More than half the school children in America are under-served by their public schools because the parents fail to get involved with their teachers and other school officials, said Joetta Gatliff, an expert in Early Childhood Development for Mustang Public Schools and adjunct professor at OCCC.

“Only 30 percent of our children are getting an appropriate education,” Gatliff said, in a free parenting workshop earlier this month at OCCC’s Family and Community Center.

Who are the children who receive an appropriate education?

“It’s the 30 percent whose parents are involved,” she said.

Gatliff impressed upon the 18 people in the audience that once your child enters public school, a lot of communication between parents and caregivers is lost.

For veterans using the Chapter 33 Montgomery G.I. Bill to attend college, there is good news and bad news.

The good news is that changes in the bill will result in benefits that stretch out for a longer period of time.

The bad news is that monthly Basic Housing Allowance will only be paid during the time periods when veteran students are actually attending classes. The new rules take effect Aug. 1

“I personally believe it to be good because it extends their time,” said Veteran Services Coordinator Janis Armstrong.

Michael Snyder is not a paperback writer but he is a published author, poet and literary critic whose 16-page poem “Beetles is Gone” was recently published in the Oklahoma writers anthology “Ain’t Nobody That Can Sing Like Me.”

The English and Humanities professor said “Beetles Is Gone” mirrors the title of a short story found in a James Purdy short story collection “Children Is All.”

“The title of ‘Beetles is Gone’ is grammatically incorrect and spelled like the insect,” Snyder said. “It is purposeful.

Dallas Brass, one of America’s premier brass and percussion ensembles, will perform at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 1 at Westmoore High School, at 12613 South Western.

The performance is part of OCCC’s Cultural Arts Series which provides concerts for students and the community, said Lemuel Bardeguez, Cultural Arts Director.

Hundreds of prominent African-American business and property owners thrived in the city of Tulsa in 1921.

The Greenwood district — known as little Africa or Black Wall Street — is where many African-Americans lived out what most people would view as the American dream.

That is, until May 31 when an event triggered one of the most tragic moments in Oklahoma history.

Icy roads and slick sidewalks did more than just shut down school and give students a second winter break.

With school having been closed a total of six days in two weeks, many students are now finding it hard to keep up with their studies — especially those taking shortened courses.

With these classes being in session for only eight weeks, attending class is vital.

Students encountering challenges as they begin or continue their education at OCCC may not fully realize the range of support services available to help them overcome these challenges.

The Student Support Services office, located in the Main Building, offers mental health counseling, disability accommodations and a learning support specialist.

Students looking for a challenge as well as a deeper understanding of course material are encouraged to apply for OCCC’s Honor Program said Nina Smith, English professor and Honors Program coordinator.

Applications are taken all semester but students are generally encouraged to get them in by the fourth week in a 16-week semester and the second in an eight-week semester to allow maximum time for the student to fulfill the requirements of the program, Smith said.

To be eligible for the honors program, students must have a composite score of 22 or higher on the ACT or have a 3.5 cumulative GPA.

Two OCCC employees are in the middle of producing their second album, “Sirens’ Song.”

Mockingbird, a local uprising band, is comprised of Communications Lab Assistant Brandon Isaak (songwriter, vocals and guitar), Financial Aid employee Anthony Edwards (drums), Brian Gabbert (lead guitarist and back up vocals) and Kendra Boeckman (bass).

Isaak said he has always been interested in music.

“I’ve been writing songs for 10 years,” Isaak said. “I got really serious in 2007 (when) both grandparents died within a month of each other.

“I was sad but it really inspired me to live life more and purse my dreams.”

The groups’ album “Garage Apartment” was recorded in six months, Isaak said.

College President Paul Sechrist will teach a leadership class on campus beginning fall 2011.

Called the President’s Leadership Class, the new two-credit-hour course will be offered from 3 to 4:45 p.m. on Tuesdays as an elective.

Students must apply for one of the 24 openings and will receive scholarships to attend if they are chosen, Sechrist told members of the Faculty Association on Jan. 25.

The class is designed to keep academically-strong students engaged at OCCC right through the completion of a degree, Sechrist said.