Mission

The Mission of OK Elementary School is to provide an environment in which every child will learn with respect to his/her individual strengths and differences.
Our Vision is to make certain that:

· Each child will perform at a high academic level, and receive an excellent foundation for a lifetime of learninig.
· All staff members will teach the district standards utilizing different strategies to enable all students to reach their full potential.
· All parents are committed to supporting the school and staff in a manner that provides their child the opportunity to learn and receive the best education possible.
· All staff will demonstrate attitudes and actions toward all students and parents that are caring and accepting.

Our Beliefs:
Teaching Environment:

· A successful, educational atmosphere includes strong, supportive communication among the school community.
· The environment at OK needs to be safe, supportive, and nurturing.
· Every student should be helped to achieve his/her potential.

Community and Family:

· Families must support and encourage children to do their best.
· Every family is an asset to the school.
· When parents, students, and staff work together, the child benefits.

Students:

· Every student should work to achieve his/her potential.
· Every student should feel valued and respected.
· Students must feel connected to their school for success.
· Every student is responsible for his/her own behavior and academic achievement.

Staff/Curriculum:

· Curriculum needs to be adapted to meet the needs of each child.
· Team collaboration is vital for student success.
· Teaching and adjusting instruction is driven by teacher awareness and data.
· All standards will be taught.
· Student progress will be communicated to parents quarterly.

Staff Values:

· All students will receive a quality education.
· Parents will commit to being involved in the education of their child.
· Parents, students and teachers all have the responsibility to work together to fully educate each child.
· Staff will have the opportunity to teach in an environment dedicated to learning and the support of each other.

2007

Mrs. Stacey Hall was appointed principal.

2006

Mr. Phil Fullerton retired.

2005

2003

Winston Brooks visited our school to assess our new bond project.  We were informed our project is still in development and we can expect a new Library and new Office area in the near future!  The old gym is scheduled to be demolished soon.

2002

Phil Fullerton became our principal.  OK's new addition was completed:  10 classrooms, a computer lab, and a gym.

2000

Our computer lab was formally renamed the Koch Lab when we acquired 33  PC's from Koch Industries.

1999

The district wired the building for phone lines and new outlets for computer  networking. The PTA purchased books and disks for the Accelerated Reading Program. With funds from WIN WIN cards and other money, seven Gateway computers were purchased. Our student council raised $205 for United Way, collected canned goods for Operation Holiday, and did community service projects for Terrace Gardens Nursing Home. Official Enrollment - 300

1998

The PTA helped purchase books and ceiling fans for the library and a new sound system for the gym. The OK Student Council bought books and disks for the Accelerated Reading Program. With the funds from our WIN WIN Card fundraiser, four Gateway computers were purchased for classrooms. Official Enrollment - 311

1997

A new Power-Mac computer was installed in the library and a Gateway 2000 was installed in the computer lab for teachers to record and analyze student data. Software was purchased for each classroom. Our student council and PTA purchased new books for the library. Many of these books were installed on the Accelerated Reader, an independent reading program that helps all students.

1996

All classrooms now have one or two Macintosh computers with the Accelerated Reader Program installed for independent reading. The Student Council decorated and donated two trash cans (one for the courtyard and one for the area by the south parking lot), they continued to beautify the courtyard, and two park benches were installed on the playground. The PTA purchased a FAX machine, a snowcone machine, a bingo cage, and a word processor for the school.

1995

Five Macintosh LC 575 CD-Rom computers with reference bundles were purchased. Each grade level received one computer. The Student Council project for the year was to raise enough money to buy bird feeder, a bird bath, and shrubbery to beautify the courtyard. The PTA added another picnic table to the area. A contest was held and the winner's drawing was made into a windsock that is hung in the courtyard.
OK Panthers participated in a memorial tree program for the victims of the Oklamoma City bombing tragedy. A flowering crab apple tree was purchased and dedicated to those who died or were injured. A memorial plaque is placed near the tree.

1994

OK Elementary made Kansas History as we helped in the governmental process to name the Barred Tiger Salamander the Kansas State Amphibian.

1993

A breakfast program was started and is offered to all who wish to participate. The computer lab is equipped with twenty-five networking computers and four printers. Ten banners were purchased with a mini-grant to promote self esteem and Say No To Drugs. The Student Council donated a banner with the saying, "Education is a Team Effort." Exterior of building has a new roof and paint job. The staff initiated a campaign to name the Barred Tiger Salamander as the State Amphibian.

1992

New shrubbery beautified the outside grounds by the Commons Area in May. This was a class gift presented to the school by a group of fifth grade girls. The interior of the school was painted and our Panther and PAW print were painted on the walls for school spirit. Five computers were added to the new networking lab. An intercom was installed. A wood carving of our Panther was made by the famous wood sculptor, Gino Salerno. A permanent sign was added to the front of the school to announce OK happenings.

1991

Judy George became our principal. Mrs. George implemented OK Effective Discipline Plan. PTA purchased new playground equipment.

1990

Acquired three teachers at each grade level 1-5. Used block scheduling up to three hours of uninterrupted learning time for core subjects. Started latchkey child care. Opened portable P-1 as a classroom. Removed jungle gym as unsafe equipment from the playground. Moved dumpsters to north side of parking lot. PTA purchased room libraries for Heath Reading Series.

1989

New tiles were put down in hallways, 120 coat hooks in northwest hall for third grades. Two trees were planted in conjunction with substance abuse awareness. OK became new Gifted Resource Center with 39 additional students enrolled plus three new teachers for two positions. Final year for sixth grade students as they entered middle school.

1988

Mr. Gene Osborn became principal of our school.

1987

Exterior of the building was painted, concrete was poured by the west entrance from the playground. New tile was laid in the food service area. PTA purchased ceiling fans for installation in all unairconditioned classrooms and a new bulletin board was added in the hallway.

1986

Building improvements included: total window replacement, new ceiling and lighting in office complex, central corridors and restrooms, concrete steps at the northwest entrance, sink and disposal unit in food service area, plus acoustical treatment of instrumental music room.

1985

Devin D. Stahl, Ph.D. became principal of our school.

1984

New draperies and stage curtain were installed, new carpet in the teacher's lounge and a computer lab with ten computers set up in a classroom. A computer terminal and a word processor were installed in the office. Mr. Fisher retired as principal at the end of the school year.

1883

Garrison School area was assigned to OK School.

1976

Five classrooms and a kindergarten plus an addition to the library were added to the southwest part of the existing building. Initially, annexes were moved to the school ground. All annexes were removed but two.

1970

OK School took part in the integration program and children from other areas were bussed to OK School for their education.

1967

Library was expanded and remodeled with installation of a multi-media center.

1964

Extensive remodeling was completed which provided the principal's office, outer office, nurse's room and teacher's lounge.

1956

Seventh and eighth grades were continued at OK for two years until Hadley was dedicated. The hot lunch program was dropped at this time.

1953

Mr. Woodrow Fisher became our principal.

1952

Six classrooms and two restrooms in the west wing were added.

1949

New auditorium, the office, two restrooms, and four classrooms were added. This addition runs to the west.

1941

PTA officially organized. Mrs. F.M. Sherwood was first president. Kitchen in the basement was equipped for hot lunches.

1936

Two more classrooms were built upstairs and a meeting room added in the basement.

1924

First building was torn down and replaced with two rooms and a basement. Initial capacity was for 50 students.

1876

 In January, OK School was established with eight grades in a small white frame building located about where the old building now stands. An acre of land was sold to the township (known today as Delano) by Mr. & Mrs. Matthew Scully for $15.00