Education

Emerson Elementary School is the first public Montessori school in Oklahoma. The Montessori method of teaching focuses on a self-paced model with emphasis on hands-on activities that help students develop skills. According to Stephanie Jones, a pre-kindergarten and kindergarten teacher, it’s not a “one-size-fits-all approach.”

With concerns over the quality of education available to Oklahoma’s students, this method of instruction is a unique option available to students in Tulsa and is not used in any other schools. While the building may be more than 100 years old, the education is state of the art.

– Dustin Mascorro, Jones PR

The Citizen Potawatomi Nation will host the second annual Wzhitawen (He/She Prepares) Native American College and Career Fair at FireLake Arena on Sept. 13, from 9 a.m. until noon. Over 50 booths from local and out-of-state colleges, universities, tribal education departments, U.S. military representatives and other scholarship-granting entities will be represented.

Additionally, there will be cultural activities, complimentary lunch for high school students in attendance and more. This no-cost event is open to the public and will have college advisers on site.

Event details:

18145 Old Rangeline Rd., Shawnee, OK

405-275-3121

– Kelly Hughes, Jones PR

On the hunt for adventure this summer? Students and teachers across Oklahoma can apply now for the ExplorOlogy program through the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History and get outside to “do science” and experience the world we share.

These summer adventures have participants exploring Oklahoma forests, streams, ponds and fields in search of frogs, fish, insects and fossils.

With two student-centric programs for those in grades 6-8 and 9-11, and one dedicated to educators, ExplorOlogy offers science lovers throughout the state lots of exciting opportunities to learn this summer! Visit samnoblemuseum.ou.edu to apply.

– Morgan Day, Sam Noble Museum

John Rex Charter Elementary School recently announced its expansion to sixth grade for the 2018 school year. It will be housed at the Myriad Botanical Gardens.

Fifth-graders will be offered a seat in the school, which will be housed in the lower-level classroom and event spaces below the Crystal Bridge. With the help of a $700,000 grant from Inasmuch Foundation, the Gardens will transform event space into flexible classrooms for the 80-seat sixth-grade class.

The board anticipates adding a seventh grade at the Myriad Botanical Gardens in 2019, with plans for eighth grade under review.

– Holly Hoehner, Jones PR

The Sam Noble Museum of Natural History is showcasing its famous “Ugly Bugs” exhibit, a contest that displays a multitude of interesting creepy crawlers submitted by elementary school students.

Partnering with the Oklahoma Microscopy Society, the Sam Noble Museum hopes to intrigue the interests of students in microscopy and entomology. Each school is allowed one entry and a scientific description of their insect. The goal is to have the ugliest insect possible.

The “Ugly Bugs” exhibit runs til September 4. The Sam Noble Museum is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday.

– Christian Franklin, Jones PR

Oklahoma was well represented at the 2017 Scripps National Spelling Bee.

Rohan Rajeev, an eighth-grader from Edmond, was the first runner-up in the competition. After nearly 20 head-to-head rounds, he narrowly missed first place by the word “marram.” As a second-place prize, he went home with $30,000.

Six-year-old Edith Fuller from Tulsa was the youngest competitor ever in the competition. The home-schooled kindergartner spelled all her words correctly on stage but didn’t score high enough on the writing portion to advance.

Congratulations to Edith and Rohan on a job well done!

— Tori Garrett, Jones PR

Into the Water by Paula Hawkins

A single mom found dead in a river dredges up secrets long submerged.

Camino Island by John Grisham

A library heist, a crooked bookstore owner and a young novelist converge under mysterious circumstances.

Secrets in Summer by Nancy Thayer

An ex-husband and two new romances on Nantucket leave Darcy with options.

The Beach Inn by Joanne DeMaio

An architect’s renovation plans are thwarted when his client wants to sell his beachfront rental property. Can the townspeople help save it?

Same Beach, Next Year by Dorothea Benton Frank

Two couples, 20-year transformative friendship.

– Tara Frier, The Boston 100

School may be out for the summer, but that doesn’t mean students should take a break from learning.

ExplorOlogy is a series of programs, offered at the Sam Noble Museum, designed for teachers and students in junior high and high school to “do science” by getting outside and experiencing the world. Each program makes science exciting and relevant to participants by engaging them in authentic experiences, including field trips and explorations.

ExplorOlogy was created in 2007 as a joint effort by the museum and the Whitten-Newman Foundation, which also funded the program through a five-year, $50,000 grant.

– Kelly Arnold, APR, Jones PR

To cultivate the next generations entering the workforce, support for education in Oklahoma is important now more than ever. That’s why Oklahoma Energy Resources Board (OERB) is a staunch supporter of STEM programs. The organization is teaching kids that engineers, geologists and other STEM careers are important to the oil and natural gas industry.

OERB has spent millions of dollars developing STEM curriculum and resources to support teachers and educate students throughout the state. Its STEM programs are available for K-12 classrooms.

Teachers, parents and students are encouraged to visit OERB HomeRoom for more information about OERB’s STEM programs.

– Emily Anderson, Jones PR

National statistics show 20 percent of students who attend community college earn their degree.

Dr. Jerry Steward, president of Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC), developed the Students Connecting with Mentors for Success program, which seeks to connect community mentors with students struggling the most.

The average overall GPA at OCCC was 2.7 but was 2.03 among black male students. After one semester, students in the program earned an impressive 3.0 GPA proving “iron sharpens iron” and the value of educational mentor-mentee relationships.

Steward plans to expand the program to other groups of students in the future.

– Jake Pasdach, Jones PR

In August, Tulsa Honor Academy (THA) started its second year of school as a part of Tulsa Public Schools (TPS). It was one of three charter schools approved by TPS in 2014. Most of the students who attend THA are Hispanic.

Each year, students are chosen through a lottery and siblings of current students are given preference. THA promises to prepare students “for the rigors of high school, college and beyond.” THA is partially funded by TPS, but the majority of funding comes from donations.

Currently, THA includes 5th and 6th grades, but will eventually add on 7th and 8th.

– Connie Pearson, Jones PR

“About 80% of the essays we receive are McEssays,” the admissions officer at the University of Virginia told our group of alums. “They are just okay. Another 10% are not so good, while only 10% are top-tier.”

For seniors applying to a competitive college, the essay has never been more crucial. Acceptance rates at top universities continue to decrease to as low as 4.7% (Stanford) with other top schools like Duke at 11.8%, Vanderbilt at 11.8% and Davidson at 22.1%.

The Common App, accepted at 517 schools, has released its essay prompts for 2016-2017.

– Jan Schroder, College Essay Coach

Last school year, teachers at South Lake Elementary in Oklahoma City had to borrow tablets so their students could complete research projects.

Teachers Lori McDonald and Shannon Cross decided to take matters into their own hands and set up an online profile asking for donations so they could buy Kindles for the upcoming school year. “With only three desktop computers in the classroom, tablets are an essential part of the learning experience,” said Lori.

With schools on tight budgets, donating technology or other supplies is a great way to support your community and make a difference in a child’s education.

– Adam Maxey, Jones PR

Over 7,000 Oklahoma City Public Schools students will not have a coat this winter. OKCPS and The Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools are looking to change that with the Coat-A-Kid program.

By working together, their goal is to raise $120,000 to purchase new coats for every needy student in the state’s largest district. With it costing only $20 for a coat, it is easy way to keep a child warm.

Get involved by donating to help reach their overall goal and read more about how you can help give a child warmth this winter.

– Emily Wiley, Jones PR

The Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarship (LNH) Act was recently upheld in the Oklahoma Supreme Court, giving parents of children with disabilities scholarship opportunities to enroll their child in a private school best suited for each child’s individual needs.

Diana Brumley, mother of 11-year-old Dylan said, “the LNH scholarship gave Dylan a chance.” Dylan was diagnosed with Asperger’s at seven, as well as other diagnoses, and “had an impossible time relating to children at school.”

Dylan’s mother celebrates that the LNH scholarship will continue to foster enthusiasm for school and learning in the lives of Oklahoma’s special needs children.

– Jake Pasdach, Jones PR