We can't wait to see our students! HSSD Open House events take place next week on Monday, August 10 (at HSJA, only) and Tuesday, August 11 (at HSWCHS and all Elementary Schools). Each event includes a Virtual Open House and an in-classroom Open House. Elementary schools are hosting in-classroom Open House events by appointment, only. Find all details in this update regarding Open House plans and protocols for each of our schools.

The Trojans Ready to Learn Plan was developed with input from the Trojans Ready to Learn Committee, and with guidance from the Arkansas Department of Education Division of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Arkansas Department of Health. Trojan families can find detailed information in this plan regarding Safety and Health, Academics, Learning Management Systems, the 2020-2021 School Calendar, Communications and Outreach, Transportation, Contact Information, Details about day-to-day Routine and more. We hope you find this document informative and helpful as you plan for the fall semester.

An updated HSSD Academic Year Calendar for 2020-2021 has been approved and is published here for reference.

Do you have questions about HSSD learning options for the fall semester? The HSSD will follow the Arkansas Department of Health guidelines and the Arkansas Ready for Learning report issued by the Arkansas Department of Education Division of Elementary and Secondary Education in planning for re-opening in the fall. Three Learning Options will be provided to families for the fall semester. A full Trojans Ready to Learn District Support Plan will be available in July, with comprehensive details about how all protocols and procedures will be implemented. To help our families begin to make decisions, an FAQ document is provided here with information to be included in the support plan following input from the Trojans Ready to Learn Committee.

Summer Learning Activities have been created by a team of #HSSD teachers for students in K-8th grade. Find fun, engaging, curriculum-based lessons in three subject areas to help students continue building skills through the summer!

We will continue to offer FREE meals to children 0-18 years old during our Summer Meals Program from June 8 - July 30 at five different locations listed in this update. Let's keep the Hot Springs community well-fed, all summer long!

With great excitement, we announce the arrival of the #TrojansRead Book Bus! Through a generous partnership and donation from Kamo's Kids Foundation, and outstanding work from the HSSD Transportation Department, the HSSD has converted a school bus into a mobile book library. Free books can be checked out from HSSD media specialists and volunteers aboard the book bus all summer on Tuesdays and Thursdays June 8 - July 30 (times and locations are listed in this update). Students will check out books just as they usually would in a traditional library during the school year. We are honored to provide meals AND books throughout the summer to our Hot Springs community. Please join us!

Please join us in honoring our HSSD Trojans award recipients and honorees for the 2019-2020 school year, in our online HSSD End of Year Awards and Retirees Ceremony! We also proudly announce the HSSD District Teacher of the Year in an exciting surprise presentation. Find the video link in this update.

Congratulations to Gardner STEM Teacher of the Year Stephanie Moody. She has been changing lives as an educator for eight years at the Hot Springs School District. She currently teaches kindergarten at our Gardner STEM Magnet School (soon-to-be Oaklawn STEM Magnet School).

HSSD third grade students in Ms. Lauren Sierocuk’s class at Gardner STEM Magnet School enjoyed virtual “rides” on attractions at Walt Disney World. Each day, she provided a different virtual ride video and a literacy challenge crafted for the ride. The AMI period has created new challenges that teachers and students have never before experienced. Throughout our final month of school, we will highlight extraordinary assignments, success stories, unique projects, and memorable moments from our classrooms from March to May.