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!

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.

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!!!!”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.