April is the Month of the Military Child, and Alma Primary School is proud to recognize the strength, resilience, and sacrifices of our military-connected students. Today, we celebrated with a special Military Family Breakfast, followed by a spirited Purple Up Parade where all students showed their support and appreciation for the incredible kids who serve alongside their families. Thank you to all of our military families — your bravery and dedication mean the world to us!
This week, students across the district got their hands dirty (and had a blast!) celebrating Earth Day. At Alma Middle School, 8th graders created eco-friendly "throw and grow" seed bombs and left inspiring Earth Day chalk messages around campus for everyone to enjoy. They also repurposed pipe cleaners and clay to make new, creative artwork.
Meanwhile, 7th graders in Mrs. Price’s and Mrs. Swink’s classes enjoyed a full day of outdoor learning and fun. Using recycled plastic, students built their own “critter catchers” and tested them in the stream behind the basketball courts, hunting for crawdads and other aquatic critters. The day also featured several themed stations: An art station for hands-on creativity. A solar station making UV bead bracelets. A microscope station for identifying microorganisms from the water. And even a relaxation station just for bookworms! Over at Alma Intermediate School, students got involved in beautifying their campus by planting flowers with the help of dedicated volunteer Lou Cagle. It was a week full of creativity, discovery, and appreciation for our planet!
On Monday, the Alma High School Coding Team made the trip to Arkansas State University in Jonesboro to compete in the Arkansas State Coding Competition — and their hard work paid off in a big way! Congratulations to Landon Larru, Carter Seals, and Jack Snell for earning a spot among the top 7 coding teams in the entire state! After standing out among 146 teams statewide in the preliminary round, the team was one of just 27 selected to compete at the state level. In Jonesboro, they spent three intense hours competing against the best of the best — ultimately outperforming 19 other top teams to secure their well-deserved top 7 finish. Great job, team!
The Alma High School Drill and Drone Teams recently competed at the Baby Bombers Drill Meet in Mountain Home — and they delivered outstanding performances across the board! The teams earned top honors, including: 1st Place Overall Unarmed. 1st in UAX. 1st in Regulation. 1st in Drones. 2nd in Color Guard. 2nd in Physical Training (PT). 3rd in Brain Brawl. A big congratulations as well to all team members who received individual medals. Your hard work, precision, and dedication truly paid off — we’re proud of each and every one of you!
Big Congrats to Alma High School student Xavier Herzig! He’s been named a Semifinalist in the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program — one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students! Out of thousands nationwide, Xavier’s hard work, leadership, and dedication stood out. We’re SO proud of you, Xavier!
Sweet smiles and even sweeter strawberries! Students and staff across the district are loving today’s farm-fresh treat from Arnold Family Farm Store. Just look at these happy faces at Alma Middle School! Good food = Good mood.
It’s strawberry delivery day! We’re excited to share fresh strawberries with our students, thanks to the reliable support of the Arnold Family Farm Store. We’re so grateful to the Arnold family for their continued partnership with Alma School District!
This week, Airewaves Media traveled to Hot Springs to take part in the Arkansas SkillsUSA State Conference. The event is part of SkillsUSA’s mission to support career and technical education by offering students hands-on experiences to develop and showcase their talents. We’re proud to share that Airewaves Media brought home the Bronze Medal for Best TV Newscast — an exciting recognition of their hard work and creativity!
AP Language and Composition students at Alma High School recently tackled a creative challenge: designing a seating chart for a fictional dinner party. The twist? The “guests” were sources from an AP Synthesis prompt. Students had to imagine the kinds of conversations these sources might have based on where they were seated. Which sources would spark engaging dialogue? Which ones might clash or struggle to connect? As part of the activity, students justified their seating arrangements by explaining how the sources interacted—whether they supported, challenged, or built upon each other’s ideas. The goal was to help students understand how sources can “converse” in an essay, encouraging thoughtful analysis, strong connections between ideas, and purposeful use of evidence.
Alma Middle School was buzzing with energy this week as we welcomed our future 6th graders and their families! The evening kicked off with Mr. Stone laying out behavior expectations, then Mr. Coursey took the stage to share all the awesome academic opportunities and course options coming their way. Students and parents teamed up to fill out course request forms and had the chance to explore the halls and get a feel for their future school. It was a great night of planning, learning, and getting excited for what’s ahead!
Students in Mrs. Ray’s and Mrs. Bottom’s classes at Alma Primary School have been learning all about the life cycle of chicks and ducks through an exciting hands-on experience — hatching eggs right in their classrooms! From monitoring the incubators to witnessing the first pecks through the shells, students are getting an up-close look at the miracle of life. It’s a memorable lesson in science, patience, and responsibility that’s sure to stick with them for years to come!
On Friday, AMS theatre students, along with AHS theatre, dance, and choir students, traveled to Oklahoma City for a special opportunity to attend Oklahoma City University’s production of Anything Goes! The trip was a resounding success, filled with energy, excitement, and inspiration. “It was FABULOUS! We all had so much fun. It was awesome taking such a big group of student artists,” said Mrs. Bocksnick, AMS Theatre Teacher. The experience was made possible by Mr. Woolly, who not only organized the trip but also arranged a private presentation exclusively for our students. In addition, the group was invited to attend the pre-show director’s talk, giving them a rare behind-the-scenes look at the production and insight into professional theatre. It was a memorable day for all — a celebration of the arts and a chance for our students to dream big!
Alma High School students recently took part in the NWA Build My Future: Construction Career Day and Industry Showcase — and it was an incredible experience! This dynamic, hands-on event immersed students in the world of construction, offering interactive opportunities to explore a variety of trades and technologies. From roofing and welding to carpentry, heavy machinery operation, VR simulations, and cutting-edge safety innovations, students had the chance to engage with professionals and try out real tools of the trade. The event provided valuable insight into the many career paths available in the construction industry. Programs like Build My Future empower students to make informed choices about their post-graduation plans while highlighting the vital role skilled trades play in our workforce. Alma High School is proud to support opportunities that expand students’ career awareness and prepare them for a successful future.
Mrs. Stricklin's Introduction to Education students at Alma High School have begun regular classroom observations at the primary, intermediate, and middle school levels, gaining valuable hands-on experience as they prepare for future careers in education. Second-year pre-education students take part in field experiences throughout the entire school year, immersing themselves in real classroom settings. First-year students, meanwhile, focus on educational theory during the fall semester before beginning their observation hours in the spring. This tiered structure ensures students build a strong academic foundation before applying their knowledge in practical, real-world environments.
As the Staff of the Year celebrations come to a close, we’re proud to recognize the incredible contributions of our district classified staff and child nutrition team members. These individuals go above and beyond each day to support our students, often working behind the scenes to make a big difference. Congratulations to Gidget Goodwin, our Child Nutrition Classified Employee of the Year, and Basil Kenner, our District Classified Employee of the Year! Your dedication and service are truly appreciated. We also want to extend a heartfelt thank-you to all of this year’s nominees. Alma School District is a better place because of each and every one of you!
At the April school board meeting, we proudly celebrated several outstanding individuals for their dedication and contributions to the Alma School District. Rebecca Tate, from Alma Intermediate School, was recognized for her exceptional work as a teacher and special education provider. She creates an environment where students feel loved, confident, and empowered — making an immeasurable impact on our community. Ann Price, from Alma Middle School, was honored for her unwavering commitment as an exceptional science teacher and Yearbook sponsor. Her leadership and dedication continue to make a lasting difference in the lives of our students. From Alma High School, science teachers Jerry Kelley, Brian Curd, Jeana Parker, and Robert Pham were recognized for their incredible support of the Alma High School Science Fair. Their passion and dedication have inspired students and played a key role in the success of this important academic event. In addition, school board members Barret Ewing, Dustin Hughes, and Sean Brister were recognized for achieving at least 50 hours of board development training through the Arkansas School Board Association — a testament to their ongoing commitment to serving our district with excellence. Amazing things are always happening in the Alma School District, and we cherish these opportunities to celebrate the people who help make our schools shine. Congratulations to all!
Ten 8th grade girls from Alma Middle School had an incredible experience at the Girls of Promise Conference in Little Rock! Out of over 25 AMS applicants, 12 were accepted to attend this inspiring event focused on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math). Big thanks to Mrs. McCarver for leading the way and to Women's Foundation of Arkansas for empowering the next generation of women in STEAM!
Reminder: Friday, April 18th will be used as a makeup day due to previous inclement weather. We've included an image below that outlines each weather-related closure and the makeup day assigned to it. Thank you for your continued support and flexibility!
The 2025-2026 School Calendar is here!
Plan ahead and check it out now
https://www.almasd.net/documents/school-calendars/787919
Alma Middle School is celebrating two incredible team members! Join us in congratulating Belinda Bowen, Classified Employee of the Year, and Debby Barrett, Teacher of the Year! Thank you both for your dedication, hard work, and the positive difference you make every day.
