NOW ACCEPTING FOOTBALL PROGRAM ADS
Hey Airedales! If you want to recognize a local business or celebrate a senior student, contact Miranda Bond to secure your spot in the Airedale Football Program! You can contact Miranda at (479) 632-4791 or mbond@almasd.net.
We hope you're enjoying every bit of sunshine this summer! As we gear up for the upcoming school year, we've got you covered with all the important dates you should note down. Let's make sure our calendars are prepared and ready for action!
August 6th: Open House for AIS and AHS from 3:30 - 6:30 pm
August 8th: Open House for APS and AMS from 3:30 - 6:30 pm
Great Start: Keep an eye out for additional details about Great Start! This year, kindergarten students will not be part of Great Start. Instead, there will be a morning open house as a replacement. You have the option to attend the evening open house on August 8th or the morning drop-in open house on August 12th from 9:00 to 11:30 am.
It's never too early to get ready for the upcoming school year. The school supply lists are available now! Click on the link below to see the supply lists for each school building.
High School, Grades 9-12: There is no specific high school supply list. Students will receive supply and material requests from their teachers based on course assignments and schedules during the first week of school. For the first week of school, it's recommended that high school students bring a pen, pencil, and notebook.
LINK: https://www.almasd.net/page/school-supply-lists
Bob Wolfe, JD Coursey, Marti Salisbury, and Sara Martin traveled to Washington DC to present at the National Schools to Watch Conference. Their session, "Bridging the Gap to Inclusive Practices," highlighted their successful program that helps students transition from partial self-contained classes to general education. They interacted with prominent speakers and took part in various sessions organized by middle schools across the country. Alma Middle School was honored as an Arkansas Diamond School to watch for the 2022-2023 academic year. We are extremely proud of their outstanding representation of our district!
We are excited to provide more information about the upcoming Pre-K program at Alma Primary School. You can find detailed information on our website to help you decide if this program is right for your child. Residence within the Alma School District is not required for application. Link: https://www.almasd.net/o/aps/page/pre-k-information
Here is the priority order for enrollment: Families who are eligible for state-paid pre-k seats and tuition-based seats (details pending - more information will be provided once the tuition amount is finalized). Once seats are filled, waiting lists will be established. The waiting list for tuition-based seats will be maintained while processing applications from families eligible for the first priority.
Last week, we were delighted to receive a visit from Mr. Reinschmiedt, who, along with his wife, was nominated as Classified Employee of the Year at Alma Middle School and at the District level, to receive their well-deserved accolades. Their dedication to the Alma School District has been invaluable and deeply appreciated by many. However, it is with great sadness that we share the passing of Billie, Mr. Reinschmiedt's beloved wife, who was an integral part of this remarkable duo. Delivering news like this is always challenging for our school community. Our heartfelt sympathies go out to Mr. Reinschmiedt, their family, and friends during this incredibly tough period. Their significant contributions to the Alma School District will always be remembered and cherished by many.
Today is an exciting day at Alma School District! We kicked off the morning by welcoming 40 new employees for orientation. We are thrilled to have this fresh cohort, and more, join us! It's going to be a great year.
Alma High School student Xavier Herzig participated in the 2024 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles, California. Competing against 1,700 students from all 50 states and over 40 countries, his project focused on testing the efficiency of a hydrogen fuel cell at different temperatures. He is the first student from Alma to compete at ISEF in several years. Congratulations, Xavier, on this outstanding achievement!
Daytona Nationals
Alma NJROTC team embarked on a memorable trip to Daytona for the National High School Drill Team Championships. Their journey included stops at Pensacola Naval Air Station to watch the Blue Angel Flight Demonstration Squadron and Jacksonville Naval Air Station for tours hosted by VP-30 and VUP-19. The cadets also had a morning Physical Training session on the beach in Daytona and participated in the prestigious drill and ceremony competition with 98 schools in attendance. The first day focused on basic components like Inspection, Regulation, and Color Guard events, while the second day featured a variety of exhibition events, including solo and dual performances. Alma competed in the advanced division for the first time and achieved 5th place in Personnel Inspection. Congratulations on a job well done!
Introducing Jen Lyon as AIS Principal - Mrs. Lyon received a warm welcome at Alma Intermediate School yesterday. We are excited about the leadership she will bring to the already fantastic team at AIS.
It's #TeacherAppreciationWeek! We extend our heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering dedication, tireless efforts, and enthusiasm in molding young minds. This week, let's come together to celebrate and show our gratitude to the amazing teachers and staff who positively impact our students' lives each day.
Morgan Braswell Receives National 180 Award. Mrs. Braswell has been chosen as one of seven recipients and the sole recipient in Arkansas to receive the 2024 National 180 Award. These awards celebrate students' advancements in literacy, math, and personal growth beyond their academic achievements. They also honor educators who are committed to supporting their students on the path to success.
Organized by HMH, a prominent learning technology company, the 18th annual 180 Awards program recognizes exceptional students and educators for their outstanding progress in and out of the classroom. Awardees are recognized for their progress in math using Math 180® and for their unwavering commitment to continuous improvement and academic development. Congratulations to Mrs. Braswell and Alma Middle School!
In Mr. Bridges' GT classroom, 4th grader Ryne Trent emerged victorious in the yearlong Stock Market Game. With an impressive 32% return on investment, he amassed over $47,000 in virtual currency within five months. Ryne not only outperformed his peers at Alma Intermediate School but also outshined all competitors statewide in grades 4 to 8, surpassing 146 students in his category. Moreover, 16 of the top 20 participants hailed from Alma. As a reward, Ryne received a trophy, certificate, and $125 from Economics Arkansas. He is also set to enjoy a complimentary lunch with Mr. B, Dr. Duffie, and Dr. Wood. This achievement marks the third consecutive year that an Alma student has claimed the top spot in the Stock Market Game statewide. Well done to all the participating students!
PRE-K PROGRAM UPDATE
We are collaborating with state officials as we progress with the planning phase to introduce a Pre-K program at Alma School District. If everything unfolds as anticipated, we aim to launch the Pre-K program by the 2024-2025 school year. Once we receive approval, we will share more details. We are thrilled about providing this program that we believe will greatly benefit our community. Stay tuned for a family survey about Pre-K interest, coming your way soon!
Airedale families - Be your child's greatest advocate by taking a moment to participate! We do not collect email addresses. The survey is short and seeks details on parent interactions and engagement. Access the survey by clicking the link below.
LINK: https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSeZzMQwc5h.../viewform
Recently, local daycares celebrated Transportation Week, and our crew had the opportunity to join in. Mr. Rutherford, Alma School District Director of Transportation, is shown here engaging with students at Covenant Kids Academy. He shared stories of his adventures on the road, emphasizing the importance of safety and kindness on the bus. We appreciate the warm welcome!
Friday morning held a special event at Alma Primary School as both staff and students came together to honor and celebrate our military families. The day kicked off with the traditional Muffins with Military breakfast, where military families and students gathered for a meal. This was followed by a lively parade, with every class participating and showing their support from the sidelines. Mrs. Key set the tone by singing the Star-Spangled Banner, leading the military students and their families in the parade. The impressive Alma High School NJROTC also joined in. A big thank you to all the families who participated and to everyone who made this memorable day possible! #PurpleUpForMilitaryKids
Mrs. McCarver and Mrs. Pitts recently accompanied 19 8th-grade girls from AMS to the annual Girls of Promise STEM Conference in Little Rock, marking the largest representation from the school. The Girls of Promise program, led by the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas, introduces girls to opportunities and mentors in STEAM fields. The program aims to boost girls' participation in advanced STEAM courses and professions to pave the way for their economic empowerment as women. This conference is tailored for 8th-grade girls in Arkansas with an interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math. Participants had the chance to explore diverse STEAM career options, enhance their skills, and connect with successful female mentors in their respective fields.
On Friday, we had the pleasure of welcoming Jerrod Burns as the new Director of Athletics and Activities. A big thank you to everyone who contributed to making this a warm reception. We are excited about the future of Airedale athletics and activities!
Mrs. Barrett's Introduction to Business & Marketing class had an engaging visit to the College of Business and Industry at the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith today. The dean of the college, Dr. Settlage, warmly greeted the students, and two economics professors led an interactive and competitive Economics lesson.
After the lesson, the students explored the campus, including stops at the Baldor Tech Center, the Boreham Library, the Pendergraft Health Services Center, the Ballman-Spear Art Building, and the Gym. They also had the chance to check out the housing facilities and enjoy some snacks at various spots in the Campus Center.
Mrs. Barrett expressed her excitement as she observed the students realizing that attending college is an attainable goal.
