The Arvest Foundation recently announced a $15,000 contribution to Bartlesville Public Schools Foundation (BPS Foundation) to fund child care support for Bartlesville Public Schools (BPS) teachers and to support the growth of the BPS Foundation’s after school running and mentoring program, Bruins on the Run.
With teacher recruitment and retention recognized as a continuing challenge for public schools across the country, state, and in Bartlesville, BPS is offering an innovative benefit for its teachers. BPS will partner with Tri County Tech’s Early Learning Lab, a 5-Star NAEYC-accredited child development center. Through this partnership, BPS teachers will receive reduced rates on child care and priority waitlist placement at the center. Funds from this Arvest grant will be used to cover some of the cost of child care for BPS teachers starting in August 2023.
Additional funds from the donation will be used to support Bruins on the Run, a voluntary after-school mentoring and running program for fifth grade students at all six Bartlesville elementary schools. Arvest’s support will allow the BPS Foundation to continue offering the program at no cost to students or their families.
Arvest local bank president Kim Moyer and Arvest Wealth Management trust officer Aaron Tesavis presented a check to Blair Ellis, executive director of BPS Foundation and to Chuck McCauley, BPS Superintendent, as well as the BPS board of directors at the May BPS monthly board meeting.
“It is our pleasure to present this donation on behalf of the Arvest Foundation to support the mission of Bartlesville Public Schools Foundation in advancing quality education in Bartlesville public schools,” said Moyer.
Ellis stated, “loyal support from the Arvest Foundation over the years has allowed us to provide our students and teachers with opportunities they would not otherwise have. This year’s donation is no exception. This funding, combined with an essential partnership with Tri County Tech, allows us to give a unique and valuable benefit to Bartlesville teachers and their families, which in turn, will help BPS recruit and retain phenomenal teachers.”
To learn more about Bartlesville Public Schools Foundation programs and provide support, visit www.bpsfoundation.org or contact its executive director, Blair Ellis at ellisb@bps-ok.org.