Rosa Parks Elementary
Welcome to Rosa Parks Elementary School. Rosa Parks is the 12th elementary school in Union and opened in August of 2006. Our school currently serves 575 ethnically diverse students and includes children from pre-Kindergarten through fifth grade. Our mascot is the Trailblazer!
We are very proud of our name, Rosa Parks Elementary School. The name was selected by a committee of patrons, educators and students and approved by the Board of Education in the spring of 2006. Rosa Louise McCauley Parks (Feb. 4, 1913 – Oct. 24, 2005) was an African American seamstress and civil rights activist whom the U.S. Congress dubbed the "Mother of the Modern-Day Civil Rights Movement". Her role in American history earned her an iconic status in American culture, and her actions have left an enduring legacy for civil rights movements around the world.
General Information
Rosa Parks Elementary School
13702 E. 46th Place South
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74134-5919
Office Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
School Hours: 8:55 a.m. - 3:25 p.m.
Main Phone: (918) 357-2757
Fax: (918) 357-6899
Principal Karen Vance
Assistant Principal Alycia Pennington
Resources
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“To this day I believe we are here on the planet Earth to live, grow up and do what we can to make this world a better place for all people to enjoy freedom." -- Rosa Parks
Our Philosophy 
We believe that all children can learn and are entitled to quality instruction in an environment which is both safe and nurturing. We believe that educating our students is the responsibility of the family, school and community.
Our Vision
We envision a school community which provides each student with the necessary skills to confidently meet a diverse and ever-changing world. We envision a school community where each student has a positive sense of self and respect for others. We envision a school community which encourages each student to believe they can positively impact and contribute to the world around them.
Our Mission
It is the mission of Rosa Park Elementary School to create a positive school culture that is conducive to learning set high standards and accountability for learning; facilitate and implement an instructional program that maximizes student learning; and comprehensively engage parents and community in support of the school’s goals.
At Rosa Parks, we are interested in students, teachers and families developing long-term relationships to better meet the needs of individual learners. We will be participating in multi-year relationships by having many teachers stay with the same students for two years. For example if a child is in kindergarten, he or she will stay with the kindergarten and first grade teaching team for two years. Teams of teachers will also loop from second to third and fourth to fifth. We know that the relationship of teachers to student, to the parents, to other teachers, and to the curriculum is critical throughout a child’s education.
Union Public Schools participates in the 
Tulsa Area Community Schools Initiative (TACSI) and Schools Uniting Neighborhoods for Student Success (SUNS). The community school’s philosophy supports school personnel, parents, neighbors and community partners working together so our children can participate in a strong instructional program by living and learning in safe and supportive environments.
Core components of a community school are:
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Early childhood care & development
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Core instructional programs
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Health / health education
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Mental health / social services
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Family / community engagement
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Youth development / out-of-school time
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Neighborhood development
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Life-long learning
As a Community School, we are fortunate to have a health clinic in our school through the OU Bedlam Alliance for Community Health. To find out more information on how to access medical services at Rosa Parks you can go to http://tulsa.ou.edu/medicine/bedlam/index.htm.
The relationships we have with other support agencies is crucial to our student success. The following are some of the resources and partnerships found at Rosa Parks:
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Core Instructional Programs
- The school and classrooms are focused on developing and supporting a learning community through our Character Counts Program and Keystone Curriculum. We strive to promote a culture that promotes a respect for diversity and positive character development in a climate that is safe and encouraging.
- Balanced, comprehensive reading instruction featuring a wide variety of literature resources and specific skills instruction, including the services of reading specialists and ELL staff.
- Writing across the curriculum including writer’s workshop in every classroom.
- Technology incorporated as an integral part of each elementary classroom. Classrooms and labs have Internet access. Up-to-date hardware and software ensure that students benefit from technology resources.
- Media center which supports the total academic program through extensive collections of materials for students’ use.
- Science lab where inquiry-based science instruction endorsed by the National Science Foundation and designed to ensure students master national science standards. Social sciences integrated into the curriculum. Inquiry-based math instruction designed to ensure students maintain national math standards.
- Gifted/Talented services as well as enrichment opportunities for all students.
- Special Education services
- Fine Arts program including music and art education
Health/Health Education
- School Nurse, RN, daily
- OU Bedlam Clinic,
- Tulsa City County Health Department - It’s All About Kids, comprehensive site
- Ocean Dental, twice yearly screenings
- Breakfast in a Bag
- Prevent Blindness, basic vision services
- Physical education program
Mental Health/Social Services
- Full time counselor
- Anti-bullying program
- Family & Children’s Services, full-time therapist
Family/Community Engagement
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Neighborhood Development
Quail Creek Neighborhood Association
Life Long Learning
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Community Ed Dept. Adult ELL classes
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Health Education Programs
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Parent Resource Information Events
Youth Development/Out of School Time
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Principal Biographies
Karen Vance earned her bachelor of science degree in elementary education from Oklahoma State University. She received two master’s degrees in elementary school administration and in reading, both from Northeastern State University.
Vance has been principal of Rosa Parks since 2006; previously, she served as principal of McAuliffe Elementary School from 2000-2006. She has also served as principal of Washington Elementary School in Phoenix, Ariz., as professional development director of Simon & Schuster Publishing, administrative assistant for Curriculum and Instruction, principal and teacher at Jenks Public Schools and as teacher for Broken Arrow Public Schools. Vance has been in the education field since 1978.
Vance has been married to Barry Vance for 28 years; they have one son, Jeremy. Vance enjoys spending a great deal of time at Grand Lake as well as reading, spending time with family - which includes a household of dogs and cats. Vance also volunteers her support to benefit the abandoned animal population in Oklahoma.
Alycia Pennington received her Bachelor of Science in elementary education degree from Northeastern State University. She completed her Master of School Administration degree, also from NSU. Pennington served as an administrative intern for Rosa Parks during the 2007-2008 school year, and a Union teacher from 1996-1998 and 2004-2007, and a teacher for Sand Springs Public Schools from1994-1996
Pennington has been married for 13 years to Scott Pennington. He teaches at the Union 6/7th Grade Center. They have two boys, Cameron and Chapman. The family is busy with baseball and football throughout the school year. She also enjoys running, reading and spending time with her family. She enjoys doing an occasional triathlon when she can find the time to train.
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.