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Union High School

Welcome to the home of the Union Redskins – Union High School!

Say the word Redskin and you picture a group pulling together to create an everlasting bond. This group comes from all directions in the academic, athletic, extracurricular activity, and scholastic disciplines. Say the word Redskin and you picture a never-say-die warrior who was the first in all our history; a brave and sturdy chief who looks after what he has and is eager to take on and conquer what is in the future.

It is our mission to provide our community of learners with educational opportunities to acquire and develop the best possible academic, vocational, recreational, social, and participatory skills, enabling them to become valued, contributing members of a changing global society.

Union High School
6636 S. Mingo Road
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74133-3247

Office Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
School Hours: Monday-Thursday: 8:15 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. / Friday: 8:40 a.m. - 3 p.m.
New School Hours for 2010-2011

Main Phone: (918) 357-4323

Attendance Offices:

• A – F   357-7211
• G – N  357-7212
• O – Z   357-7283

Registrar’s Fax: (918) 357-7210
Activities Fax: (918) 357-7100  
Attendance Fax: (918) 357-7112
Principal’s Fax: (918) 357-7256

Principal Dave Stauffer

Activities Assistant Principal Denise Vaniadis
Assistant Principal John Federline 
Assistant Principal Gart Morris 
Assistant Principal Chuck Hanna 

Resources

Food Menu Buses Enrollment Handbook Daily Schedules  Events Calendar  District Calendar

Grades Course Offerings College and Careers Graduation Requirements Financial Aid Test Scores AP Testing Dates

Credit Recovery  Driver's Ed  Student Organizations National Honor Society Student Assistance Foreign Exchange Student Application Photo Gallery

Union High School 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 High School’s commitment to excellence and quality programs.

Philosophy of Education

We believe that Union High School has the responsibility to assist each student to develop his/her intellectual, physical, and moral potential as fully as possible so that he may be a productive member of society and lead a personally satisfying life. We believe that education is a continuing lifelong process, encouraging curiosity and creativity, and that the results of the learning process may not be immediate or measurable but of enduring value.

Union High School Philosophy

The philosophy of Union High School is not static, but must be flexible enough to reflect the changing needs of the students and the community. In order to implement this philosophy, we believe that academic freedom as defined by the school and the community is essential in order to help both students and teachers live in a changing society.

We feel a strong obligation for helping create within each person respect for his own worth and for that of every human being. We believe that all students, regardless of ability, should have an opportunity for personal recognition and fulfillment in some phase of the educational process, be they academic, social, or civic. We recognize that an understanding of the democratic process is developed through study and participation. Furthermore, the involvement in the democratic process during adulthood should be an extension of these high school practices. We encourage pride in heritage, appreciation of diverse cultural backgrounds, and understanding of individual and national freedoms. We affirm that cultural, ethical, moral, and spiritual values are central to the home, but that the school also has a responsibility in defining and reinforcing those values vital to a democratic society.

School Goals

The overall instructional goals of Union High School are to develop the abilities of each student and to allow him/her to master the following basic academic competencies:

• Communication skills necessary for effective writing and speaking expression.
• Listening skills necessary for exchanging ideas critically and constructively.
• Skills necessary to read effectively and comprehend fully ideas presented through the written media.
• Skills required for understanding and using scientific principles and methods.
• Gain knowledge of numbers and acquire skills in the use of mathematical concepts.
• To have understanding and appreciation for the American heritage and other cultures through the world.
• Study skills to gain competency in acquiring knowledge for lifelong learning.
• Self-understanding and a feeling of self-worth.
• Good citizenship and an awareness of civic responsibility.

Academics - Graduation Requirements - Achieving Classroom Excellence

Union places a strong emphasis on academics. College-bound students may take advantage of several Pre-AP/AP (Advanced Placement) classes to earn college credit while still in high school while others may participate in vocational classes through a partnership with Tulsa Technology Center.

Union boasts a College and Career Office in which students may obtain information and advice on educational and career opportunities after graduation. Union also posts a scholarship bulletin online for students and parents and hosts its own college and career fair every year.

In 2010, there were 1,024 students in the graduating class which included 28 Distinguished Graduates, 10 Salutatorians, 12 Valedictorians and four National Merit Winners. Thanks to student commitment, determination and amazing academic pride, seniors were offered $11,365,764 million in scholarships. Principal Dave Stauffer said the monies offered to students are a reflection of the standard of excellence Union faculty instill in the students.

Tulsa Achieves Scholarship - Learn more about achieving excellence

Seniors also have an incredible opportunity for college thanks to a new scholarship sponsored by Tulsa Community College. Initiated in the spring of 2007, the Tulsa Achieves Scholarship will cover up to 60 hours of classes -- approximately an associate's degree -- over three years. The program's enrollment has grown every year. In April 2010, more than 1,200 students across the county had registered for the 2010 program.

Union students who have at least a 2.0 grade point averages or higher and enroll at TCC the fall semester after they graduate may qualify. Students must apply to TCC and provide the college with their ACT or SAT scores, their four-year high-school transcripts, and their Free Application for Federal Student Aid and Tulsa Achieves applications.

During college, students must continue living in Tulsa County, maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 at TCC, complete three-fourths or more of their college classes and fill out the FAFSA every year. They do not have to take a minimum number of classes each semester, but they do have to enroll every fall and spring semester.

Students who have lived in Tulsa County from ninth through 12th grade will have 100 percent of their tuition and mandatory fees paid; 10th through 12th grade, 75 percent; 11th and 12th grade, 50 percent; and 12th grade, 25 percent. Mandatory fees are those that all TCC students pay and do not include program-specific fees, such as fees for certain classes.

The Tulsa Achieves scholarship will fill in the gaps for college costs not already covered by federal Pell Grants, the Oklahoma's Promise scholarship or other scholarships and grants, McKeon said.

Clubs/Extracurricular Activities

The High School also provides many extracurricular activities and organizations for students. These organizations include Academic Team, Art Club, Scottish Skins, Red Cross and more. Key Club, National Honor Society and Student Council are always actively seeking various community service projects and offer an abundance of manpower and enthusiasm.

Students also have many opportunities to participate in athletics, intramurals, spirit teams, drama, band, music, Leadership activities, community service and more. Many of the programs are nationally recognized. Assistant Principal Denise Vaniadis oversees the activities department and works closely with the Athletics Department and Fine Arts Departments on student life. If you have a question about activities or events at the high school, please call the main number and ask for the activities office.

For the exemplary record of leadership, service and activities that serve to improve the school and community, Union High School was awarded a 2010 Gold Council of Excellence Award by the National Association of Student Councils. Union High School was one of only 118 schools nationwide to receive the honor. We are also proud to note that the Varsity Cheerleaders were 2010 National Champions. The Highsteppers and Pom also ranked state-wide and nationally.

Union High School Alma Mater and Fight Song

UNION HIGH SCHOOL ALMA MATER Union High stands proud forever! Loyalty rides high. Memories, forget them never As the years go by. Friends, we make from year to year. Watch as goals are reached Union High will always be dear To our destiny.

UNION HIGH FIGHT SONG Union Redskins, hats off to thee To our colors true will ever be, Firm and strong united are we. Rah, rah, rah, rah Rah, rah, rah, rah Loyal to Union High.

School History and Features

Union High School was built in 1972, moving secondary students out of the original Union school which housed kindergarten-12. The High School was originally 26,400 square feet with 30 classrooms, restroom facilities and offices. By 1985, eight additions had been made, enlarging the building to more than 12 times its original size. By the opening of the 1998-1999 school year, yet another addition, a 36-room classroom wing with a commons area, was readied for use. Patrons in the district have chosen to enlarge the current building rather than risk splitting the Union community by building a second high school.

The High School also features a 2,000 seat Performing Arts Center which accommodates student performances and occasionally plays host to well-known artists and community events. Thanks to voter support, the High School’s fine arts department was renovated to include a new fine arts wing and staging area for the Renegade Regiment – Union’s award-winning marching band. The PAC was renovated in 2009 and re-opened in 2010.

The High School also features a second theater space for smaller productions, baseball diamonds, a running track, practice rooms for wrestling, a gymnasium, newspaper and video production rooms, a dark room for photographers and even a special oven for art students working with ceramics. In fact, because the High School is so large Union is able to offer many more electives than smaller high schools.

Nearby on the same campus is the Union Multipurpose Activity Center (UMAC), a mid-sized venue unlike any other in the region. It includes a 5,600-seat multi-use arena, versatile floor space, the UWear Spirit Store, locker and dressing rooms, concessions, offices and the SouthCrest Wellness and Sports Medicine Center. Voters in the Union district overwhelmingly passed two consecutive bond issues to pay for the $22-million building. After two years of construction, the UMAC opened its doors in November 2003.

Principal Biographies

Dave Stauffer was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, and played collegate baseball at Ranger Junior College in Texas and the University of Tulsa. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1976 from the University of Tulsa and a Masters of Education in 1992 from Northeastern State University.  He is a member of the National Association of Secondary School Principals, Oklahoma Association of Secondary Principals and the Cooperative Council of Oklahoma School Administration.

Stauffer began his teaching career in 1977 and has taught physiology, zoology, physical science, biology and earth science and is a former building Teacher of the Year. As a former head coach of baseball, softball and football, Stauffer has also sponsored Student Council, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and is a former national workshop presenter with the student incentive program, Renaissance. Following two years as Union’s Assistant Principal he has served as the  building principal since October of 1994 where Stauffer has overseen and helped coordinate multiple educational upgrades to the Union High School campus.

Stauffer is married to Jeanine a realtor with Cold Well Banker and is the father of three sons, three step-children and three grand children.  Kyle, a 1998 Union graduate, J.D., a 2002 Union Graduate, former member of the United States Marine Corps and Jacob, Union class of 2004.  Step-children Cody, Crystal, and Colt Koch, Union Class of 2015, as well as grand children Ellee, Preslee and Terrin help to fill Stauffer’s time while away from school.  Stauffer stays busy supporting Union activities and also enjoys the outdoors with boating, fishing, hunting, golf and family activities.
 
John Federline is a proud alumnus of Union High School.  He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Education and his Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Oklahoma State University.  His career in education began at Bixby High School where he spent 12 years as a teacher and a coach.  He taught and designed the curriculum for several social studies and elective classes and his golf teams won back to back state titles in 2003 and 2004.   Federline came to Union in 2005 and served as an assistant principal for two years at the Intermediate High School before moving to the High School. In his free time, Federline enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, and playing golf. His favorite life quote is:  

Chuck Hanna, was born and raised in southern California and is a graduate of San Pedro High School.

He traveled to Sedalia, Missouri, in 1966 where he worked on modifications to the Minuteman 2 missile defense system and began attending Central Missouri State University. The father of one son, he has been married for 42 years. Currently the proud grandfather of two young ladies, he enjoys the daily challenges found in education.
 
Hanna began teaching in Alma, Missouri, in 1970 and except for two short years has been actively teaching or working as an administrator ever since. He moved to Broken Arrow in 1980. Over the years, he has taught at various levels, and in Broken Arrow served as the summer and evening principal, then transitioned to the central office where he was the Director of Community Education, oversaw the enrollment center and implemented new programs. During his career he has taught various science classes; coached football, track, swimming, volleyball and gymnastics, but his greatest joys are in helping others.

Hanna is excited about the upcoming year. He looks forward to his chance to work with students as they begin the transition from high school to college.

Gart Morris has been in education since 1993. He earned his Bachelor of Education in Instrumental Music degree from the University of Arkansas and his master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Southern Nazarene University. Morris taught instrumental music for nine years with his performing groups earning multiple superior ratings.  In 2001, Morris was inducted in to Phi Beta Mu, an honorary bandmasters fraternity.  Morris began his administration career in Liberal, Kan. He came to Union schools in 2003, serving at Union Intermediate High School and then Union High School. 

 
Denise Vaniadis graduated from the University of Tulsa with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and she earned her master's degree in secondary administration from Northeastern State University. She has spent the last 19 years of her career working with student activities at Union. She has served both the Oklahoma and National Associations of Student Councils in executive board roles and also served for 20 years as the director of the summer leadership training program. In 1997 she was named the National Student Council Advisor of the Year.

Vaniadis has been married to Steve Vaniadis for 34 years and she enjoys Redskin activities, reading and knitting. She is also active in the First Baptist Church in Owasso.

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.