Bartlesville Public Schools Foundation:
Established in
1985
District Serves
: 5,868 students
Executive Director:
Blair Ellis
Great Idea to Share
: Bruins on the Run after- school mentoring and running program
Bartlesville Public Schools Foundation partnered with the local YMCA and a local mentoring and running program for teens called "Run the Streets" to offer an innovative after-school mentoring and running program for fifth grade students across the district. This year, Bruins on the Run serves 87 students, with 48 teacher-mentors participating.The program is intended to increase student focus in the classroom, improve relationships between students and their teacher-mentors, encourage friendships and collaboration between students at different elementary schools before they enter a common middle school. Bruins on the Run also address the need for a no-cost after school program and gives students the opportunity to embrace a healthy lifestyle.
"The program has been a big success," shared Executive Director Blair Ellis. "
Not only have we seen an increase in students' physical abilities, but we've also seen an increase in their confidence and their abilities to set and achieve goals. Moreover, the program gives teachers the opportunity to engage with their students in a meaningful way outside of the classroom."
