Wilson Honors Strings Ensemble

In the Arts Integration program’s first five years, Wilson’s ITBS scores increased 29%, placing them in Oklahoma City’s top ten public elementary schools!  Prior to that time, Wilson was ranked in the bottom half of the elementary schools.  Wilson test scores continue to improve with 5^th graders scoring in the 88% in math and 84% in reading last year!  The majority of our 5^th graders are accepted to attend Classen School of Advanced Studies which was recently ranked 17^th in the nation by Newsweek Magazine!       

Wilson is Oklahoma City’s “downtown” elementary school, serving a remarkably diverse attendance area ranging from stately historic homes to public housing projects.  About 70% of Wilson students receive free or reduced lunches.  The school has served 42 students from the homeless shelter this year.  The school’s mobility rate is 16%.

   Many families have worked tirelessly to let the community know that Wilson is an outstanding school with wonderful parent involvement and that our diversity is one of our greatest strengths and something to be embraced and celebrated!  Today, through the efforts of the PTA, many families are moving their children from private and parochial schools in order to attend Wilson.  The school also receives many transfer applications and has a waiting list.  The PTA has indeed helped restore neighborhood pride in our school! 

In addition, Wilson has helped with the revitalization of downtown Oklahoma City and the renewed interest in living in the older downtown neighborhoods.  Realtors are calling the school to find out our boundaries because homebuyers want their children to attend Wilson! 

PTA Goals

Wilson School has seen significant changes in parent involvement in recent years.  About ten years ago, Wilson had a PTA Leadership Team of 12-15 parents.  This team of parents helped organize a few school events each year including a Fun Night, Bingo, Open House, and a fundraiser. 

Today, the PTA has over 200 members.  Many of the members of the PTA are very involved in the life of the school.  This increase in involvement has been greatly influenced by the goals of the PTA.  These goals include:

·         Involving all parents in the life and learning environment of the school.

·         Having regular communication between parents and staff.

·         Building school community and pride.

·         Providing opportunities for families to join together and have fun. 

·         Building support for and awareness of the school within the local neighborhoods and the larger community.

·         Supporting and participating in community events.

·         Celebrating the school’s history and building relationships with school alumni.

·         Encouraging good health and exercise.

Membership Recruitment

PTA volunteers help coordinate school enrollment.  At this time, we also provide information regarding the work of the PTA and encourage parents to join the PTA.  Our Public Schools Partner in Education, Sonic, America’s Drive-in, supported our membership drive by providing coupons for free cherry limeades for parents (and their children) who joined the PTA! 

We also encourage participation in the PTA right away, as we have sign-up sheets for PTA volunteer opportunities.  We provide many opportunities for involvement at different times of the day and week in order to enable parents and children to be involved at the school regardless of their schedules.  Parents from different racial-ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds are active members of our PTA.  We are also proud that we have as many dads involved in PTA activities as moms.  In addition, many dads serve on our PTA Board of Directors, and dads have been PTA president for 4 of the last 6 years.     

Ice Cream Social/PTA Kickoff Meeting

To encourage attendance at our first PTA meeting, we hosted a family ice-cream social on our school playground.  After everyone enjoyed ice cream, we provided childcare during the PTA meeting.  We made a special effort to introduce everyone at the meeting, especially noting new families.  Committee chairs presented overviews of their areas of involvement and the many ways in which parents could become involved.  After the meeting, parents were encouraged to join the PTA and sign up for volunteer opportunities.  Last year our PTA membership was 170.  This year we have had a 29% increase in our PTA membership.  We currently have 225 members, including 100% of our teachers!

Involvement in the Classroom and Beyond

Classroom Parents

Every day parents help in the classrooms in many, many ways.  Parents help with reading, making copies, filling student folders, and leading the Pledge of Allegiance.  Parents also help lead special class projects involving such things as ceramics, painting, and more!

Recently, our State Superintendent, Sandy Garrett, visited our Preschool program because Oklahoma has been noted for its outstanding early childhood education.  Superintendent Garrett also brought a reporter from TIME magazine.  The reporter had the opportunity to visit with some of the parents and she remarked that she was extremely impressed with our parent involvement at the school!         

Kindergarten parents participate in the class tea party.

Field Trip Coordinators

This year, PTA parents launched a new plan to help fund and coordinate field trips for the students.  This has been a very exciting adventure!  The parents schedule the bus and the trip, and serve as chaperones.  The PTA had a flower bulb fundraiser to raise funds for the field trips.  We raised $2655 which was enough to provide a bus trip for each grade!  In addition, everyone enjoyed the beautiful flowers this spring, especially the ones which were donated for the school grounds!  The students enjoyed trips to the Pumpkin Patch, Oklahoma City Zoo, the Oklahoma State Capitol, the Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, and the local fire station, as well as local theater and music productions.

    

Outreach and Communication

Joys and Concerns Committee   

PTA members also started a Joys and Concerns Committee this year.  Committee members send flowers, cards, or balloons when members of the school community have special needs or celebrations such as births, deaths, being hospitalized, receiving special awards, and more.  This outreach has made a great impact on our school community and has shown everyone that the PTA cares about our families!

School Newsletter and Email Group

Wilson School Website 

The PTA sends home a monthly newsletter in every child’s backpack to help keep parents informed of all the many things happening at the school, as well as volunteer opportunities. 

In addition, the PTA sends out weekly emails to all PTA members with email addresses.  These emails serve as reminders to supplement the information provided in the school newsletter.   

The PTA also maintains a school website which highlights many aspects of the school including programs of study, school history, PTA and community support, extracurricular activities, school newsletters, and fun photos of school events!  Check out our school website at www.wilsonelementary.com.

Teacher & Staff Appreciation

The PTA shows our appreciation for our teachers and staff throughout the year!  We provide special treats during National Teacher Appreciation Week.  In addition, we provide monthly treats in the teachers’ lounge as well as two dinners a year which are held before evening all-school events.     

Outreach to Prospective Families

The PTA distributes school brochures to prospective families.  The brochures were created and printed by the PTA.  They highlight many aspects of the school including programs of study, school history, PTA and community support, extracurricular activities, and more.  In addition, PTA parents lead school tours one day a week, allowing families the opportunity to tour the building, observe classes and visit with the principal, teachers, and other parents.

The PTA also holds a Neighborhood Open House every year for prospective parents.  We have student performances, a PowerPoint presentation, and tours of the building. 

PTA members serve as school liaisons for our neighborhood organizations and submit school news for our neighborhood and local community newsletters.

The PTA also maintains the school marquee so neighbors can know about school events.

School Events

Mark Burrows Concert

In September, the PTA coordinated and funded an incredible concert for the entire school featuring Mark Burrows, aka "Mister Mark".  It was an afternoon full of wiggles, giggles and lots of fun tunes!  After the concert, Mark also led a workshop where a talented group of Wilson students wrote a new school song! 

Mark is a children's musician and the Director of Music and Fine Arts at First United Methodist Church in Fort Worth.  He also has a CD of children's music entitled, "You've Got a Song".  Mark tours the country doing concerts, choral clinics, and songwriting workshops with children.  This was a very exciting event for our school!  In addition, the whole school has learned the school song and our own visual art teacher accompanies the students on harmonica! 

   

Mark Burrows “Mister Mark” performs an exciting concert for the school. 

Fall Fest at the Farm

In the fall, the PTA hosts an annual outing at a family farm for all the students, staff and their families.  We also invite our community partners and school board members.  Everyone enjoys barbeque, hot dogs, chips, beans, and potato salad in the great outdoors.  One of the biggest hits of the night is making s’mores over the campfire.  The PTA also coordinates a nature scavenger hunt.  Several of the teachers help the children with the nature hunt.  In addition, our visual art teacher and his band provide wonderful, relaxing music for the event.  We had over 250 people attend this event this year!  It is a wonderful way to start our year and to create lasting memories and relationships for our school and community!

 

Wilson families enjoy a day in the great outdoors during the annual Fall Fest at the Farm. 

Bingo Nights and PTA Meetings

The PTA holds two bingo nights a year – Turkey Bingo and Valentine Bingo.  These are exciting fundraisers for the school.  Most of all, however, the evenings are wonderful for building school community.  Several of the teachers sit with the students and parents and they all have a great time anticipating the next number called!  No one leaves empty handed as the PTA provides little trinkets for everyone, such as heart necklaces.  We also serve pizza and hold our PTA meetings just prior to the bingo games.  Bingo Nights have greatly increased attendance at our PTA meetings.

Kennedy Center Trainers

The PTA provides support in the classroom when Kennedy Center trainers visit the school.  This is an important way that we support professional development for our teachers.  In addition, the PTA supports an evening in-service for the parents, teachers, and interested neighbors.  We want all the parents to have an opportunity to learn more about arts integration.  This experience allows parents to become “students” again and discover the excitement and joy of learning through the arts!

Math & Science Night

Math & Science Night is an exciting evening where students, teachers, and family members of all ages participate in hands-on math and science learning.  The PTA parents help coordinate all the activities and provide many of the needed supplies.  Parents also volunteer to lead learning stations which are often related to their field of work.  Parents bring models of teeth; help launch paper rockets, and more!  This event is one of the wonderful ways we build community as our parents and children have the opportunity to visit and learn together throughout the night!

Arts Integration Night

PTA parents also help organize Arts Integration Night.  Students, parents, and teachers join together in exciting classes to experience arts integration.  This event is also a wonderful way that we build community and help inform parents of all the exciting aspects of arts integration. 

Sallie McFarland Rucks Readers Series

The Wilson School Library is named in memory of Sallie McFarland Rucks, who was a Wilson student in the 1940s. Tragically, when Sallie was a second grader, she was hit and killed by a fire truck on her way home from school. Later, the Wilson Library was named the Sallie McFarland Rucks Memorial Library in memory of her.

Today, Sallie’s niece, Louisa McCune-Elmore, coordinates the Sallie McFarland Rucks Reader Series. Louisa is a neighborhood resident and the editor in chief of Oklahoma Today, the official state magazine of Oklahoma.  The PTA helps Louisa coordinate the Reader Series. 

Every month, Louisa invites a special guest reader from the community to read a children’s book to the students.  The guest readers have included a State Senator, a former mayor, a former Miss America, NBA players for the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets, a Children’s Theater director, and many others. 

The readers have inspired the students to read and learn and ask questions.  The readers have shared their dreams and goals with the children, and have encouraged the students to dream and set goals as well.  The Reader Series has made a wonderful impact on the school as the guest readers have served as important role models to the students.  They have taught the children about different vocations and the value of public service.

The Reader Series also has helped connect Wilson’s past with its present and future.  In addition, the Reader Series has helped bring about a greater awareness in the community of the importance of supporting education and our children. 

Wilson second graders enjoy their Reader Series with guest reader
Jane Jayroe, former Miss America.

Building & Grounds

PTA members help with maintenance and improvements for the school building and grounds.

The parents have helped teachers spruce up their classrooms by building bookshelves, and organizing and painting rooms.

Parents help with landscaping, tree trimming, and spreading new play chips on the playground.  They also decorate the school grounds with seasonal decorations such as hay bales and pumpkins in the fall.      

Our school has a rich history of murals throughout the building, including a 1934 WPA mural.  PTA parents continue this tradition today by painting beautiful murals in our hallways and school library.  These murals help brighten and enhance our learning environment.

Rain Forest Mural

This year PTA parents painted a beautiful rain forest mural in a school hallway!  The 5^th grade students are using this hallway during their learning unit on the rain forest.  The students have made the hallway come alive with stuffed animals, plants, music and a fog machine!  The 5^th graders will serve as rain forest “tour guides” for the rest of the school as they share all they have learned throughout their study unit.  The PTA is very proud of our new rain forest and our tour guides!!  We are so thankful to have talented parents who can make such an impact on the school’s learning environment! 

Legislative/Advocacy

MAPS for Kids

Wilson Arts, Inc. 

In 2001, Oklahoma City voters approved the MAPS for Kids initiative which called for a seven-year city sales tax to raise more than $500 million for metropolitan area schools.   The school district plans on spending $2.2 million to completely renovate and expand Wilson.  PTA parents have been very involved with the MAPS for Kids project, participating in many community meetings regarding the plan.  This year, many PTA parents were part of group which helped establish Wilson Arts, Inc., a non-profit organization, to lead a capital campaign to raise additional funds for the construction of new classrooms for the arts.  Wilson parents have helped with grant writing, a yard sign campaign, and the mailing of a campaign flyer to Wilson families, alumni, and neighbors.  It was so special to see signs all around the school neighborhoods and city saying “We Support Wilson School” with our school logo!  The campaign has been very successful as Wilson Arts, Inc. has raised over $800,000!  This amount includes several grants and many, many donations from the community, school, alumni, and more!  This is a very exciting and important time in the life of the school! 

Fundraisers

Wilson participates in several fundraisers throughout the year in order to provide funds for school events, field trips, and resources for the school and teachers.  We have a PTA budget of $11,000.  With about 70% of our students receiving free or reduced lunch, we try to have fun events like Bingo Nights for parents to contribute to the school.  We also collect Box Tops and participate in a local grocery store’s “Dollars for Schools” program.  These programs allow parents of different income levels to support the school.  We have 343 people from the school and community registered in the “Dollars for Schools” program! 

Our biggest fundraiser this year was Innisbrook Wrapping Paper, raising over $5200.  The money raised was used for classroom supplies.   

We also did a Colorblends flower bulb fundraiser, raising $2655.  The money raised was used for student field trips!  The PTA also supported a Scholastic Book Fair which provided many books for the library and classrooms.  We also sell school t-shirts.  The t-shirts are also helpful in building spirit and pride in the school and larger community!  

Extracurricular & Community Activities

Sports Teams

All Wilson students have the opportunity to participate in extracurricular team sports including basketball, soccer, and baseball.  The sports teams are for Preschool through 5^th graders and are coordinated entirely by the PTA.  The leagues emphasize fundamental skill development, building team unity, developing healthy bodies and minds, and having fun!  All team members participate regardless of skill level. 

Wilson has had a tremendous increase in participation in team sports in recent years.  Just over five years ago, Wilson fielded one t-ball team and two or three soccer teams.  Today, Wilson has over 100 students (one-third of our student body!) participating in each of our three sports leagues - basketball, soccer, and baseball.  The First Baptist Church is one of our community partners.  They allow us to use their amazing gym for our basketball league!

The PTA has made great efforts to inform all the families of the sports leagues by posting information in our school newsletters and email group, and sending sports flyers home in each child’s backpack.  The PTA also provides scholarships and transportation for any students who need assistance.  We have families from all socio-economic and racial-ethnic backgrounds participate in the sports leagues.    

=As a result, the Wilson sports teams have had a direct impact on parent involvement and school spirit and pride.  In fact, many would say the sports teams have made one of the greatest impacts on increased parent involvement at the school!  Parents serve as coaches, assistants, and team parents.  Families from all backgrounds are able to join together each week and get to know each other in a fun and relaxed setting.  We also hold an end-of-season picnic celebration complete with a pizza or hot dog dinner!  The sports teams contribute to parents feeling more connected to the school and one another.  As a result, parents are less intimidated to jump in and help with classroom and school activities.

The PTA has communicated our willingness to help lead the way for other schools to develop similar programs.  We plan to work with The Director of Oklahoma City Parks and Recreation, district officials, and leaders of the First Baptist Church in order to increase participation in team sports.  Our school is greatly admired and recognized for our efforts to include each and every child and family in this program!

    

 

Wilson students participate in basketball and baseball. 

OKC Memorial Marathon

The PTA encouraged all the students and parents to participate in the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon which honors the victims, survivors, rescuers, and all who were changed forever on April 19, 1995.  The marathon offers a message of comfort, strength, peace, and hope and encourages the prevention of terrorism and violence.

Many Wilson students and parents participated in the Kid’s Marathon in which the students log 25 miles in advance.  On the day of the marathon, the students walk or run the final 1.2 miles. 

The PTA provided registration papers and log sheets for the entire school.  This greatly increased the number of participants.  The scouts invited all the students to join them on Tuesday nights as they logged their 25 miles in advance.  The parents also helped the students log miles at recess and before and after school.

The PTA wanted to encourage good health and exercise.  In addition, we wanted to support this important event for our city.  So many lives were impacted forever by the bombing, including many in our school community.  We were honored to be a part of such an important community event and to be able to give to our community in such a positive way.  We feel our participation in the marathon encourages good citizenship and helps build school spirit and pride in our community.  It also builds parent involvement and is a great way for families to get to know one another.  In addition, it helps us teach students about the importance of finding nonviolent solutions to problems 

Scout Troops

The PTA provides support for all of our scout troops.  The PTA and scout troops often work together on special school events and activities such as relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina, food drives, teacher appreciation, and more.  The PTA encouraged and provided support for the scout troops to invite the school to join them in the Oklahoma City Marathon.  The scout troops and PTA also work together to encourage parent involvement in school activities. 

             

Wilson Girl Scouts paint the curbs red to create a no parking lane. 

Chess Club

A PTA parent coordinates and leads a school Chess Club for all ages one day a week after school.  There are many PTA parent volunteers who help him with the club.  About 40 students participate in the club every week!  The PTA believes the chess club teaches patience, concentration, and planning – all while having fun!  Many of our chess club players have participated in several tournaments around the state.  Several of our players have won medals. 

We are very excited that our school will host a state tournament next fall. 

  

Wilson students enjoy Chess Club once a week. 

Student Council

PTA parents serve as adult mentors for the Student Council.  The parents help the students with many activities throughout the year such as school beautification, Sprit Club, community partner appreciation, dances, a talent show, and more!  We feel this is a wonderful way to teach the students about leadership skills and community involvement. 

Heritage Hills Historic Homes Tour

This fall our Honor Strings Ensemble was asked to perform during one of our neighborhood home tours.  The students performed on the lawn and provided beautiful music for the tour guests.  Many Wilson families were there to support the students.  We were so proud of them!  Most of all, we were excited to be able to support one of our neighborhoods in this special way!

Wilson Honors Strings students perform at the Heritage Hills Homes Tour. 

Mesta Park Holiday Homes Tour

This year we were asked be a stop on one of our neighborhood Home tours.  In addition, we were asked to serve as the Refreshment stop for the tour.  We were thrilled to have this opportunity to showcase our school and support one of our neighborhoods!  The PTA helped decorate the school for the tour.  We also spruced up the school grounds.  We had many, many parents volunteer to be tour guides and serve refreshments.  Our vocal music and strings teachers provided a concert for the tour guests.  Another parent played piano music as well.  PTA parents provided coffee for the tour and served the cookies.  It was an outstanding event.  The chairs of the tour were so impressed with the school.  Throughout the tour, we all received glowing comments on the school and our parent, student, and teacher involvement!   We have been asked to be a tour stop again and serve refreshments next year.  We are excited to help one of our neighborhoods in this way!

Oklahoma City Festival of the Arts

This spring our Honors Choir and Honors Strings Ensemble were asked to perform for the Opening Ceremonies of the Oklahoma City Arts Festival!  The PTA helped chaperone the students at the event and helped with their lunch.  Even though the weather was windy and cold that day (temperatures were in the 40s), we had a wonderful turnout of parents at the event! The students did a wonderful job!  We were also very proud that our students were able to share the stage with the mayor of Oklahoma City and the chairs of the Arts Festival.

Wilson students perform at the Oklahoma City Arts Festival. 

In Closing…

Throughout the year, the PTA has worked with teachers, staff, families, neighbors, and friends in order to help provide the resources and energy needed to nurture our students as they learn and grow!  Wilson School is a very special community and we are proud to say that we have indeed met our goals for this year and we are eager to plan for another exciting year at Wilson Elementary!