A new collection of 22 bicycles are assembled at Oaklawn STEM Magnet School, ready for use by Kindergarten and 1st grade students during PE classes in January! Mr Buth acquired the bikes and helmets through the Bike NWA Program, which provides “Learn-to-Ride” bike programs across the state. The Learn-to-Ride Program is supported by a grant from the Walton Family Foundation, and includes bicycles, as well as guidance for educators to host an 8-week course that teaches students to ride. The bikes are Balance Bicycles, which means they are assembled for training. At first, there are no pedals added, so Mr. Buth can help students learn to steer and balance. As they progress through the course, he will add pedals. He can also adjust the bikes so that they fit the individual comfort level and ability of each child. Mr. Buth plans to create a bike path in the Oaklawn STEM gymnasium/storm shelter, where students will begin the course. As they progres, they can also use the bikes on the paved area near the playground.

The HSSD will provide FREE bulk meals for the upcoming Christmas break holiday (12/23 - 1/5) to families by request. Chartwells, our HSSD food service provider, will prepare and package meals for pick-up on 12/21 and 12/28 between 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Each bulk meal package will include 5 days of breakfast items and 5 days of lunch items. All orders must be turned in by December 15, 2020. All children 18 and under who live in the household of a student qualify to receive a FREE bulk meal package

At the Governor’s press conference on Thursday December 4, modifications to current quarantine guidelines for persons with no symptoms were announced by Governor Hutchinson and the Arkansas Department of Health. The guidelines were passed down by the CDC on Wednesday, December 3. Find all details about changes, in this update ...

Our HSSD Institutional Law Enforcement Agency has launched a new program for our K--6 students called "U Got Caught!". This initiative allows our law enforcement officers (LEOs) to recognize students in front of their entire class for an act of good character, bravery, kindness, selflessness, or general good judgement. This program is focused on building relationships between our LEOs and young students, and on showing our kids that LEOs at every level are as interested in praising citizens for doing what is right, as they are in protecting the public from and/or punishing wrongdoers.

Main Street Visual Arts Magnet School and Oaklawn STEM Magnet School, in partnership with the HSSD Gifted and Talented Program, participated in the Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill in October. Over 28.7 million people worldwide took part in the event, which encourages people to practice safety procedures during an earthquake by learning to "Drop, Cover and Hold On." Each participating classroom teacher received an informational cartoon book, sponsored by the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management.

On October 20-30, students in grades 3-10 will be taking ACT® Aspire® Interim Assessments at all HSSD elementary schools. For three days during the two-week period, students will test in one subject area- one day in Math, one day in Reading, and one day in Science. Each test will last under one hour. The valuable data we gain from these assessments allows us to make evidence-based decisions when addressing your students’ strengths, areas for improvement, and growth potential across classrooms and subject areas as defined by state education standards.

Last October, the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education was awarded a federal Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) grant from the US Department of Education. Statewide school districts were invited to apply for grant money from those funds to advance literacy skills and development including pre-literacy skills, reading, and writing for all children from birth through grade 12, in respective schools populations. The following HSSD schools received CLSD grants: Hot Springs World Class High School, Langston Elementary Leadership Academy, Main Street Visual & Performing Arts Magnet School, Oaklawn STEM Magnet School, and Park Magnet an IB World School. Find details in this update about how HSSD schools plan to utilize funds to advance literacy skills for students in K-12!

Please find details here regarding Trojan Homecoming, 2020! Find details in this update about the Homecoming Daytime Ceremony (Thursday, 10/15), Homecoming Evening Ceremony (Friday, 10/16), members of the 2020 Trojan Homecoming Court (Congrats to all!), and districtwide daily themes for HSSD Homecoming Spirit Week (10/12 - 10/16). Throughout Homecoming festivities, we invite Trojan families to share photos using the hashtag #HSSDHoCo2020.

Read this update for 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! Our Trojan Family is so wonderful about lifting one another up. I hope everyone celebrates these accolades together and enjoys a great fall weekend.

On this Patriots Day, the 19th anniversary of the tragic events of 9/11, I am so proud to honor all of YOU HEROES with this Trojan Good Things. This anniversary is about honoring and remembering the many lives lost, but most importantly for our kids it is about celebrating the strong American spirit and highlighting the many who came to the aid of Americans in need 19 years ago today. Please remember that all of you in education are also heroes. You show our kids the same spirit that so many exemplified on 9/11/2001. Thank you for your courage, dedication, and SPIRIT every day - especially as you work as educators during a crisis. May we never forget the tragic loss, as well as the amazing bravery and courage that took place in the aftermath of this anniversary. And, may we all continue to be inspired to carry on that legacy in our work as educators who are called to be heroes for our students. I also have several anonymous Good Things to share today … see more in this update: