Outstanding Program Awards for Oklahoma School Foundations

Program Overview:
Recognizes innovative programs sponsored or administered by public school foundations in Oklahoma that support academic excellence and community impact.

Geographic Scope:

• Oklahoma public school foundations statewide

Award Details:

• Plaques for recognition
• Monetary awards of $1,000 per program
• Winners present free webinars to share ideas with other school foundations

Eligible Programs:

• Programs sponsored or administered by public school foundations
• Innovative initiatives supporting academic excellence
• Programs demonstrating positive community impact
• Examples of recognized programs include:
  • Student mentoring and running programs
  • Teacher training and diversity programs
  • Community feeding and food security programs
  • Other innovative approaches to supporting students and teachers

Program Selection:

• Based on creativity and positive impact
• Support of academic excellence
• Community benefit demonstration

Recent Winners (2020):

1. Bruins on the Run - Bartlesville Public Schools Foundation
   • Student mentoring and running program
   • Free after-school club for fifth-graders
   • Teacher-mentors and peer mentors
   • Expanded from 2 to 6 elementary schools
   • Served 87 students with 48 teacher-mentors
2. Teacher Pipeline Program - Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools
   • Bilingual and diversity teacher training
   • 100% tuition, fees, and books coverage
   • Programs for paraprofessionals to become certified teachers
   • 39 active participants in Bilingual program
   • 12 active participants in Diversity program
3. Picnic in the Park - Weatherford Public Schools Foundation
   • Community feeding program
   • COVID-19 pandemic response initiative
   • Provided 3,800+ lunches
   • 426 volunteers
   • 900+ ice cream bars distributed

Program Partners:

• Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence
• Oklahoma School Foundations Network

Contact Information:

• Director: Katy Leffel, Oklahoma School Foundations Network
• Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence
• Phone: (405) 236-0006
• Address: 5530 N. Western Ave., Suite 100, Oklahoma City, OK 73118-4003