McAuliffe Elementary
Welcome to McAuliffe Elementary School, home of the McAuliffe Challengers.
We provide educational and character-building opportunities for students, parents, teachers and administrators by working together to develop academic and social skills for present and future success.
Christa McAuliffe Elementary School
6515 S. Garnett
Broken Arrow, OK 74012-8529
Office Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
School Hours - Monday-Thursday: 8:55 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. / Friday: 9:20 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
New School Hours for 2010-2011
Main Phone: (918) 357-4336
Fax: (918) 357-6599
Principal Rita Martin
Assistant Principal Alycia Pennington
Resources
Christa McAuliffe Elementary was built in 1988 and named in honor of the teacher – the first teacher in space - who died during the Challenger Space Shuttle disaster on Jan. 25, 1986.
McAuliffe is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. High standards for quality education are assured by membership in NCA. This accreditation is based on the school’s commitment to excellence and quality programs.
Programs
Multi-year class placement (Looping)
Multi-year class placements allow students to remain with the same teacher for two consecutive years. Research has shown that there are many benefits to a multi-year classroom experience.
These include:
- Students experience reduced apprehension at the beginning of a new school year
- More in-depth relationships among the student, his peers, the teacher, and the families
- Long-term relationships have been shown to improve student performance
- Teachers already know each child’s learning style, academic strengths, and weaknesses
- Because students have already learned the classroom and academic expectations, learning begins immediately
- Students experience an increased comfort level that encourages thinking, risk-taking, and involvement
Student Council
Students in grades 3-5 have the opportunity to participate in student government. This group of students plan important school-wide community service projects such as the annual Salvation Army canned food drive and the Reindeer Rock benefiting the Union Klothes Kloset. Many other student activities are sponsored by this group as well.
Challenger Choir
The choir is a fourth and fifth grade select musical group. They perform at community and district-wide ceremonies as well as school-based concerts. Students involved in the Challenger Choir practice before school. They are under the direction of music teacher Craig Snowbarger.
Safety Patrol
Fifth graders exhibiting leadership capabilities are able to participate in the school’s safety patrol. This group aids our staff in supervising the safe arrival and dismissal of students throughout the school on a daily basis. Physical education teacher Michelle Poullard-Burks sponsors this group.
School Broadcast
CNN (Challenger News Network) is produced by fifth grade students under the supervision of media specialist Janet McCoy and music teacher Craig Snowbarger. The broadcast is designed to inform the students and staff of important school information such as menus, specialty schedules and upcoming events as well as other special bits of news.
Steps to Respect
Even kids can help prevent bullying say fifth graders at McAuliffe as they take part in a program called Steps to Respect. School counselor Twy Gardner visits students in grades 3-5 in their classrooms and takes students and their teachers through role-playing games in which students act out scenes and learn the steps to ending conflict/bullying in a respectful manner.
Biz Town
Fifth graders participate in Junior Achievement’s Biz Town. The program offers our students an opportunity to have first-hand experience with financial literacy, entrepreneurship citizenship, interdisciplinary learning and application skills.
McAuliffe offers an English Language Learner curriculum to those students for whom English is not a primary language. Students participate in small group instruction that focuses on the English language.
Character Counts is a district-wide program from kindergarten through high school for students and staff. It gives us a common language and encourages outstanding character traits. A new character trait is introduced each month. The six traits that are emphasized are Respect, Responsibility, Caring, Trustworthiness, Fairness and Citizenship.
Principal Biographies
Rita Martin earned her master’s degree in math and science education from the University of Tulsa. She earned her bachelor’s of science degree in elementary education from Oklahoma State University. Martin came to Union 2006 when she served as an assistant principal for Rosa Parks Elementary from 2006-2007 before transferring to McAuliffe.
Previously, she was a curriculum resource instructor, gifted coordinator and teacher for Jenks Public Schools from 1991 to 2006. Martin enjoys being a “Union Redskin," reading, outdoor activities and spending time with friends and family.
Alycia Pennington received her Bachelor of Science in elementary education degree from Northeastern State University. She completed her Master of School Administration degree, also from NSU. Pennington served as an administrative intern for Rosa Parks during the 2007-2008 school year, and a Union teacher from 1996-1998 and 2004-2007, and a teacher for Sand Springs Public Schools from1994-1996
Pennington has been married for 15 years to Scott Pennington. He teaches at the Union 6/7th Grade Center. They have two boys, Cameron and Chapman. The family is busy with baseball and football throughout the school year. She also enjoys running, reading and spending time with her family. She enjoys doing an occasional triathlon when she can find the time to train.
Helpline - Student Assistance Programs
A crisis helpline is open seven days a week, 24 hours a day, to any patron of the district who wants to report a crisis situation or to ask for information. Leave a message and your call will be returned promptly.
461-HELP - Union Safe Line
You may also call
1-877-SAFE-CALL, ext OK!
(1-877-723-3225, ext 651)
SAFE-CALL is a toll-free confidential hotline for students, parents, teachers, neighbors and anyone concerned about the safety of their local school.
Call us when you know of any activity threatening your school.