| Updated: 8/17/2012 10:22 pm |
Published: 8/17/2012 8:56 pm
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It was a big turnout for the 8th Annual Back to School Extravaganza at McLain High School.
1,400 people attended the event that focused on informing parents and students on valuable school and health information.
"I am really shocked that so many people showed up. I thought it wasn't going to be a big thing," said Lisa Cannon, a mother of two.
She picked up school supplies for her children. Nearly 170 backpacks were passed out. Her daughter, Tabetha, got the opportunity to look at different booths set up from colleges.
"She wants to be a veterinarian and I’m trying to let her know you have to have good grades," said Cannon.
Nearly 30 organizations stepped up to help. One donated 70 school uniforms and donated money towards the uniforms. For the first time, the event even gave students a chance to express what they think should change this year. Tulsa Public Schools hoping that session would help to get the message across to parents: they need their help to fill these classrooms starting Monday.
"If we can take care of attendance problems on the kids in the bottom tier on the test scores our test scores would go right back up,” said TPS Superintendent Dr. Keith Ballard. “We need the parents to understand the importance of it all."
Last year, in Algebra 2 only 27% of students passed the state core curriculum test.
One student suggested adding a math club to improve that score.
"We believe very strongly in one Tulsa. We believe that every single school, school by school needs to be elevated and that brings everybody up," said Dr. Ballard.
This is McLain Principal Darius Kirk’s first year. He says the graduation rate was 95 percent last school year, and 83 percent of students went on to college. He hopes to increase that number this school year.
Free hair cuts will also be given out for the 20th Annual Barber Cutt-off Sunday morning at 8. It will be held at Tulsa Tech’s Peoria Campus located at 3850 North Peoria. For more information, call (918) 955-6025.
