OKC-area happenings: News and events for week of Aug. 10
Norman plans all-inclusive playground
NORMAN — The city of Norman has revealed plans for an all-inclusive playground at Andrews Park.
The playground will be equipped with shade structures, mobility devices, ramps, elevated walkways and play features designed for those with vision impairment and other types of disabilities. The new addition adds to a list of area amenities, such as the Blake Baldwin Skatepark, outdoor artwork, a splash pad and outdoor amphitheater, walking trails, ball fields, and gazebos, a news release stated.
"All-inclusive playgrounds will become the standard for Norman’s City Parks and that the first installation in Ruby Grant Park, completed in 2020, has become a major community attraction," said Jason Olsen, Norman's Parks & Recreation director.
"We are excited to bring another inclusive design playground to our community that will be accessible and enjoyable to children of all ability levels,” said Cinthya Allen, chief diversity and equity officer.
Literacy outreach to benefit young students
Oklahoma Virtual Charter Academy began its first Student Outreach for Accelerated Reading (SOAR) program, an initiative dedicated to advancing students early literacy and academic growth.
The SOAR committee has partnered with Dolly Parton’s foundation, the Dollywood Imagination Library, which provides free books to students under the age of 5. In addition, the committee has plans to partner with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The team will be driving by schools to pass out books to all students.
"The biggest goal I have for SOAR is to provide as many free books as possible to students," said Shauna Irvin, SOAR committee chair. They will have Barnes & Noble book fairs, winter and summer break reading contests, and the Bison Buddy program where middle and high school students will read aloud to younger students.
Science museum to host film screening and health fair
Science Museum Oklahoma with Lynn Health Science Institute and Oklahoma Public Health Association to host a free community health fair in conjunction with the screening of Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Productions documentary “The Color of Care” from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 16.
Community organizations will be on site to provide glucose, blood pressure, eye screenings, health resources and fresh produce. Science Museum Oklahoma will offer hands-on activities and light refreshments.
“The Color of Care” will be screened in the museum’s auditorium at 6 p.m. The film chronicles how people of color suffer from systemically substandard health care.
For more information, go to https://www.smo.org
OKC Public Schools Foundation to induct honorees
The Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation will induct four new members into its Wall of Fame at the 38th annual Wall of Fame Humanitarian Awards reception on Oct. 17.
The event will celebrate the history of Oklahoma City Public Schools by recognizing alumni who have gone on to become some of the city’s and nation’s most influential community leaders.
In 2020, the Unsung Hero category was added as a way to acknowledge alumni who may not always get the accolades and recognition of our traditional group but have been making a difference while mostly staying out of the spotlight. This year’s class will include three traditional honorees, and one designated as the Unsung Hero honoree.
The Wall of Fame Humanitarian Awards early evening reception will include an hors d’oeuvres buffet and beverages at the Skirvin Hilton Hotel in downtown Oklahoma City.
The program will begin at 4:30 p.m. The foundation is seeking sponsors for the event. For sponsorship information, contact abbie@okckids.com.
The 2022 honorees include:
Dr. Karl Hansen, a graduate of Northwest Classen High School — Currently serves as a professor and James A. Merrill Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine.
Kathryn Jeffery, a graduate of Douglass High School — Currently serves as the superintendent/president of Santa Monica Community College District.
Gerald McCoy, a graduate of Southeast High School— Former OU football player who entered the NFL in 2010 as the 3rd overall pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and, after nine outstanding seasons in Tampa, went on to play with the Carolina Panthers, Dallas Cowboys and Las Vegas Raiders.
Gregory McPherson II, a graduate of Capitol Hill High School — Founder of Vizionaries ENT, Poetry And Chill OKC and Poetry And Chill OKC Kids who is being recognized as the Foundation’s “Unsung Hero” honoree of this year’s class.
Sunbeam provides back-to-school supplies
Sunbeam Family Services partnered with Oklahoma City Police Department, Oklahoma County sheriffs office and TRIAD to provide school supplies to grandparents who are raising their grandchildren. In total, 500 grandchildren now have school supplies for the upcoming school year.
"Starting the school year with a brand-new backpack and plenty of school supplies can impact a child’s confidence, excitement and hope and allow the grandparents to focus their time, energy, and resources on supporting their grandchildren in other ways," said Andrea Hughes, support group coordinator at Sunbeam Family Services.
Sunbeam also supports families through the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren program. The nonprofit provides support groups, resources and one on one assistance to grandparents raising grandchildren.
For more information, call Andrea Hughes at 405-609-6551.
OKC schools to host Back-to-School Bash
Oklahoma City Public Schools will host a Back-to-School Bash from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 13 in the auditorium and cafeteria of Frederick Douglass High School, 900 N Martin Luther King Ave.
"The vision for this event is to connect our families with community partners who offer services that families typically need for back to school," said Sara Lynn Sadorra, director of Strategic Planning and Partnerships. The event will include services such as medical screenings, after-school programs, informational workshops and more.
Families do not need to pre-register, but services will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. The event is open to all families within the Oklahoma City district.
For more information, call 405-587-0435.
OKC Zoo celebrates World Elephant Day
World Elephant Day is Friday, Aug. 12, and the Oklahoma City Zoo, in partnership with Bob Moore Subaru, invites you be part of this conservation awareness day celebrating elephants.
Activities are planned from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the zoo’s elephant habitat at Sanctuary Asia. There will be interactive activities with prizes, story time, information stations, photo opportunities, animal enrichment and Facebook live videos.
The OKC Zoo is offering free general admission from noon to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday until Aug. 19.
For more information, call 405-424-3344 or go to www.okczoo.org.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma City metro-area happenings: News and events for Aug. 10
