Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
Helen Tyson Middle School Band | 2020 Winter Concert
https://youtu.be/TIBr7bGdz6k
CJHS Band
https://youtu.be/GjOmSjugDP8
JO Kelly Choir
https://youtu.be/Kq8MQrGqv-0
Hellstern Middle School Band | 2020 Christmas Concert
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02YJiW2FO60&feature=youtu.be
VIA DTSOI HAS AMAZING SEMESTER
Dr. Shay Hopper would like to think she was prepared, but who could possibly have foreseen the explosive growth COVID-19 would cause? The Don Tyson School of Innovation Virtual Academy (VIA DTSOI) had served a specific community extremely well in recent years but the amazing increase in remote learning students created a new learning curve for teachers, students and administrators.
“Last year we had 290 students in grades 6-12 who were virtually only,” says Hopper. “We had nine people, including myself and our teachers, serving those students. This semester we have had about 2,600 virtual students. Our staff has grown to 83, including 53 teachers for grades k-5.
“There was no blueprint for the growth we have had but we have been lucky with our entire team. So many of our teachers have exceeded expectations.”
What has been the biggest challenge?
“Building relationships,” says Kerry Hutchins, who taught 14 years at Springdale High School before joining the VIA DTSOI staff this year. “We do a lot of personal outreach. We let the students and their parents know we are here to help.
“For the students to grow, we have to include their parents. They are more important than ever. We have weekly contact with the parents and we have several ways to reach the students and parents. We use email, text, Zoom and Google slides. Some of our students are those I had at Springdale High School and they have done very well.”
Gayle Kinnaird has been teaching for 46 years and it teaching high school students virtually for the first time. She says, “You have to make yourself a real person to them, even though you are seen through Zoom rather than in person, so they will have confidence in you. Several of the students tell me they do better virtually because there is no peer pressure on them.”
Hopper has been especially proud of the k-5 teachers since this is the first year VIA DTSOI has been utilized by elementary age students. Hopper notes, “The k-5 teachers come from nearly all of our 18 elementary schools. They are united. They are impressive to watch. They celebrate each other in the work they are doing.
“I’ve only taught and been involved with students in the secondary grades, so I’ve learned a lot from our elementary teachers. The way they have solved challenges has been amazing.”
Missy Allgood, an elementary teacher, explains, “All of us anticipated the relationship piece would be harder so we have focused on that. It has taken time to see what works and what doesn’t. We’ve done plenty of shifting.”
Another elementary teacher, Sarah Stanton, adds, “Actually, our relationships have gone to a different level. We get to know not only the student but the parent, grandparent or sibling who is working with the student. I miss the face-to-face but probably know more about each of the students through the one-to-one connection we make through the screen.”
Hopper thinks one of the reasons the virtual teachers have been able to learn so much about their students is they’ve sought information from the schools where the students previously attended.
“Every student is a Springdale student,” Hopper says. “There is sharing of information with all our schools. It has enabled us to learn how to support each student. Without the support of the district and all the other buildings, we could not be successful. It is a collaborative effort.
“Our teachers have also made home visits. It’s so important for us to investigate each student’s path and see how to support them virtually. At the end of each day, I reflect on what happened and think about how we can make it even better. Pulling this off is a result of an entire school community pulling together.”
As Hopper reflects on the entire first semester, what are her conclusions?
“There has been a lot of learning,” she responds. “We have counted on our families to partner with us. Since it is a 50-50 relationship, some of our families have learned a lot about their own children as students and they have seen how the students respond to virtual learning.
“The biggest thing is how much students have learned and how far our teachers have come since we started in August. We are wrapping up the semester and are ready for the next one. Our numbers should be about the same. It has been remarkable building a new program for k-5 and growing our 6-12 program.”
The entire Springdale District community has contributed to VIA DTSOI, proving its dedication to serving the whole student. Providing options of in-person, blended and virtual learning are among the reasons Springdale Public Schools are #THEChoice.
Juan Barrientos called Jones Elementary principal Jill Jackson early in the week to inquire about donating toys to students at the school. He asked how many male and female students the school had. Jackson didn't hear from Barrientos again until Friday morning when he brought two truckloads of toys to Jones Elementary.
He had enough toys for every student and said, "My family shopped for four days to get this done. We thought about wrapping them but it would have taken too long. We wanted to do something for the students in a year that hasn't been easy for them." Jackson's jaw dropped when she saw the quantity and quality of toys being delivered. Early that afternoon the distribution began. Every Jones student took home a toy for Christmas. An incredibly giving community helps make Springdale Public Schools #THEChoice.
Don Tyson esports team, Phoenix Rising, wins a State Championship.
Please congratulate them for winning the AAA League of Legends State Championship! They went undefeated this season and beat out some tough teams in the playoffs. The final match was against Ft. Smith's Northside Highschool Grizzlies in a best of 3 that went the full series. Please congratulate Anthony White, Drake Mayes, Isaac Penaflor, Alex Gentry, Thomas Ramsey, and Elijah Voudrie when you see them next. You can catch all the action you missed at the VOD found here: https://www.twitch.tv/videos/840975827
TWINS SERVE AS SUBSTITUTES AT TURNBOW
Reagan and Riley Kirk were fourth graders at Turnbow Elementary when their mother, Kelly, began teaching at the school. The twin sisters are now juniors at Arkansas Tech University and when they returned home for the holidays their mom, now an instructional facilitator, informed them Turnbow was in need of substitute teachers. They immediately jumped in to help.
“Mom told us they were short on subs and we had time so we offered to help,” said Reagan. “We plan to come back again in early January until we go back to Arkansas Tech. I’m in school to go into nursing but substituting has been a lot of fun.”
Riley adds, “I am an elementary education major so this has been good training and practice for me. It’s been really good. The kids have been a little extra wired as we get close to the break. I’m not only going to sub in early January but also at the end of the school year since we get finished at Arkansas Tech before the year ends in Springdale.”
Reagan and Riley both graduated from Springdale High School before heading to Arkansas Tech. They are enjoying their return to Turnbow in their roles as substitute teachers. Great substitute teachers help make Springdale Public Schools #THEChoice.
Don Tyson School of Innovation staff and students provided coats, turkeys and other food items for needy students Friday. Over 400 coats were donated to the school by local companies, community members and the school's teachers and administrators. Large supplies of turkeys and food also were donated. Hellstern Middle School joined DTSOI in securing coats and food for Friday's distribution. A caring, helping, serving community of students and staff help make Springdale Public Schools #THEChoice.
Archer Learning Center social worker Tonya Childress prepares gifts for needy students thanks to an anonymous donation from a community member. An incredibly generous community helps make Springdale Public Schools #THEChoice.
The Springdale School District received a very generous donation of 85 whole chickens from George’s Inc. In an effort to serve the community, families were selected based on need and received in addition to the chicken a box of groceries. The staff at George’s assisted in delivering the chicken to the district. Big shoutout and thank you to George’s Inc for their partnership!
Archer Learning Center counselor Aaron French thought he was being interviewed by KNWA's Tavares Jones on a Zoom before discovering he had been awarded the Post Consumer Brands Golden Apple for his work at the school. He was totally surprised as principal Dr. Coby Davis presented him with the Golden Apple and students gave him a box loaded with Post products as well as gift cards. Great counselors who work for the benefit of the whole student are among the reasons Springdale Public Schools are #THEChoice.
KDk’s Chicken food truck arrived to Bayyari yesterday for their staff holiday party! Staff also enjoyed chips and salsa donated by Chuy’s for lunch! Thank you!
Springdale Schools invites you to become a Super Sub today! Please visit www.sdale.org to apply. #SuperSub
Parents and Families of Springdale Public Schools please click the link and fill out the Parent and Family Engagement Survey in English, Spanish and Marshallese https://www.sdale.org/o/springdale-public-schools/page/more--3
SCOTT BAILEY – SUPER SUBSTITUTE
Scott Bailey has been a permanent substitute teacher and school bus driver in the Springdale
School District for 10 years. A certified teacher, why would he dedicate a decade to strictly substituting?
“Because I love kids and I probably know more teachers in the district than any teacher does,”
Bailey responds. “I’ve had a couple of opportunities to teach full time but the timing wasn’t right. My
dad was dying when one of the opportunities came open but taking care of him was the most important
thing I could do at the time.”
Certified to teach physical education, health and business, Bailey can teach all subjects as a
substitute. He has spent most of his time at the secondary level and the need for subs at Har-Ber High
School has led to his being there for most of the last two years. He loves teaching elementary students,
too, but his bus driving duties prohibit him from being available when elementary schools open at 7:45
am.
“My routes are still going when elementary schools start,” Bailey explains. “When I first started
as a sub I was at several of the elementary schools and George Junior High but that was years ago.”
How did Bailey get started as a substitute teacher?
“I was working for Dennis Home Furnishings but substituted on my days off,” he recalls. “Mr.
Dennis died and then I lost both parents. It was the worst time in my life. In the later years of her life,
my mother was a substitute teacher in Farmington. I could tell how proud she was of teaching. That had
a strong effect on me.
“So, after Dennis Home Furnishings closed I became a full-time sub. I get to the bus barn at six in
the morning and drive my routes. When school is over, I drive after school routes. I get home between
5:45 and 6.”
Are such long hours, actually performing two jobs, worth it?
“Yes, it’s worth it,” Bailey says. “I like subbing because I see more kids and more administrators.
I was in the business world for 20 years and I know the pitfalls students are about to face when they get
out of high school. I love to share insights into career possibilities with them.
“I especially love the Language Academy kids. I help them and they teach me their language. I
can communicate with Hispanic and Marshallese students. I have to be able to communicate with them
to get them home. Those kids live all over. I had one who lived at Beaver Lake. Those students are really
kind kids.”
Bailey also appreciates the staff members at each of the schools where he subs.
“Each school has an office substitute coordinator,” Bailey says. “They are all welcoming and
kind. They make us feel appreciated and wanted. That’s one of the reasons I like working in Springdale
so much. Feeling wanted goes a long way with me.”
Bailey goes a long way every day, driving a bus and substitute teaching. He and the many
substitutes that serve the district are an example of how Springdale Schools work for the benefit of the
whole child. Great substitutes help make Springdale Public Schools #THEChoice.
HAR-BER SENIOR EARNS QUESTBRIDGE SCHOLARSHIP
Daniel Terrazas, a senior at Springdale Har-Ber High School, has a friend at Rice University. So, as
he applied for a QuestBridge match with the college he most wanted to attend, he chose Rice. When
informed Rice had only an 11 percent acceptance rate, he figured his chances might not be so good.
That is why his acceptance and full four-year scholarship came as such a surprise!
“My friend told me my chances weren’t the best but they weren’t the worst either,” says
Terrazas. “I liked the school environment at Rice. They seem inclusive and provided a lot of information
on the school for me to study.
“I was surprised when I was accepted. QuestBridge requires ranking colleges you would like to
attend. I ranked seven schools with Rice number one. I don’t know if I was accepted at the others or not
because they matched me with Rice.”
QuestBridge provides a variety of scholarships to low income, academically excellent students
all over the country. Out of 18,500 applicants, 6,885 were named Finalists. As a Finalist, Terrazas
received a scholarship that will pay for tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies and travel
expenses for four years at Rice. The total value is approximately $250,000.
“Daniel is very deserving,” says Har-Ber counselor Colleen Foster. “He is phenomenal in his
approach to learning. He believes as long as he is learning it never feels like work. He is a quiet leader
and a role model. I am very happy for him.
“He could have done it without me. He worked the plan. He has a 4.21 grade point and has
taken eight advanced placement classes. He has an affinity for languages. He took a year of French,
three years of German and is in Mandarin Chinese 4. He is very humble.”
Terrazas is more than humble when explaining his interest in different languages.
“I speak English most of the time but speak Spanish at home since my parents speak Spanish,”
Terrazas says. “When I was in junior high I had a friend who was Italian so I became interested in
speaking Italian. I have forgotten most of that. My sister, who is four years older than I am, took German
so that interested me in that language. Chinese is another one I wanted to try.”
So, are languages his favorite pursuit?
“Actually, my favorite subjects are STEM related,” he responds. “I have had some great science
and math teachers. I have fun in those classes. At Rice I want to major in chemical engineering or
computer engineering. Last year I had a good time in AP chemistry. It’s a field I’m interested in. This year
I have enjoyed computer science. In my free time I like to do coding.”
Terrazas also plays the French horn in the Har-Ber marching band. He picked up the instrument
in the seventh grade when he was at Hellstern Middle School.
“My sister played the French horn and I had friends who were interested in band so that got me
interested,” Terrazas says. “Rice doesn’t have a band program. Considering the price of a French horn,
I’m not sure I will continue playing while in college.”
He may not play in the band while at Rice but Terrazas expects to become the first in his family
to earn a college degree. He looks forward to his final semester at Har-Ber as well as his time at Rice.
Terrazas is one of many exceptional students who help make Springdale Public Schools #THEChoice.
