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Communications
Gretchen Haas-Bethell
Executive Director of Communications / Biography
(918) 357-6015
Welcome to the Communications Department!
We would like to know your questions/comments. Please feel free to contact us.
What we do….
The Communications Department assists district management and employees in interpreting public attitudes; identifies and helps shape district policies and procedures in the public interest; and helps to provide ways to inform and involve Union’s various audiences in an effort to gain understanding and support for Union Public Schools and the services it provides.
The Communications Department provides a system for fostering open, two-way communications and good relationships between the district and its various internal audiences (students, certified employees, support employees, Board of Education members, administrators, etc.) and external audiences (parents, taxpayers, community organizations, lawmakers, businesses, etc.).
Four specialists help the executive director manage the department’s needs:
• Andy Erwin, UView & Video Production
• Janie Froman, Graphic Designer
• Beverly Thummel, Administrative Assistant for Communications and the Board of Education
• Michael Vore, Webmaster/Communications Specialist
The Communications Department also relies on a team of staff members appointed to serve as communication representatives. The communication representatives are charged with helping the department keep abreast of news at school sites and departments throughout the district.
Publications and Productions 
The Communications Department produces a number of printed and electronic-based products designed to inform patrons about Union Public Schools.
More than 40 publications were printed and included everything from handbooks, course offerings and report cards, to brochures, programs and annual reports.
Major publications produced by the Communications Department include:
- The Communicator, which is distributed on a bi-monthly basis. More than 26,000 copies of the Communicator are printed and distributed to our schools, media, lawmakers and residents every two months.
- The Annual Report, which contains information about awards, statistics, achievements and other miscellaneous facts.
- Bond Issue, which contains information on proposed bonds and elections
- Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, which is produced in conjunction with the Finance Division
Audio/video productions include an annual bond-related video, a Teacher of the Year slide show, a Teacher of the Year video, district videos and programming for the U-View Scoreboards at Union High School and the UMAC. The Communications Department also works with the Athletics Department to produce a weekly coach's show during the football season.
A network of 45 communications representatives from all sites, departments and various parent groups submitted news tips, photos and story ideas to our staff throughout the year. Their input helps generate hundreds of news releases and photos which are sent to the media and/or are posted on the Union web site each year.
Our records indicate Union-related news (not counting regular sports stories) appeared on television news 313 times during 2008-2009 and in 151 stories in Tulsa area newspapers.
Communication Representatives -
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Andersen Elementary |
Boevers Elementary |
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Briarglen Elementary |
Cedar Ridge Elementary |
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Clark Elementary |
Darnaby Elementary Aaron Parsons (5th Grade) Dana Bundy (Enrichment Specialist) |
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Grove Elementary
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Jarman Elementary Andrea Holcomb (Principal's Secretary)
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Jefferson Elementary |
McAuliffe Elementary |
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Moore Elementary |
Rosa Parks Elementary |
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Peters Elementary Kay Leslie (Media Specialist) |
Rosa Parks Early Childhood Center |
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Sixth/Seventh Grade Center |
Eighth Grade Center |
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Intermediate High |
Alternative Education |
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High School Amy Riker (English/Yearbook)
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Evening Academy |
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Teaching & Learning JoAnn Bodenstab (Sr. Admin. Asst.) |
CFO / Finance |
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Technology |
Human Resources |
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Community Education |
Support Services Betty Dean (Secretary) |
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Child Nutrition Evelyn Davis (Asst. Coordinator) |
Transportation |
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Operations |
Fine Arts |
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Athletics & Spirit |
8th Grade Highsteppers |
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Varsity Cheer |
JV Cheer |
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9th Grade Cheer |
8th Grade Cheer |
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Highsteppers |
JV Highsteppers |
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Varsity Pom |
JV Pom |
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8th Grade Pom Dayna Rayburn |
9th Grade Pom Kirsten Dean (president) |
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HS Band/Band Parents Charles Pisarra (Band instructor) |
Graduation Celebration |
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Note: Spirit group presidents are listed unless they have designated a Communication Representative. |
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