Parents step up

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Carli Aebi plays Valentine’s Day bingo with Hayes Elementary School kindergarten students Feb. 14. The school’s PTA provides games and educational activities instead of edible treats for students and staff. Hayes Elementary School recently was honored as Oklahoma’s only HealthierUS School Challenge Silver Award winner. (Staff Photo by BONNIE VCULEK)
Vanessa Jones helps Hayes Elementary School first-graders with an art project. (Staff Photo by BONNIE VCULEK)
Hayes volunteer Chad Quin tries to get Hayes Elementary School students’ attention as they play a game. (Staff Photo by BONNIE VCULEK)

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March 2, 2013

Parents step up

Involvement in school benefits pupils, aids administrators, teachers and staff

By Phyllis Zorn, Staff Writer Enid News and Eagle The Enid News and Eagle Sat Mar 02, 2013, 05:44 PM CST

ENID, Okla. — Hayes Elementary School’s active parental involvement benefits everyone — students, faculty and administration.

Jane Johnson, principal of Hayes Elementary, said not only are a good number of parents active participants in Parent Teacher Association but those same parents step up to the plate as volunteers when the school is short-handed, doing such tasks as helping serve lunch.

“At the beginning of the year parents sign up for what they are interested in doing,” Johnson said. “We kind of let them run with what they do best, so they don’t have a lot of meetings and such.”

Amy Finnegan, president of the Hayes PTA, said when the school needs a volunteer, she sends out an email letting PTA members know and someone who can pitch in will step up to the plate.

The strong element of parental involvement at the school also helped the school attain the Silver Award in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s HealthierUS School Challenge. Part of the criteria was finding non-food ways to celebrate events instead of handing out cookies and cupcakes.

“I think it’s going over great,” Finnegan said. “I don’t even think the kids miss it. We only have about 30 minutes anyway for a party. … I think it was harder for us to give up the food.”

Even the annual school carnival is done without food.

Johnson noted PTA sends needed items to the school as well as sets up a student store one morning per month where students can buy water bottles, pencils and other Hayes-related items.

“Last year we logged over 1,000 volunteer hours in our building,” Johnson said. “I’m sure this year it’s running the same or maybe a little over.”

A partnership between PTA and Park Avenue Thrift provides arts education from Creative Arts Enid to Hayes fifth-graders.

“Park Avenue Thrift pays for the time, but the PTA pays for the materials,” Finnegan said. “We get the teachers whatever they need.”

PTA bought cameras for student computers this year and is looking at getting iPads for the classrooms.

“Our goal this year is to raise $10,000,” Finnegan said.

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Progress 2013

2013 OUR HERITAGE, OUR FUTURE
The News & Eagle puts out an annual Progress edition. This year's 2013 Our Heritage, Our Future focuses the Enid area's rich heritage and its current and future endeavors.

Read individual stories on the enidnews.com site HERE

Links to Full Edition pdf format: Economic Development | Health & Wellness | Education | Northwest Oklahoma | Faith | Family | Agriculture & Energy | Community Service

Our Progress edition also is available as part of our digital newspaper. Learn more about the ENE e-edition HERE.

February 16, 2013 1 Photo 1 Link
A time to give
Bob Farrell volunteers for a number of organizations throughout Enid, a labor of love that began during his 25-year active duty Air Force career, at which time he rose to the rank of chief master sergeant.

April 13, 2013 2 Photos 1 Link
Growth spurt
The market normally opens the second Saturday of May, the week after Tri-State Music Festival. June 22 is the annual GreEnid promotion. Hours are 8-11 a.m. each Saturday during the season.

April 13, 2013 3 Photos 1 Link
A way to fund progress
Cherokee Strip Community Foundation was started in 1999 and began receiving funds in 2000. The initial funds were raised because of a challenge match from Sisters of Mercy, former owners of St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center, which started the match program as a way to help the community.

April 13, 2013 2 Photos 1 Link
'I love you Grandma warms my heart'
“I can tell Grandma one time, and she knows what the children need, grabs her stuff and goes and does it. It’s like having another teacher.” — Hoover Elementary teacher Nicole Moneypenny

April 13, 2013 1 Photo 1 Link
AMBUCS pride
“Enid is known as the AMBUCS capital of the world because there’s more AMBUCS in Enid per capita than any other city in the country." — Kent Clingenpeel, National AMBUCS president and Enid AM AMBUCS member

April 13, 2013 2 Photos 1 Link
'A beautiful thing'
“When we talk about developing professional airmen, our community involvement is a big part of it.” — Col. Darren James, commander of 71st Flying Training Wing

April 13, 2013 4 Photos 1 Link
Helping people overcome
Stepping Stones and Van’s House are housed at the same facility and are there to provide help for those who are struggling with drug or alcohol addiction.

April 13, 2013 1 Photo 1 Link
People making a difference
From vocational rehabilitation and homeless shelter services to community arts programs, a significant portion of Enid’s non-profit causes benefit directly when people shop at or donate to local thrift stores.

April 13, 2013 1 Photo 1 Link
Care to share
Junior Welfare League bought adjoining buildings downtown and has been operating Return Engagement from one of the buildings but hopes to expand the store throughout both buildings.

April 13, 2013 3 Photos 1 Link
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Parents step up

Involvement in school benefits pupils, aids administrators, teachers and staff

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