GEORGE JUNIOR HIGH COMPUTER SCIENCE STUDENTS THRIVING
Jazmin Fuller was inspired by her sister. Luis Renc just wanted a fun, easy class. While their motivations differed, both George Junior High students are thriving in their computer science class.
“My sister, Clarissa, is at the University of Arkansas studying to become a biological engineer,” says Fuller, an eighth grader. “I admire her. She uses her computer all the time so I wanted to take computer science.”
Renc, a ninth grader, admits, “I was looking at electives and was told computer science was an easy course. I wanted something easy and fun, too. The course hasn’t been as easy as I thought but it has been fun because when we have free time we can experiment on our own.”
What does Renc experiment with?
“I like shapes,” he responds. “I really like triangles because they have more variables. There’s a processing website we can go to that gives us things to experiment with.”
Marie Fowler, George Junior High’s computer science instructor, explains, “The processing website has references, including pieces of code. There is a lot of information on the website. One day I was looking at Luis’ computer, saw a beautiful design on his screen and I asked him, ‘where did that come from?’ He had mastered a code.”
Are the website and creativity the biggest difference between a computer science course and learning on Chromebooks?
“We’ve been on Chromebooks since second grade,” Fuller points out. “We learned the basics of using a computer on our Chromebooks. In computer science class we learn how to be creative with coding. It is much more personal.”
Fowler agrees, noting, “Computer science is very personalized. As a teacher, it is fulfilling when I see students go forth and find out things on their own. I love the amazing things they have created and they have only been doing this since August. Students have to have vision for what they want to create and then figure out how to do it.”
Fuller says, “That’s the fun part, seeing the end product. Is it as we imagined it or not? It took me four hours to do one project because I didn’t know all the functions. I had 242 lines of code. I made rainbow colored shapes. It wasn’t the prettiest thing, really.”
“It was very pretty,” Fowler interjects.
Fuller adds, “It was all done by trial and error. I was basically doing it manually, which wasn’t very efficient. Our assignment was to create our own function and minimize the coding. I learned I could have completed the same project in half the time.”
Renc’s projects include learning to design houses. He would like to eventually become an architect.
“In sixth grade at J.O. Kelly, I was in the EAST program and I used different programs to design houses,” Renc says. “I really enjoyed it. Knowing how to use the software made it easier for me to plot out things. Last year I used software. This year I am creating things myself.”
While Renc is interested in designing homes, Fuller has an interest in video games.
“I am fascinated by people who play Minecraft but they modify the game and add things,” Fuller says. “They beat Minecraft and add challenges to make it harder. I want to spread my wings and learn video game codes.”
Learning new codes is a large part of the computer science course. Renc and Fuller have different approaches to the classroom.
“I’m in class five days a week,” Renc says. “Last year when we went to AMI (alternative method of instruction) and we were away from school, I didn’t do well. I prefer being in class. Even this week of remote learning has been weird for me. I will be glad to be back in class.”
Fuller notes, “I am on a blended schedule. I am in class Tuesday and Thursday and work from home the other days. It has worked really well for me. My grades are above average. If I need a teacher I can send an email. When I email Ms. Fowler, she responds immediately.”
Fuller and Renc are examples of students who are thriving in personalized instruction, particularly in computer science. Fowler is an example of a teacher who is part of the whole district community working for the benefit of the whole student. That’s why Springdale Public Schools are #THEChoice.
On-site Instruction Resumes Monday December 7, 2020
GENA SMITH, SUPERVISOR OF FOOD SERVICES
As a college student at Arkansas Tech, Gena Smith earned a degree in hospitality administration. As supervisor of food services for the Springdale Public School District, Smith believes she is extending hospitality every day.
“Hospitality is a business major and we are running a business in food service,” Smith says. “Customer service is the key to what we do. Our numbers are down a little this year because of students taking blended and fully remote learning but normally we feed three fourths of the students in our district.”
With nearly 22,000 students, that’s between 16,000 and 17,000 students per day. Smith concedes this year has been different and challenging.
“We’ve had to adjust our ordering and forecasting,” says Smith. “We’ve been feeding about 12,000 students per day this year. That includes providing for those blended and remote learning students who come to their schools to pick up their meals. At times we have had staff in quarantine. Every day is a new day with new challenges.”
Smith doesn’t mind the challenges and credits her staff for the superb service provided throughout the district.
“We have 238 staff members who have been through a lot of changes in the last six months,” Smith explains. “Last March hit us hard when all students went remote. Even then I knew our staff could handle anything as long as they had a good plan.
“After going through last spring, we were more prepared for the remote learning days we’ve had this year. I appreciate the willingness of our staff members to take care of kids. They’ve stood in the rain and cold to distribute drive by meals. They’ve gone above and beyond during this time.”
There are very few off times for Smith and her staff since they serve meals in the summer and have to plan for future meals.
“Right now, we are planning for the new elementary school of innovation that will open in the fall,” says Smith. “We order a good portion of our food for next year in February. We just found out there is a shortage of flour and our order for next year was cancelled. So, we will be looking for another source for flour.”
How did Smith prepare for such a challenging position?
“I was director of school cafeterias in Greenland for five years, then had the same position in Farmington for seven years,” Smith responds. “When Springdale called I was nervous at first because the district is so large. But, the teamwork and sense of community in Springdale is amazing. They made me feel at home.”
In her fourth year in Springdale, Smith started her career in private business after once considering becoming an accountant.
“I started as an accounting major but it didn’t fit me,” Smith recalls. “I had a long conversation with my college roommate and told her I like to take care of people. I also like cooking and planning events. That’s why I switched to hospitality administration.”
She gained early experience as an intern at the Bentonville Clarion Hotel. Her initial full-time position was event coordinator at Chartwells in Russellville. Next, she was hired as food and beverage manager at the Pinnacle Country Club in Rogers. She was elevated to special events coordinator before beginning her own business in Magnolia. Eventually she returned to Northwest Arkansas for a job at the Fayetteville Clarion Hotel.
“I ended up getting married and my husband, Brad, had two daughters,” Smith says. “I needed more time at home. That’s when I entered the school cafeteria profession at Greenland.”
She and Brad have had two sons, ages 12 and 8, and they have two grand children, ages three and three months, from Smith’s oldest stepdaughter.
“When the girls were younger we did a lot of horseback riding because that’s what they loved,” Smith says. “We do a lot of camping with our boys. We spend time at the lake in the summer. The boys love to ride side by sides.”
While Smith loves time with her family, she realizes she has a huge family to feed every day. Smith and the entire food service staff are among those making sure the whole district works for the benefit of the whole child. They are also among the reasons Springdale Public Schools are #THEChoice.
SYLVIA HERNANDEZ, EAST FACILITATOR BECOMES A BRIDGE FOR ESL STUDENTS AND PARENTS CLOSING THE GAP BETWEEN CULTURES AND COMMUNITIES AT SHAW ELEMENTARY
As a bridge for Hispanic families, Sylvia Hernandez, an EAST facilitator at Shaw Elementary, meets with parents through Zoom to teach them how to use technology to better assist their kids while juggling other roles like Spanish translator, SeeSaw expert, and volunteering as a curriculum creator.
In her 11th year at Shaw, Hernandez was an ESL instructional assistant for 10 years in the district before obtaining her teaching degree. She later worked at Jones Elementary as a kindergarten teacher before continuing her career at Shaw.
Born in El Paso, Texas, Hernandez’s family migrated to Rogers in search of a safer close-knit community. Family members already in that area told them about numerous job opportunities.
While her parents spoke Spanish nearly all the time, Hernandez began to learn English when she was dropped off with the babysitter. At school, Hernandez was pulled aside by her teachers to assist them with new students who were non-English speakers. At an early age she became a bridge of communication by translating.
“I remember teachers asking me to help.” says Hernandez. ESL programs weren’t available at the time. This proved to be a motivating factor in her decision to become a teacher.
“I love working with kids and I believe I could make an impact, especially since I know both languages.” says Hernandez.
Why does she like working at Shaw Elementary?
“Because I feel like I can help the kids. All of our hispanic kids.” She responds, “For Hispanic kids, there is no one else who speaks Spanish except me. Our Spanish speaking parents all have my cell number. They are not shy about using it and they ask me questions. That closes the gap between the cultures and communities and makes them feel like they are part of Shaw.”
Hernandez switched to EAST hoping to make a greater impact and teach more kids. EAST students learn coding and more opportunities are opened for them. She noted how shocked kids are when they realize all the different careers EAST can lead to as they learn of their potential, even as elementary students.
Because of EAST, her daughter learned she had a passion for engineering and is now attending the University of Arkansas to pursue her career in that field.
“Our philosophy of teaching at EAST is the kids think we don’t know anything because we make them research everything. ‘I don’t know’ is what we tell them so they dig deep and research to find out how to work things. I don’t tell them the step by step of everything. Their learning becomes self directive learning. You see the excitement when they accomplish it on their own. It’s amazing!”
In her roles at Shaw, Hernandez is a major asset to teachers, staff and Spanish speaking parents.
“She’s impacting everybody, says Shelly Bewley, Shaw principal. “She’s helping kids and teachers. ESL kids text her and parents text her, she translates the newsletters.”
During this week of remote learning, Shaw is having small groups of students show up at the school for help. Shaw also has a team reaching out to parents and legal guardians with students who don’t connect online. “We call those parents immediately and see if they need any help, if they need internet access, or why their students aren’t completing the work,” says Hernandez.
Hernandez focuses on helping Spanish speaking parents through Zoom calls in order to help them learn how to use their iPad, chrome book or laptop to help their kids. In this way, Hernandez is closing the gap at Shaw Elementary and is another prime example of how the whole district is working together for the whole child. #THEChoice
CHELSEA JENNINGS NAMED ARKANSAS JUNIOR HIGH ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR
Chelsea Jennings of Lakeside Junior High has been named Arkansas Junior High School Assistant Principal of the Year by the Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators.
In her fifth year as assistant principal at Lakeside Junior High, Jennings taught two years at J.O. Kelly Middle School and six years at Springdale High School before becoming a district TOSA (teacher on special assignment.
“I was surprised, excited and a little shell shocked when I found out,” said Jennings, a University of Central Arkansas graduate. “I am proud to represent Lakeside, the Springdale School District and the state of Arkansas, especially considering there are so many great educators in our state.
“This award is the result of a strong collaborative culture at Lakeside. Our principal, Dr. Michael Shepherd, has been a mentor to me, and our faculty members are amazing. They are not afraid to take risks.”
Shepherd said, “Chelsea has all the ideals of leadership. She is an outstanding leader, colleague and friend.”
Springdale District Superintendent Dr. Jared Cleveland added, “We are very proud of Chelsea. We are excited she is in Springdale and for the work she does every day. Her character shines through in everything she does.”
Dr. Mike Hernandez, Executive Director – Elect of the AAEA, presented the award in the Lakeside cafeteria in front of members of the school’s faculty and district administrators. He explained, “The award is given annually to a secondary level assistant principal who has succeeded in providing high-quality learning opportunities for students and has been acknowledged by peers for exemplary contribution to the profession.”
Jennings is the fifth honoree from Lakeside during 2020. Joel Lookadoo is the current Arkansas Teacher of the Year, Lauren Willis is the Arkansas Junior High Counselor of the Year, Brian Johnson is the Arkansas Junior High Library Media Specialist of the Year and Rachel Cornett is the Junior High Regional Choir Director of the Year.
The whole district working for the whole child is another reason Springdale Public Schools are #THEChoice.
You are invited! Please join Northwest Technical Institute LIVE on December 3rd at 9:45AM and 6PM to celebrate diversity!
J.O. Kelly Middle School is hosting elementary students with Instructional Assistants and After School Program staff. Students receive instruction from their home schools and have mentors available to help. This is the whole district working for the whole child. #THEChoice
J.O. Kelly math instructor Tania Cardenas connects with her students by Zoom during this week of remote learning. She says, "It's pretty cool! We have been preparing for this all year. It has gone very well so far. Students turn in their work every day. We just started a new unit." Innovative instruction is one of many reasons Springdale Public Schools are #THEChoice
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Please enjoy these Thanksgiving videos! Including a turkey going BOOOOOOOM!
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHEBmi0yiDOo1cuC_hjt4yzWXiM48WD1w
Have a Happy Thanksgiving from Springdale Schools to your family! #WeAreThankful
Becca Woods, instructional facilitator at Elmdale, shares why she is thankful. #WeAreThankful
Please enjoy this Walker "We are Thankful" video from Walker Elementary Kindergarten.
https://youtu.be/phrnf2ErV4g
Please enjoy this #WeAreThankful video from the JTEConnects.
https://youtu.be/X10EQABtsLU
We are thankful for our students and families at Springdale School District! #WeAreThankful
Please enjoy this Phoenix TV Thanksgiving edition from Don Tyson. https://youtu.be/J0w6dUPyhY4
Please enjoy this Thanksgiving special from Har-Ber High School.
https://youtu.be/6T9u8zn0jFU
Please enjoy this Thanksgiving video from Springdale High School.
https://youtu.be/05yBVupT1rY