Tulsa school, Audubon International, re-opens its doors

Tuesday was a new beginning for an old Tulsa school. Audubon International opened its doors to first grade students for the first time in 16 years. <br><br>News on Six reporter Patrina Adger says it

Tuesday, September 3rd 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Tuesday was a new beginning for an old Tulsa school. Audubon International opened its doors to first grade students for the first time in 16 years.

News on Six reporter Patrina Adger says it was once known as John James Audubon. It first opened in the fall of 1966 only to close 20 years later due to low attendance. But Tuesday morning, faculty and staff kicked off re-opening day with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

TPS Superintendent David Sawyer and School Board President Michael Pierce were on hand for the big day. As kids made their way to their new school. They're getting ready to take part in two new programs. First graders are in the Spanish Language Immersion program. They took it easy Tuesday, just coloring on the first day - but soon they'll be speaking Spanish.

The ESL program or the English as a Second Language program is designed specifically for non-English speaking students to learn the language so they can integrate more smoothly in a regular school. School board president, Michael Pierce, "we wanted to increase our service to those students who are coming into Tulsa, OK and immerge those language skills together."

Tulsa School superintendent, Dr. David Sawyer, â€œwe wanted to expand the program. A number of families have been interested in participating and we weâ€™re unable to accommodate them because Eisenhower was full."

And this program is an extension of Eisenhower International school. First graders started this week, kindergarteners start next Tuesday.