SOUTHEAST Principal’s EXPRESS #5 .pdfSOUTHEAST EXPRESS Volume 19, Issue 5 Principal’s Perspective Dear Parents, At a meeting on Monday, May 23rd, the Jenks Public Schools Board

SOUTHEAST

EXPRESS

Volume 19, Issue 5

Principal’s

Perspective

Dear Parents,

At a meeting on Monday, May 23rd

, the Jenks Public Schools Board of Education approved a

change in the instructional calendar for the 2011-2012 school year. School will now begin

on Thursday, August 18th

, 2011, one week later than originally scheduled. There will be two

professional days: Friday, September 2nd

, and Tuesday, September 6th

, the day immediately

after Labor Day. The last day of school is scheduled for June 1st, 2012, followed by a teacher

work day on June 4th. There are five (5) inclement weather days built into second semester.

So, there is a chance that school will end before June 1st. The rest of the instructional calendar

remains the same, including the end of the first semester on Friday, December 16th

. The move

of one professional day to after Labor Day along with moving the beginning of school forward

one week has the potential (depending upon the weather) of a substantial cost savings, along

with assistance in boosting state aid revenues. This amended calendar will be placed on the

JPS website very soon. Dates for Back-to-School nights will be published soon.

Renovations and construction have already begun at Southeast Elementary. There will be three

phases of construction. Phase 1 will include the main offices, lobby, all classrooms/offices

downstairs throughout the first-grade wing, the fourth-grade wing and the second-grade wing

upstairs, and the gymnasium. Phase 1 will end by August 1st, 2011. Phase 2 will occur during

the school year, 2011-2012, and will include the construction of eight additional classrooms

and a media expansion. This phase will end in May, 2012. Phase 3 will begin in May, 2012.

It will include the cafeteria, the pre-k, kindergarten, and Adventure Club wing downstairs, and

the third-grade wing upstairs. All classrooms will be equipped with new furniture, an updated

electrical system, new carpeting, etc. All bathrooms will be renovated.

Wishing everyone a happy, safe summer. I hope all the kids can sleep late, eat pancakes, and

enjoy their friends and families. As stated above, students will return to school on Thursday,

August 18th.

Marilyn Livingston, Ph.D.

Site Administrator

Leaving a Footprint

Tradition has it that at the end of the school year, the

graduating fourth graders leave Jenks Southeast with a

gift … something for students and staff to enjoy …

something that will leave a lasting “footprint” of the

outgoing class. For years, graduating students have

contributed to the walls of the school with beautiful

artwork or to the landscaping with such things as

benches and personalized stepping stones.

This year,

however, the class

of 2019 decided to

change things up a

little and do something different. This year, they

gave of their service and gave a gift of a different

sort.

First, they scoured the grounds of JSE with large

trash bags and picked up trash of all kinds: cans,

wrappers, roof tiles, grocery bags, bottle caps, etc.

Second, the students gave to the school a gift that doubles as a second service project.

They presented a large, heavy-duty collection bin to be used by all JSE students for

future donation projects. To break it in, this year’s fourth graders filled it with books

that will be presented to MacArthur Elementary School in the Tulsa School District.

Collections of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Captain Underpants, The 39 Clues, and classics

like Little Women could be found in the heap. Also

included were favorites like Dear Mr. LaRue, Brave

Little Fox, and The Gingerbread Man.

However, their generosity yielded an overflowing bin

and a makeshift collection spot was begun outside the

doors of the school’s media center to compensate.

This heap included books offered by library staff as

they boxed up and cleaned out the media center to

prepare for renovations.

The Class of 2019 will be remembered each time the bin is filled with items collected

from the caring hands of JSE students.

Mrs. Crabb’s class

“Day at the Museum”

What do JSE fourth graders want to be when

they grow up? How about the likes of Amelia

Earhart, Julia Child, Walt Disney, or even

Dwight Eisenhower? Parents and teachers were

given some insight into the students’ interests

and possible aspirations while the kids worked

on their People of Purpose projects.

Each student chose a person in history who had

an impact on the world, be it in their research,

adventures, actions, or character. After

rigorous research and report writing, the

students brought their characters to life during

the People of Purpose Living Wax Museum.

Perched on chairs and still as statues, they quietly

waited for parents and staff to enter the media center

and begin pushing the red “talk buttons” on their hands. A push attained them

a 30-second history lesson as students recited autobiographical speeches about

their particular characters.

Kyle and Ian of Jean Evans’ fourth-grade

class put their heads together and chose

two brave men that had to work as a team

themselves to accomplish their goals …

Meriwether Lewis and William Clark,

otherwise known as Lewis and Clark, early

explorers of North America. In the course

of his research, Ian discovered some

interesting facts about Clark. “Clark and

Lewis were in the same army, they became

good friends,” and Lewis trusted Clark

because of his skills. Ian says his interest in

exploring was his motivation for choosing

William Clark.

For Kyle, the sense of adventure about

his home state was part of his inspiration

for choosing Meriwether Lewis.

Dillon

“Teddy Roosevelt”

Kyle and Ian

“Lewis & Clark”

“He explored the land that I live in. I wanted to learn more about Oklahoma

and all of its nature and wildlife.” An interesting fact he learned? “At age 35,

(Lewis) checked into an inn while heading to Washington D.C. and was shot and

killed. No one knows if he shot himself or if someone was hiding and escaped.”

In addition to delving into the lives of historical figures, the research process

provided many lessons for the students.

Evans says the wax museum was the

finale of a long and tedious study that

encompassed so many learning

objectives. “(The kids) had to take

ownership of their learning.” First, they

chose their famous person, justified that

choice (why was that person famous,

what were his/her challenges, what was

that person remembered for, etc.),

researched their character, created a life

timeline, and categorized the

information. They displayed the

information in a two-page layout that

required creativity, brainstorming

interesting titles, and graphing their

information.

Perhaps one of the more important lessons

learned from the experience was how to read for the “big idea.” Evans says

the project was more about conceptual learning rather than book learning.

When it came time to show off their hard work, students literally assumed the

roles of the people they had chosen by dressing like them and reciting their

speeches in first-person. Evans says it was a huge endeavor for nine and ten-

year-olds. But, it’s an endeavor that has become tradition for JSE fourth

graders and one that most of them look forward to, including Kyle who says it

was the highlight of his fourth-grade year and, “one of the most exciting

things that has happened to me here.”

Karenna and Dr. Livingston “Rosa Parks”

Springing into Springtime Fun!

Despite chilly temperatures, JSE students bundled up and put on their running shoes for this annual PTA

fundraiser. Students were encouraged to run four laps around the south-side playground, the equivalent of one mile. Stretching exercises to warm up the muscles made the run a little less rigorous … and the snacks waiting for everyone upon

completion of the run was the dangling carrot.

This special day provided students physical education

in unconventional ways. Activities included

competitions like a hoppity ball race, sled-pulling, and

tug-of-war. A hip-hop

instructor gave lessons on

the “cooler moves” of

dancing while other

students disappeared

under the waves of a giant

parachute.

Emily with mom, Mary

Kindergartener Taryn

Kindergartener

Ella Caitlin & Ella pulling classmate,

Michael

Many families ventured out for this annual event held in the evening hours. Those who took their

chances at limbo contorted their bodies every which way to avoid “sitting on their pockets.” A DJ

provided encouragement for several girls determined to be crowned hula-hoop champ of the

evening. For the little ones it was good ol’ sidewalk chalk drawing that kept them occupied.

Mother’s Day Tea

A spot of tea, mothers? How about an hour of entertainment and sheer delight

as your child sings, dances, and serves you tea and muffins? Pre-K moms were

pampered with a special day of hugs and love during this year’s Mother’s Day

Tea.

In Mrs. Bradshaw’s morning class, the kids had many

reasons for why mom is special:

Grace … “Doing the laundry.”

Knox … “She gave me a cupcake last night.”

Cooper … “She helps me put my clothes away.”

Drew … “I have no idea.”

Knox

Kindergarten teacher,

Meredith Andrews,

with son, Cooper

A recent question was posed from an inquiring parent concerning the first-day-of-school dates

for Jenks Public Schools each year. The answers come from Lisa Muller, Assistant

Superintendent of Curriculum for Jenks district.

Q: What is the name of the committee that sets the school calendar, how large is it, who serves

on it, and how are they chosen?

A: “The District Calendar Committee meets every two years and is made up of parents, teachers,

and administrators from each site. Site principals make the requests for participation

from teachers and parents. Parent reps typically are selected from PTA membership,

though it varies from site to site.”

Q: How far in advance does the committee determine dates?

A: “The committee sets the calendar for two years at a time. The 2011-2012 calendar is the

second of the two calendars that were set by the committee that met in the spring of

2010.”

Q: It seems the first day of school comes earlier and earlier each year. Why?

A: “Beginning the school year in early August allows for more equal semesters as well as the

opportunity to conclude semester exams prior to the holiday break (Memorial Day

Weekend). This is important at the secondary level both because of numerous one-

semester courses and the desire to avoid students having to complete final projects and

papers of study for tests during the break. In addition, this start time maximizes the

number of days of instruction for all students prior to state-mandated testing. These

dates are set by the state and fall in April.”

Q: Does the committee determine the entire school calendar, i.e. Parent/teacher conferences,

spring break, etc.?

A: “Yes.”

Q: Is there anything else you would like parents to know?

A: “The district seeks a wide variety of input for the calendar committee each year and

appreciates parent participation in the process. It is expected that there will be some

adjustment to the start date for 2012-2013 due to the effects of leap year and the

second Thursday falling very early in August for 2012.”

Congratulations Class of 2019

President Melissa Siemens

1st Vice President – Allocations Adriane Lakin

2nd Vice President – Fundraising Natalie Richardson

Secretary Christa Hessen

Treasurer Amy Carey

Your

2011 – 2012

PTA Executive Board

PTA Update Thank you to all the parents who put in countless hours volunteering at our school this year! It was a great year thanks to all of your hard work!