Mom To Mom

13 TPS Campuses Exit Low Performance Designations

Published

2 months ago

April 10, 2025

Thirteen schools within the Tulsa Public Schools (TPS) district have officially exited the Oklahoma State Department of Education’s Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) designation, signaling significant progress in academic performance and targeted intervention efforts.

The announcement was made earlier this week by Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters and TPS Superintendent Dr. Ebony Johnson, who jointly praised the schools’ educators and leaders for their dedication to improving student outcomes.

The CSI designation is reserved for schools performing in the bottom 5% statewide based on academic indicators such as test scores, attendance, and graduation rates. Exiting the designation means these campuses have made enough sustained progress to meet or exceed state expectations.

“This is a significant achievement for Tulsa Public Schools and, more importantly, for the students and families these schools serve,” said Dr. Johnson during a press conference. “Our teachers, principals, and support staff have worked tirelessly to analyze data, build relationships with families, and implement the right interventions to help our students thrive.”

Among the 13 schools that exited CSI status are Anderson Elementary, Cooper Elementary, Columbus Elementary, and Central High School, each of which had been previously identified as needing urgent support. These schools demonstrated marked improvement across a range of key performance indicators over the past two academic years.

State Superintendent Walters, who has often been critical of TPS leadership in the past, acknowledged the district’s progress in this instance.

“I have consistently said we will support and celebrate success wherever it happens, and today is a day to commend the progress made by these Tulsa schools,” Walters said. “There is more work to be done, but this is a clear step in the right direction.”

The improvements are the result of a strategic district-wide initiative launched under Dr. Johnson’s leadership, focused on academic rigor, data-driven instruction, increased family engagement, and professional development for educators. Johnson, who took the helm as superintendent in 2023, has made turning around low-performing schools a top priority.

“We’re not just focused on test scores,” she said. “We’re focused on the whole child—on making sure students feel safe, seen, and supported. That’s how sustainable improvement happens.”

The announcement comes as TPS works to rebuild trust and momentum following several years of scrutiny from state officials, including threats of accreditation downgrades. District leaders hope this development will be seen as a signal of renewed strength and resilience.

Parent groups and community organizations also welcomed the news. “It’s encouraging to see real progress,” said Maria Gutierrez, a parent advocate. “Our children deserve quality education, and this shows that when we all work together, we can get there.”

Dr. Johnson emphasized that while the district is proud of this milestone, it views the exit from CSI as “just the beginning.”

“We have much more to accomplish,” she said. “But today, we’re celebrating what’s possible when we keep students at the center of everything we do.”

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Mom To Mom

OHP: Don’t Fall For Texts Demanding Toll Payments

Published

1 week ago

June 6, 2025

Lauren Merrill

A screenshot of a scam text being sent to residents across the state of Oklahoma (PHOTO: Oklahoma Highway Patrol)

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is warning residents about a fraudulent text message that has been circulating statewide, falsely claiming to be a final notice from the Oklahoma Department of Motor Vehicles.

According to OHP, their communication centers have received numerous calls from concerned citizens who received the alarming message. The text claims recipients have an overdue traffic fine and outlines a list of escalating penalties, including suspension of driver’s licenses, vehicle registration, and even legal action. It includes a suspicious link and urges immediate payment to avoid further consequences.

Officials stress that this message is a scam. The Oklahoma Department of Motor Vehicles does not operate under that name—Oklahoma uses the Oklahoma Tax Commission and Department of Public Safety for vehicle and driver services.

Authorities are urging the public not to respond to the message or click any links. Instead, individuals who receive the text should delete it and report it as spam.

“Please disregard the message entirely,” the Oklahoma Highway Patrol stated. “Do not reply, and do not click any links.”

For questions about legitimate fines or driver services, citizens are encouraged to contact the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety directly or visit the official state website at oklahoma.gov.

Residents are reminded to stay vigilant and verify any messages involving personal or financial information, especially those threatening immediate penalties.

Mom To Mom

Tulsa Public Schools Kick Off Summer Cafe Program

Published

2 weeks ago

June 3, 2025

Lauren Merrill

TULSA — Tulsa Public Schools has launched its 2025 Summer Café program, offering free breakfast and lunch to all children 18 years old and younger. The program began May 28 and will continue through August 8 at more than 40 locations across the city, including schools, churches, and community centers.

Meals must be eaten on site, and times and service days vary by location. Breakfast generally begins between 7:30 and 9 a.m., while lunch is served between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. All sites will be closed on June 19 and July 4.

The Summer Café aims to keep children nourished during the school break and is a key part of the district’s effort to fight food insecurity in the Tulsa area.

Here are the current participating sites and their scheduled dates:

Anderson Elementary – June 2–26, Mon–Thurs
1921 E. 29th St.
Breakfast: 8–9am | Lunch: 11:30am–12:30pm

Antioch Baptist Church – June 9–July 25, Mon–Fri (Closed June 19, June 30, July 1–4)
110 W. 56 St. N.
Breakfast: 8–9am | Lunch: 11am–12:30pm

Booker T. Washington High School – June 2–27, Mon–Fri
1514 E. Zion St.
Breakfast: 8:30–9am | Lunch: 12–1pm

Carver Middle School – June 2–27, Mon–Fri
624 E. Oklahoma Pl.
Breakfast: 8–8:30am | Lunch: 12:30–1pm

Central High School – June 3–27, Mon–Thurs
3101 W. Edison St.
Breakfast: 8–8:30am | Lunch: 12:30–1pm

Council Oak Elementary – June 2–August 8, Mon–Fri
1920 S. Cincinnati Ave.
Breakfast: 7:30–8:30am | Lunch: 11:30am–1:30pm

East Central High School – June 2–27, Mon–Fri
12150 E. 11th St.
Breakfast: 8:45–9:15am | Lunch: 12:30–1pm

Edison Preparatory – June 2–27 (HS), July 7–31 (MS), Mon–Fri
2906 E. 41st St.
Breakfast: 8:15–9:15am | Lunch: 12–1pm

Emerson Elementary – June 2–18, Mon–Thurs
910 MLK Jr. Blvd.
Breakfast: 7:30–8:30am | Lunch: 12:30–1:30pm

Enrollment Center – June 9–13, Mon–Fri
2819 S. New Haven Ave.
Breakfast: 8:30–9:30am | Lunch: 12–1:30pm

Felicitas Mendez International School – June 9–13, Mon–Fri
2703 N. Yorktown Pl.
Breakfast: 8–9am | Lunch: 11am–12pm

Hale High School – June 2–27, Mon–Fri
6960 E. 21st
Breakfast: 9–9:45am | Lunch: 12–12:30pm

Hale Middle School – June 9–20, July 7–31, Mon–Fri
2177 S. 67th E. Ave.
Breakfast: 8:15–9:15am | Lunch: 12–1pm

Hoover Elementary – July 7–31, Mon–Fri
2327 S. Darlington Ave.
Breakfast: 8:15–9:15am | Lunch: 11am–1pm

John Hope Franklin Elementary – June 2–July 25, Mon–Thurs
5402 N. MLK Blvd.
Breakfast: 8–9am | Lunch: 11:30am–12:30pm

Kendall-Whittier Elementary – June 9–30, Mon–Fri
2601 E. 5th Pl.
Breakfast: 8–9am | Lunch: 11am–1pm

Key Elementary – June 3–27, Mon–Fri
5702 S. Irvington Ave.
Breakfast: 7:30–8:30am | Lunch: 12–1pm

Lanier Elementary – June 2–August 8, Mon–Fri
1727 S. Harvard Ave.
Breakfast: 7:30–8:30am | Lunch: 11:30am–1:30pm

Lewis and Clark Elementary – June 2–13, Mon–Fri
737 S. Garnett Rd.
Lunch only: 11am–1pm

McClure Elementary – June 2–18, Mon–Fri
1770 E. 61st St.
Breakfast: 7:30–8:30am | Lunch: 11:30am–12:30pm

McKinley Elementary – July 7–31, Mon–Fri
6703 E. King St.
Breakfast: 8:15–9:15am | Lunch: 11am–1pm

McLain High School – June 2–30, Mon–Fri
4929 N. Peoria Ave.
Breakfast: 8:30–9am | Lunch: 12:20–1:30pm

Memorial High School – June 2–July 31, Mon–Fri
5840 S. Hudson Ave
Breakfast: 8–9am | Lunch: 11:30am–1:30pm

Memorial Middle School – July 7–31, Mon–Fri
7502 E. 57 St.
Breakfast: 8:15–9:15am | Lunch: 12–1pm

Metropolitan Baptist Church – July 1–31, Mon–Fri
1228 W. Apache St.
Breakfast: 8–8:30am | Lunch: 12–1pm

Monroe Demonstration Academy – June 3–26, July 7–31, Mon–Thurs
2010 E. 48th St. N.
Breakfast: 8:15–9:15am | Lunch: 11:30am–12:30pm

Oasis Fresh Market – June 2–August 8, Mon–Fri
1725 N. Peoria Ave.
Breakfast: 8:30–9:30am | Lunch: 11am–1pm

Phoenix Rising – June 2–18, June 23–26, Mon–Thurs
2441 E. Archer St.
Lunch only: 12:30–1:30pm

Rogers High School – May 28–July 31 (Closed June 19–20 and July 1–4), Mon–Fri
3909 E. 5th Pl.
Breakfast: 8:15–9:15am | Lunch: 12–1pm

Salk Elementary – July 7–31, Mon–Fri
7625 E. 58th St.
Breakfast: 8:15–9:15am | Lunch: 11am–1pm

Southern Hills UMC – Project Transformation – June 2–July 31 (Closed June 19, July 3–4), Mon–Fri
5603 S. New Haven Ave.
Breakfast: 8:45–9:45am | Lunch: 11:45am–12:45pm

Springdale Elementary – June 2–26, Mon–Thurs
2510 E. Pine St.
Breakfast: 8–9am | Lunch: 11:30am–12:30pm

The Common Good – June 2–August 1, Mon–Fri
19 S. 49 W. Ave
Breakfast: 8:30–9:30am | Lunch: 11:30am–1pm

Tulsa MET – June 16–27, Mon–Fri
6201 E. Virgin St.
Breakfast: 8:30–9am | Lunch: 12–12:30pm

Tulsa Virtual Academy – June 2–20 (Closed June 19–20), Mon–Fri
3213 E. 56th St.
Lunch only: 12:30–1pm

Unity Learning Academy –
June 2–26, Mon–Thurs | July 7–31, Mon–Fri
2137 N. Pittsburg Ave.
Breakfast: 8–9am (June) / 8:15–9:15am (July)
Lunch: 11:30am–12:30pm (June) / 11am–1pm (July)

USA BMX Bike Club – June 2–August 1, Mon–Fri
290 N. Lansing Ave.
Lunch only: 12–2pm

Wayman Tisdale Fine Arts Academy – July 7–31, Mon–Fri
4132 W. Cameron St.
Breakfast: 8:15–9:15am | Lunch: 11am–1pm

Webster High School – July 7–25, Mon–Fri
1919 W. 40th St.
Breakfast: 8–8:25am | Lunch: 11am–12pm

Whitman Elementary – June 2–13, Mon–Fri
3924 N. Lansing Ave.
Breakfast: 7:30–8:30am | Lunch: 12–1:30pm

Zarrow International School – June 2–August 8, Mon–Fri
3613 S. Hudson Ave.
Breakfast: 7:30–8:30am | Lunch: 11:30am–1:30pm

For the most up-to-date information or to find a Summer Café site near you, visit the Tulsa Public Schools website and use the interactive filtering tool by area or month.

Mom To Mom

Green Country To See Slight Risk For Severe Weather Tuesday

Published

2 weeks ago

June 2, 2025

Lauren Merrill

TULSA – The National Weather Service in Tulsa has placed the region under a slight risk for severe thunderstorms on Tuesday afternoon and evening, with hail and damaging winds being the primary concerns.

Forecasters warn that storms could produce hail up to half-dollar size and damaging wind gusts reaching 70 miles per hour, especially during peak heating hours late in the day. While the tornado threat remains limited, residents across eastern Oklahoma and far northwest Arkansas are urged to stay alert.

Communities in and around Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Muskogee, and Fort Smith are included in the risk area. The threat level is categorized as Level 2 out of 5 on the Storm Prediction Center’s scale, meaning scattered severe storms are possible.

The National Weather Service reminds residents:

Don’t be scared—be prepared.
Monitor forecasts closely throughout the day.
Have multiple ways to receive warnings, such as NOAA weather radios, phone alerts, and local news.
Review your severe weather safety plan and know where to seek shelter quickly if needed.

The risk for severe weather is expected to diminish overnight as storms move out of the area.

Stay tuned to local forecasts and updates from the NWS Tulsa office for the latest information as conditions develop. You can visit weather.gov/Tulsa or follow @NWSTulsa on social media for real-time alerts.