Page 12 ------ - ----- --------------- ------- March-April, 2007 Highsteppers Win Grand Champion Award in Texas Competition Winter and spring proved to be very stuff and show off the latest fashions in benefited the guard's planned trip to busy for spirit squads and winter prom and formal wear." Proceeds b"ene­ the Winter Guard Internationa: guards as they racked up more awards, fited members to help send them to Championships in April in Dayton, conducted fund raisers and readied for state and national competitions. Ohio. try-outs for the new year. The High School Renegade Regiment Meanwhile, the spirit department began The Union Highsteppers won the Grand Winter Guards also hosted a regional hosting clinics and tryouts for the vari­ Champion Award at the Starmakers Big competition in March at the UMAC, ous spirit teams. For more information, "D" Extravaganza regional dance com­ which featured more than 25 groups please visit the Athletics section at petition held in Garland, Texas, in from throughout Oklahoma. Proceeds www.unionps.org. February. Union's Jamal Parks The 30-member team was awarded the keeps Sapulpa's Ryne highest honor of "Best of Contest" for Webster in check, win­ ning 18-8 in a major having the highest overall score of all decision during region­ the teams in the competition. The team al championships in won several awards including Excellence Ponca City. Union nar­ rowly lost the state in Choreography on their kick dance team title, although and Excellence in Technique, Union won the equally Showmanship and Precision. Captain impressive Dual State Championships a few Lauren Tallent also made the top 19 for weeks earlier. Both her solo performance. Parks and Seth Vernon won state titles. Parks and Vernon were also The Union Porn Squads planned to host ranked in the top-S a spring fashion show featuring design­ nationwide by Amateur er prom and formal wear from Wrestling News and the Facchiano's Bridal and Formal Attire in" team was ranked the 35th best in the nation March. The community was invited to in a program coached join the Porn Squads as they "strut their by Corey Clayton. www.unionps.org. Director of Athletics Steve Dunlap makes comments as scores of Union athletes - lined up at tables ...,. I r'lhi. at the High School gymnasium - sign with various colleges and universities during a special press conference this winter. V"' Union Public Schools 8506 E. 61ST STREET TULSA OK 74133-1926 www.unionps.org . Vol. 32 No.7 Published by Union Public Schools Tulsa, OK 74133-1926 Page 2 MMch-April,2007 __________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------- MMch-April,2007 Page II Child Graduate? Union Graduate Shines on American Idol It Now Takes More Than Passing instruction tests have up to thre Voted Union High School's "Most Doolittle said she dedicated student and we hope to see Grades To Graduate from High School chances to pass per calendar year. Talented" in 1995, Melinda Doolittle is has been working more of her on American Idol," Stauffer one of the favorites in the nationally-tel­ as a session singer In June 2006, Oklahoma lawmakers Many students will do well without any said. evised American Idol, reaching the cov­ and background passed one of the most significant extra help. For those who need it, Union eted top-12 in March. singer and wanted pieces of education legislation in state has tutoring, reading and math support American Idol, which airs twice a week, to sing in front of will continue to narrow the number of history. Achieving Classroom programs and an opportunity to take Doolittle, who currently lives in the microphone as contestants through Excellence, or "ACE," totally changes double academic sections rather than Tennessee, has won the hearts of the a solo artist. May, awarding the what students, starting with the class of electives to assist students. three judges - Randy Jackson, Paula winner a recording 2012 (seventh graders in 2006-2007), Abdul and even Simon Cowell, and "We are very proud contract and a chance must do to earn a high school diploma. Major Elements of ACE many are hopeful for a win for the back­ Union has always promoted a rigorous of Melinda at a music career. ground singer. Doolittle," Principal 1995 Instead of graduating after passing cer­ curriculum and high academic expecta­ l. All students will be enrolled in a Two years ago, tain courses, the new law requires stu­ tions, but it is important that parents Dave Stauffer said, remembering Checotah native College Preparatory/ Work Ready her with great fondness. "She was dents to additionally pass four "end-of­ and students are aware of the higher Curriculum unless parents opt Carrie Underwood instruction exams." The four must accountability these end-of-instruction an outstanding student, very hard won and has since them out. working and she loved to sing," include Algebra I and English II and two exams pose. It will take a conscious 2. Beginning with the 2006-07 school become one of the from the following: Algebra II, effort for all of us to ensure our stu­ Stauffer said. "She was just a very Melinda Doolittle biggest selling acts in year, all seventh grade students good student." Geometry, English ill, Biology and U.S. dents meet the challenge. Consistent shall demonstrate mastery in read­ 2007 country music today. History. End-of-instruction exams have student attendance, good study habits ing and mathematics, or remedia­ Doolittle, who also attended the been used in Oklahoma for some time, and a focus on classroom achievement tion will be offered. University of Tulsa, displayed her tal­ but passing them has not been required will be key to academic success. Parents 3. Passing four end-of-instruction ents in high school in a dramatic way for graduation previously. can encourage academic progress exams will be required to obtain a when she sang during the National AtNION through a stable home environment, fre­ Student Council Conference which In efforts to strengthen Oklahoma's high school diploma. quent communication with teachers and Union High School hosted during June I Gra~Manol1 Cdebratiol1 economy and improve educational reinforcing a positive attitude toward 1995 shortly after her graduation. opportunities, this legislation was Union's Focus Program Plans are in full swing for the annual school. We look forward to partnering Graduation Celebration. Many Union passed to ensure graduates have skills with you in Achieving Classroom Doolittle, who was active in Student for the workplace-the ability to write A new Focus Block Schedule is planned patrons and businesses have con­ Excellence! for Union seventh, eighth and ninth Council, was also president of Alpha tributed toward this event, but more well, read technical materials and rea­ Theta/ Fellowship of Christian Athletes. son mathematically. ACE is an attempt graders who have been identified as fail­ sponsors are always welcome. ACE: Intervention Strategies ing math and/ or English by their distric In addition to being voted "Most Contributions are tax deductible to this to ensure graduation requirements are Talented," Doolittle was also voted high, diplomas are meaningful and stu­ End-of-instruction tests will be adminis­ Criterion-Referenced Test (CRT) scores 50l(c)3 organization. In place 2007-2008, class size maximum "Most Spirited" by her class and she dents are motivated to master skills tered at the end of each course. served as the school's mascot that year. Remember that your donations help needed in the 21st century. Students who fail any of the four end-of- will be 25 students and courses will be taught by some of the district's most "Melinda Doolittle was a motivated and ensure a great evening for our gradu­ effective teachers. High School junior Alex Verity uses a large ates, our way to congratulate them on a rolling pin to flatten a piece of clay in a job well done and keep them safe. For PreK and Kindergarten Student Roundup Begins in April ceramics class taught by teacher Lea 10 Union Seniors Named The day's four-class schedule will Holmboe. The class has a furnace to fire clay National Merit Finalists more information about volunteers, Parents may begin enrolling students Children who are at least four years old include an 85-minute block for English, creations, several of which may be seen dur­ contact Alicia Conner-Todd at 252- for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten on or before September l will be placed 85 minutes for math, 85 minutes for sci­ ing Union's annual YouthArts! Festival which 3232 or Pam Yarwood 250-2367. runs April 16-May 5 at the UMAC. The National Merit Scholarship Program, classes for the 2007-2008 school in Union's pre-kindergarten program ence/social studies (social science one a privately financed academic scholar­ year during the month of April. on a space-available basis. semester and lab science the next) and ship competition, has named 10 Union Enrolling on the des­ the fourth block split between an advi­ High School Roundup hours are 8 a.m. to ignated day does not High School seniors National Merit sory study skills class and an elective Art Students Finalists. 4 p.m. at the Union guarantee placement. (fine arts, computer class, etc.) with the Education Children who rest of the school. The skills class will Honored They are: Kelly Anderson, Brian Griffin, Servic e are at least five focus on important practical tasks such Brett Jones, Heather McDonald, Justin Center, years old on or Four Union High McNatt, Lydia Meador, Kevin O'Brien, 8506 E. 61 St. as tips for note-taking, test-taking, before Septem­ School students won Molly Ramsey, Trevor Sarratt and Parents are study habits, decision-making, etc.