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HSSD Welcome Center
International Baccalaureate Programmes
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Occupational Therapy
Physical Therapy
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Special Education Records
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Early Childhood Services
Forms and Links
AMI Days - Alternative Methods of Instruction
Home Access Center Info
HSSD Welcome Center and Parent Outreach Services
Lost and Found
Lunch Menu
Millage Dollars at Work
My School Bucks
School Choice Information
Immunization Requirements 18-19
Magnet Program
Student Handbook
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Bloomboard (Use Chrome Browser)
eSchool Information
Emergency Chart
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School Messenger FAQ
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Employee AUP
Student AUP
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Apply for a Job/Current Job Openings
HSSD Staff, Employment Resources
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Salary Schedule
Job Descriptions
Substitute Teachers
State Required Info
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Trojan Good Things, 1/17
My shoutout this week goes to all of our students who experienced academic improvement in the second nine weeks! Congrats to all of our kids who received academic awards, academic improvement awards, or leadership awards of any kind including our Terrific Kids Awards and Leader in Me Awards; AND congrats to our secondary level students who saw any kind of growth in their grades or test scores. Growth and learning is hard work, and we are so very proud of your hard work and your progress!
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About Trojan Good Things, 1/17
Gardner Students Collaborate for MLK Artwork
To help students reflect upon and remember the important work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., our Gardner students in Mrs. Jackson's class collaborated to create this portrait. They discussed famous MLK quotes as they worked together to produce this memorable artwork.
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About Gardner Students Collaborate for MLK Artwork
HSSD Students Attend Broadway Musical "Wicked"
Our Hot Springs Junior Academy Choir & Hot Springs World Class High School Thespian students got to see the memorable Broadway Musical, "Wicked" on this week at Robinson Performance Hall (Little Rock). Students enjoyed a sensational show and learned about appropriate etiquette, musical production, and the many careers available in arts and drama.
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About HSSD Students Attend Broadway Musical "Wicked"
"We Have a Dream" Project
Second grade students at our Oaklawn Visual and Performing Arts Magnet School completed an "I Have a Dream" assignment modeled after Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech. Mrs. Avery read books focused on the life and work of MLK to her students and then assigned them the task of identifying a dream of their own, that could bring positive change. Students used their writing time to create artwork from their own experiences and opinions to communicate their own dreams for future change.
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About "We Have a Dream" Project
"Free to Be Me" Celebration for Park 1st Grade
First grade students at our Park Magnet, an IB World School, read about the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and focused on stories from his childhood. Mrs. Sligh's class reflected about how he used experiences of being treated unfairly in his childhood to help create changes when he was an adult. Students created "Free to Be Me" necklaces to celebrate who they are as individuals, to celebrate the friendships that they all share, and to remind of the importance of celebrating our differences in love and kindness.
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About "Free to Be Me" Celebration for Park 1st Grade
Oaklawn Students Inspired by MLK Quotes
Oaklawn students in the Gifted & Talented Program used GT class time to read Martin's Big Words, a children's narrative that describes the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through quotes and watercolor portraits and patterns. They made a list of adjectives used to describe Dr. King in the book, and discussed how and why those attributes are so important to being a good leader.
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About Oaklawn Students Inspired by MLK Quotes
HSSD Geography Bee Winners
Geography Bees, hosted for HSSD 4th-8th grade students, took place last week for all four elementary schools and our Hot Springs Junior Academy. This national geography competition is designed to inspire and reward students' curiosity about the world. Ten competed at each school-level competition. A first, second, and third place were awarded at each competition. Congrats to all participants!
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About HSSD Geography Bee Winners
Growth and Change for the HSSD
We are thrilled to continue growth and progress within the Hot Springs School District! Starting in August of 2020, the HSSD will consist of six campuses, two of which will be super campuses. Learn more here about upcoming school name changes, location changes, and more in the 2020-2021 school year.
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About Growth and Change for the HSSD
HSSD Report Cards Sent Home Today
HSSD families, please be advised that report cards are being sent home today from all HSSD schools. Elementary students in grades K-6 will be sent home with their report cards. Secondary students in grades 7-12 will receive report cards by mail. Please contact school principals with questions.
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About HSSD Report Cards Sent Home Today
Trojan Good Things, 1/10
Happy New Year and welcome back for the second semester! While I hope you're all recharged and well rested from a nice holiday break, I know the first week back comes with many challenges of getting our kids focused and back into a routine. We are beginning a new decade - and I'm so honored to have you all at our wonderful school district, working toward a strong, productive 2020 for our kids and this community! I have one shoutout to share, and two celebrations to share with you, as we celebrate our first week back ...
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About Trojan Good Things, 1/10
Oaklawn Jr. Beta Featured as RISE Spotlight
Our OVPA Jr. Beta Club was selected to be the featured group in the January R.I.S.E. (Reading Initiative for Student Excellence) Spotlight! They were chosen for their "Betas, Books, and Babies" project - which was a partnership with CHI St. Vincent Hospital to supply books to newborn babies.
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About Oaklawn Jr. Beta Featured as RISE Spotlight
Langston 4th Grade Challenged with Rebus Puzzles
Amid the various tactics used for fostering student learning and achievement, teachers develop various creative strategies to keep young minds at work. Langston 4th grade students in Mrs. Limbaugh's class choose from multiple learning centers and daily supplemental reading for time between assignments. Many enjoy most the daily rebus puzzle. A rebus is a puzzle device that combines the use of illustrated pictures with individual letters to depict words and/or phrases. Rebus puzzles are a fun way to reinforce reading skills, build and refine critical thinking, and the puzzles expose students to new vocabulary and ideas during discussion as a class at the end of each day.
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About Langston 4th Grade Challenged with Rebus Puzzles
HSSD Spelling Bee Finalists Compete Thursday
This Thursday, January 9, all finalists from HSSD Spelling Bees will compete at the Garland County Spelling Bee! The Garland County Spelling Bee is hosted at Gospel Light Baptist Church at 1:00 p.m. Congrats to all of our outstanding, hardworking competitors.
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About HSSD Spelling Bee Finalists Compete Thursday
HSJA Donates to Ouachita Children's Center
Our Hot Springs Junior Academy 7th-8th grade students collected items needed by the Ouachita Children's Center this holiday season - to help families receiving shelter or services from OCC. Thank you to the students, families, and HSJA staff members who contributed to this heartwarming effort for an area non-profit.
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About HSJA Donates to Ouachita Children's Center
Betas, Books, and Babies at CHI
Oaklawn Visual and Performing Arts Magnet School Jr. Beta Club students created "Betas, Books and Babies" as their community project, and made a special holiday book delivery to the CHI Anthony Childbirth Center. They collected books for infants and toddlers from Jr. Beta members and OVPA students/staff to be distributed at no charge to families with newborn babies.
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About Betas, Books, and Babies at CHI
Ornaments For Firefighters and Medical Staff
Our Langston Jr. Beta Club helped to spread Christmas spirit this season by thanking community heroes and medical professionals at all Hot Springs Fire Department stations, the CHI St. Vincent Emergency Room, and Hot Springs EMS. They delivered ornaments to all of these groups, in appreciation for their efforts - even during Christmas Day - to protect and serve the Hot Springs community.
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About Ornaments For Firefighters and Medical Staff
HSSD Introduces #TrojanEats Food Truck
The Hot Springs School District and our food service provider Chartwells proudly introduce the first ever #TrojanEats Food Truck! The truck has a fully equipped kitchen on board, and room for up to four chefs and/or servers at once. #TrojanEats will be helping to feed our kids and spread Trojan spirit across the Hot Springs area.
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About HSSD Introduces #TrojanEats Food Truck
Trojan Good Things, 12/13
The shoutout this week goes to our three newly National Board Certified Teachers: Mrs. Anna Jackson (Gardner STEM Magnet School), Mrs. Cheryl Long (Oaklawn Visual & Performing Arts Magnet School), and Mrs. Jan Sligh (Park Magnet, an IB World School). This extremely challenging process takes 1-3 years, and is the highest and most rigorous professional certification that a teacher can earn. We couldn't be more proud of these three who have moved through the finish line (and committed countless hours) of this certification process, and who will collectively join others with this same elite certification status in continuing to make our district world class in teaching and student learning.
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About Trojan Good Things, 12/13
St. Mary's Sponsors Donations for HSSD Kids
Generous parishioners of St. Mary of the Springs Catholic Church delivered wrapped toy bundles and clothes for HSSD families in need. Next week, they will complete the donations for each family with food boxes. Thank you to all who contributed to this wonderful effort from St. Mary of the Springs Catholic Church. We are so thankful for those in our Hot Springs community who remind us and set the example for our kids - especially during the holidays - that we are all here to take care of each other.
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About St. Mary's Sponsors Donations for HSSD Kids
Xpress Boats Helps HSSD Feed Families
Xpress Boats and Veranda Luxury Pontoons has again generously sponsored the Wild Game Snack Stick Program through Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry. Through this program, more than 3,000 tasty, protein-rich snack sticks have been provided to the HSSD, for distribution through our school Backpack Programs and the Welcome Center.
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About Xpress Boats Helps HSSD Feed Families
Gardner Collects Toys for Festival of Stars
As their Jr. Beta Club Community Service Project, Gardner STEM Magnet School 4th-6th grade students hosted a local toy drive for the annual Arkansas Children's Hospital "Festival of Stars" toy and donation drive event. Toys have been donated by students, staff members, and community partners across the HSSD
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About Gardner Collects Toys for Festival of Stars
Trojan Good Things, 12/6
As we kick off December, I want to do a shout out for the spirit of service that is so prevalent across our district. You all are a model for kindness and compassion to our students, and through the year-round service projects that you undertake - especially during the holidays - we are giving them experiences of servanthood that they will never forget. It makes me so proud to be part of a Trojan Family that truly does serve and graciously give back to the Hot Springs community.
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About Trojan Good Things, 12/6
2019 HSSD Holiday Lineup
Don't miss a thing across the #HSSD during our exciting holiday season. We have so many outstanding and talented student groups to showcase! Find dates and details, here:
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About 2019 HSSD Holiday Lineup
Kiley Simms Named as HSWCHS Principal
The Hot Springs School District Administration and School Board have named Mrs. Kiley Simms as the Hot Springs World Class High School Principal, starting December 3, 2019. She has worked in the Hot Springs School District since 2007.
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About Kiley Simms Named as HSWCHS Principal
Langston Memorial Flower Bed
Garland County Master Gardeners generously worked with our Langston 4th-5th grade students to complete the planting of a flower bed surrounding the Langston Memorial at the entrance to the new campus on Silver Street. Blue and gold flowers were planted to honor the Langston BullDogs - the mascot of the first Langstonians, before Langston became part of the Hot Springs School District Trojan family.
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About Langston Memorial Flower Bed
Trojan Good Things, 11/22
Happy Thanksgiving to our wonderful Trojan Family! I am so thankful for this amazing district (all the people in it) and our wonderful community! As we take next week to rest and enjoy family and friends, I want to very simply capture for you how thankful and proud I am of you - and your work - and our amazing kids. You change lives through the work you do every day. Trojan Good Things is a weekly shout out from #HSSD Superintendent Dr. Stephanie Nehus to individuals in our school community who are doing amazing things!
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About Trojan Good Things, 11/22
"Elf" the Musical Presented by HSSD
Drama students in grades 7-12 bring the musical production "Elf" to the HSSD December 12-14 at the Hot Springs Junior Academy Auditorium. An outstanding cast of 25 actors and 11 dancers have rehearsed since August for roles and performances to warm your heart and bring holiday spirit to all! Find details about performance times and cast members, here.
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About "Elf" the Musical Presented by HSSD
Celebrating HSSD Special Olympics Bowling
Our HSSD Special Olympics Bowling Team enjoyed an exciting season, and we celebrate their success! Participation includes a series of practices and instruction and a culminating competition at the Special Olympics Bowling Tournament. The motto "Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt," is threaded into all learning and achievement.
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About Celebrating HSSD Special Olympics Bowling
Sister City Exchange Trips for 2020
Applications are now open to join the Hot Springs delegation of students and teachers traveling to Hanamaki, Japan in the summer of 2020 - through the Hot Springs Sister City Program. Student applications are due December 21; Teacher applications are due January 7.
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About Sister City Exchange Trips for 2020
Trojan Good Things, 11/15
For the second year in a row, our Hot Springs World Class High School has received a Beating the Odds Award for Math Growth from the Office for Education Policy at the University of Arkansas. Annually, excellent schools around the state are highlighted by Outstanding Educational Performance Awards through the OEP. We couldn't be more proud of the hard work by our students and teachers.
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About Trojan Good Things, 11/15
Anthony Tidwell Works with Dance Students
Our wonderful community partner Anthony Tidwell of Cutwell 4 Kids spent the morning in our Hot Springs World Class High School Dance Studio teaching students about the elements of visual art. Students will use this to deconstruct a chosen piece of artwork and create original choreography.
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About Anthony Tidwell Works with Dance Students
Outstanding Educational Performance at HSWCHS
For the second year in a row, our Hot Springs World Class High School has received a Beating the Odds Award for Math Growth from the Office for Education Policy at the University of Arkansas. Annually, excellent schools around the state are highlighted by Outstanding Educational Performance Awards through the OEP.
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About Outstanding Educational Performance at HSWCHS
Langston Hosts Mock Trial
Students from classrooms including Mr. Webb, Mr. White, Ms. Hicks, and Ms. Ross at our Langston Elementary Leadership Academy hosted a live mock trial with Honorable Judge Wade Naramore.
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About Langston Hosts Mock Trial
HSJA Digital Art Show
Our Hot Springs Junior Academy held a first ever Digital Art Show with over 120 student art pieces on display. The student-led event was a collaboration between our EAST and Art Programs. Free snacks and coffee were provided by volunteers from our FCCLA and donations from Red Light Roastery. In total, over 150 students were involved in the production.
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About HSJA Digital Art Show
HSSD Thanks Military Veterans on Staff
Thank you to all Military Veterans for your service and sacrifice. We would like to especially recognize our own Hot Springs School District personnel, who are also Military Veterans.
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About HSSD Thanks Military Veterans on Staff
Veterans Day Tribute to LT Paul Riley
A Veteran's Day Tribute to LT Paul Riley, from LCDR Sean M. Garrett, USN (Ret.), our Senior Navy Science Instructor for the HSWCHS NJROTC
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About Veterans Day Tribute to LT Paul Riley
Trojan Good Things, 11/8
Our shoutout this week goes to our students and staff members who make our Fall athletic, performance, musical, and all other extracurricular activities possible! Tonight is our Senior Ceremony ahead of the final home Football game versus Lakeside, and also marks the transition from fall to our winter sports and programs.
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About Trojan Good Things, 11/8
HSSD to Perform in "Broadway Bound" 11/7
The Hot Springs Junior Academy and Hot Springs World Class High School Dance Programs present "Broadway Bound" on Thursday, November 7, at the Hot Springs Junior Academy. Join us for performances at 1:00 and 6:00 p.m.
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About HSSD to Perform in "Broadway Bound" 11/7
Three HSSD Students Serve as AHA Sweethearts
Congrats to our Rachel Snider, Janaiya Reedy, and Emma Campas, who will represent the HSSD among the Garland County ladies committed to the 2019-2020 American Heart Association (AHA) Sweetheart program, presented by National Park Medical Center. They spend five months from October - February learning more about heart healthy lifestyles in preparation for the 2020 Heart Ball.
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About Three HSSD Students Serve as AHA Sweethearts
Trojan Good Things, 11/1
Congrats to us all, and thank you to the many who organized, volunteered, and contributed to another outstanding Pumpkin Light Night event on Tuesday. As you know, this is our largest district wide outreach initiative for the entire year, and our 5th annual event didn't disappoint - even with rainy weather. Trojan Good Things is a weekly shout out from #HSSD Superintendent Dr. Stephanie Nehus to individuals in our school community who are doing amazing things!
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About Trojan Good Things, 11/1
Gardner Adjective Café Reinforces Language Skills
Gardner second grade students in Ms. Crawford's class enriched their use of adjectives in day-to-day language through an Adjective Café experience.
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About Gardner Adjective Café Reinforces Language Skills
ACT Aspire Interim Tests Nov 4-6
On November 4-6, students in grades 3-6 will be taking ACT® Aspire® Interim Assessments at all HSSD elementary schools. Each day (Monday - Wednesday), your child will one test in one subject area- one day in Math, one day in Reading, and one day in Science.
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About ACT Aspire Interim Tests Nov 4-6
Hanamaki Student Delegation Visits HSJA
We were so proud to have a student group from Hanamaki, Japan (through the City of Hot Springs Sister City Program) at the Hot Springs Junior Academy. The group of students, principals, and school administrators spent over three hours at the HSJA yesterday touring classrooms, watching student performances, and visiting with our students and staff members.
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About Hanamaki Student Delegation Visits HSJA
Pumpkin Light Night, Oct 29
Families from across Hot Springs - join us for a festive event celebrating the HSSD, including bouncy houses, decorated pumpkin judging, booths and games, and entertainment from our talented, world class HSSD student groups! Make the fun even bigger this year by bringing your kids in costume.
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About Pumpkin Light Night, Oct 29
HSSD Construction Update: Oct, 2019
It was in September of 2016, that the great citizens of Hot Springs passed a millage to allow the Hot Springs School District to construct two brand new buildings -- Langston Elementary Leadership Academy and Hot Springs Junior Academy-- and to upgrade and remodel almost every one of the district's campuses. In just over three years, we are nearing completion of each exciting addition and renovation to our facilities.
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About HSSD Construction Update: Oct, 2019
Trojan Good Things, 10/25
Trojan Good Things is a weekly shout out from #HSSD Superintendent Dr. Stephanie Nehus to individuals in our school community who are doing amazing things! The final week in October is also the last week of National Principals Month. I want to dedicate our shout outs this week to our outstanding group of Principals who work tirelessly to lead, empower, and encourage our students and staff.
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About Trojan Good Things, 10/25
Arkansas Symphony Performs for Garland County
For the 13th year, more than 3,000 Garland County students in 3rd-6th grade experienced an outstanding performance by the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra thanks to the Hot Springs/Hot Springs Village Symphony Guild. The annual ASO performance takes place at the Hot Springs Convention Center Bank OZK Arena and is free to all students.
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About Arkansas Symphony Performs for Garland County
HSWCHS Hosts Unity Day Ceremony
Our Hot Springs World Class High School proudly hosted an anti-bullying pep rally today in honor of Unity Day for all 9th-12th grade students. The NJROTC presented flags, and the HSWCHS Choir performed the National Anthem, to begin the ceremony. Students enjoyed an anti-bullying short play from the Drama Club, an inspiring solo by Mya Sander, a performance from the Hot Springs Dance Troupe, and a challenge from guest speaker Lataschya Harris (Professor at National Park College) to end bullying, report bullies, and to take care of each other.
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About HSWCHS Hosts Unity Day Ceremony
Trojan Good Things, 10/18
This week, I would like to share two wonderful shoutouts, one to Mr. White at Langston, and the other to Mrs. Olive at Park Magnet. I also want to send deep appreciation to our food service staff members as we wrap up National School Lunch Week.
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About Trojan Good Things, 10/18
Audiology Services Provided to HSSD via EARS
Educational Audiology/Speech Pathology Resources for Schools (EARS) is an outreach program of Arkansas Children's Hospital that works with the HSSD to offer hearing evaluations, technical assistance to students and staff members with hearing aids and other hearing devices, hearing loss resources and tips, and more. Learn more about how the EARS program assists the HSSD and HSSD School Nurses, and when a representative will visit each school.
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About Audiology Services Provided to HSSD via EARS
HSSD Pee Wee Basketball Registration Opens
HSSD 4th-6th grade students, find registration forms for Pee Wee Basketball in all elementary school offices. Registration is open through November 11. See more details and practice dates, here:
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About HSSD Pee Wee Basketball Registration Opens
Foundation Awards HSSD Enrichment Grants
At the October Board Meeting, the Hot Springs Public Schools Education Foundation awarded 11 first-ever HSSD Enrichment Grants to HSSD student groups and programs, in grades, subject areas, and initiatives across the district.
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About Foundation Awards HSSD Enrichment Grants
HSSD Institutional Law Enforcement Agency
Safety is our top priority at the Hot Springs School District. We are proud to announce the approval of our Hot Springs School District Institutional Law Enforcement Agency by the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training, which will be directed by Chief Institutional Law Enforcement Officer Carl Seymour.
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About HSSD Institutional Law Enforcement Agency
Trojan Good Things, 10/11
Thank you to HSWCHS and HSJA administrators and staff for meeting your first quarter goal. Both schools had a deadline to submit their essential standards documents. On Wednesday, we surprised both buildings with a celebration in honor of meeting their goals. I also want to pay special tribute to our HSSD Homecoming festivities throughout this week and today. Thank you to all students, staff members, families, and returning alumni for the joy that I sense from you in reflecting about where this district has been, and where we are going in the future.
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About Trojan Good Things, 10/11
2019 HSSD Homecoming Festivities, Oct 11
Our Homecoming Pep Rally and Ceremony are tomorrow! Please note a few minor changes here, due to expected rain. We look forward to a wonderful finale to Homecoming Week, and the celebration of HSSD tradition!
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About 2019 HSSD Homecoming Festivities, Oct 11
HSJA Ladies Speak to Women's Leadership Council
Our Hot Springs Junior Academy G.R.A.C.E. (Girls Reaching Above Challenging Expectations) group and Principal Natasha Lenox spoke today at the Women's Leadership Council of Hot Springs Luncheon. Because of a generous grant from the Council, G.R.A.C.E. students have taken multiple field trips and participated in numerous community service events and projects in the Hot Springs area and in Little Rock.
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About HSJA Ladies Speak to Women's Leadership Council
1,000+ Attend 4th Annual Garland County Reads
The 4th annual Garland County Reads event was another hugely successful literacy celebration hosted by Garland County school districts in downtown Hot Springs at the Hot Springs Farmers Market. The collaboration is unique from any other literacy celebration across Arkansas, and is well loved and generously supported by the Hot Springs community and area schools. A community that reads together, grows together!
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About 1,000+ Attend 4th Annual Garland County Reads
Superintendent's Student Council Meets at Langston
The first meeting of the newly created Superintendent's Student Council was hosted at Langston Elementary Leadership Academy yesterday with 5th and 6th grade students. The 18 Council members were chosen through nomination by teachers for leadership and speaking skills, good behavior, good grades, and ability to collaborate well with others. Dr. Nehus and administrators will meet with a Superintendent's Student Council at each school once per quarter throughout the school year.
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About Superintendent's Student Council Meets at Langston
Frazier & Comstock Serve on Youth Advisory Council
Our Alix Frazier and Logan Comstock will represent the Hot Springs School District on the Hot Springs Area Community Foundation Youth Advisory Council. They are among a select group of students from school districts across the Hot Springs area who meet each month to learn about area non-profit organizations that benefit youth. Community Adult Advisors work with Council members to become better stewards of communities through work in philanthropy and community service.
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About Frazier & Comstock Serve on Youth Advisory Council
2019 HSSD Homecoming Week Daily Themes
Start planning now to join in on the fun for our 2019 HSSD Homecoming Week, October 7-11. See daily themes to make Homecoming week as memorable as it always is in celebrating #HSSDTrojans spirit and tradition!
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About 2019 HSSD Homecoming Week Daily Themes
Trojan Good Things, 10/4
Trojan Good Things is a weekly shout out from #HSSD Superintendent Dr. Stephanie Nehus to individuals in our school community who are doing amazing things! I would like to highlight the outstanding role that our HSSD students played in the Garland County Veterans Memorial 10 Year Dedication Ceremony today.
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About Trojan Good Things, 10/4
Gardner 4th Grade Honors U.S. Constitution
Fourth grade classes at Gardner STEM Magnet School wrapped up an in-depth study of the U.S. Constitution by throwing a party to honor signing of the revolutionary document on September 17, 1787. During the celebration, students reviewed the main purpose of the constitution - which was to establish the basic rights of all American citizens.
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About Gardner 4th Grade Honors U.S. Constitution
Flu Clinics Scheduled October 1-4
Flu Clinics have been scheduled for all HSSD schools October 1-4. Students must provide signed consent forms in order to receive flu shots. Consent forms are available in all school offices.
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About Flu Clinics Scheduled October 1-4
Trojan Good Things, 9/27
This week, I am excited to highlight a visit from Senator Alan Clark and Representative Les Warren as part of Take Your Legislator to School Month, offer a BIG Congrats to our athletic programs following a week of wins, and share two anonymous shoutouts to our HSJA EAST Program and an educator at OVPA. Trojan Good Things is a weekly shout out from #HSSD Superintendent Dr. Stephanie Nehus to individuals in our school community who are doing amazing things!
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About Trojan Good Things, 9/27
Mock Interviews Build Skills for JAG Students
HSJA JAG (Jobs for America's Graduates) students completed mock interviews today, as part of the skills-focused JAG program curriculum. Thank you to the many HSSD personnel who volunteered time to serve as interviewers. Congrats to our amazing students for the hard work completed! We are so proud of you.
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About Mock Interviews Build Skills for JAG Students
Trojan Good Things, 9/20
Trojan Good Things is a weekly shout out from #HSSD Superintendent Dr. Stephanie Nehus to individuals in our school community who are doing amazing things! See anonymous shoutouts here to our K-6 teachers involved in collaborative meetings, and our students and staff involved with the "A Chance to Dance" event last weekend, as well as personal note from me ...
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About Trojan Good Things, 9/20
Law Enforcement Agencies Ensure Campus Safety
Law enforcement agencies worked with HSSD Director of Safety Carl Seymour to complete a random K-9 search at the Hot Springs World Class High School. K-9 Units from the Hot Springs Police Department, National Park Service, and the Garland County Sheriff's Office participated. These random searches are arranged at all HSSD campuses, multiple times each school year.
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About Law Enforcement Agencies Ensure Campus Safety
Kindness Activity Inspires Gardner 3rd Graders
Gardner STEM third graders exchanged positive affirmations as a hands-on exercise in the power of kindness, in Mrs. Sierocuk's class. Third grade teachers brainstormed as a team to devise a classroom activity that could create encouragement from students to other students. They reasoned that our kids easily forget sometimes that encouragement doesn't always need to come only from our teachers; it can sometimes mean more if it comes from peers.
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About Kindness Activity Inspires Gardner 3rd Graders
HSSD Team Presents on Co-Teaching
Angela Bates and Katie Bradley, the "Blooming Bee-lievers," represented Hot Springs School District at the 2019 LEA Administrator's Academy with the same enthusiastic, energetic passion with which they co-teach their fourth grade class at Oaklawn Visual and Performing Arts Magnet School. This HSSD co-teaching team has quickly become a role model for successful implementation of the Arkansas Co-Teaching Project.
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About HSSD Team Presents on Co-Teaching
Trojan Good Things, 9/13
Trojan Good Things is a weekly shout out from #HSSD Superintendent Dr. Stephanie Nehus to individuals in our school community who are doing amazing things! See a shoutout here to our HSWCHS students involved with the National Park Technology Center, and more importantly - a positive observation about improved student interest in exploring careers and investing in their futures ..
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About Trojan Good Things, 9/13
National Arts in Education Week
The HSSD is proud to offer a wide array of visual and performing arts at each of our schools. For National Arts in Education Week, we explore an overview of the many ways that arts education is threaded into the offerings and accomplishments of our schools.
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About National Arts in Education Week
Students Reflect About September 11th
A full reflective 9/11 experience has been created for our 9th-12th grade students in the HSWCHS old gymnasium featuring eight stations. Each station is dedicated to the history, events, and implications of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Students rotate through each station with specific objectives and worksheets to help guide them through understanding and reflection.
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About Students Reflect About September 11th
IB Parent Night at Park
The upcoming Park Magnet School Parent Night (tomorrow evening, 9/12, at 5:30 p.m.) is a new informational event for our parents about the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme. All Pre-K - 6th grade classrooms at Park use the IB PYP Programme curriculum. We are so proud to have your student be part of such intense learning! We also want to make sure that our parents stay informed about the best ways to support and encourage student growth in such rigorous curriculum and practices.
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About IB Parent Night at Park
2019 HSSD Homecoming Court Announced
The HSSD is proud to announce our 2019 Homecoming Court - a group of 9th-12th grade students selected by their peers to represent our Hot Springs World Class High School.. Join us at the 2019 Homecoming Ceremony and Trojans Football Game on Friday, October 11, at Joe Reese Stadium.
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About 2019 HSSD Homecoming Court Announced
HSSD Superintendent's Councils
HSSD Superintendent Dr. Nehus organizes four unique Councils that meet throughout the school year to share and discuss district initiatives. Superintendent's Council meetings are structured to allow for two-way communication, and open forums for information and sharing of feedback. Learn more about how to join one!
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About HSSD Superintendent's Councils
Trojan Good Things, 9/6
Trojan Good Things is a weekly shout out from #HSSD Superintendent Dr. Stephanie Nehus to individuals in our school community who are doing amazing things! See a shoutout here to our Gardner Music Teacher Mrs. Bettis for making music a "safe place" for all:
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About Trojan Good Things, 9/6
HSSD Athletes Volunteer at CHI
Athletes from the HSSD and Fountain Lake volunteered at CHI St. Vincent today, as part of continued community and athletic events in the First Security Kickoff Classic!
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About HSSD Athletes Volunteer at CHI
HSJA Offers New Food Options via Chartwells
Students at our Hot Springs Junior Academy can now enjoy added options for when and what to eat, thanks to our districtwide food service provider Chartwells. Second Chance Breakfast and Fast Break Lunch via a Grab-N-Go Line provide students with unique choices from the traditional breakfast and lunch offerings.
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About HSJA Offers New Food Options via Chartwells
Trojan Good Things, 8/30
Trojan Good Things is a weekly shout out from #HSSD Superintendent Dr. Stephanie Nehus to individuals in our school community who are doing amazing things! See shoutouts this final week of August to 5th grade teacher Ms. Williams and school safety personnel and partners.
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About Trojan Good Things, 8/30
Garland County Reads Kickoff Event, Oct 8
Join us and participating school districts across Garland County for the 4th annual Garland County Reads kickoff event - October 6 at the Hot Springs Farmers Market.
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About Garland County Reads Kickoff Event, Oct 8
HSSD Immunization Requirements
HSSD families, please be advised that student vaccinations must be current by September 15, 2019. Please send all immunization records to the school nurse at each HSSD school. An overview of all Arkansas Immunization Requirements are provided here for K-12th grade for reference.
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About HSSD Immunization Requirements
2019 First Security Kickoff Classic
Join us in a series of athletic and community events generously sponsored by First Security Bank - during our 2019 First Security Kickoff Classic!
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About 2019 First Security Kickoff Classic
Video Documentary of OVPA in the Works
A camera crew will be at our OVPA campus starting tomorrow and throughout the school year, to document our staff and students for their success as a Pilot School for Project Learning Communities through the Arkansas Department of Education and Solution Tree.
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About Video Documentary of OVPA in the Works
NWEA Testing Helps Educators Improve Learning
HSSD families have seen information from teachers and/or school leadership at each of our campuses regarding NWEA (Northwest Evaluation Association) Testing, which is taking place in K-10th grade classrooms through September 13. NWEA test data is directly used by teachers, administrators, and HSSD leadership to offer the very best education possible to our world class students.
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About NWEA Testing Helps Educators Improve Learning
Park Uses Writer's Workshop to Build Skills
During "Writer's Workshop" at our Park Magnet, an IB World School, kindergarten students are assigned daily writing prompts to help develop descriptive writing skills. Entries begin as drawings, and eventually expand to include words, thoughts, and full sentences.
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About Park Uses Writer's Workshop to Build Skills
Leader in Me Skits with Mrs. Ross
Sixth grade teacher at Langston Mrs. Ross used skit prompts to teach students about the value of becoming leaders who explore solutions during conflict that allow everyone to win and/or benefit.
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About Leader in Me Skits with Mrs. Ross
Trojan Good Things, 8/23
We have five wonderful anonymous shouts to include this week for our Trojan Good Things, from three schools … I am so proud of our wonderful staff, districtwide - it has been a truly world class, productive first full-week back! Thank you all. Keep it up.
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About Trojan Good Things, 8/23
5th Graders Take Gallery Walk of Great Depression
Fifth grade students at our Oaklawn Visual and Performing Arts School did a gallery walk at the Park Magnet library to view iconic photographs of the Great Depression. Music was played from the time period, as students worked to answer seven reflective questions about the images.
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About 5th Graders Take Gallery Walk of Great Depression
HSSD Opens Welcome Center
Come visit the new HSSD Welcome Center on Main Street, intended to offer FREE outreach services and resources to families. Guests will enjoy assistance from interpreters as needed, free wifi and computers, food and clothing pantry, quiet study areas and playroom for small children, and more.
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About HSSD Opens Welcome Center
Trojan Good Things, 8/16
Trojan 'Good Things' is a weekly shout out from #HSSD Superintendent Dr. Stephanie Nehus to individuals in our school community who are doing amazing things! See the first of the 2019-2020 school year, highlighting the excellent work of our maintenance staff over the summer, and a heartwarming reunion between one of our teachers and a student.
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About Trojan Good Things, 8/16
HSSD School Year At a Glance
Find all of your academic year dates and district events included here, in your 2019-2020 School Year At a Glance Calendar!
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About HSSD School Year At a Glance
Student Meals Are FREE at HSSD
Through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision, the Hot Springs School District will again offer free meals (including breakfast and lunch) to all students enrolled. Parents can expect all meals to be provided for free to all students on August 15 and throughout the 2019-2020 school year. Our excellent, nutritious, and filling food options will again be provided by our wonderful food service provider Chartwells.
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About Student Meals Are FREE at HSSD
26 Educators Attend HSSD New Teacher Academy
On July 31 - August 2, the HSSD hosted our annual New Teacher Academy for 26 new educators to the district and/or current staff members who are transitioning positions or schools. We are thrilled with this group of eager professionals, who will soon be meeting colleagues and finalizing plans to make an impact on our world class students in the 2019-2020 school year.
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About 26 Educators Attend HSSD New Teacher Academy
HSSD Continues to Provide Free School Supplies
The Hot Springs School District will proudly carry on the tradition of providing all school supplies for all students at no cost in the 2019-2020 school year. Families with students attending any HSSD school (across all grades) should only purchase supplies if students have preferences for specific items.
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About HSSD Continues to Provide Free School Supplies
HSSD Opens 2019-2020 Athletic Passes
Find pricing for general admission and sports passes from our HSSD Athletic Department for the 2019-2020 school year. Trojan Spirit Runs Strong!
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About HSSD Opens 2019-2020 Athletic Passes
HSSD Receives Wellness Program Grant
The Hot Springs School District - alongside other Garland County school districts - is honored to receive another grant through the Oaklawn Scholarship Foundation Student Wellness Fund, administered by and presented through the United Way of the Ouachitas. These generous funds go to support all students in need across the district, and are used at the discretion of school counselors and district leadership.
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About HSSD Receives Wellness Program Grant
HSSD Registration & Open House Events
Please find details here about important dates for HSSD Registration and Open House events. We want to be sure that we confirm all spots for our students in the 2019-2020 school year. With any questions, please call respective schools, or our HSSD District Office at 501-624-3372. We look forward to another outstanding school year, starting August 15!
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About HSSD Registration & Open House Events
Echols Named as HSSD Assistant Superintendent
The Hot Springs School District Administration and School Board are pleased to announce that after a special called HSSD School Board Meeting, Mrs. Taryn Echols has been selected as a new HSSD Assistant Superintendent beginning July 1, 2019.
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About Echols Named as HSSD Assistant Superintendent
HSSD Jr. Beta Club Earns 8 National Awards
The Hot Springs School District is so proud of our eight Jr. Beta Club National Awards, brought home from the National Beta Club Convention hosted in Oklahoma City, June 15-18. CONGRATS to our dedicated Jr. Beta students and sponsors - we are so proud of you! And, thank you to the support from our wonderful parents, partners, and Jr. Beta sponsors/volunteers for all of your work throughout the year to bring our kids so far.
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About HSSD Jr. Beta Club Earns 8 National Awards
HSSD Offers Summer Meals June 3 - July 26
The HSSD - in partnership with Chartwells - our food service provider at all six of our schools - is providing meals in four locations in the Hot Springs community and at our Gardner STEM Elementary School, June 3 - July 26. Kids 18 and under eat for free. Adults may also purchase meals at a low cost. Children must be present with adults to receive meals. Learn more about locations and offerings!
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About HSSD Offers Summer Meals June 3 - July 26
HSPSEF Opens HSSD Enrichment Grants
The Hot Springs Public Schools Education Foundation opens the first-ever HSSD Enrichment Grants. Grants are intended to to enhance the quality and/or opportunity of our teachers and staff members to provide impactful, memorable curriculum and experiences to HSSD students, and to enrich the offerings of the HSSD. Application period ends August 28.
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About HSPSEF Opens HSSD Enrichment Grants
HSSD Girls and Boys State Delegates
We are proud to honor the following delegates, who are representing the HSSD at Girls State (hosted at Harding University in Searcy, and Boys state hosted at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway): Girls State - Hayley Mitchell, Caroline Moore, Rachel Caldwell, Xenia Allegria Martinez, Georgia Grimaud, Madalyn Simmons, Isabel Ritter, Anniemarie Van Oversteeg, and Rachel Tyler; Boys State - Kaleb Hughley; Jacoby Weston; Dayton Clayton; Devin Hill; Sebastian Love; John Thomas Butler; David Carter; Eli Spainhour, Cristian Jovel, and Miles Hermann.
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About HSSD Girls and Boys State Delegates
Trojan Good Things, 5/24
For our last Trojan Good Things of the 2018-2019 school year, I want to reiterate what I told you this morning at our HSSD Staff Breakfast and Awards Ceremony - THANK YOU to our wonderful staff members for truly making HSSD a place for everyone.
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About Trojan Good Things, 5/24
HSSD Summer Pee Wee Camps
HSSD Pee Wee Camps began today! The HSSD will host summer Pee Wee Camps for students entering 1st-6th grade for the following athletic activities: Soccer (July 8-10), Cheer/Dance (May 28-30), Football (May 28-30), Volleyball (May 28-30), Baseball/Softball (May 21-23), and Basketball (July 22 - 24). A camp fee of $10 per camp will be charged per student
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About HSSD Summer Pee Wee Camps
Dr. Tremayne White Named as HSWCHS Principal
The Hot Springs School District Administration and School Board are pleased to announce that after a comprehensive application process, Dr. Tremayne White has been selected as the new Principal for Hot Springs World Class High School beginning July 1, 2019.
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About Dr. Tremayne White Named as HSWCHS Principal
Mrs. Gordon Selected as OVPA Principal
The Hot Springs School District Administration and School Board are pleased to announce that after a comprehensive application process, Mrs. Kristen Gordon has been selected as the new Principal for the HSSD Oaklawn Visual and Performing Arts Magnet School beginning July 1, 2019.
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About Mrs. Gordon Selected as OVPA Principal
Senior Awards Ceremony, 2019
Just before Graduation each year, we host a Senior Awards Ceremony at the Hot Springs World Class High School.
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About Senior Awards Ceremony, 2019
Trojan Good Things, 5/17
Graduation ceremonies are such a special part of our jobs as educators. Whether you were part of the graduation for our outstanding senior class last night, or are part of our precious kindergarten commencement ceremonies from each of our elementary schools, you are part of moving our kids on to another step in their growth and academic journey. The term "Graduate" comes from the Latin term "Gradus," which actually means a "step." This week's shoutout goes to all of our #HSSD Graduates - of all ages! Here's to you - Class of 2031 AND Class of 2019. This week's shout out goes to our staff members involved with any one of our graduation or awards ceremonies. Thank you for working so hard to help us honor and celebrate our kids in every way possible.
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About Trojan Good Things, 5/17
Congrats to Class of 2019!
Last night, we proudly hosted the 132nd annual Hot Springs World Class High School Graduation Ceremony at the Hot Springs Convention Center Bank OZK Arena. We couldn't be more proud of this outstanding, talented, world class group of students. We expect great things from you!
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About Congrats to Class of 2019!
Air Force Association Honors Mr. Stokes
HSWCHS EAST Facilitator John Stokes received the 2019 Teacher of the Year Award from the Air Force Association's Arkansas State Association, at the chapter level (AF270 Chapter, which includes Garland County) and the state level.
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About Air Force Association Honors Mr. Stokes
Dance Camp to be Hosted July 8-11
This summer, we look forward to hosting our HSSD Community Dance Camp July 8-11. Camp is open to any students, ages 4+. Mrs. Amy Bramlett Turner coordinates for instruction from local and abroad guest teachers to teach ballet, jazz, modern dance, and tap! All participants will receive the official dance camp shirt and perform in an informal performance on July 11. The cost is $45. All Dance Camp proceeds go towards the HSJA/HSWCHS Dance Program.
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About Dance Camp to be Hosted July 8-11
Goodman Earns Lead Professional Educator License
Congrats to our HSJA JAG Specialist Mrs. Goodman on earning her Lead Professional Educator license. The lead professional educator license is available to educators who aspire to leadership roles, while continuing classroom work. Three years of teaching and a show of classroom effectiveness are prerequisites to applying for professional educator licensure, along with demonstrating competency in leadership.
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About Goodman Earns Lead Professional Educator License
Three Students Selected for AR Governor's School
Xenia Alegria Martinez, Hayley Mitchell, and Gladwin Tony of HSWCHS are among a select group of rising high school seniors chosen as prestigious members of the 40th Arkansas Governor's School. The 2019 Arkansas Governor's School is scheduled for July 7-Aug. 3 on the Arkansas Tech University campus in Russellville.
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About Three Students Selected for AR Governor's School
HSJA Teacher of the Year: Karina Miller
Each year, the HSSD proudly honors a Teacher of the Year for each of our world class schools. Learn more about our HSJA Teacher of the Year Karina Miller. She has taught with the HSSD for 15 years.
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About HSJA Teacher of the Year: Karina Miller
Trojan Good Things, 5/10
This week has been Teacher Appreciation Week and School Nurse's Day was on Wednesday - celebrations that don't come close to the thanks and praise that our educators and nurses deserve for the huge impact that they make! All of you remember - even though you may not be told directly, or see it for yourself - the work that you do within HSSD changes the lives of our students forever. You make a difference. You make an impact. You are changing the world, one student at a time. Also - I want to give a special shoutout to our HSSD Teachers of the Year! We are all so proud of you!
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About Trojan Good Things, 5/10
Langston Teacher of the Year: Ami Parker
Each year, the HSSD proudly honors a Teacher of the Year for each of our world class schools. Learn more about our Langston Teacher of the Year Ami Parker. She has taught with the HSSD for six years.
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About Langston Teacher of the Year: Ami Parker
OVPA Teacher of the Year: Cheryll Long
Each year, the HSSD proudly honors a Teacher of the Year for each of our world class schools. Learn more about OVPA Teacher of the Year Cheryll Long She has taught with the HSSD for 20 years.
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About OVPA Teacher of the Year: Cheryll Long
Park Magnet Teacher of the Year: Amy Ratcliff
Each year, the HSSD proudly honors a Teacher of the Year for each of our world class schools. Learn more about Park Magnet, an IB World School, Teacher of the Year Amy Ratcliff. She has taught with the HSSD for 10 years.
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About Park Magnet Teacher of the Year: Amy Ratcliff
HSIS Teacher of the Year: Otilia Peret
Each year, the HSSD proudly honors a Teacher of the Year for each of our world class schools. Learn more about Hot Springs Intermediate School Teacher of the Year Otilia Peret. She has taught with the HSSD for six years.
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About HSIS Teacher of the Year: Otilia Peret
HSWCHS Teacher of the Year: Amy Turner
Each year, the HSSD proudly honors a Teacher of the Year for each of our world class schools. Learn more about HSWCHS Teacher of the Year Amy Bramlett Turner. She has taught with the HSSD for five years.
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About HSWCHS Teacher of the Year: Amy Turner
Gardner Teacher of the Year: Lorri Saracini
Each year, the HSSD proudly honors a Teacher of the Year for each of our world class schools. Learn more about Gardner STEM Magnet School Teacher of the Year Lorri Saracini. She has taught with the #HSSD for 37 years.
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About Gardner Teacher of the Year: Lorri Saracini
HSSD Dance Signing Ceremony
In our first-ever #HSSD Dance Signing Ceremony, we celebrated three students who have signed for acceptance to collegiate dance programs! Aneth Vazquez and Jamiyah Rutledge will attend the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. David Warren will attend the American Musical and Dramatic Academy at the Los Angeles, CA campus. Congrats again to more of our #HSSD seniors, who are graduating with world class opportunities because of their dedicated, outstanding hard work and talent!
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About HSSD Dance Signing Ceremony
OVPA Second Graders Engineer Robots
OVPA second graders took an in-depth look at various kinds of robots, and the many ways they are used, in a lesson from Ms. Bean and Ms. Timm. They concluded with group discussion and a memorable experience in planning, illustrating, and engineering their own robots!
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About OVPA Second Graders Engineer Robots
Trojan Good Things, 5/3
This week's shoutout goes to our amazing senior class! This week has been their last with us here at HSSD. An educator has a truly unique journey with each student. We all feel a sense of pride for each child that walks our hallways because in part, their progression through each of our classes and buildings is partly our success, too. A piece of our hearts graduates with each and every one of them. Congratulations to these amazing kids. THEY are why we are all here, and THEIR success is our success and our celebration. We look forward to celebrating them on May 16th as 194 graduate from HSWCHS as the HSSD Class of 2019!
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About Trojan Good Things, 5/3
Panama Street Road Closure Advisory
Please be advised - starting today, Panama Street from Emory to McLeod will be closed due to construction until May 10, btw 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. During this time, the best route to the Hot Springs World Class High School will be to enter from Higdon Ferry Road to Emory Street.
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About Panama Street Road Closure Advisory
Trojan Good Things, 4/26
This week's shoutout goes to our boys Trojan Soccer Team - who played a true nailbiter game last night against Benton. Congrats on your hard work and a GREAT, memorable season. You have set yourselves apart in your teamwork and your discipline.
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About Trojan Good Things, 4/26
OVPA Creates Recycling Videos
In honor of Global Youth Service Day earlier in April, students across the HSSD completed service projects in schools and the community. Our OVPA Jr. Beta Club dedicated their efforts to creating memorable, educational videos about the importance of recycling. Enjoy a five-part video series below, highlighting the importance of recycling items that students frequently collect at school, including plastic bottles, plastic shopping bags, paper, cardboard, and aluminum cans.
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About OVPA Creates Recycling Videos
HSSD Announces Driver's Education Class Dates
HSSD will host Driver's Education classes this summer on the following dates: June 10-14; June 17-21; July 8-12; and July 15-19. See details below about cost and deadlines. With questions, call our Hot Springs World Class High School at 501-624-5286.
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About HSSD Announces Driver's Education Class Dates
National Park College Signing Day Event
50 Hot Springs World Class High School seniors were honored today during a NPC Signing Day event for being accepted to attend, receiving scholarships to attend, and/or intent to attend National Park College in Hot Springs. This is the one of the largest groups to have ever received scholarships and/or committed to attend NPC before, thanks to the National Park Promise Scholarship through the National Park Technology Center.
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About National Park College Signing Day Event
HSSD Senior Beta Club Inducts 42 Members
The Hot Springs World Class High School Senior Beta Club proudly inducted 42 new members today, bringing the total club membership to 66 students. Beta Club students are committed to service projects, maintaining high grade point averages, and serving as student leaders in the district.
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About HSSD Senior Beta Club Inducts 42 Members
Park Hosts Fancy Friday Event at Special Touch
For the fourth year, Park Magnet first grade classes enjoyed a "Fancy Friday" event hosted by generous community partners at Special Touch Catering. Debbie Talley and her wonderful crew provided tasty snacks, festive decor, and a memorable lesson in manners at their special event facility across the street from Park. The event is held is in conjunction with the first grade unit on writing, food celebration, and manners.
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About Park Hosts Fancy Friday Event at Special Touch
Teacher Interns Highlighted for AR Signing Week
In honor of Arkansas Educator Commitment Signing Week, April 14-20, 2019, we highlight the outstanding work of our students in the Orientation to Teaching class at our Hot Springs World Class High School. The week is dedicated to promoting and celebrating those who have committed to the teaching profession across the state. High school students in Orientation to Teaching with Ms. Sarah Graham have spent the year working within curriculum and material equivalent to what they will see in the first two years of a bachelor's degree program in education.
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About Teacher Interns Highlighted for AR Signing Week
Trojan Good Things, 4/19
This week's shoutout goes to the innovative art programs and amazingly talented artistic students that we have across the HSSD - all showcased at a WONDERFUL Hearts on Fire for the Arts event last night at the Hot Springs Mall. Congratulations and thank you to the unbelievable student performances from all schools, and to the artists who had artwork featured from across classes and genres. I would like to specifically highlight an awesome story that I had the personal pleasure of hearing this week, from a Langston student at our Intermediate School, Brandon Cazalez. I also want to share anonymous shoutouts to our 7th-8th grade Trojan Baseball Team, and to Mrs. Deardorff and district arts staff for their dedicated effort.
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About Trojan Good Things, 4/19
3rd-10th Grade Students to Take Standardized Tests
Standardized testing begins next week across the #HSSD ... Find details for 3rd-10th grade, below. On these dates, please make sure that your students are well rested, and well fed. Please do not schedule appointments for students during these dates. We appreciate you!
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About 3rd-10th Grade Students to Take Standardized Tests
HSSD Coordinates Career Day for K-6
The HSSD coordinated more than 2,100 K-6th grade students through the Hot Springs Airport today for Career Day, an event dedicated to highlighting the careers and services available in the Hot Springs community. Public safety and service agencies provided unique stations for students to visit with representatives and tour equipment and gear.
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About HSSD Coordinates Career Day for K-6
JAG Students Serve Hot Springs Residents
For their contribution to Global Youth Service Day, our amazing JAG (Jobs for America's Graduates) students at the Junior Academy chose various locations in the Hot Springs community to serve including: Brookfield, West Shores, downtown Hot Springs, and The Caring Place.Groups developed their own goals, shopping lists, and agendas necessary to complete service projects at each unique spot. JAG Coordinator Mrs. Goodman points out that students not only put thoughtful time into planning projects, but that she receives excellent compliments from staff members at each location regarding their manners and kindness, and their thorough job of cleaning up after themselves. Our #HSSD students are welcome back to all facilities at anytime.
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About JAG Students Serve Hot Springs Residents
Trojan Good Things, 4/12
This week's shoutout goes to our excellent Assistant Principals in honor of National Assistant Principals Week, April 8-12. Thank you to Mrs. Campbell, Mrs. Gordon, Mr. Hines, Mr. Iverson, Mrs. Simms, Mr. Spainhour, and Mrs. Wilson for all that you do to lead, encourage, and support our students and staff. I also want to commend all of you that have participated in Global Youth Service Day by completing and highlighting service projects at school campuses, and in the Hot Springs community. Please also see anonymous shoutouts to Ms. Yates at Oaklawn and Mrs. Evans at Park/HSIS.
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About Trojan Good Things, 4/12
Math Class Creates Memorable Get Well Cards
As part of our district-wide participation in Global Youth Service Day, 9th-12th grade math students in Mrs. Gray's math class created colorful cards decorated in geometric shapes and patterns for patients at St. Vincent Hospital in Hot Springs. Each card included a handwritten message of encouragement from students. Look for all of our #GYSD19 stories right here at www.hssd.net.
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About Math Class Creates Memorable Get Well Cards
OVPA Spring Recital
Just over 350 students participated last week across four performances at the annual Oaklawn Visual & Performing Arts Magnet School Spring Dance Recital. Under the leadership of OVPA Dance Coordinar Ms. Katie Yates, kindergarten - fourth dance students chose a genre and worked alongside classmates from February-April to practice and prepare for the memorable performance. Students at OVPA have the option to take dance classes as electives throughout their tenure, and can also be part of the OVPA Dance Company. Performances included a morning and evening show on Tuesday and Thursday, last week.
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About OVPA Spring Recital
Trojan Good Things, 4/5
This week's shoutout is to all of you working so hard to prepare our students for upcoming tests. I want to encourage each of you during what I know is a hard push in the coming weeks not only because of testing, but also as we motivate ourselves to be great, inspiring leaders for our kids during the final nine weeks. Those tests are important - yes, but what is most important is the relationships that you have built with our students and the memorable impact that your professional expertise as an educator has made on the kids in this district. Keep working hard, and hang in there! I also want to share an anonymous shoutout to our Jr. High Lady Trojans Track Team
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About Trojan Good Things, 4/5
HSJA Students Earn MOS Certifications
Fifteen 8th grade students at our HSJA have earned Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Certifications in Microsoft Word while in Ms. Robin Todd's Computerized Business Applications (CBA) class. The MOS Certification is offered through a testing website named Certiport. This official testing process confirms to employers that an individual is highly proficient at working within a specific Office program such as Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint. While MOS Certifications are available to HSWCHS CBA students, this is the first time that 8th grade students have the same opportunity.
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About HSJA Students Earn MOS Certifications
HSSD Students Receive Arkansas Seal of Biliteracy
The HSSD is proud to announce that 20 students have received an Arkansas Seal of Biliteracy, which is a national certification that encourages students to pursue biliteracy, honors the skills our students attain, and can be evidence of skills that are attractive to future employers and college admissions offices. The Seal of Biliteracy becomes a permanent honor and skill placed on each student's transcript.
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About HSSD Students Receive Arkansas Seal of Biliteracy
Trojan Good Things, 3/29
This week's shoutout goes to our excellent community partners in the Hot Springs area, and all of you HSSD staff members who are so wonderful about reaching out to them to create opportunities for our students. Teens from across Garland County, including 11th-12th graders from our HSWCHS, attended "Operation Prom Night" Wednesday at Center Glades Park. Over 50 volunteers created a dramatization of a fatal car crash involving alcohol, in hopes of educating teens about the dangers and risks of drunk driving. For our 7th-8th graders - Mrs. Miller and HSJA staff members, in collaboration with the Diamond Lakes Federal Credit Union, hosted a great Reality Fair event at the HSJA this week. Volunteers, students, and staff were part of this interactive event that teaches our kids about realistic financial goals and planning for the future. I also share an anonymous shout out to Mr. Echols, Mr. Seymour, staff members working the gate entry point, and all other athletic and HSSD staff members present at the 7th-8th grade track meet on Tuesday afternoon. Thank you to all involved with making our track and field events world class!
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About Trojan Good Things, 3/29
Bio Poems for U.S. Presidents at Gardner
How do you summarize the biographies of our 45 United States Presidents? Gardner STEM third grade students in Ms. Sierocuk's class wrote bio poems, created illustrations to accompany each poem, and presented their work to the class. As part of the Presidents Unit, the project included writing, art, and speaking skills, and challenged them to learn collaboratively about U.S. leaders.
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About Bio Poems for U.S. Presidents at Gardner
Reality Fair Sets Financial Expectations
At the HSJA Reality Fair this week, HSSD 7th-8th grade students worked with volunteers organized by the Diamond Lakes Federal Credit Union to simulate the planning and management of personal finances based on a set income. Volunteers from students and staff at the HSJA and across the HSSD, as well as the Hot Springs community, served as an array of salesmen, experts, and financial advisors. Diamond Lakes Federal Credit Union hosts events like these across Garland County to help set realistic financial goals and expectations for individuals of all ages.
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About Reality Fair Sets Financial Expectations
Kindergarten Registration Opens April 1
Kindergarten registration opens April 1 for all four outstanding HSSD elementary schools. Come join our Trojan Family! Find info about open house or community events scheduled at each magnet school, and all required registration items, at: www.hssd.net/parents/registration
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About Kindergarten Registration Opens April 1
Elementary Dance Workshop, April 5
On April 5, the National Honors Society for Dance Arts Chapter at HSWCHS will host an Elementary Workshop for students ages 3-12 (grades Pre-K-6). The workshop will be held at the HSWCHS Studio from 3:30-5:30 on Friday, April 5. Participants will learn a technical warm up and then a dance to be performed at the HSIS/HSJA/HSWCHS Spring Dance Concert on April 11 at 6 p.m. Participants will rehearse on stage at HSJA on Tuesday, April 9 from 3:30-4:30. They will receive an official concert t-shirt and have the opportunity to dance with our talented dancers in the HSSD Dance Program.
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About Elementary Dance Workshop, April 5
Park/Intermediate Talent Show
On March 14, our HSSD Park Magnet/Intermediate School hosted a talent show to showcase the outstanding and varied talent of our K-6 students. Thank you and congrats to the following 17 amazing student performers: Siona Andrews, Jeeya Sharma, Trinity Moss, Hampton Crain, River Fox, Kauri Soumanou, Gary Galdwin, Jay Nehus, Miley Mezo, Dallas Yelvington, Jeremy McCoy, Abigail Hendrick, Emma Jones, Kiara Davis, Megan Burris, Jantaira Davies, and Laylah Shaw.
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About Park/Intermediate Talent Show
Shepperd Selected for AR Declaration of Learning
Langston Media Specialist Mrs. Julienne Shepperd has been selected to serve in the prestigious Arkansas Declaration of Learning program by the Arkansas Department of Education. Arkansas Declaration of Learning is a first-in-the-nation public-private partnership in which teachers and librarians create units and lesson plans featuring historical objects and art from state and national museum partners. Because of her participation, the HSSD will benefit from the development of new curriculum and enjoy access to traveling exhibits.
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About Shepperd Selected for AR Declaration of Learning
HSJA Staff Step Challenge
HSJA staff members have set an extraordinary example for students during a four-week Step Challenge! 29 participants competed in teams divided by departments. The winning team - Team Electives - logged 1,340,787 steps over the course of the challenge. Pedometers were graciously donated by the Arkansas Heart Hospital.
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About HSJA Staff Step Challenge
HSWCHS's Got Talent
In an awesome display of diverse student talent, HSWCH's Got Talent competition included 13 entries of individuals and duos with performances including singing, dancing, magic, and more. Thank you to the HSWCHS Beta Club for organizing; the many talented students brave enough to participate; an engaging student audience; and all #HSSD staff members, volunteers, and judges for assistance!
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About HSWCHS's Got Talent
Trojan Good Things, 3/15
This week's shoutout goes to the amazingly talented students at our HSSD, and the brave way that our student groups put themselves out there in public forums, competitions, and performances. We've had a series of memorable events this week that have taken weeks (and in some cases- years) of preparation, discipline, creativity, integrity, community collaboration, and I'll say it again - amazing talent. I also want to share an anonymous shoutout to Mrs. Hatcher at our HSJA. Trojan 'Good Things' is a weekly shout out from #HSSD Superintendent Dr. Stephanie Nehus to individuals in our school community who are doing amazing things!
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About Trojan Good Things, 3/15
HSSD Programs Present at EAST Conference
At the HSSD, we have four outstanding EAST Programs. All groups presented and competed this week at the 2019 EAST Conference at the Hot Springs Convention Center. Their amazing work has made the HSSD extremely proud. During the Conference Gala last night, our HSWCHS team Program was awarded the prestigious Project Sophistication and Innovation Award, and an individual award via Miles Hermann in the ARCHICAD Competition.
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About HSSD Programs Present at EAST Conference
Trojan Good Things, 3/8
This week's shoutout goes to our Park Magnet School staff members who have been super positive and helpful all week during massive staff absences due to widespread flu and illness. They also still managed to have incredible growth in MAP reading scores in all K-2 classrooms. I am SO proud of this staff and our students. I also want to share an anonymous shout to Ms. Holder and Mrs. Cox as follows "Langston's Ms. Holder and Mrs. Cox rendition of Dr. Seuss Wocket in My Pocket!!!!"
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About Trojan Good Things, 3/8
"Poetry in Motion" Explores Poetry and Dance
Dancers in the HSWCHS Dance Program are giving poetry life through choreographed dance, as part of a "Poetry in Motion" assignment. The Student Choreography Showcase I: Poetry in Motion presentation will highlight many of the final dance projects created on March 14 at 1:30 and 6:00 p.m. at the HSWCHS Mackey Auditorium. The HSWCHS Dance Program is among only three programs in Arkansas that are Institution Members of National Dance Education Organization and one of three secondary programs with a chapter of National Honor Society for Dance Arts.
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About "Poetry in Motion" Explores Poetry and Dance
Bank OZK Donates Books to Langston Kindergarten
Bank OZK of Hot Springs graciously donated Dr. Seuss books to kindergarten students at our Langston Elementary Leadership Academy as part of continued efforts to support the Hot Springs community. In all, 88 books and snacks were delivered by bank representatives. Principal Ellars oversaw the delivery and presentation to all Kindergarten students across classrooms.
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About Bank OZK Donates Books to Langston Kindergarten
National Honor Society Induction Ceremony
The Hot Springs Chapter of the National Honor Society proudly inducted 30 students today during a formal NHS Ceremony at the HSWCHS.
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About National Honor Society Induction Ceremony
Gardner First Graders Use Snacks as Manipulatives
Gardner first grade students in Mrs. Stacie Love's class used snacks as manipulatives, to help practice math skills using quantities of 10s, up to 100 items. "Using snacks instead of traditional manipulatives like blocks really engaged the kids because it was such a different experience from what they are used to …"
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About Gardner First Graders Use Snacks as Manipulatives
Trojan Good Things, 3/1
This week's shoutout goes to our 7th-12th grade students and support staff/sponsors in our HSSD Secondary Theatre Program for their excellent production of "Footloose!" Your theatrical talent, months of hard work in rehearsals and preparation, and wonderful collaboration as a student team was evident during every part of the "Footloose!" performance. I also want to share an anonymous shout to Mrs. Sadler at our HSJA.
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About Trojan Good Things, 3/1
Sentence Scramble Builds Reading Skills
Langston kindergarten students with Mrs. Bledsoe use the sentence scramble to build reading skills, and to practice problem solving and teamwork.
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About Sentence Scramble Builds Reading Skills
JAG Program Receives Walmart Community Grant
The HSJA JAG (Jobs for Arkansas Graduates) Program has received a $500 Walmart Community Grant to help support 7th-8th grade JAG students in community service endeavors and student initiatives within the district. Thank you to Walmart Store 261, which is the Walmart Supercenter on Central Avenue in Hot Springs. JAG students are working during the spring semester to plan a ceremony for students who have completed the program, and to complete service learning projects in the Hot Springs area at nursing homes, homeless shelters, blood donation centers, and other non-profit organizations. JAG students are also beginning a campaign of reading to elementary classes throughout the HSSD.
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About JAG Program Receives Walmart Community Grant
Emblem Club Donates Books to Oaklawn Students
The Hot Springs Emblem Club generously donated books to each first grade student at our #HSSD Oaklawn Visual and Performing Arts Magnet School. Club members hand-delivered more than 140 books to each classroom as part of a literacy initiative to promote reading and reading skills across Garland County. Retired OVPA teacher Mrs. Gail McKee abd Emblem Club President Bev Goodridge were among Emblem Club volunteers who made the deliveries.
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About Emblem Club Donates Books to Oaklawn Students
Read Across America Week: Feb 25-March 1
HSSD elementary schools are enjoying Read Across America Week! Join in on the fun - Find a full schedule of books and attire for each day of the week, here. The National Education Association's Read Across America initiative is an annual reading motivation and awareness program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading. It is celebrated on March 2nd, which is also the birthday of the famous children's book author Dr. Suess. Our wonderful school media specialists at each HSSD school organize the week-long celebration ahead of March 2nd to celebrate reading and the many ways we promote and support literacy for our students at the HSSD.
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About Read Across America Week: Feb 25-March 1
QR Codes Help Students Tell Immigration Stories
Third graders in Ms. Sanchez's class at Oaklawn have created personal immigration stories inspired by the experiences of thousands of immigrants who have come through Ellis Island. With help from the historical fiction text, The Orphan of Ellis Island, students learned about the process followed by individuals seeking citizenship through Ellis Island, and the many challenges and hardships that families faced to make the journey. They wrote stories, created personal recordings of each tale, and created a photo to represent each character - all showcased in the "American Immigration Wall of Honor," display just outside her classroom. Stories from each student are available for anyone to listen to, via specially created QR codes.
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About QR Codes Help Students Tell Immigration Stories
Trojan Good Things, 2/22
This week's shoutout goes to our Trojans Basketball Teams. You - just like all of our athletes at the HSSD - represent us with such sportsmanship, maturity, and professionalism. Our Special Olympics Basketball Teams at the HSJA and HSWCHS have wrapped up an excellent season of hard work. Our HSJA team won a Bronze medal as team and several individual placement ribbons. Our HSWCHS Team won a third place finish. I also want to wish luck to our Boys and Girls Trojans Basketball teams, who will be playing next week at Lake Hamilton in the State Championship Basketball Tournament. You have worked so hard to get where you are, and we are all very proud of you! Thank you to the many hours that our athletes, coaches, and families put in to make our athletic programs world class. I also want to thank and congratulate the many staff members and students who have organized, volunteered, performed, or contributed in any way to our HSSD Black History Month celebrations and concerts.
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About Trojan Good Things, 2/22
HSSD Represented during Legislative Changes
Mr. Dudley Webb, 6th grade teacher at our HSSD Intermediate School, attended an official bill-signing ceremony at the State Capitol in honor of a new law (HB1145) signed by Governor Hutchinson to raise the base pay for Arkansas teacher salaries. Mr. Webb was invited alongside other members of the Teacher Leader Advisory Group (TLAG) organized by the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) because of the role the group played in helping to write the Teacher Pay Increase Plan. Educators from across Arkansas on TLAG joined ADE leadership and state officials including Representative Bruce Cozart of Garland County, who helped to sponsor the legislation as Chairman of the House Education Committee, at the ceremony.
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About HSSD Represented during Legislative Changes
HSIS EAST Class Focuses on Leadership Skills
HSSD is proudly one of the few districts in Arkansas to offer EAST classes to elementary students, exposing them to cutting edge technology, self-directed learning, and leadership skills at a young age. Two projects for 5th-6th grade students in the Intermediate School EAST class with Mrs. Rakejah Wells-Williams are particularly memorable efforts to collaborate with community partners and solve real world problems. One group has created a child safety watch that alerts children and parents when a child is too far away from supervision; another is building a virtual reality game that creates interest in environmental responsibility by creating challenges out of trash pick-up.
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About HSIS EAST Class Focuses on Leadership Skills
Trojan Good Things, 2/15
In honor of #LoveTeaching Week, this week's shoutout goes to all of you for the passionate, dedicated way that you #LoveTeaching our students; the collaborative strategies that allow you to #LoveTeaching among professional, excellent learning communities; and the many ways that I see all of you grow and change each year in your profession, hopefully inspiring our students to love learning because you #LoveTeaching. I want to congratulate our Gardner STEM Teachers, who have been working very hard in RtI Meetings on making data-driven decisions for curriculum and classroom planning. I am very excited to see how the decisions you've made as a team positively impact growth and learning for our students. I also want to congratulate our 2019 Sweethearts, honored last week at the Hot Springs Heart Ball: Mallory Bratton, Ella Pace, and Camila Holden. 2018 HSSD Sweetheart Cassidy Miller was also part of festivities. Thank you to our Sweethearts for being yet another way that HSSD is represented so well in the Hot Springs community.
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About Trojan Good Things, 2/15
HSSD ESOL Program Offerings & Resources
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Programs are available at all public schools in Arkansas, and HSSD is committed to maintaining ESOL resources and assistance of the highest caliber to students and families. Student diversity is one of the most important pieces of the identity and culture at HSSD. We are proudly providing an educational foundation to the most diverse student population in Garland County, where 11 languages are spoken among HSSD families. Learn more about the professional facilitators, specialized resources and tools, outreach events, and opportunities available to our HSSD families who are experiencing a language transition.
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About HSSD ESOL Program Offerings & Resources
HSSD To Host Black History Month Concert Feb 21
Join us next Thursday, Feb. 21 for a special student tribute to Black History Month in: Honoring the Past, Building a Better Future. Student groups from all #HSSD schools and organizations will perform in the Hot Springs World Class High School Mackey Theatre at 1:00 and 6:00.
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About HSSD To Host Black History Month Concert Feb 21
Gardner Third Graders Get to Know Roz the Hamster
Third graders in Mrs. Jackson's class are excited to welcome Roz - a furry, white hamster - to their room. Students will be busy in the coming weeks learning how to care for Roz in terms of cage maintenance and food/water needs, while also observing her eating and sleeping habits. Students will also read about the habitat and behaviors of hamsters in books Mrs. Jackson has selected from the library. Plans are also underway to soon acquire a rolling cage ball for Roz, so that she can safely engage with students, while rolling herself around the room as they work.
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About Gardner Third Graders Get to Know Roz the Hamster
Don't Miss "Footloose" at HSJA, March 1-2
Hot Springs Secondary Theatre Program Presents "Footloose!" on March 1 at 1:00 and 6:00, and March 2 at 1:00, at the HSJA. Please join us for a fantastic show by our talented theatre students and crew.
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About Don't Miss "Footloose" at HSJA, March 1-2
Chinese New Year Brought to Life by Panda Express
The local Panda Express restaurant worked with the HSSD Gifted and Talented Program to bring the Chinese New Year to life for 3rd-4th grade GT students. Alissa Mayavski, Manager at Panda Express - Hot Springs, provided a guest presentation. She described traditions commonly enjoyed during festivities, including fireworks, family reunions, lion and dragon dances, special crafts, the giving of red envelopes for good luck and items used for festive decorating. Students made crafts and enjoyed a traditional Chinese meal. Thank you to Panda Express-Hot Springs for such a great, informative program!
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About Chinese New Year Brought to Life by Panda Express
Trojan Good Things, 2/8
This week's shout out goes to our wonderful HSSD Counselors, who work at each of our schools to ensure the academic goals, social/personal development, and even career development opportunities are identified and met by students. We deeply appreciate all that you do: Denise Ludlow, Angela Millard, Cheryl Stafford, Jerry Scroggins, Renee Tester, Leslie Whalen, Katelyn Walker, Amy Snider, Brittany George, and Dawn Anderson. You all truly help to make HSSD "A Place for Everyone." I also want to share a shout out from a guest from the EAST Initiative Phase Training Team, who recently visited our HSJA EAST Classroom and had glowing remarks.
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About Trojan Good Things, 2/8
Four HSSD Athletes Sign Letters of Intent
Four HSSD high school seniors were honored today at a Signing Event in our Mackey Theater, as they signed letters of intent with three Arkansas universities. Congrats to our following students who have achieved athletic and academic excellence in order to receive such promising offers: - Ramello Cason, to attend Ouachita Baptist University (Arkadelphia). - Eddie Miles, to attend Henderson State University (Arkadelphia). - Damain Walker and Deshun Doss, to attend Arkansas Baptist College (Little Rock).
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About Four HSSD Athletes Sign Letters of Intent
HSJA Robotics Club Preps for Growth
The Junior Academy Robotics Club celebrates the first year as a team, and is busy learning new skills and setting goals for competitions in 2019-2020. HSJA Math Teacher Mr. Willard is the club sponsor, which includes eight students who have all been involved with previous Robotics Clubs in elementary school. Like the HSWCHS Robotics Club, they chose this year to compete in FIRST Tech Robotics, where students in 7th-12th grade are challenged to design, build, program, and operate robots.
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About HSJA Robotics Club Preps for Growth
Langston Food Drive Provides for Jackson House
Langston families have graciously donated some 650 canned food items to donate to the Hot Springs Jackson House, during a January food drive. As part of the effort, Langston students also decorated Valentine's Day lunch bags, which will be used by Jackson House staff members to sack food items on Valentine's Day and spread a little "love" to those receiving lunches.
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About Langston Food Drive Provides for Jackson House
World Read Aloud Day
For the third year, Park Magnet School students participate in World Real Aloud Day through the Park Library. On World Read Aloud Day, people around the globe read aloud and share stories to advocate for literacy. Park Library Media Specialist Mrs. Evans arranged for Skype connections with five different locations for K-5 students to read with, including a public library in Guernsey, England; Hoover Elementary School in Mason City, Iowa; Madison Elementary School in Madison, Alabama; Episcopal School of Baton Rouge in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and Lettie Marshall Dent Elementary in Mechanicsville, Maryland.
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About World Read Aloud Day
Trojan Good Things, 2/1
This week's shout out goes to all staff members who have worked to make Summit Learning a successful learning platform for our students. Especially at the Junior Academy, I know you've all worked extremely hard with our students and our parents to help everyone become familiar with using Summit in the classroom and to monitor student progress, and hopefully - most importantly - engage in a way that enhances student learning. See a parent shout out for success with that program, for her daughter and teacher team. Also, see an anonymous staff shout out to Ms.Tawana Foxworth at our Gardner STEM Magnet School. Trojan 'Good Things' is a weekly shout out from #HSSD Superintendent Dr. Stephanie Nehus to those individuals in our school community who are doing amazing things!
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About Trojan Good Things, 2/1
Beta Clubs Qualify for National Competition
Arkansas Jr. and Sr. Beta clubs gathered for State Convention January 24 - 26, 2019. A group of 94 HSSD students in 4th - 8th grades competed as Jr. Beta Club members from OVPA, Park Magnet, Intermediate School, and Junior Academy at Arkansas Junior Beta Club Convention January 24-25. A group of 25 HSSD students in 9th-12th grades competed as Sr. Beta Club members from HSWCHS at Senior Beta Club Convention January 25-26. Both events were hosted at the Hot Springs Convention Center. In all, 50 HSSD students qualified (42 from Jr. Beta Club and 8 from Sr. Beta Club) to compete at National Beta Convention in June, to be hosted in Oklahoma City. Huge thanks to Cheryl Long, Madeline Bull, and Melissa Bratton for the countless hours they spent helping our teams prepare. Congrats to HSSD Beta Clubs!
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About Beta Clubs Qualify for National Competition
HSJA Receives EAST Grants
The Hot Springs Junior Academy EAST Program has received two grants to help support student-led projects in the program including an active chicken coop and egg production operation along with the ability to create quality documentaries. A $350 grant through the Arkansas Game and Fish Wildlife Conservation Education Grant Program will go toward maintaining their chicken coop, which is built at the front of the campus near the community garden area. A $500 Arkansas Online Media Initiative (O.M.I.) Online Media Production Tools Grant is a reimbursement grant provided through a partnership between the Arkansas Department of Education and Ozarks Unlimited Resource Educational Service Cooperative to reimburse the HSJA EAST program for the of purchase of a new portable recorder for live recording and studio-quality sound.
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About HSJA Receives EAST Grants
EMMI Technology Creates 3D Tumor Models
HSWCHS EAST students work to identify and solve real world problems and needs through highly advanced technology. Senior Madeline (Maddie) Scott and sophomore Ella Pace created a method for generating 3D models of cancer tumors to solve a doctor-patient educational gap. Their project was inspired by a brain-related tumor diagnosis for a friend, where they learned about the personal confusion and oftentimes shock that goes along with patients who receive serious medical news for the first time. Using a 3D printer, and knowledge gained from many dedicated hours of surgical observation and interviews with cancer patients, the ladies created a way to produce 3D models of cancer tumors so that doctors can provide tangible tumor models to patients. The project hit very close to home for the group when their own EAST Facilitator Mr. John Stokes received a cancer diagnosis, and used the technology during his own diagnosis and treatment.
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About EMMI Technology Creates 3D Tumor Models
Trojan Good Things, Jan 25
This week's shout out goes to our outstanding 115 Beta Club students and staff/parent sponsors competing this week at Jr. and Sr. Beta Club Convention, and our dedicated Langston staff members who have been part of building the framework for the new Langston Elementary Leadership Academy. Also, we had a staff shoutout to Ms. Ballard of Park Magnet for all she does to take care of our students.
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About Trojan Good Things, Jan 25
Park Named National Magnet School of Distinction
Park Magnet, an IB World School, has been named a National Magnet School of Distinction by Magnet Schools of America, the national association for magnet and theme-based schools. To receive a national merit award, schools are judged and scored on their demonstrated ability to raise student academic achievement, promote racial and socioeconomic diversity, provide integrated curricula and instruction, and create strong family and community partnerships that enhance the school's magnet theme. "Our dedicated staff work so hard to go above and beyond in providing the opportunity for academic excellence, and in helping to develop well-rounded, globally minded students. We deeply appreciate this recognition," says Park Principal Dr. Sarah Oatsvall.
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About Park Named National Magnet School of Distinction
Langston to Become Leadership Academy
In August of 2019, the new Langston Elementary Leadership Academy will open doors for pre-K - 6th grade students on Silver Street. A new, state-of-the-art campus is nearing completion, and a change of name and school theme will complete the full identify shift for this historic Hot Springs school. The current building on Chestnut Street is the Langston Aerospace and Environmental Magnet School, and has 356 students enrolled in pre-K-4th grade classes. HSSD and Langston leadership hopes the new campus and brand will connect closely with the history and residents of east Hot Springs, and provide a renewed spirit of growth, commitment to public service, and inspiration for learning for students and staff. "Langston staff has worked hard to create a new theme that we believe reflects the needs and interests of families in this community," says Langston Principal Eileen Ellars.
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About Langston to Become Leadership Academy
HSPSEF Begins Supporting HSSD & Community
The Hot Springs Public Schools Education Foundation (HSPSEF) has worked for two years to build a structure, membership base, and funds to assist and serve students and staff at the Hot Springs School District (HSSD), HSSD alumni and partners, and the greater Hot Springs community. The foundation has funded a student-led EAST project, initiated a partnership between the HSSD and the local Project Hope Food Bank, and is co-sponsoring an upcoming HSSD Staff Alumni Reception. HSSD alumni who wish to be part of engaging with or donating to the foundation should send an email to email@example.com.
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About HSPSEF Begins Supporting HSSD & Community
Trojan Good Things, Jan 18
This week's shout out goes to our Hot Springs School District as a business and community dedicated to our students. As most of you know, the HSSD was nominated for Large Business of the Year. Our leadership staff and other nominees for Woman of the Year (Mrs. Hughley) and Rising Star (Mr. Webb) attended the Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet last night on behalf of these nominations. In my heart and mind, we are the winner every year of the most distinguished group that does nothing but give back to this community every single day, and I'm so proud of every one of you. I also want to shout out to our HSSD leadership team. On Monday, principals and administrative staff participated in small groups to develop specific, short vision statements about priorities for the educational experience that we offer students. The work we ask of you in focusing on the planning and implementation of Professional Learning Communities also takes places within your district leadership team.
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About Trojan Good Things, Jan 18
Robotics Club Wins Trophy for Collaboration
Launched last year, the HSWCHS FIRST Tech Robotics Club will advance to the State Competition after earning a "Connect" trophy from a recent competition. A "Connect" Trophy was earned by our team of eight because of their outstanding efforts to "connect" with other students. At HSSD Robotics Clubs at our HSJA and Gardner STEM Magnet School, and even at surrounding schools outside the district, club members have collaborated with younger students to engineer their own robots and practice engineering skills. Success and popularity of the program has lead to the development of an academic robotics class at the HSWCHS, to begin in the 2019-2020 school year. Also exciting, thanks to newly established robotics club at the HSWCHS and the HSJA, students at the HSSD can participate in robotics through established clubs in K-12th grade.
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About Robotics Club Wins Trophy for Collaboration
OVPA Integration Station Keeps Students Moving
A new Integration Station at our HSSD OVPA provides a much needed brain break for students, via a colorful path prompting a series of physical, fine, and gross motor activities. Activities - including a bear and crab crawl, hop scotch, twirling, an ABC hop, climbing a ladder, walking backwards, and more - create intentional sensory stimulation for participants of all ages. Completing any portion of the station helps students to recharge and refocus between classes, between lessons, in preparing for tests, or during student pull-out sessions. By making them use both the left and right side of their brains, and remain active in a series of unique movements, it helps our students to stay calm, and more effectively focus for classroom time.
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About OVPA Integration Station Keeps Students Moving
Ratcliff Presented with McLarty Scholarship
HSWCHS Senior Jackson Ratcliff was surprised today with a presentation by McLarty Automotive Group of a $2,500 McLarty Drives Education Scholarship. Jackson was nominated for his excellent leadership skills, academic rigor, commitment to citizenship and responsibility, honorary participation in Arkansas Governor's School and Boy's State, and his community involvement through organizations including NJROTC, Boy Scouts, local food pantries, and more. "We look for the well rounded student … Jackson excels at everything and is everything you want in a model student and a young person. I could go on forever about the way that he contributes to this school and his community," said Chris Phares of McLarty Automotive Group of Benton today, as the check was delivered. Congrats to Jackson and family!
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About Ratcliff Presented with McLarty Scholarship
Gardner EAST Program Partners with Community
The EAST (Education Advanced by Service and Technology) at Gardner STEM Program is a unique group of young entrepreneurs working in the Gardner STEM Magnet School community and the Hot Springs area to complete technology-based service projects. EAST classrooms are different from others, especially at the elementary level, because EAST curriculum is based on developing skills that are directly applicable to the real world through self-directed projects. Few schools in Arkansas host EAST programs for elementary students. The HSSD is proud to have Gardner focusing on EAST for such a young age, and EAST Facilitator Paul Miller helps to ensure that these young minds remain challenged, and are not underestimated. The group is excited to be part of the 2nd Annual Early Childhood STEAM Conference on January 26th, where they hope to partner with local Pre-K programs to build educational resources and outreach tools, and serve as mentors to younger students with an interest in technology.
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About Gardner EAST Program Partners with Community
HSSD Geography Bee Competitions
Geography Bees, hosted for HSSD 4th-8th grade students this week at the Park Magnet/Intermediate School and Hot Springs Junior Academy campuses, are the first round in the annual National Geographic GeoBee. This national geography competition is designed to inspire and reward students' curiosity about the world. Questions cover not only geography, but also cultures, physical features, history and earth science. Winners from each HSSD Geography Bee (Milo Moore, Andrew Steven-Assheuer, and AJ Orellana) will take an online qualifying test. The top 100 scorers in the state of Arkansas will advance to the Arkansas GeoBee. The winner of the Arkansas Geo Bee will receive an all-expense-paid trip to the National Geographic Bee, which will be held in Washington D.C. next May.
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About HSSD Geography Bee Competitions
Trojan Good Things, 1/11
This week's shout out goes to our #HSSD maintenance staff. While we all enjoyed two weeks of a winter break to recuperate, our maintenance personnel were busy taking care of our facilities and trying to accomplish as much as possible while we were out of their way! To all of our custodians, technicians, mechanics, and all maintenance support staff and leadership in between - THANK YOU for all you do to keep our campus and classrooms running smoothly. Also see an anonymous shout out here for the great work by Ms. Christie Spriggs at our #HSSD Gardner STEM Magnet School.
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About Trojan Good Things, 1/11
Arkansas Teen Book Award Committee
HSWCHS Librarian Mrs. Shipman has been selected to serve on the Arkansas Teen Book Award Steering Committee by the Arkansas State Library. An honor for Mrs. Shipman and the HSSD, this four-year position allows her to contribute input and call attention to leading books for 7th-12th grade students across the state. She will also gain valuable insight about books, authors, opportunities, and more for the HSWCHS Library offerings and book collection. Begun in 2009, the Arkansas Teen Book Award is a cooperative effort between public and school libraries across the state that encourages reading by all students and targets young adult grade readers.
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About Arkansas Teen Book Award Committee
6th Grade Dissection Project
6th grade students at HSSD Intermediate School had a once-in-a-lifetime experience just before winter break as they wrapped up a unit on cells and systems by dissecting sheep hearts and brains in Ms. Casey Wylie's science class. Students had to apply to be part of the exercise, and were selected based (mostly) on a record of good behavior, and interest. Students who dissected the brains were looking at nerves and nerve chords. Those dissecting hearts learned about the circulatory system, including the atrium and ventricles. This experience was their first at HSSD with using scissors and exploring actual animal tissue.
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About 6th Grade Dissection Project
HSSD Represented in Global Learning Fellowship
Laura West, GT Coordinator for the Hot Springs School District, was chosen as the Arkansas representative to the National Education Association Foundation's Global Learning Fellowship for 2018. Alongside 46 other K-12 public school educators from across the U.S., the year-long fellowship included an in-person workshop in Washington D.C., online coursework each month, webinars with leading experts, and an international field study to South Africa in July where the NEA Fellows visited five schools. Fellows wrote global minded lesson plans in culmination of all experiences and study that were combined in the book "Twelve Lessons to Open Classrooms and Minds to the World" and were invited to Harvard University for the book launch in November of 2018.
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About HSSD Represented in Global Learning Fellowship
HSSD Indoor Practice Facility
Due to questions from our partners and community, please be advised - On behalf of the HSSD Dr. Nehus will go before the Hot Springs Planning Commission on Thursday to seek approval for the construction of a new Indoor Practice Facility to be located next to the visitor's parking lot behind our football stadium. The Indoor Practice Facility is being funded by district dollars from our HSSD Building Fund, not millage dollars. Funds are available in the HSSD Building Fund for projects like the Indoor Practice Facility due to good management practices and fiscal responsibility by the HSSD.
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About HSSD Indoor Practice Facility
Second Semester Greeting from from Dr. Nehus
HSSD Superintendent Dr. Stephanie Nehus celebrates the many accomplishments of the first semester, encourages and charges staff to remain committed to world class standards and foundational strategies that keep the focus on our excellent students, and challenges students to continue bringing full focus. You are all vital to making HSSD a thriving, hopeful, and distinctly different school district. Bring it on 2019!
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About Second Semester Greeting from from Dr. Nehus
Park Showcase of Learning Event
Twice each year, our #HSSD Park Magnet IB World School opens classrooms across grades for the Showcase of Learning event. Students display their work along walls, present special projects to parents and guests, and reflect on what they have learned during the semester. Parents and guests are encouraged to engage with students and ask questions about their learning. First grade students paired the event with an opportunity to raise funds for the Garland County Habitat for Humanity.
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About Park Showcase of Learning Event
OVPA Show Choir Celebrates 19 Years of Talent
The 2018 Oaklawn Show Choir includes an OVPA ensemble of 60 talented 4th-5th grade students. For their 19th annual Christmas Show Choir Concert on Friday 12/21, performances featured jazzy, unique Christmas songs including "Jazzy Suzy Snowflake," "Singing Starlet Miss Snow Monroe," "Rudy Rudolph with a Country/Pop Flair," "ELFIS," and "Talented Tina Tinsel." The OVPA Show Choir originated in 1999, and since that time has continued under Oaklawn Music Director Mrs. Kina Clayton. Since that time, Show Choir has performed for three Arkansas Governors and countless others at local, regional, and state venues.
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About OVPA Show Choir Celebrates 19 Years of Talent
HSIS Trip Around the World Christmas Tour
Fifth grade students at HSIS celebrated the end of an in-depth study into Christmas traditions from around the world with a "Trip Around the World" today. Students rotated classrooms to explore the traditions that each group studied in respective countries. By the end of the day, students will have learned about and experienced holiday traditions from Italy, Sweden, Germany, China, Australia, Mexico, Japan, and more. As part of the project, students were also responsible for individually selecting and studying a country, and producing an expository (research) paper, a visual resource to display material, and provide an oral presentation of findings.
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About HSIS Trip Around the World Christmas Tour
Trojan Good Things, 12/21
This week's shout out goes to HSSD staff members who have recently completed continuing education programs of any kind this semester. Congrats to Karli Sanchez of Oaklawn, Britney George and Julienne Shepperd of Langston, Zondria Campbell of Hot Springs Intermediate School, Chris Hall of Hot Springs Junior Academy, and any others we may have missed. I commend you for the hard, dedicated work it takes to hold down a full time position, and put yourself back into the role of a student or trainee, while also working additional jobs or raising families, or both. I am so very proud of all of our HSSD staff, and am impressed every day by the many of us who truly embody what it means to be servant leaders and lifelong learners. I also want to wish all HSSD staff a wonderful, safe, very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Our first semester is now behind us, and we have done amazing things. Please enjoy two weeks of resting, relaxing, and refreshing. Trojan 'Good Things' is a weekly shout out from #HSSD Superintendent Dr. Stephanie Nehus to those individuals in our school community who are doing amazing things!
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About Trojan Good Things, 12/21
St. Mary of the Springs Angel Tree Program
For another year, the generous parishioners of St. Mary of the Springs Catholic Church provided toys, clothes, and food boxes for families in need at the HSSD through the Angel Tree program. The Angel Tree effort was organized by a committee of Di Baker, Rosemary Hadlock, Jonne Roseau and, Phyllis Baltz. With their leadership and with the help of countless other church volunteers, items for more than 100 HSSD students (which included approximately 43 total families) were delivered, organized, and picked up by families from the HSSD Central Office this week.
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About St. Mary of the Springs Angel Tree Program
Lessons in Kindness at Gardner
No students can have enough exercises, reminders, and examples of how to embody kindness toward others and toward themselves. Second grade teacher Mrs. Nikki Anderson seized an opportunity to offer a heartwarming lesson in kindness to her classroom of rambunctious students, with big hearts and curious minds. Students discussed personal examples and experiences with unkindness and identified solutions to improve their own behavior and treatment of others. Their responses to the exercise surprised even her, and has created a lasting impact for her kids about the power of kind words and gestures in all situations.
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About Lessons in Kindness at Gardner
HSIS Student Council Serves HS Community
Hot Springs Intermediate School Student Council volunteered at the Jackson House earlier this month. The HSSD is so proud of the many ways our students across schools serve and support our wonderful Hot Springs community. This group is hosting a Silent Auction on Friday (12/21) in the Park Magnet School lobby from 1:30-3:00. All proceeds will benefit the Jackson House - a Hot Springs homeless shelter, food pantry, and crisis intervention center, and the Student Reward Fund - which pays for special student field trips to reward good behavior throughout the school year. Please join us for bidding!
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About HSIS Student Council Serves HS Community
Relyance Bank Donates Funds to HSSD
Relyance Bank is generously donating $2,400 toward the purchase of playground equipment at the site of the new Langston Magnet School on Silver Street. Upon completion, the facility will offer 75,000 square feet of state-of-the-art space for Pre-K - 6th grade students.
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About Relyance Bank Donates Funds to HSSD
Senior Interviews Prep Students for Careers
The process of preparing for and delivering an impressive interview is not an easy one, and usually not something that comes naturally to most. HSWCHS Oral Communications and Art Instructor Mrs. Lorrie Duke helps seniors prepare for that experience through a Senior Interviews event. She commissions professionals from the HSSD and the community to create mock interviews for students. Students are required to create full resumes, including references and letters of recommendation, to prepare for the event. Students receive real world feedback from interviewers regarding their resume, presence and delivery during the interview, and general guidelines for improvement.
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About Senior Interviews Prep Students for Careers
Trojan Good Things, 12/14
This week's shout out goes to our HSWCHS students and staff, following the flying of a United States flag over our United States Capitol in their honor at the request of Congressman Bruce Westerman. In a proclamation presented to Principal Echols, the plaque states, "This flag was flown at the request of the Honorable Bruce Westerman, Member of Congress, honoring the students and staff at Hot Springs World Class High School in their quest to raise their achievement and impact their community, WHATEVER IT TAKES." When Arkansas's highest leaders recognize the outstanding work taking place at this district, I hope it makes you all realize what a huge impact you are making every single day. I also want to congratulate all of you as a Hot Springs School District community, as we have been nominated for Large Business of the Year by the Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce. Trojan 'Good Things' is a weekly shout out from #HSSD Superintendent Dr. Stephanie Nehus to those individuals in our school community who are doing amazing things!
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About Trojan Good Things, 12/14
Intermediate School Girls in P.I.N.K.
At the Hot Springs Intermediate School, a special club is changing perspectives for 6th grade girls by way of a dedicated study in leadership and community service through the practice of good etiquette. The P.I.N.K. club, which stands for "Proud, Intelligent, and Noble Kids," is led by 6th grade teacher Mrs. Wilda Hughley. Members, reserved only for 6th grade girls, meet twice each month after school for one-hour meetings and meet for service projects. One meeting is dedicated to coordinating service projects in the community. The other meeting is set aside for a guest speaker and rotating lesson theme. The club provides a foundation in a girls-only setting for friendship, manners, discipline, gratitude, confidence and work ethic.
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About Intermediate School Girls in P.I.N.K.
Trickster Tales Tie Comics & Digital Cartoons
Third grade Oaklawn students created their own Trickster Tales, or cultural stories that include one character who tricks another, and a moral or lesson. In a collaborative effort across third grade classrooms from all teachers and staff, students wrote their own Trickster Tales and then created four-part comic strips in art class to illustrate the tales. To build on the lesson even further, they transformed their comic strips to digital cartoons in the library media center. By integrating classroom standards into multiple mediums, students with all types of learning styles, needs, and interests benefit. A book of comic strips and digital cartoon archive of all third grade Trickster Tales is being compiled in the Oaklawn Library.
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About Trickster Tales Tie Comics & Digital Cartoons
Gardner Sound Choir Shares Holiday Spirit
The 35-student Gardner Sound Choir delivered holiday cheer via music and hand-written cards last week to residents of the Lake Hamilton Rehab. Gardner Music Teacher Mrs. Paula Bettis organized the visit as a stop on their way to perform at the Arkansas State Capitol. Students chose favorite songs including "All I Want for Christmas is my Two Front Teeth" for the appreciative crowd who - to the surprise of students - sang along with them. Mrs. Bettis worked with other Gardner teachers to include handwritten Christmas cards from multiple classrooms. Students delivered cards in hopes of also bringing comfort and holiday spirit to residents that could not watch the performance.
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About Gardner Sound Choir Shares Holiday Spirit
HSSD Celebrates Spelling Bee Competitors
Last week, the HSSD hosted three spelling bees across the district for 1st - 8th grade students. HSSD Gifted and Talented Coordinator Mrs. Laura West coordinated the spelling bees, which are exciting competitions for students to improve their general spelling, vocabulary and language skills in a fun competition with their peers. All of nine our finalists (the top three from each bee) will advance to the Garland County Spelling Bee on January 24, 2019 at the Gospel Light Baptist Church Auditorium (600 Garland Avenue, Hot springs) at 9:00 a.m. HSSD Spelling Bees are held in coordination with official rules and scripts from the Scripps National Spelling Bee so that they are uniform with those hosted across the U.S. Thank you to all competitors and judges!
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About HSSD Celebrates Spelling Bee Competitors
NJROTC Focuses on Leadership & Discipline
The HSWCHS NJROTC (Navy Junior Reserves Officer Training Corps) unit is the oldest NJROTC program in the state of Arkansas, established in March of 1969. NJROTC serves as a character and leadership development program nationwide for high school students. New instructors to Hot Springs include Lieutenant Commander Sean Garrett and Senior Chief David Patti, both of whom bring distinguished Navy careers with them to the classroom. Their focus is on building disciplined, service-minded students, who are prepared for leadership and careers in whatever fields they choose. Currently, 115 HSWCHS students are part of the program. The HSWCHS NJROTC Color Guard is requested to events across the community and central Arkansas area. In competitions, our teams were also among finalists last year in physical fitness and air rifle meets.
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About NJROTC Focuses on Leadership & Discipline
Trojan Good Things, 12/7
This week's shout out goes to Carrington Holder, one of our seniors at HSWCHS, who was chosen as the student guest and speaker at Hot Springs Rotary. Rotarians seek student guests and speakers who are in the top percentage of their classes, involved in school activities, and community minded, and Carrington couldn't have been a better candidate. Carrington represented us so well, and spoke about his 13 years as a Trojan. I also want to highlight our wonderful Hot Springs School District Board Members, three (Lonnel 'Dino' Lenox, Ann Hill, and Debbie Ugbade) of which received Boardmanship Awards from the Arkansas School Boards Association this week. Finally, we've had an anonymous shoutout submitted to highlight our excellent staff members who contributed to the Holiday Extravaganza event.
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About Trojan Good Things, 12/7
Gardner Hosts First Annual STEM Day
In a first annual STEM Day, Gardner STEM Magnet School dedicated an entire Friday to STEM-related activities and projects for kindergarten-5th grade students. The idea behind this effort was to create fun, diverse opportunities for students to explore STEM topics and activities. Partners from other schools within the HSSD and the community - including the Gardner PTO, HSWCHS EAST students, Henderson State University STEM Center, and Dawson Cooperative - were instrumental in creating a successful day of memorable activities and collaboration.
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About Gardner Hosts First Annual STEM Day
HSSD Schools Receive Beating the Odds Awards
Hot Springs World Class High School and Gardner STEM Magnet School have received Beating the Odds Awards for Math Growth at the elementary and high school levels from the Office for Education Policy at the University of Arkansas. Both schools are being honored by OEP because students demonstrated high growth in scores on the ACT Aspire in mathematics. Congrats to our world class students and staff across the HSSD!
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About HSSD Schools Receive Beating the Odds Awards
Sensory Stations Enhance Learning at Oaklawn
It's all about providing balance for Mrs. Elizabeth (Graves) Roach in her first grade classroom at Oaklawn Visual & Performing Arts (OVPA) Magnet School. Through the use of sensory stations/exercises and kinesthetic learning techniques, she creates a unique classroom setting for a diverse of array of students with diverse needs and talents. Looking around, you may find a bean bin, shaving cream table, chalk desk, bouncy balls, water beads, and other non-traditional items because in her classroom all curriculum is tied to a sensory learning experience and student-led dialogue and problem solving.
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About Sensory Stations Enhance Learning at Oaklawn
HSSD to Host Getting Ahead Class for Parents
In 2019, a free class series - Getting Ahead - will be available to all HSSD parents from January - May. The class is designed for adults hoping to begin a new chapter after being plagued with barriers, faded opportunities, various setbacks, or tragedies of any kind, or those simply looking for self improvement and the ability to provide added stability to his/her family. Further details, a program application, contact information for assistance and more are available, here.
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About HSSD to Host Getting Ahead Class for Parents
Student Choice Rollout at HSWCHS Cafeteria
Chartwells introduces new Student Choice Program to allow students to taste and then vote on new additions to the HSWCHS school cafeteria lunch menu. Student Choice kicks off 12/4 - 12/6 with tasting events - during normal student lunch schedules - where students will sample a variety of new menu items from different food station options. The menu that receives the most votes will be introduced in the cafeteria as a daily meal option.
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About Student Choice Rollout at HSWCHS Cafeteria
Trojan Good Things, 11/30
This week's shout out goes to volunteers from the First Lutheran Church who fed our kids at the Juvenile Detention Center on Thanksgiving Day. Without these special volunteers, these kids would not have had visitors over the holiday, because it was not an approved day for family members to visit. I also want to shout out to Coach Lasker and our Trojan Basketball Teams! Congrats on your first conference win as head coach against Hope teams earlier this week. Trojan 'Good Things' is a weekly shout out from #HSSD Superintendent Dr. Stephanie Nehus to those individuals in our school community who are doing amazing things!
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About Trojan Good Things, 11/30
HSSD Holiday Performance Lineup
The HSSD is a diverse community of student groups, talents, and organizations. We look forward to each holiday performance and event throughout December. Don't miss a thing, with an all-inclusive HSSD Holiday lineup, below. All events hosted at HSSD schools, as well as the Holiday Extravaganza on 12/6, are free to the public and open to all.
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About HSSD Holiday Performance Lineup
HSSD Receives $201,000 in Energy Incentives
Hot Springs School District has received close to $201,000 in energy efficiency incentives from Entergy Arkansas, saving approximately 1.6 million kWh of electricity – enough to power 128 homes for a year – through the CitySmart℠ Program. This was accomplished by strategically replacing approximately 8,300 lighting fixtures associated with lamps and ballasts with state of the art LED lighting. The cost savings at HSSD will allow the district to more efficiently use staff time and district funds to ensure that we sustain the safest, most state-of-the-art facilities possible for students.
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About HSSD Receives $201,000 in Energy Incentives
Park Presents at Blue Ribbon School Conference
Park Magnet School Principal, Dr. Sarah Oatsvall, and Kindergarten Teacher and IB Coordinator, Kristal Brandon, are presenters this week at the 19th Annual Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence National Conference. Schools represented at this annual event include those having received recognition through the National Blue Ribbon Program of the U.S. Department of Education. Their session highlights the unique way that inquiry-based learning and growth mindset are guiding principles for staff development and collaboration at Park Magnet.
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About Park Presents at Blue Ribbon School Conference
Tap Sessions Provided by Dancers from Untapped
For Giving Tuesday, the Little Rock-based professional tap dance company Untapped sends dance instructors to schools across Arkansas at no charge to work with students in dance classes. Savannah Boyce and Michael Roberson, professional dancers and dance instructors with Untapped, worked with HSSD dance students across the district today. They brought hands-on tap sessions and brief discussion of tap history to our classrooms.
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About Tap Sessions Provided by Dancers from Untapped
Thanksgiving Introduced to HSJA Students
In a rare opportunity, HSJA English Language Development Instructor Mrs. Briner was able to arrange for a full Thanksgiving experience for 7th-8th grade students, after learning that many of them had never tasted items included in a traditional Thanksgiving meal.
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About Thanksgiving Introduced to HSJA Students
Student Enrollment Opens for Sister City Program
Each year, the Hot Springs National Park Sister City Foundation graciously sponsors a trip for 8-11th grade students from Garland County to Hanamaki, Japan (Sister City to Hot Springs) for approximately one week. Up to 10 students will be chosen to travel to represent Hot Springs in early June, 2019. Learn more about how to apply to be part of student delegation and how to apply for a scholarship!
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About Student Enrollment Opens for Sister City Program
Trojan Good Things, 11/16
This week's shout-out goes out to OVPA staff and students for creating a moving, magical experience in the delivery of Mary Poppins, Jr. - and most importantly - for creating an annual production, which includes a cast of 500+ students, that creatively allows the talents of our wonderful diversity of students to shine. Also, see an anonymous shoutout to our excellent staff at HSWCHS, and their efforts to create complete power standards for each course offering. Finally - we wish everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving Break! Thank you for the work you do (staff AND students!), and thank you for choosing to do it here. Trojan 'Good Things' is a weekly shout out from #HSSD Superintendent Dr. Stephanie Nehus to those individuals in our school community who are doing amazing things!
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About Trojan Good Things, 11/16
HSSD Students Hear from Holocaust Survivor
27 HSSD high school GT students joined more than 200 across Arkansas in attending "Near Normal Man: A Conversation with a Holocaust Survivor," at the Clinton Center in Little Rock. Students viewed a 30-minute documentary film, "Near Normal Man," which is based on the life of Ben Stern. In a rare opportunity, they then also got to hear from Mr. Stern about his lifelong commitment to retelling the story of the Holocaust in the hopes of stopping social injustice for future generations. Learn more about the event, here.
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About HSSD Students Hear from Holocaust Survivor
Sit Down with Cast of Mary Poppins, Jr
Get to know four main cast members from the memorable presentation of Mary Poppins, Jr. at OVPA to capture for yourself a small glimpse of the "magic" behind each annual student production: Meet Anani Coleman (Mary Poppins), LaRon Samuels (Bert), Valerie Sutton (Jane Banks), and Ryan Tedford (Michael Banks). All four are fourth grade students, and represent well the connection that all participants develop with staff, other students, and the school theme during weeks of preparation and rehearsal for the annual event.
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About Sit Down with Cast of Mary Poppins, Jr
Gardner Thanksgiving Kindergarten Feast
The annual Gardner Kindergarten Thanksgiving Feast is a colorful display of costumed students who bring to life the historic first Thanksgiving between Native Americans and European Pilgrims at Plymouth held to celebrate the colony's first harvest. Gardner kindergarten teachers organize the event and invite student guests from all grade levels to attend. Kindergarten students dress as Native Americans and guest students from other grades dress as Pilgrims. A ceremonial walk to the cafeteria and student handmade gift exchange makes for a truly memorable lesson in expressing friendship, appreciation, and thanks.
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About Gardner Thanksgiving Kindergarten Feast
Dia de los Muertos at Park Magnet
Dia de los Muertos, or "Day of the Dead," is a multi-day celebratory holiday in Mexico. Festivities involve happy gatherings of family and friends to honor loved ones who have passed. Park Magnet Spanish Teacher Ms. Lorraine Valladares leads students in the completion of projects by grade level to observe the holiday, and works to communicate that Dia de los Muertos isn't truly about mourning death at all, but about celebrating life and honoring death as a part of the journey of life. Learn more about the making of "Calacas," "Ofrendas" and more.
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About Dia de los Muertos at Park Magnet
Langston Sumdog Math Contest Champs
In a Sumdog Math Contest from Oct 26 - Nov 1, Langston 4th grade students in Mrs. Jamie Limbaugh's class won first place as a class overall during one day of questions, had six students finish among the top 10 in the competition overall, and had the 1st place finisher (BIG congrats to Trenton Moore!) for the most questions answered overall. In total, 206 students played in this area and answered 43,000 math questions. Sumdog is an online learning service that offers engaging game-based student learning opportunities on computers and tablets for math, reading, and writing skills.
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About Langston Sumdog Math Contest Champs
HSSD Teams Place 4th in Congressional Challenge
Two apps submitted by teams from the Hot Springs World Class High School EAST program tied for fourth place among the top 5 rankings in Arkansas's 4th Congressional District, announced by Congressman Bruce Westerman at the Congressional App Challenge Award Ceremony on Friday. HSSD apps and teams that tied for 4th place are: The ELTE App, created by a team comprised of Madeline (Maddie) Scott, Michael Rivera, and Ella Pace; and the Child Check App, created by a team comprised of Bianca Martin, Bonnie Shannon, and Shawn Wilson. These two apps tied for 4th place among 60 eligible entries in this district.
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About HSSD Teams Place 4th in Congressional Challenge
Trojan Good Things, 11/9
This week, our HSWCHS staff and students took a new state required test (the Arkansas Civics Exam) and turned it into a memorable, engaging Civics Tournament that will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression. This is a shout-out to our amazing students who (by the way) are taking the Civics Exam today and Monday and are passing with flying colors. This is also a shout-out to Mrs. Moody, Principal Echols, and all HSWCHS staff for taking yet another testing requirement and turning it into an excellent learning opportunity for everyone. When our students have fun AND learn, it's an ultimate win for us as educators. Also, see staff shout-outs to Mrs. Shelman, Mrs. Limbaugh, Langston paraprofessionals, and Mr. Hines.
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About Trojan Good Things, 11/9
Gardner Lego League Combines Values & Robotics
The Gardner Magnet Lego League is a Robotics Club connected to leagues across the world through the FIRST Lego League Program, which is an alliance program established in 1998 between FIRST (For Inspiration & Recognition of Science & Technology) and the Lego group. Through the program, which establishes an annual theme to guide these efforts, students work through a process of 1) Identifying a real world problem and solution, 2) Completing missions through robots and robotic technology, and 3) Following character-building Core Values. As they prepare for competition in December, learn more about how members intend to solve the problem of food provisions for long-term astronaut missions through cultivating crickets on spaceships to provide a protein-rich food source.
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About Gardner Lego League Combines Values & Robotics
Civics Tournament Preps for New Exam Requirement
In a heated competition, HSWCHS students faced off in front of a packed gymnasium yesterday in the first ever HSSD Civics Tournament. Mrs. Meggan Moody organized the event as an engaging way to prepare 9th-12th grade students for a new graduation requirement to pass the Arkansas Civics Exam. Congrats to the winning team of Juniors: Tremain Young, Anthony Mitchell, Angel Youngs, and Sevannah Lawson, who have received tickets and school transportation to the Memphis Grizzlies game on Saturday.
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About Civics Tournament Preps for New Exam Requirement
ESOL Program Strengthens Outreach
The HSSD ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Program has launched a new family outreach initiative this fall to personally connect with ESOL families across the district. ESOL staff have teamed up with guest speaker Cristiam Espinoza- Madrid, a bilingual licensed professional counselor, to offer evening outreach classes at each school. Classes are one hour and include an overview of school information and resources, as well as emotional support, parenting strategies, and other discussion regarding the difficulty of a transition period from one culture to another.
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About ESOL Program Strengthens Outreach
Park Magnet Students Focus on Community Leadership
As part of their Community Unit of Inquiry, three first grade classes received a presentation this week from Mr. Dudley Webb, who is running for an elected position with the City of Hot Springs and is a teacher at HSSD Intermediate School. He stressed that elected officials are there to serve the public, and encouraged all students to get involved with community leaders and value their eventual right to vote.
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About Park Magnet Students Focus on Community Leadership
Community Donates to HSSD Backpack Programs
Thanks to the "Woods to School" Deer Snack Sticks program, the HSSD has acquired a protein-rich tasty snack to add to items for our backpack programs. Backpack programs provide children with take-home backpacks of non-perishable food items each Friday to ensure they have food through the weekend. More than 130 backpacks are sent home each week by HSSD schools. XPress Boats and Veranda Luxury Pontoons sponsored 2,000 deer snacks, made from deer meat harvested and processed in Garland County, through the Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry Woods to School program.
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About Community Donates to HSSD Backpack Programs
Trojan Good Things, 11/2/2018
There aren't many areas where you will find such a unified team of school districts, as right here in Garland County. That was more evident than ever this week at another successful Garland County Reads event. Thank you to all HSSD staff who put in weeks of planning and thanks to those of you that hosted booths or brought student groups. Thank you to our partner school districts and partner attendees and readers from the city, county, and state level. And, thank you to the wonderful, energetic students and parents that attended. Also - shout out to Oaklawn Magnet teachers Angela Bates and Katie Bradley for their implementation of the Co-Teach model.
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About Trojan Good Things, 11/2/2018
Black Glue and You at Langston
Langston Art Teacher Mrs. Debbie Shelman was invited to present "Black Glue and You" at the Arkansas Art Educators Fall Conference. Black Glue is a glossy art material that creates a unique effect when mixed with bright colors because it separates shapes and images to add dimension. Art educators were provided with examples of black glue artwork completed by HSSD Langston students and received handouts, resources, website links, and more for choosing age appropriate projects for working with the material.
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About Black Glue and You at Langston
Hanamaki Student Delegation Tours HSJA
Each October, students from the Hot Springs Sister City of Hanamaki, Japan, visit Garland County schools to learn about academic and cultural experiences of junior high and high school students in the Hot Springs area. This week at HSJA, six Hanamaki Junior High and two Hanamaki High School students toured campus and spent dedicated time with unique programs and classes including the JAG (Jobs for Arkansas's Graduates) classroom where they played American games and learned about the Hot Springs Button Company. They created and toured art projects in Mrs. Mitchell's classroom. They spent time in HSJA Math and History classes. Delegation guests also toured the chicken coop and urban garden
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About Hanamaki Student Delegation Tours HSJA
HSSD Trojans Pee-Wee Basketball League
HSSD is starting the 5th year of our Hot Springs Trojans Pee-Wee League. Teams will be selected by HSWCHS Coaches and coached by Hot Springs Trojan basketball players, alumni, and community leaders. Fundamentals of basketball will be stressed including dribbling, passing, shooting form, defensive stance, and team play. A Skills and Drills Session will take place November 12 from 5:30 - 6:30. The season begins on January 12, 2019. Find details and registration forms, here.
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About HSSD Trojans Pee-Wee Basketball League
After School With Mid-America Science Museum
A new after school care program at Mid-America Science Museum, entitled Science After School, is being planned in collaboration with the HSSD. To launch this project, a pilot program will be conducted beginning on January 7, 2019 and will be offered Monday through Friday from 3:30 pm to 6:00 pm until the end of the school year. At this time, Science After School will only be available for a maximum of 107 K-6 HSSD students. This pilot program will be the first of its kind in the state of Arkansas. Forms and fees are due December 10, 2018.
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About After School With Mid-America Science Museum
Park Magnet Remains AR's Top Elementary School
Our HSSD Park Magnet remains the top elementary school in Arkansas based on ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act) scores released by the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE). The school will receive $26,381.88 in Arkansas School Recognition Program funds based on the 2017-2018 student enrollment of 269 students to support the maintenance and growth of these excellent standards. Park Magnet is among only 51 Arkansas schools that achieved the top 5% tier of ESSA ratings, and is the only Garland County school to earn recognition in this category.
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About Park Magnet Remains AR's Top Elementary School
HSSD Schools Receive Recycling Grants
Southwest Central Regional Solid Waste Management District awards the #HSSD HSWCHS and Oaklawn Magnet Recycling Grants to help add recycling bins to both sites, and to build greater engagement, general awareness, and participation for recycling in the student body and community.
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About HSSD Schools Receive Recycling Grants
Trojan Good Things, 10/26
Shout out to our HSIS for remaining committed to keeping bullies and bullying out of the HSSD. Today the HSIS staff and students hosted a Unity Day Ceremony (and have since 2015) featuring student entertainment, artwork, and guest speaker Officer Tommy Norman of the North Little Rock Police Department, focused on anti bullying messages and strategies. Shout outs also go to our HSWCHS Band - which competes Monday in the State Marching Assessment after earning First Division Ratings this Week. Shout out goes to our senior athletes and band members, honored tonight at the Senior Night Ceremony. Finally, a special shout out to HSWCHS Economics & History Teacher Mr. Knott.
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About Trojan Good Things, 10/26
Mary Poppins Production at Oaklawn Magnet
Join us November 13 and November 15 at 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. for unforgettable student performances in Mary Poppins, Jr., at our OVPA Auditorium. The annual production is special for so many reasons, mostly because it includes all 1st-5th grade OVPA students who want to participate. Student actors, singers, dancers, and musicians are showcased each fall during this memorable play that is entirely arranged by staff and community volunteers. The Broadway-experience is free for students through fundraisers and other school support.
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About Mary Poppins Production at Oaklawn Magnet
Park Pilots After School Enrichment Program
Park Magnet is offering two sessions of a pilot IncredIBles After School Enrichment Program this October - December and again January - March. The IncredIBles program is intended to offer non-traditional teaching methods and student experiences to further challenge students in reading, writing, and math. 45 students (kindergarten - 5th grade ) were chosen for each session by random selection from names of those that applied.
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About Park Pilots After School Enrichment Program
Gardner Second Graders Make Stone Soup
Second grade Gardner students made their own Stone Soup after reading the historic folktale about the value of sharing and collaborating. In the tale, hungry travelers convince the people of a town to each share a small amount of their food in order to make a meal that everyone enjoys. Students brought cans of potatoes, corn, carrots, peas, chicken broth, and green beans and combined all items to make a large pot of soup to share.
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About Gardner Second Graders Make Stone Soup
HSSD Observes School Bus Safety Week
During National School Safety Week, officials across the U.S. work to educate students and staff about best safety practices for school buses. HSSD Deputy Superintendent Lloyd Jackson and Transportation Staff are working in all HSSD schools to ensure that every student has been updated on bus safety practices during a school presentation this week. Students are then also completing a live evacuation exercise where they exit a bus just as they would during a live emergency scenario.
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About HSSD Observes School Bus Safety Week
HSJA Presents Health Challenges to Students
Junior Academy students have been encouraged to choose amid three 30-day health challenges that lead to a lifetime of healthy habits and sharp minds. HSJA Nurse Miki Smith is holding their feet to the fire on healthy initiatives through the provision of challenges and resources from Healthy Active Arkansas, a state-funded initiative comprised of representation from the public and private sector including government agencies, healthcare providers, and community organizations. Learn more about the Soda Free challenge, Water Challenge, and an upcoming Step Challenge for staff using pedometers donated by the Arkansas Heart Hospital.
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About HSJA Presents Health Challenges to Students
HSSD Beta Clubs Win at Leadership Summit
This month, 70 students (57 from 4th-8th grade and 13 from 9th-12th grade) from our four HSSD Beta Clubs attended a regional Beta Leadership Summit. It was a record breaking year, as HSSD clubs took home seven awards and qualified to compete at the National Beta Club Summit in five categories. Student groups are from Beta Clubs currently established at Park Magnet (4th-5th grade students), Oaklawn (4th-5th grade students), a combined team from Hot Springs Intermediate School (6th grade students) and Junior Academy (7th-8th grade students), and Hot Springs World Class High School (9th-12th grade students).
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About HSSD Beta Clubs Win at Leadership Summit
Alumni Recognized by Hot Springs Board
A group of six Hot Springs School District alumni were recognized by District Two Director Elaine Jones and Mayor Pat McCabe at the Hot Springs Board of Directors meeting on Tuesday for giving back to the community and the district by returning home after getting their educational degrees to serve as teachers within the district.
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About Alumni Recognized by Hot Springs Board
HSSD Students Experience Arkansas Symphony
Thanks to the Hot Springs/Hot Springs Village Symphony Guild, Garland County 3rd - 6th graders experience a memorable performance by the unforgettable Arkansas Symphony Orchestra every year in Hot Springs. This year musicians presented Story Time, which connected the excellent musical performance to favorite literary tales. The annual student concert is tied to curriculum customized for the performance. Development of the curriculum is heavily influenced by our own HSSD teachers including Mrs. Sue DeLeon, Mrs. Becky Counts and Mrs. Casey Wylie, who help write the majority of the Student Journal portion.
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About HSSD Students Experience Arkansas Symphony
Trojan Good Things, Oct 19
HSSD receives two $3,000 Recycling Grants from West Central Arkansas Planning & Development District, awarded to Oaklawn Magnet and HSWCHS. Also, Congrats to our Andre D. Dunson, 8th grader at HSJA, for receiving the first AYM Against All Odds Achievement Certificate and Stipend. Finally, great job to all of our HSSD students - including Isaac from HSJA - who were part of showcasing projects at the National Park College Innovative Technologies Center Makerspace Grand Opening today!
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About Trojan Good Things, Oct 19
Good Behavior at HSIS Earns Extra Recess
5th-6th grade students with no office referrals for the first nine weeks were rewarded with a special extra recess at Family Park. 423 out of 474 Hot Springs Intermediate School students were eligible to attend, which is almost 90% of all HSIS students.
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About Good Behavior at HSIS Earns Extra Recess
Red Ribbon Week, Oct 22-26, 2018
Students across the U.S. are getting ready for Red Ribbon Week® 2018! This year's theme is: Life Is Your Journey. Travel Drug Free. At all HSSD schools, students will engage in activities that promote a drug free and healthy lifestyle. Please partner with us and discuss this message at home, at the dinner table, at family outings, and with friends and extended family. Students can be part of the celebration by enjoying themed dress up days for all schools which are included here.
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About Red Ribbon Week, Oct 22-26, 2018
Students Collaborate for Mini Maker Faire
Hot Springs World Class High School EAST and Park Magnet second grade students collaborated for a Mini-Maker Faire event. The Maker Faire - which are events that feature innovation and experimentation across the spectrum of science, engineering, art, performance and craft - was part of bringing to life the Inventions Over Time Unit of Inquiry for second graders. EAST student teams used invention kits to design projects for younger students to interact with.
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About Students Collaborate for Mini Maker Faire
Pumpkin Light Night, Oct 23
Pumpkin Light Night is a FREE event for the whole family, on October 23. This gathering celebrates the programs, clubs, organizations, and many offerings of the Hot Springs School District. Bouncy houses, pumpkin displays, booths and activities, food trucks (food trucks charge for food), and entertainment fill our Trojan Field. Be part of celebrating HSSD students and the HSSD community at the 4th annual Pumpkin Light Night!
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About Pumpkin Light Night, Oct 23
Garland County Reads, Oct 30
Garland County School Districts (K-6) will come together again for the 3rd annual Garland County Reads event - united to promote the love of reading. Attendees will enjoy free hot dogs and cookies, literacy activities and booths hosted by school districts and community partners, and the reading by community leaders of the first letters in the book: Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer. Join us October 30 at the Hot Springs Farmers Market, from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
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About Garland County Reads, Oct 30
Trojan Good Things 10/12
Thank you to a special HSSD group (pictured) who attended a guest presentation by Flip Flippen, founder of Capturing Kids' Hearts - an initiative that our HSSD participates in districtwide that focuses on relationships. BIG CONGRATS AND THANKS to our entire students, staff, and community for a wonderful Homecoming week.
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About Trojan Good Things 10/12
Gardner Video Project Highlights Composting
The Garland County Master Gardeners, EAST at Gardner students, and third grade classes are collaborating to create multiple composting bins at Gardner STEM Magnet School. The process of building compost piles, determining what and how to add items to the compost, and then using compost to enhance area flower beds and eventually a vegetable garden is being documented via video series.
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About Gardner Video Project Highlights Composting
Park Among Site visits for Hanamaki Delegation
As part of the 25th Anniversary of the Sister City Program, Hot Springs and Hanamaki, Japan exchanged delegations of guests. Last week the Hanamaki group toured various Hot Springs sites including our HSSD Park Magnet School. To make the experience unique from other school tours, the delegation was divided into smaller groups of 6-8 and led by students and interpreters.
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About Park Among Site visits for Hanamaki Delegation
International Baccalaureate Student Celebration
Yesterday during an International Baccalaureate (IB) Celebration, HSWCHS honored students for various levels of participation or completion of courses within the IB Programme. IB is among the most rigorous and demanding college preparatory curriculums available in the United States, for both public and private schools. 230 HSSD 9th-12th grade students are currently participating in some level of IB courses.
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About International Baccalaureate Student Celebration
Langston Loves Reading Event
Langston Loves Reading is a quarterly program where members of the community are invited to visit with and read to a K-4th grade class at our HSSD Langston Magnet School. Readers of all kinds participate, including volunteers, community officials like police officers, alumni and retired faculty, HSSD leadership, and others. Future Langston Loves Reading events will be hosted December 14, March 8, and May 10.
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About Langston Loves Reading Event
HSSD Homecoming Week, Oct 8-12
Join us in celebrating our the HSSD community for 2018 Homecoming Week, October 8-12. Find a lineup of daily themes for all HSSD schools. We will also host a districtwide pep rally on 10/11 at Joe Reese Stadium (all students will travel via buses to HSWCHS). Festivities conclude on Friday 10/12 with a Homecoming Court Assembly in the morning and the Crowning Ceremony and Football Game (vs. Magnolia) later that evening. Thank you for being part of honoring our #HSSDTrojans!
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About HSSD Homecoming Week, Oct 8-12
JAG Program Makes Students Job Ready
7th-8th grade JAG (Jobs for America's Graduates) Specialist Stephanie Goodman is changing the conversation for students to a "When you graduate" scenario, and focusing on being job-ready via whatever path they choose after graduation. The JAG program has 125 programs in Arkansas school districts, and HSSD Junior Academy is among the only to have a dedicated specialist position for 7th-8th grade JAG Middle School curriculum.
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About JAG Program Makes Students Job Ready
HSWCHS Receives Arkansas CTE Funds
Career and Technical Education (CTE) is a national initiative that requires states to offer courses that prepare students to be job ready, via whatever path they choose after graduation. CTE courses create a bridge between academics and career paths by directly connecting student learners through experiences like apprenticeships, internships, hands-on training and demonstrations, service projects, and other personal interaction with employers. Through of a series of curriculum changes, grants, and visionary leadership, HSSD is proudly offering world class CTE opportunities through full Career Academies. Most recently, a grant from the Arkansas Department of Career Education is continuing to evolve and add to the CTE offerings of HSSD.
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About HSWCHS Receives Arkansas CTE Funds
Trojan Good Things, 10/5
Firefighters with the Hot Springs Fire Department help out our HSWCHS and Shout Outs to our world class staff, this week to include Mrs. Henley and Mrs. Knox
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About Trojan Good Things, 10/5
VEX IQ Robotics Club Builds Engineering Skills
At Gardner Magnet, the VEX IQ Robotics Club meets after school every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday to study and experience robotic engineering. Through the VEX IQ program, Gardner has acquired a snap-together robotics system with many pieces and parts designed from the ground up to build engineering skills in students of all ages.
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About VEX IQ Robotics Club Builds Engineering Skills
Cameroon & Jamaica Highlighted by Guests
To begin a new Unit of Inquiry at Park Magnet called "Who We Are," kindergarten students enjoyed presentations from guests originally from Cameroon, Africa and Jamaica. Both guests shared with students the day-to-day cultural differences between living here in the United States and living in respective regions.
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About Cameroon & Jamaica Highlighted by Guests
6th Grade Character Analysis Group Projects
Summary: 6th grade literacy teacher Mrs. Veronica Sanders guides students in Character Analysis projects that challenge them to take an in depth look at main characters in the novel Stargirl. "Character analysis helps them to understand what motivates her actions, and why she experiences different social situations in reaction to her behavior," says Mrs. Sanders.
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About 6th Grade Character Analysis Group Projects
Trojan Good Things, 9/28
Twelve #HSSD teachers are working to earn accreditation as National Board Certified Teachers.
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About Trojan Good Things, 9/28
Constitution Bee Challenges Langston 4th Graders
The second annual Constitution Bee was hosted on September 27th to challenge HSSD Langston 4th grade students with questions taken directly from the official Naturalization Test, which is required of individuals seeking to become U.S. Citizens. Winners are: First Place - Azarah Lewis; Second Place - Kyle Young; Third Place - Alfredo Perez.
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About Constitution Bee Challenges Langston 4th Graders
HSSD Students Visit Tuskegee Airmen Exhibit
This week #HSSD 5th grade Park Magnet students, and Junior Academy Jr. Beta Club and Jobs For America's Graduates (JAG) students, visited the "RISE ABOVE" exhibit - which is a special presentation on the Red Tail Squadron of the Tuskegee Airmen via traveling exhibit. The exhibit highlights obstacles that this unique group overcame to fly and fight for the U.S. during World War II.
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About HSSD Students Visit Tuskegee Airmen Exhibit
HSSD Flu Clinics, Oct 1-4
The Hot Springs School District will host Flu Clinics at all schools October 1 - 4. Please contact school offices for consent forms, which students will need in order to receive flu shots.
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About HSSD Flu Clinics, Oct 1-4
Oaklawn Uses Bots to Reinforce Reading Skills
Kindergarten students in Mrs. Meghan Mabry's class at Oaklawn Magnet are developing key skills, while also trying new learning techniques with the help of Bee-Bots. Bee-Bots are small, colorful, bee-shaped robots that can be used by educators in the teaching of counting, sequencing, estimation, problem-solving, and in this case - targeted learning objectives like rhyming that lead to eventual reading skills.
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About Oaklawn Uses Bots to Reinforce Reading Skills
Gardner Magnet Launches New PTO Group
Central to the efforts of any school team is a strong support system from parents. Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) groups at each of the #HSSD schools provide much needed support and assistance to teachers and school staff through volunteer opportunities. Gardner Magnet School has reorganized their PTO and is wrapping up a successful membership drive this week.
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About Gardner Magnet Launches New PTO Group
Junior Academy EAST Students Raise 4H Chickens
Junior Academy EAST students set new standards for tying student-led technology and creativity to agriculture. A fully operational chicken coop is visible from the front of our #HSSD Junior Academy, thanks to the dedication of EAST students who raised the birds through the Arkansas 4H program.
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About Junior Academy EAST Students Raise 4H Chickens
High School Receives Grant for JAG Program
Governor Hutchinson and leadership from the Jobs for America's Graduates program, Arkansas Department of Career Education, and other Arkansas business leaders presented the HSSD with a $25,000 Entergy grant check to fund a Jobs for Arkansas Graduates (JAG) program at Hot Springs World Class High School.
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About High School Receives Grant for JAG Program
Rep Cozart Visits Park 3rd Graders
As part of a government-focused Unit of Inquiry, Park third-graders receive a visit from Representative Bruce Cozart.
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About Rep Cozart Visits Park 3rd Graders
East Students Set Guidelines for Service Projects
6th grade EAST students at Hot Springs Intermediate worked this week in Mrs. Rakejah Williams' class to complete first steps toward identifying service-based projects for the school year. Service-based projects are part of EAST curriculum, and require that students collaborate with individuals or businesses to identify projects that meet needs in the community.
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About East Students Set Guidelines for Service Projects
Backpack Program Fills Gaps for Hungry Children
The Arkansas Foodbank Backpack Program helps to fill weekend gaps for hungry children. At Langston Magnet Elementary, teachers use the program as another way to meet student needs.
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About Backpack Program Fills Gaps for Hungry Children
Junior Academy Introduces Summit Learning
For 7th-8th grade students at HSSD Junior Academy, Summit Learning has been introduced as the new learning platform for English, math, science and social studies. Summit offers a unique approach for educators because it enables students to learn academic content at their own pace, and provides data-driven feedback to teachers about how to make lessons and projects more tailored to individual student needs.
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About Junior Academy Introduces Summit Learning
Social Hour Provides Family Dialogue Strategies
Social Hour brings families together in an informal dinner setting to focus on social and emotional challenges through multiple topic areas and hands-on projects.
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About Social Hour Provides Family Dialogue Strategies
Cafeteria Upgrades Increase Tasty Options & Access
Upgrades completed to the HSSD High School cafeteria, allowing for more convenient access by students, and additional tasty options for all food palates.
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About Cafeteria Upgrades Increase Tasty Options & Access
Trojan Good Things, 9/14
Thank you to HSSD School Board Members!
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About Trojan Good Things, 9/14
Park Students Move from Lessons to Action
HSSD students benefit from an International Baccalaureate (IB) education in many ways throughout their years with us. In the IB-Primary Years Program (PYP) at Park, a primary focus is to challenge students to think for themselves and take responsibility for their learning while exploring local and global issues in real-life contexts.
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About Park Students Move from Lessons to Action
HSSD Recognized as Five to Thrive District
The Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance and the Arkansas No Kid Hungry campaign are pleased to announce Hot Springs School District as one of nine Arkansas school districts to achieve Five to Thrive status.
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About HSSD Recognized as Five to Thrive District
Langston Participating in Additional Recess Program
Langston Aerospace and Environmental Magnet School is Among 32 Arkansas Schools to Participate in Additional Recess Program
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About Langston Participating in Additional Recess Program
HS Students Plan for the Future
Seminar Planning helps High School Students Design Personalized Plans for the Future
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About HS Students Plan for the Future
Trojan Good Things, 9/7
Thank you Mr. Sligh for making a difference!
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About Trojan Good Things, 9/7
Trojan Good Things, 8/31
Security Bank Kickoff Classic is a Success!
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About Trojan Good Things, 8/31
Trojan Good Things, 8/24
Shout Out to HSSD Employees!
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About Trojan Good Things, 8/24
Trojan Good Things, 8/17
Sophia Whitfield-Turner at Oaklawn Greets Students on the First Week of School
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About Trojan Good Things, 8/17
Team Trojan Future Employment Opportunities
Apply Today For Future Possibilities!
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About Team Trojan Future Employment Opportunities
Child Abuse & Neglect Hotline
Tell Someone - We Want to Help! Call 1-800-482-5964
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About Child Abuse & Neglect Hotline
Summer Meals - Free to all age 18 and under!
Read More to get more details...
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About Summer Meals - Free to all age 18 and under!
Archived News
Hot Springs School District
HSSD District Administration Office
400 Linwood Ave., Hot Springs, Arkansas 71913
Phone 501-624-3372
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