Andersen Elementary
Welcome to Andersen Elementary School, home of the Andersen Redskins!
Great teachers and even better students help make the school an important part of the community. Located within the city limits of Broken Arrow, Andersen boasts a strong curriculum, a vibrant PTA and a number of programs designed to enrich the minds and bodies of its young students.
Hans Madsen Andersen Elementary was built in 1984 and named after an early land owner and dairy farmer. He provided the district free water from his well before water was available from the city.
Hans M. Andersen Elementary School
1200 S. Willow
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 74012-4511
Office Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
School Hours - Monday-Thursday: 7:50 a.m. to 2:35 p.m. / Friday: 8:15 a.m. to 2:35 p.m.
Main Phone: (918) 357-4328
Fax: (918) 357-8299
Union Student Safety HelpLine - 918-461-HELP (4357)
Principal Bethany Harper
Counselor Tonya Marlow 918-357-8234
Resources
Andersen Elementary 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 school’s commitment to excellence and quality programs.
Vision Statement
Encouraging academic excellence in a safe environment while nurturing a strong sense of character and an active partnership with home and community.
Mission Statement
Andersen endeavors to develop responsible, empowered problem solvers instilled with a life-long desire for learning through student-centered teaching and working partnerships with home and community.
Programs
Accelerated Reader
Reading is an integral part of our curriculum at Andersen. Accelerated Reader promotes and encourages students to read at their individual reading level. At the beginning of each school year, students set a reading goal for themselves.
Accelerated Math
This program is an extension to our math curriculum. Accelerated Math is offered to students in grades 3-5. Students are able to focus their attention on math skills in which they need extra help. Students are then able to progress through higher level math skills as they pass the individualized assessments offered through the program.
Andersen offers this specialized curriculum to students for whom English is not a primary language. Students participate in small group instruction that focuses on the English language.
Junior Achievement and Exchange City
Fifth grade students at Andersen participate in Exchange City. Exchange City offers our students an opportunity to have first hand experience with financial literacy, entrepreneurship citizenship, interdisciplinary learning and application skills.
Character Counts is a district-wide program from kindergarten through high school for students and staff. It gives us a common language and encourages outstanding character traits. A new character trait is introduced each month. The six traits that are emphasized are Respect, Responsibility, Caring, Trustworthiness, Fairness and Citizenship. The Character Counts Teepee is located in the Media Center where Andersen students who have been “caught” with good character may add a bead to the bead strands.
Extra-Curricular Activities
Andersen offers a number of extracurricular activities for students. These activities include:
- Andersen Sound - Andersen Sound is our fifth grade honor choir. The choir is under the direction of music teacher Julie Shadle.
- Chess Club – Chess is a popular activity for many Union students. Under the direction of ARC teacher Linda Snowbarger and parent volunteers, the chess club provides an opportunity for students to learn, practice and compete in the game of chess. The Chess Club schedule is located outside Room 133 or click on Andersen Staff, Linda Snowbarger, for a schedule.
- KAND Television - Andersen’s morning broadcast is produced daily by fifth graders under the supervision of ARC teacher Linda Snowbarger. The broadcast is an in-depth learning experience for fifth grade members and is designed to inform students and staff about school, local, and national news. Parents are welcome to come to the KAND broadcast studio located in the Media Center at 8:30 a.m. and observe our broadcasts.
- PTA Reflections – This program is an annual arts program sponsored by the PTA.
- Safety Patrol
- Student Council
- Youth Arts - The last week of April each year is set aside to showcase Union’s arts programs. This special time is entitled YouthArts! Some of our students from Andersen will be involved by having their artwork on display while some of our fifth graders will participate in a district wide fifth grade concert one evening.
- Extended Day Program - An Extended Day Program is offered before and after school.
Andersen Elementary Parent Teacher Association (PTA) supports the mission of the national PTA and dedicates its organization to improving the education and well-being of students. Technology
Andersen believes technology is an integral part of the total learning process. Students from our early childhood classes through the fifth grade utilize the 30-station computer lab as well as student computers located in each classroom. Thanks to bond dollars our students are able to work with many of the newest versions of Windows-based software. Students routinely work with Inspiration, Kidspiration, Faces, Mapmaker and many more. Students also use the internet under direct supervision. The internet allows students to see and experience things from around the world, do research on projects and communicate with other classrooms from across the state and all over the world.
Teachers also utilize the vast technology resources available in their classrooms. Our teachers consistently use programs such as PowerPoint, Word and Publisher to enhance the learning experience. In addition, our teachers regularly attend district workshops that focus on using technology to raise achievement in their classroom.
History
Hans Madsen Andersen arrived in Broken Arrow on Nov. 10, 1910, from Denmark. As their children learned English in school, they taught their parents. They became United States citizens in 1913. In 1919, Andersen bought a 200-acre dairy farm at 61st and Mingo, which is currently where the 6th/7th Center is located.
Due to his generosity and support of the Union Public Schools, which began in 1919, Andersen Elementary was named in his honor in 1985. We are privileged to have our school building named after such a dedicated, giving man.
As you enter our school, Andersen’s picture and plaque with a commemorative inscription will be one of the first things you see. Even though he died in 1954, Hans Madsen Andersen will always be remembered.
Principal Biography
Bethany Harper was named principal of Andersen Elementary School in the spring of 2012. She comes to Andersen from Boevers Elementary School, where she had served as an administrative intern since 2011.
Harper began her teaching career in Owasso where she taught third grade at Hodson Elementary. In 2001 she began teaching for Union Public Schools and has taught at Peters and Moore Elementary schools. She has taught third and fourth grades for the district as well as being a reading specialist at Peters where she was named the 2010-2011 Teacher of the Year.
Harper was the “positive behavior incentive and support coach” for Peters, which trains staff and students to promote and encourage positive behaviors rather than focusing on negative ones. Having been the building testing coordinator for state and district assessments and part of the intervention team at Peters, Harper has had broad view of school life and is excited about being part of the Andersen team.
Harper obtained her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Northeastern State University and her master’s degree in teaching, learning, and leadership with a literacy specialization from Oklahoma State University. She is pursuing her doctorate in educational leadership studies - school administration from Oklahoma State University.
Bethany has been married for 27 years and has two children who have attended Union. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, boating, and reading.
Union Student Safety HelpLine
A safe and secure school environment is essential to the learning process. An important ingredient in achieving safe and secure schools remains alert eyes and ears. Safety is achieved when an atmosphere exists in which students are comfortable talking with adults about their concerns.
One such tool available for students is the Union Student Safety Help Line that is accessible twenty-four hours a day and seven days a week to anyone who wants to report a concern. The caller may leave a message so his or her call can be returned, or they may choose not to be contacted. You can also call COPES if this is a mental health emergency.
Union Student Safety HelpLine
918-461-HELP (4357)
COPES
918-744-4800