$5 Photo Booth for Senior Night

Tahlequah Public Schools Foundation's photo booth was so much fun at Homecoming that we're bringing it back for Senior Night!  

Drop by our big top at the football stadium to get your photo taken by TRA Photography's Mesha Sanchez.  A donation of $5 gets you a photo to take with you. Photos will also be posted on the Foundation's Facebook page to download.

Our booth is fit for a queen...

Tahlequah High School's 2014 Homecoming Queen Amy Hembree

...or anyone just clowning around!

Proceeds benefit Tahlequah Public Schools Foundation.

Homecoming Photo Booth Friday, October 10

Come one! Come all! 

Friday, October 10, 2014 

is 

Tahlequah Homecoming 

aka 

The Greatest Show on Earth 

Commemorate the occasion with a professional party pic taken by Mesha Sanchez of TRA Photography.  For only $10, you'll get your own hard copy of the photo as well as the online version.

We'll see you under the big top at the football game!

All proceeds go to Tahlequah Public Schools Foundation.

Roundup of grant recipients

Over the last two weeks, we've highlighted some teachers who thanked us for making a difference in their lives and the lives of their students.  We hope you've enjoyed reading what they've created.

We also hope you'll take the opportunity to donate to the Tahlequah Public Schools Foundation.

You can directly influence the quality of education our students receive by helping teachers realize their dreams.  No amount is too small. Together, we can make great things possible.

Together, we are "lighting the path towards excellence."

Mail checks to

Tahlequah Public Schools Foundation

1 Plaza South, PMB #278

Tahlequah, OK 74464

Or click here to donate online at www.tahlequahpublicschoolsfoundation.org.  

Here are the links that feature a handful of our grant recipients in one handy blog post.   Enjoy!

Tiffany Cacy

Lisa Bookout

Marketta Johnson

Amelia Brown

Janea Davis, Stephanie Ford, Emily Freise, and Robyn Rowland

Charlotte Wood

Inspired?  Please donate.

Grant Recipient Charlotte Wood

Name: Charlotte Wood
Subject Taught: Algebra I, geometry, EOI Projects
School: Tahlequah Central Academy
Grant Received: iPad, TI Nspire app, and accessories

We received this email from Charlotte Wood regarding a surprising benefit of receiving the grant. 

When I got the news that my grant was approved, I felt, in my heart, a great sense of satisfaction.  It was like I felt valued all of a sudden. 

Then, when my Amazon box arrived, it was like Christmas.  I know the grant’s purpose is to enhance education, but I never imagined how much receiving the grant would enhance my attitude! 

I have been using the iPad with so many apps that I’ve found to help both the lower AND upper level students with differentiated exercises.  I love it!  Thank you so much to the Foundation!

If you would like to help teachers like Charlotte Wood enhance education and attitudes, please consider donating to Tahlequah Public Schools Foundation. 

Tahlequah Public Schools Foundation does not replace state funds for education. Its goal is to nourish excellence and provide a wider range of educational opportunities for our students.

Speech Language Pathology

"Thank you, TPS Foundation, for your support of us and for the provision of therapy materials." 

---Janea Davis, Stephanie Ford, Emily Freise and Robyn Rowland

Name:  Janea Davis, Stephanie Ford, Emily Freise, Robyn Rowland

Subject taught:  Speech Language Pathology

Grant received:  4 iPad Airs and $400 in iTunes gift cards to purchase apps ($3,675.80)

     “During ESY, I had the opportunity to put my new iPad to great use. I was working with one of my own kiddos so I was very familiar with this student. This third grade student is categorized as Intellectually Disabled and is in speech with articulation and both receptive and expressive language goals. In my last year working with this student, I had never been able to help him produce a /k/ or a /g/ sound in words. The first day of summer school speech, I decided to try out our new app, Articulation Station. This app allows the student to hear a prompt, repeat it into a microphone that is recording them, and then listen to a playback of their production.  He immediately began recognizing his error, AND making the correct production!  I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. He was making 70+% each session. I am so thankful for this new tool that I know the children will enjoy using, AND that is actually helping them meet goals.” –Janea Davis, MS, CCC-SLP

     “I love how the iPad has all I need in ‘one’ place.  I travel to the high school to see students for therapy.  I have always had to carry a bag full of the different materials I might need.  This year all I have to take is my iPad.  It has everything I need and/or might possibly need during a therapy session.  It can be used as a data collecting tool, reinforcement, a resource, or as the therapy tool itself.  The students can use it to record their sound productions and also as a mirror so they can hear and see themselves.” –Robyn Rowland, MS, SLP

     “The iPads awarded to the speech and language program at Tahlequah Schools by the TPS Foundation have greatly enhanced our sessions with students.  Students are able to view 3-dimensional diagrams to help them find correct articulator placement.  They are able to record themselves and get immediate feedback, which has aided in the carryover of learned skills.  We have also been able to address individual goals more thoroughly and effectively with apps more specific to individual student needs.  Thank you, Tahlequah Foundation, for your generosity and help in getting materials for our classrooms.” –Emily Freise, MS, CCC-SLP

Will you help teachers make a difference?  Every dollar matters.

Tahlequah Public Schools Foundation does not replace state funds for education.  Its goal is to nourish excellence and provide a wider range of educational opportunities for our students.  With your help, we can help fund more grants.

Donate at www.tahlequahpublicschoolsfoundation.org

TPSF Equips Amelia Brown for AP Biology

Amelia Brown,THS AP Bio Teacher

Name:  Amelia Brown

Subject taught:  Biology/AP Biology
School: Tahlequah High School

Grants received:  Lab Equipment and Textbooks

In 2012, Amelia Brown was eager to revive the Biology II program she enjoyed during her years as a student at Tahlequah High School.  She received the grant and took her dream one step further.  "Thanks to the TPS Foundation Grant, Tahlequah High School now offers AP Biology," Brown said in her 2013 grant application.

What's the big deal about AP classes?  Brown explains.

 "AP courses help our schools achieve higher letter grades on the school based report card system now used to appraise schools in Oklahoma. Advanced biology courses also help prepare our students for college since most college students will at least take biology as their science credit.   Students who take AP classes have the opportunity to take the AP exam.  Depending on how they score on this exam, they can receive college credit for the course.  This is a huge benefit for the students.  Even if a student opts not to take the exam, they will benefit when they are in college because the expectations of college level science are clear to the student."

With the addition of Lab Quest equipment, students are able to get real time feedback on biological systems.  Students love to design and implement their experiments!

students use the Vernier Oxygen and CO2 sensors to measure cellular respiration

"With brand new college level text books, students are seeing the big picture while also being challenged.  I use these books across grade level because they contain so many beautiful images.   

The addition of AP Science classes at THS has encouraged many students to enroll.  I am seeing students who were not previously engaged in honors classes thrive in the AP setting.  These students do not just need to be challenged, but they readily welcome the rigor and are exceeding my expectations. "

Tahlequah Public Schools Foundation does not replace state funds for education. Its goal is to nourish excellence and provide a wider range of educational opportunities for our students.  With your help, we can help fund more grants that help teachers and students pursue their dreams.

Donate at www.tahlequahpublicschoolsfoundation.org 

Marketta Johnson Promotes Life-Long Reading

Central Academy's English Teacher

Name:  Marketta Johnson

Subject taught: 7-12 English
School: Tahlequah's Central Alternative Academy

Grant received:  Creating Life–long Readers 

Although many teachers request grants to fund technology, some know that a back-to-basics approach can make a big difference. Here's what Johnson had to say in her grant application back in 2012:

Our library at Central Academy consists of one bookshelf. Many of the novels are outdated or hand-me-downs from other schools in the district. I feel it would be a positive experience for Central and CCREA students to know that books bought with this grant were specifically purchased with their hopes, dreams, and ambitions in mind.

The goal of this project is to instill a love of reading in students. I believe this can happen when the chosen novels cater to the students ‘interests.  Central Academy and CCREA have a surprising number of students who love to read.  I believe just one book, the right book, could make all the difference in a child’s life. 

The library at Central Academy isn't just one bookshelf anymore!

Last week, Mrs. Johnson said, "The grant changed my classroom and class time activities.  It allowed students the opportunity to check out the most popular books within their own school. It also allowed me, as a teacher,  the opportunity to have classroom sets of books for particular classes, especially middle school."

Tahlequah Public Schools Foundation is grateful to teachers like Marketta Johnson who know exactly what students need.  Will you help us fulfill those needs? 

Please donate today.