Region: Oklahoma
Education

Help Keep Our Kids Safe: Save the Classen SAS Theater Tech Teacher!

Petition is addressed to
The Oklahoma City Public Schools Board

106 signatures

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106 signatures

Collection finished

  1. Launched May 2024
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Petition is addressed to: The Oklahoma City Public Schools Board

Request:
We urge the Oklahoma City Public Schools Board of Education to retain the position of the dedicated technical theater teacher at Classen School of Advanced Studies Middle School, who also serves as the Technical Director of our theater program. This role is pivotal not only for the education and safety of our students but also for the integrity of the school's drama and theater productions.

Achievement Goals:

  1. Ensure Safety: Maintain a safe learning environment for students, particularly in handling technical theater equipment and managing the unique challenges posed by ongoing school renovations.
  2. Preserve Educational Quality: Continue providing specialized, hands-on technical education in theater arts, which is crucial for the holistic development of our students.
  3. Support Theater Operations: Sustain the operational excellence of our school’s theater productions by keeping a role that expertly manages the complex logistics and technical demands of modern theater.

Implementation:

  • Community Engagement: Involve parents, teachers, and local arts organizations in discussions with the school board to highlight the community’s strong support for this position.
  • Financial Considerations: Explore potential funding options, including local arts grants and partnerships with community theaters, to financially support the retention of this role.
  • Awareness Campaigns: Conduct information sessions and demonstrations for school board members to showcase the impact and importance of the technical theater teacher in enhancing student learning and safety.

By retaining this essential position, Classen SAS Middle School will not only uphold the safety and quality of its drama program but also continue to nurture the talents and passions of its students in the performing arts.

Reason

Importance of the Petition:

The role of the technical theater teacher at Classen SAS Middle School is foundational to both the safety and enrichment of our educational environment. This position is crucial for:

  1. Student Safety: Ensuring that students handle complex stage equipment safely, which is particularly critical during the current extensive school renovations.
  2. Educational Excellence: Providing irreplaceable technical training that enriches students’ arts education and prepares them for diverse career paths.
  3. Community and Cultural Development: Enhancing community engagement and supporting the growth of local cultural initiatives through our thriving theater program.

Concerns Over Recent Developments:
Recently, our community was dismayed to learn that the board decided to terminate the technical theater teacher’s position without proper discussion or transparency. This decision was communicated to the teacher quietly on the day before the last day of school, amidst the chaos of deconstructing the entire theater for renovations. Shockingly, this action was taken without informing the Department or considering the potential impact on the well-being of our students and the integrity of the department.

Urgency for Action:

Immediate action is necessary:

  1. Lack of Transparency: The manner in which the decision was made—without input from educators or the community—highlights a significant disregard for the stakeholders it affects most.
  2. Safety and Continuity Risks: With ongoing renovations and the upcoming school year, it is critical to maintain continuity and safety standards in our theater program, which are jeopardized by this abrupt staffing change.
  3. Community Response: There is substantial community and parental concern over this decision, necessitating urgent reconsideration by the board to address these grievances and restore trust.

The retention of the technical theater teacher is critical not only for maintaining educational quality and safety but also for upholding the values of transparency and community engagement in school governance. We must act now to ensure that our children continue to receive the best possible education in a safe and supportive environment.

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Petition details

Petition started: 05/21/2024
Petition ends: 08/22/2024
Region: Oklahoma
Topic: Education

News

  • Oklahoma City Public Schools
    615 N Classen Blvd,
    Oklahoma City, OK 73106

    Dear Chair Paula Lewis and the OKCPS Board,

    This letter is to express our urgent concern regarding the proposed elimination of the dedicated technical theater teacher position at Classen School of Advanced Studies Middle School.

    Not only would the loss of this position negatively impact the school’s ability to educate and effectively execute theater productions, but there is also a significant safety concern that should be considered.

    The school’s theater program is a vital part of the Classen SAS Middle School community and parents have stepped up to ensure its success. This past school year, parents collectively volunteered over 350 hours to support its... further

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