Union 6th/7th Grade Center
Welcome 6th and 7th grade students and parents!
Our school configuration is rather unique serving more than 2,200 students. We have divided both the 6th and 7th grades into teams to help the students feel more "at home" and less unsettled by the size of the building.
The teams consist of a core group of teachers and 140 students. There are seven teams in each grade. The teaming concept has really been beneficial to the students and has enabled us to utilize a lot of inter-disciplinary instruction within each team. We do have an active student council for each grade. Our students are also very active with several cheer, drill and pom squads.
General Information
6th/7th Grade Center
10100 E. 61st Street
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74133-1507
Office Hours: 7:15 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.
School Hours:
6th Grade - 8:20 a.m. - 2:50 p.m.
7th Grade - 7:45 a.m. - 2:15 p.m.
Main Phone: (918) 357-4326
Fax: (918) 357-8047
Principal Steve Pittman (918) 357- 8071
Assistant Principal (7th Grade Upstairs) Kelly Brassfield
Assistant Principal (6th Grade Downstairs) Jennifer Beer
Assistant Principal (6th Grade Upstairs) Tim Neller
Administrative Intern (7th Grade Downstairs) Estella Evans
Resources
The 6th/7th Grade Center 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 center’s commitment to excellence and quality programs.
Life as a 6th Grade Student 6th Grade Course Offerings
Your child's day will be divided into seven periods, five of which will be spent with a "team" of teachers. Each team will be designated by a color name and will offer the same curriculum choices.
Each team will consist of a team leader and four other core teachers: one each for math, geography, and science, and two teachers per team who will instruct students in language arts--reading, writing and spelling. This language arts "block" will actually entail a two-period class that will enable teachers to provide more in-depth and concentrated development of these important academic skills. We also offer advanced classes in all core curriculum areas in 6th and 7th grades.
Wing counselors will also be available to assist students on each team. Your child's four core classes will be located in the same area of the building as their locker, making the large building seem much smaller. When students do change classes, they will usually only travel across the hall, except when they attend electives. The strategy is to make your child a part of a school within a school and to give each student as much space as possible.
The other two periods will be spent outside the interdisciplinary team for courses such as physical education, keyboarding, art, vocal music, orchestra, and band. These classes will meet on a daily basis. Since these courses require specialized rooms, it will be necessary to walk to different parts of the building.
Since the district does not sponsor athletics at this level, our students still find an outlet for sports activities through the organized intramural programs.
Go Crew - Information/Form
Through a partnership with the YMCA of Greater Tulsa, Tulsa City-County Health Department, St. Francis Hospital, and OU Bedlam Clinic, the Union 6th grade center will be offering an after-school program for fifty 6th graders. This after-school program is called GO Crew.
GO Crew offers activities that will encourage your child to be fit and healthy for life. A physical education instructor will teach games and activities that are centered on physical fitness. In addition, teamwork, nutrition, and tutoring will be integrated into the program.
The staff will utilize the CATCH Kids Club (CKC) after-school curriculum. Go Crew uses a coordinated approach to help children adopt healthy dietary and physical activity behaviors by positively changing the health environments of recreation programs, schools and homes.
Go Crew will be held from 3:00 to 4:45 Monday thru Friday.
Life as a 7th Grade Student 7th Grade Course Offerings
The past year that your student has spent at the 6th/7th Grade Center will certainly make the transition to 7th grade less dramatic. Our goal is to make this year stimulating and challenging academically, but also to provide a safe, comfortable environment for social and emotional growth. 
Your seventh grade student's day will be divided into six periods. Four of those will be spent with a team of teachers from which your child will receive instruction in Mathematics, English, History and Science. Your child's instructional team will consist of a team leader and three other core teachers. Two counselors and a grade-level principal are also available to assist each team. The team will plan educational activities and experiences for your child providing an interdisciplinary approach to learning. The 7th grade classrooms and building floor plan are identical to the sixth grade. This plan should further simplify our students' transition to this grade level.
The other two periods will be spent outside the interdisciplinary team for courses such as physical education, art, vocal music, orchestra, band, Spanish, technology education, family living, expressive language arts, skills for adolescence and time management/study skills. These classes will meet on a daily basis.
Wrestling, cross country, track, golf and tennis are school-sponsored athletic activities available to 7th grade students. However, these activities are not offered at this building and some may meet after the regular school day. They also require students to try out for participation. Students at the 7th grade may, of course, still participate in the district's organized intramural programs.
School History and Features
The Union 7th Grade Center was completed in 1993 on 61st Street near Highway 169 at the original Union School site. The second phase of the building, the Union 6th Grade Center, was completed in the fall of 1994. All of Union's 6th and 7th grade students attend this school.
The school site also features an eight-lane, 30-meter swimming pool with a seating capacity of 400. The pool is utilized for physical education classes, after-school activities and competitions and practices for all secondary students participating in swimming.
A well-equipped media center, a drama room with mini-stage, a spacious cafeteria, two gymnasiums and abundant rooms for art and music add to the versatility of the center. In addition, a multi-purpose room on the second floor is used for classroom projects, special speakers and other activities.
Character Counts
In an effort to encourage the development of moral character in students, Union Public Schools has incorporated the Character Counts! program into its educational curriculum. Developed by the Josephson Institute of Ethics, the Character Counts! program is based on six core values, or "Pillars of Character": respect, responsibility, fairness, trustworthiness, caring and citizenship.
Daily Class Schedules - Download
|
6th Grade 8:20 - 9:07 First Period A) 11:44 – 12:02 5th Hour |
7th Grade 7:45 - 8:38 First Period A) 10:32 – 10:52 DEAR B) 10:32 – 11:26 4th Hour 1st Lunch (7th) 10:52 – 11:26 |
Principal Biographies
Steve Pittman is a graduate of Muskogee High School and completed his Bachelor of Science degree in microbiology from Oklahoma State University. He was awarded the Master of Education degree from Northeastern State University and was named outstanding student in the program in 1997.
He taught biology at Union Intermediate High School for six years prior to becoming an Assistant Principal at the Union 6th/7th Grade Center in 2002. He served as Assistant Principal at the Intermediate High School in 2003-2004 before being named Principal at the Union 8th Grade Center, a position he held for two years. Pittman has served as an adjunct instructor of education at Northeastern State University and as an adjunct instructor of biology at Tulsa Community College.
Jennifer Beer is a graduate of Guymon High School. She earned her bachelor of science degree in business education and holds a master’s degree in educational administration both from the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond.
Beer joined Union in the summer of 2007. Prior to coming to Union, Ms. Beer taught computer courses for 14 years to middle and high school students as well as adults. She also has served as Director of Technology at Heritage Hall.
Kelly Brassfield is a graduate from Ft. Gibson High School. He completed his bachelor of arts in psychology and elementary education and holds a master's in school administration degree from Northeastern State University. Brassfield has taught in elementary and high school and now serves middle school students at Unions 6th/7th Grade Center.
During his teaching tenure, he served as a special education teacher, math coach, 21st Century Grant director, school reform project director, and a 'positive behavior support specialist.' In addition, he has written many successful grants and has served as a grant evaluator for both state and private foundations.
Tim Neller began his career in education as a middle school English teacher in St. Louis, Mo., in 1971 after receiving a master’s degree from St. Louis University. Neller, who has more than 28 years of educational experience, has been with Union since 1999, serving in a number of capacities including teacher, assistant principal, principal and Child Nutrition director.
Neller wanted to work more closely with students and returned to the 6th/7th Grade Center in 2009 as an assistant principal.
Estella Evans joined Union in 2009 as an administrative intern at the 6th/7th Grade center. Evans comes to Union with more than 15 years of experience in public schools at both elementary and middle school level. Evans has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Oral Roberts University and a master’s degree in teaching and learning leadership from OSY. Evans is pursuing a doctorate in curriculum and social foundations and has participated in principal’s academy and other curriculum-related committees during her tenure as an educator.
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.