Bingo Bash Brings OVCA Students, Teachers and Therapy Dogs Together 

Oklahoma Virtual Charter Academy (OVCA) brought its online community together Sept. 12 for the Bingo Bash, an afternoon packed with games, prizes and friendships to fuel a great school year.  

The event at Tinker Federal Credit Union (TFCU) in Midwest City gave students, families and teachers a chance to meet beyond the screen, build relationships and kick off back-to-school season with plenty of smiles. 

A highlight of the day: Four special guests — therapy dogs Paisley, Maisy, Sasha and Frank — joined the party with their volunteer handlers. Research shows therapy dogs can uplift moods and ease nerves, and these good pups did exactly that.  

Students found a calming, friendly bridge into conversation. Laughter and gentle tail wags turned icebreakers into effortless moments of connection, and the classic bingo rounds and prizes were a hit. 

As the afternoon wrapped, the takeaways were clear. Students gained new friends and renewed excitement for the year. Families took home stronger ties to the school team. Teachers emerged with deeper insight into the young people they serve. And everyone departed with a shared memory of what community looks like at OVCA: welcoming, inclusive and ready to help every student thrive. 

Local media also took notice. Telemundo Oklahoma attended and interviewed OVCA staff about the benefits of virtual schooling for Oklahoma students, including multilingual learners. Photographer Salomon even joined in the fun, playing bingo with students!  

Special thanks to TFCU, our therapy dog volunteers and the OVCA families who made the Bingo Bash such a success.