Arkadelphia Public Schools

October was National Principals Month! Arkadelphia Public Schools are proud to have an outstanding group of dedicated principals. We wrap up our introductions with Arkadelphia High School Principal Callie Hunley. Ms. Hunley grew up in Ashdown, Arkansas where she graduated high school. She is also a graduate of Ouachita Baptist University. She has been in education for 31 years; she has been a principal for 18 years. What inspired you to choose a career in education? My mother was an excellent educator herself. When and how did you know you wanted to be an administrator? Becoming an administrator was a gradual process. My goal was to be a Special Education Director but when a job as principal opened up, I took the opportunity to advocate for all students. What do you enjoy most about working with students? I love seeing students be successful at school and beyond. A fun fact about Ms. Hunley, she had lunch with Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton. She loves spending time with family and friends outside of school. It is an honor to have Callie Hunley as the Arkadelphia High School Principal! #BadgerPride #NationalPrincipalsMonth

Arkadelphia Fire Chief Andy Neel and members of the fire department have been visiting classrooms at Peake Elementary School. They are sharing some important lessons with our students about fire safety. #BadgerPride

Peake Elementary School 2nd Grade Student Sophia McClure was recognized at the October Arkadelphia School Board meeting with a Badger Pride Award. Sophia was nominated by her principal, Mary Snowden. Sophia had received a principal’s PAWSome certificate after being recommended by Peake Counselor De’Shae Craig for being a leader, working hard, and showing respect. The Peake PAWS (Practice Safety, Accept Responsibility, Work Hard, and Show Respect) represents the behaviors that Peake would like all students to achieve. Congratulations Sophia! #BadgerPride

Members of the Peake and Goza Gifted and Talented Program volunteered their time to participate in the DeGray Lake Shoreline Cleanup. We are proud of their spirit of service in the beautification of our community. These students were nominated by their GT Teacher Brandi Cotton. Great job students! #BadgerPride

Recently, young men in the Goza 7th & 8th grade GT Program joined with 100 others from area schools for the first Bold Brave Boys Bonanza Service Learning Day. The event was funded by Ozark Society and Optimum who provided $3,000 in grant funding for the bat houses and wood-burning pens; Hardman Lumber donated other needed supplies; and ASU Three Rivers construction instructor Kamron Barber assisted in organizing the event. The boys were divided into groups that were joined by 23 dedicated Role Model Men who shared how they use their leadership and trade to make a difference in their communities. Phillip Jordan with the U.S. Forestry shared his knowledge and images of bats especially those in Arkansas. The rest of the day was spent constructing 100 bat houses with logos created by each group. These bat houses are being donated to area nature centers and state parks across Arkansas. Each school also took home two bat houses to hang in their community.

Here is what is happening this week in the Arkadelphia School District. This week will hold the last Jr. and Sr. High Football games of the season. Let's show our Badger Spirit! On Saturday, everyone is invited to the Badger Basketball Benefit Tipoff at 1p.m.. #BadgerPride

Daylight savings time ends Sunday, November 3, 2024. Remember, fall back tonight! 🍁

October was Dyslexia Awareness Month. In last month’s Arkadelphia School Board meeting, Arkadelphia Public Schools Dyslexia Specialist Jodie Daniell gave an instructional report that included Dyslexia data and services provided to our students by Jodie and her team. We are grateful for these educators who are making an impact in the lives of students every day. This month Mrs. Daniell made trips into Peake classrooms to read How Your Brain Learns to Read (K-2) and Thank You, Mr. Falker (3-4) by Patricia Pollock to all students. For more information on Dyslexia Awareness Month visit dyslexiaida.org/october-is-dyslexia-awareness-month-2/ #BadgerPride

Second-grade students at Peake Elementary have been working on writing personal narratives. When you walk down their hall, you can see the progress they are making. The students also put into practice their art skills with their writing by suggesting what their second-grade teacher should be for Halloween. Their teachers have a lot of ideas to choose from. Very creative! Everyone be safe out there tonight! #BadgerPride

October is National Principals Month! Arkadelphia Public Schools are proud to have an outstanding group of dedicated principals. We would like to introduce Arkadelphia High School Assistant Principal Trent Smith. Coach Smith graduated from Glenwood High School. He attended Crowley’s Ridge and Garland County Community Colleges, Henderson State University (BSE), and Arkansas State University (MSE). He has been in education for 24 years. This is his fifth year as assistant principal. What inspired you to choose a career in education? I love athletics and competition; coaching was the logical choice. I have never regretted it. When did you know you wanted to be an administrator? I knew as soon as I went into education that I wanted to be an administrator. What do you enjoy most about working with students and staff? Students–I love seeing students be successful after they graduate! Staff–We have the hardest working, BEST staff. They are awesome to work with. What is your favorite book or a book that has inspired you? Where the Red Fern Grows Coach Smith likes to go on metal-detecting explorations in his free time. We are so grateful for Coach Trent Smith, AHS Assistant Principal! #BadgerPride #NationalPrincipalsMonth

Goza Middle School hosted the Arkadelphia School Board for lunch on Wednesday. The Board enjoyed a wonderful lunch from the cafeteria. October is Bullying Awareness Month and this was the focus of presentations made by Goza “upstanding” students. The meeting was filled with productive and encouraging discussions between administrators, students, and the Board. Thank you Goza for a great lunch! #BadgerPride

The Arkadelphia Agriculture Education and FFA received a $2500 grant from the Arkansas Farm Bureau Foundation for The Rebirth of Arkadelphia FFA. The grant helped the chapter purchase classroom supplies and new FFA Jackets for the program’s officers and members. Derek Helms, Becky and Wayne Baumgardner from the Clark County Farm Bureau Board of Directors were on campus to see the officers in the new jackets today. They also donated Agriculture career posters for Mr. Sammy Cox’s Ag Classroom. We are so grateful for the support of the Arkansas and Clark County Farm Bureau. #BadgerPride

Superintendent Nikki Thomas and Gurdon Superintendent Misty Woolf led a session this morning at the Henderson State University Education Department Professional Development Day. The presentation centered around Professionalism for Educators. Their audience included HSU current and soon-to-be interns. #BadgerPride

October is National Principals Month. Arkadelphia Public Schools are proud to have an outstanding group of dedicated principals. Today, we would like to introduce Peake Elementary School Principal Mary Snowden. Ms. Snowden graduated from Delight High School and Henderson State University. This is her 19th year in education and her 8th year as a principal. One of her favorite things about being a principal is getting to know her students. What inspired you to choose a career in education? I volunteered in my child’s primary classroom and liked working with students. When and how did you know you wanted to be an administrator? I knew I wanted to be an administrator because as a teacher I had the best principal, Nikki Thomas, I knew when she left Peake that I wanted to make the same impact that she had made. What is your favorite book or a book that has inspired you? Really, any book centered around slavery. It reminds me that African Americans did not always have the privileges we have now. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐨 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤? I like to spend time with my grandbaby, Aubreigh, and watch the Badgers and Dallas Cowboys football games. Thank you Ms. Snowden for your leadership! #BadgerPride #NationalPrincipalsMonth

October is National Principals Month! Arkadelphia Public Schools are proud to have an outstanding group of dedicated principals. We would like to introduce Goza Middle School Principal Tisha Hunter. Mrs. Hunter graduated from Nogales High School in La Puente, California; their mascot is the Nobles! She is also a graduate of the California State University in Pomona. Her favorite sports team is the Los Angeles Lakers! She has been in education for 23 years and a principal for 3 years. What inspired you to choose a career in education? To have a positive influence and to change the trajectory of young kids’ lives. When and how did you know you wanted to be an administrator? I knew I wanted to be an administrator when I was in the classroom as a teacher. What do you enjoy most about working with students and staff? I enjoy listening to learn from students and staff and perhaps offer some additional life insight or varied viewpoints. What do you like to do in your free time/outside of school? Read great novels about interesting people such as entrepreneurs; attend plays, concerts, dance recitals, or comedy shows. We love Mrs. Hunter! #BadgerPride #NationalPrincipalsMonth

October is National Principals Month! Arkadelphia Public Schools are proud to have an outstanding group of dedicated principals. We would like to introduce Goza Middle School Assistant Principal Brian Gibson. Mr. Gibson graduated from Lake Hamilton High School. His higher education alma maters include Henderson State University and Arkansas State University. He has been in education for 16 years; this is his first year as an assistant principal. What inspired you to choose a career in education? I wanted to be a positive influence in the lives of my students and athletes just as my teachers and coaches were for me. When and how did you know you wanted to be an administrator? During last school year, it was a perfect opportunity at the perfect time. What do you enjoy most about working with students and staff? Watching people grow, develop, and take pride in themselves is an amazing experience. What do you like to do in your free time/outside of school? Spend time with friends and family. A fun fact about Mr. Gibson–he has been a Steelers fan all his life and has attended several games including Super Bowl XXX! Thank you for your commitment to Goza Middle School! #BadgerPride #NationalPrincipalsMonth

October is National Principals Month! Arkadelphia Public Schools are proud to have an outstanding group of dedicated principals. We would like to introduce Peake Elementary School Assistant Principal Leah Clark. Mrs. Clark is a graduate of Arkadelphia High School and Henderson State University. This is her 13th year in education and her 1st year as an assistant principal. What inspired you to choose a career in education? My mom! Seeing her excitement every day going to work and the impact she had on her students. When and how did you know you wanted to be an administrator? Watching Mrs. Nikki Thomas lead Peake as our principal. I knew I wanted to have the same impact on a school one day. What do you enjoy most about working with students and staff? Getting to know them on a personal and professional/academic level. What do you like to do in your free time/outside of school? I love spending time with my boys. We really enjoy weekends at our camp on the river. We are proud to have Leah Clark on the administrative team! #BadgerPride #NationalPrincipalsMonth

It was so great to witness the continuing tradition of the Pumpkin Totem Pole at Peake Elementary School after many years at Perritt Primary School. Thank you South Central for making this happen for our school. Congrats to Rodgers(1st Place), Talley(2nd), and Hardage(3rd)!

It was professional development day in Arkadelphia Public Schools. Peake hosted Shawn Creswell from Solution Tree. Our campuses focused on the PLC, CKH, and BX3 Behavioral processes. It was a good day of planning, collaboration, and some food fellowship. #BadgerPride

Tomorrow is a Professional Development Day for our staff. There will be NO school for students. Good luck to Cross Country at District and Lady Badger Volleyball at State. Have a great week! #BadgerPride