Thursday morning the bus pulled into Ponca City and stopped at Woodlands Elementary School for a Great Expectations assembly. The chant accompanied the passing of the Torch of Learning throughout the crowd and then was presented to Garrett before she addressed the children, which were almost too numerous for the gymnasium. Yellow School bus riders divided into groups and toured West Middle School, Union Elementary and Liberty Elementary. Teachers gave brief explanations of how they have developed Accelerated Reading, Reading Renaissance and other programs to put literacy at the center of these schools educational goals. Technology also plays a vital role in this district's delivery of educational services.
Every school is wired to the Internet, and reading and math labs are abundant.
The technology allows the students access to digital cameras, both Mac and PC platforms and to create multi-media presentations. At Union Elementary, technology has allowed the school to utilize a science-inquiry teaching method that focuses on weather, plants and animals, measurements, motion and design, as well as other varied more detailed areas of science. This program was started in 1996 with funding from an Alternative Education grant and is a collaborative effort between the Ponca City Public School, First Baptist Church and many local businesses including the Conoco Corporation. The school provides the instructional services and First Baptist volunteers provide child care. Courses offered include all core courses needed for graduation as well as living skills and parenting classes.