Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation gearing up for 'T-Up for OKCPS' campaign

The Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation is preparing for the T-Up campaign, which

News 9 spoke with Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation CEO and President Kendra Horn to learn more about her organization and the upcoming initiative.

Q: What does the foundation do for Oklahoma City Public Schools?

A: "We work hand in hand with the district to help fill in the gaps and support the needs of the students, of the educators, because we know we're all in it together. We have our programs like Coat-a-Kid, where we raise money and provide coats for all of the OKCPS students that need it. We have a teacher pipeline program. We're growing our own teachers to address the teacher shortage and a lot more, and the T-Up campaign is about making sure people understand and show their support for Oklahoma City Public Schools."

Q: There are so many challenges that the district really can't take, it takes everybody to be a part, right?

A: "We can't do it alone. They can't do it alone, we can't do it alone. So T-Up for OKCPS ... is about showing that we're champions for OKCPS, wearing the shirt to show that it matters, that we're involved. This year's message is 'Together Somos Más Fuertes.' We have a majority of Hispanic students ... That's what this is about. The funds go to our programs, and we ask everybody to wear these on May 8. Once they've got them, we're going to both be part of the reading across the Oklahoma City Public School District. We have hundreds of volunteers going across OKCPS and reading with classrooms [Friday] morning, and it's a great timing with our T-Up campaign, because shirts are on sale from now through April 3. It's a limited time, so you've got to get out there and get it."

Q: Is that the only way folks can get involved? Just by purchasing a shirt? How else can people give?

A: "Our website ... You can find T-Up, but you can volunteer. You can sign up to volunteer. We have two book buses that go to all of our schools, you can sign up to help bring reading into a child's life. We provide books for every single kid in OKCPS and much more, but go to our website, sign up and volunteer."

Q: Can you outline some of the challenges that are impacting our students?

A: "Oklahoma City Public Schools, of the 33,000 students, 92% are living at or below the poverty line, so they have challenges like basic needs, coats, food. We have the school breakfast and lunch program, that's not us, but that's so important. There are also so many other needs for our teachers. Through our teacher pipeline program, but other things, like Donors Choose, to get the educators what they need, and it's making sure that all of us recognize that what we invest [in] today is what we get tomorrow, and it's our future workforce. We need volunteers, we need funding and donations as a foundation, we support the district, but it's across a lot of things, and that's why we're here to help."

Visit the T-Up for OKCPS website to learn more.