GAMES - Continued from Page 1As is tradition, the Bruinsreceived a special send-off towardStillwater for the Summer Gameson Wednesday morning outside ofBartlesville High School. On handwere several teachers, administratorsand students as well as membersof the Bruin Brigade, the Bruinpom squad and the BartlesvilleBoard of Education. Charlie Taraboletti,operations manager for KWON1400 AM/KYFM 100.1 FM/KRIG104.9 FM/KPGM 1500 AM, servedas the master of ceremonies. As thecaravan of athletes and chaperonesheaded south, it received an escortcourtesy of the Bartlesville PoliceDepartment.Later on Wednesday, juniorApril Snow and sophomore NoraKing represented Bartlesvillein the Parade of Athletes duringthe opening ceremonies. FreshmanDaniel Rigsby was the onlyBruin who was able to compete onWednesday, earned a silver medalin the 25-meter wheelchair racewhich was held on the OklahomaState University campus. Wednesday’sscheduled relay events werewashed out.Collecting gold for the Bruinson Thursday were seventh graderDustin Holmes (softball throw,12-15 age group), junior MichaelGonzalez (shotput, 16-21 agegroup), sixth-grader Ashley Turney(50-meter dash, 12-15 age group),freshman Dimitri Walker (50-meterdash, 12- 15 age group), freshmanJosh Tanner (standing long jump,12-15 age group) and Jack Kirkpatrick(motor activities, 16-21 agegroup).A 2007 graduate of BartlesvilleHigh School, powerlifter DustyCichon grabbed four gold medalswith Bliss serving as a coach.Competing in the 114-pound weightdivision, he set personal bests in theAmong those who were on hand to wish the Bruins well Wednesday morning during thesend-off event outside of Bartlesville High School were members of the Bruin BrigadeMarching Band, the Bruin pom squad, the Bartlesville Board of Education, the studentcouncil, the National Honor Society and numerous other supporters.bench press (245 pounds) and thesquat (350 pounds) while earningthe top overall performance in hisclass. His dead-lift showing was animpressive 240 pounds.Serving as a global messengerfor the Special Olympics, Cichonhelped to entertain the athletes byperforming a special dance set toAsian music during the openingceremonies.“Dusty was great,” said Bliss.“He was able to increase his powerliftingby 20 to 30 pounds in eachcompetition.“I was very excited for him.”Following Thursday’s competitions,an evening dance and socialevent was held for the athletes onthe football field at Stillwater HighSchool. A formal occasion, the athleteslook forward to the dance everyyear as it gives then a chance todress up and reconnect with friendsfrom throughout the Sooner State.“The kids love the dance,” saidBliss. “It’s one of the highlights ofthe trip.”The Bruin team at the SummerGames was comprised of 27 athletesin all. While in Stillwater, they hadthe opportunity to stay in the Kerrdormitory on the OSU campus. Theteam was due to return home fromStillwater this afternoon, no doubtwith some fine stories to tell.“We’re having fun, no matterwhat,” said Bliss. “But the kids havereally done well.“Many of them have alreadyachieved personal bests in theirrespective events.”

CHALKBOARD - Cont. from Page 1classrooms succeed.If you were remiss in sayingthank you to a teacher on Tuesday,then why not take the opportunitytoday. Perhaps you’ll see one ofthose instructors leading a Sundayschool class. Or, maybe you’ll runacross one on Monday and you canexpress your gratitude. It’s never toolate to provide warm acknowledgementof a job well done.According to information gatheredfrom the National EducationAssociation, the history of NationalTeacher Appreciation Day is a littleunclear. In the 1940s, an Arkansasteacher, Mattye Whyte Woodridge,began a campaign to develop anational day to honor instructorsby contacting political and educationalleaders. One of the people towhom Woodridge wrote was formerfirst lady Eleanor Roosevelt, whoin 1953 persuaded the 81st UnitedStates Congress to proclaim a NationalTeacher Day.The NEA lobbied congress in1980 to proclaim another NationalTeacher Day, which it did – for thatyear alone. But the NEA continuedthe celebration, observing NationalTeacher Day on the first Tuesdayevery March until 1985. The NationalParent-Teacher Associationthen established Teacher AppreciationWeek as the first full week ofMay and the NEA voted to makethe Tuesday of that week NationalTeacher Day.I applaud the efforts of Woodridge,congress, the NEA and theNational Parent-Teacher Association.Instructors throughout thecountry – and the world – certainlydeserve to be recognized for all thatthey do. But though we won’t beobserving another Teacher AppreciationWeek – or National TeacherDay, for that matter – for anotheryear, let’s keep the spirit of thoseThe Bartlesville Public School District boasts many fine teachers who are well deservingof kudos, including Bartlesville High School physics instructor Granger Meador, who wasnamed the BPSD’s Teacher of the Year in February.dates alive as long as we can. Ourteachers are well worth it.Whenever people are asked toname the most influential peoplein their lives, they often pause andbegin a short period of reflection.Then, more often than not, one ofthe first names that springs fromtheir mouths is that of a teacher.Sports hold a special place in thehearts of our nation and some ofour best coaches have becomealmost mythical figures. Think ofVince Lombardi, Casey Stengel or“Red” Auerbach. They are consideredgreat men and great coaches.Of course, at the essence of anygood coach is a teacher. They musteducate their players and then pushthem to achieve great things. Insports, great things are achieved onthe field or court. In life, teachershelp youngsters to achieve theirgoals in a multitude of areas – in anoffice, in a courtroom, in a hospitalor perhaps in a classroom, wherethe splendid cycle is able to repeatitself.The National Teacher AppreciationDay will come back aroundnext year during the first full weekof May. Instructors will again belauded, and that’s as it should be.Though patience is a virtue – andI’m sure I learned that lesson froma teacher – some things shouldn’thave to wait.Find a teacher. Say thank you.Learn how good that can make everyonefeel, yourself included.

Stellar SitesThe Bartlesville Public School Districtoffers a wide array of useful tools forstudents as well as parents.For some extra educational insight,give these web sites a look:PowerSchoolhttp://www.bps-ok.org Click on the PowerSchoollink toward the top of the home page.· Parents and legal guardians can checkwith office personnel at their student’s schoolto find out how to access PowerSchool.· Information on students - such asgrades and attendance records available viaPowerSchool.Study Islandhttp://www.studyisland.com Use the“Member Login.”· Student login information must beobtained from teachers.ChevronPhillips Grant Aids MadisonMadison Middle School science instructor Julia Quinn recently receivedseveral supplies for her classroom which she was able to purchase thanks to a$2,100 grant from ChevronPhillips. Among the supplies were chemistry kits,scales, goggles and curriculum items.Bartlesville Public Schools Activities (Week of May 9-15, 2008)Friday, May 9EOI TestingMAD Week at Bartlesville High SchoolLittle Roper Day (Will Rogers Early Childhood Center)Popcorn, Pickle and Candy Day (Ranch Heights)All Library Books Due (Madison Middle School)Percussion Rehearsal at Fine Arts Center (TBA)Soccer: Varsity Boys and Girls at State (TBA)Tennis: Varsity Boys at State in Oklahoma City (TBA)Track: Varsity Boys and Girls at State (TBA)Home Alone Program (3rd Grade) (1 p.m.) (Richard Kane Elementary School)Eighth Grade Bruin Bash at Mid-High School Gym (7 p.m.) (Central/Madison)Saturday, May 10Percussion Rehearsal in Fine Arts Center (TBA)Tennis: Boys Varsity at State Tournament in OKC (TBA)Track: Boys and Girls Varsity at State Meet (TBA)M.A.D. Week Fun Run and 5K Dash (Begins outside of BHS) (9:30 a.m.)Sunday, May 11Travis Dunlap Concert in Fine Arts Center (3 p.m.)Monday, May 12Third Grade Accelerated Readers Trip to McDonald’s (Wayside)Mid-High Awards Assembly in Mid-High Auditorium (9:30 a.m.)WPSA Meeting (9:30 a.m.) (Wayside Elementary School)Central Orchestra Concert in Central Auditorium (7 p.m.)Percussion Concert in Fine Arts Center (7 p.m.)Tuesday, May 13GED Testing (McKinley)First Grade Trip to Tulsa Zoo (Richard Kane Elementary School)Fifth Grade Growth and Development (Oak Park Elementary)PTO Walk-A-Thon During Specials Times (Hoover Elementary)Bruins for Christ in Library (7:30 a.m.) (Madison Middle School)Eighth Grade Awards Assembly (8:30 a.m.) (Central Middle School)Eighth Grade Tours Mid-High (8:30 a.m.) (Madison Middle School)Seventh Grade Awards Assembly (9:25 a.m.) (Central Middle School)Sixth Grade Awards Assembly (10:15 a.m.) (Central Middle School)Parent Support Group Meeting (1 a.m.) (Mid-High School)Talent Show (1:15 p.m.) (Madison Middle School)BHS/Mid-High Band Concert at Fine Arts Center (7 p.m.)Wednesday, May 14Fifth Grade Growth and Development Class (Richard Kane Elementary)Orchestra Load-In and Rehearsal at Fine Arts CenterYoung Authors Day (1 p.m.) (Wayside Elementary School)Eighth Grade Tour of the Mid-High School (9:25 a.m.) (Central)Sixth Grade Awards Assembly (10 a.m.) (Madison Middle School)Class of 2008 Senior Reception (Noon) (Oak Park Elementary School)Senior Alumni Day (3:15 p.m.) (Richard Kane Elementary School)Senior Alumni Day (3:45 p.m.) (Wilson Elementary School)Senior Alumni Day (3:45 p.m. (Ranch Heights Elementary School)Thursday, May 15GED Testing (McKinley)Art II Trip to Oklahoma City (Mid-High School)Third Grade History Trip (Oak Park Elementary School)Seventh Grade Awards Assembly (10 a.m.) (Madison)Third Grade Trip to Frank Phillips Mansion (1 p.m.) (Wayside)Spring Fling Dress (4 p.m.) (Fine Arts Department)Eighth Grade Open Night at Youth Canteen (6 p.m.) (Central/Madison)Madison Choir Concert in Madison Auditorium (7 p.m.)BHS/Mid-High Orchestra Concert at Fine Arts Center (7:30 p.m.)“ExcellenceIn Education”