Arkadelphia Public Schools

One week from today is Open House!
Goza will host a 5th Grade Orientation next Thursday at 11:00 a.m.
AHS will host a 9th Grade Orientation at 1:00 p.m. that day.
Copies of student schedules will be available at Goza and AHS events.
We are excited to see all our students and their families!
#BadgerPride

This week, the Arkadelphia Public Schools Administrative Team attended the 2025 Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators 50th Summer Conference, “Legacy of Leadership.” This event brings together school leaders from across the state to learn, share ideas, and support public education. We appreciate the leadership of our admin team!
#BadgerPride

Starting with the 2025–2026 school year, all Arkansas public schools—including Arkadelphia—will enforce Act 122, also known as the “Bell to Bell, No Cell” law. This policy limits student use of personal electronic devices during the school day.

Under this new law, students are prohibited from possessing cell phones or other personal electronic devices during the instructional day—from the moment they are required to be on campus until they are dismissed. This policy includes lunch, recess, and all transitions during the day. The Bell to Bell, No Cell Act is designed to support a more focused and distraction-free learning environment while reinforcing student engagement and safety on campus.

Devices not allowed during the school day include cell phones, smartwatches, wireless earbuds/headphones, or other electronic communication devices.
Violations may lead to device confiscation, parent contact, and disciplinary action as outlined in the 2025–2026 Arkadelphia Public Schools Student Handbook. For more information, visit www.arkadelphiaschools.org/article/2331116

Let’s work together to protect instruction time, minimize distractions, and help our Badgers stay focused and ready to learn!
#BadgerPride

We are just a few weeks away from Friday night Badger Football! You can find all the 2025 Badger Fall Sports schedules on the Badger Athletics website at www.arkadelphiaschools.org/o/athletics
Get these dates on your calendar and be there to support our student-athletes.
Let's go!
#BadgerPride

Arkadelphia Public School District Teacher of the Year, Misty Smith, was recognized Monday at the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion as one of the Top 15 Finalists for the 2026 Arkansas Teacher of the Year! Each of the finalists received a $1,000 award courtesy of the Walton Family Foundation. We are incredibly proud of you, Mrs. Smith! Your dedication, passion, and leadership make an impact on your colleagues and students every single day. 💙❤️
#BadgerPride

𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 Student 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐭. Every Arkadelphia Public School District student will receive free breakfast this year!

Students who qualify for free and reduced-price meals will also receive FREE lunch - but don’t forget, a new application must be submitted every year.
Learn more: https://www.arkadelphiaschools.org/page/child-nutrition
Apply now: https://www.myschoolapps.com/Home/DistrictRedirect/ARKADELPHIA?langid=1

Only two weeks until Arkadelphia Public Schools' 2025-2026 Open House!
We look forward to meeting our students and their families!
#BadgerPride

Goza Jazzlers attended the Universal Dance Association summer camp from July 7-9. The team received the Superior award trophy. Jadan Stewart and Nia McClure made the All-American team. All girls received Superior ribbons for routines and showmanship. They are coached by Jalisa Bowers.
Congratulations!
#BadgerPride

Goza Middle School Social Studies Teacher Michael Ankton was selected as one of only 20 educators nationwide to attend the American Bar Association’s Summer Institute for Teachers, held at the Federal Judicial Center in Washington, D.C. This week-long program brought together educators from across the country to explore how to teach the U.S. Constitution, civil liberties, and landmark Supreme Court cases through a deeper civic lens.

Throughout the institute, he had the incredible opportunity to:
- Work closely with federal judges, legal scholars, and ABA educators on constitutional history and legal interpretation
- Analyze three major case studies: The Trial of Susan B. Anthony, The Flag Salute Cases, and The Chicago Seven
- Visit the U.S. Supreme Court and attend public opinion announcements live in the chamber
- Engage in professional collaboration with fellow social studies teachers from diverse school districts and backgrounds
- Explore how to connect these historic trials to modern issues of citizenship, civil disobedience, and justice in today’s classroom

Mr. Ankton said, “This experience deepened my understanding of how to make constitutional concepts engaging and relevant for students, and I plan to integrate what I learned into my classroom instruction and district-wide civic education efforts.”

Congratulations to Mr. Ankton on your selection for this amazing opportunity. Your students are going to truly benefit from your experience.
#BadgerPride

Drive into a Rewarding Role: Join Our Team as a School Bus Driver in Caddo Valley! 🚌

Are you looking for a fulfilling job with great benefits for the upcoming school year? We're hiring a school bus driver specifically for our Caddo Valley area bus route and we want you!

Here's why you should consider joining us:
Reimbursement for Physical & Background Check - We've got you covered!
Member of Teacher Retirement System - Plan for your future with excellent retirement benefits.
Access to Health Benefits - Comprehensive health coverage that includes free dental insurance
Bus Monitor on Route - Enjoy extra support with a bus monitor on your route.
$500 Signing Bonus! 💰

If you're a safe driver with a commitment to student well-being, we encourage you to apply at https://arkadelphia.tedk12.com/hire/index.aspx

The 2025–2026 Arkadelphia Public Schools Free and Reduced Meals Application is now open! We ask that EVERY family complete the application; there are benefits to families and our school district for doing so. Families receiving meal benefits during the 2024-2025 school year must submit new applications to be eligible for the 2025-2026 school year.

Apply Online: https://www.myschoolapps.com/Application

2025-2026 STUDENT MEAL PRICES
K-12 Breakfast Cost: FREE to ALL students
Lunch Cost:
K-4th grade $2.95
5th-12th grade $3.05

To view free/reduced meals eligibility requirements, FAQs, download a printable application, or access other Child Nutrition documents, visit: www.arkadelphiaschools.org/page/child-nutrition

This year, Arkadelphia Public Schools enter a new food service contract for school meals with Southwest Foodservice Excellence, LLC.

If you have a question, email our new Child Nutrition Director at jordan.holland@arkadelphiaschools.org
Welcome Jordan!

Mark your calendars for the 2025-2026 Arkadelphia Public Schools Open House schedule. We look forward to seeing our students and their families on Thursday, August 7th! Schools will soon be providing more information on schedules and supplies. If you have a new address or email, please reach out to your child’s school office to update your contact information.
Thank you.
#BadgerPride

🎆 Happy 4th of July from Arkadelphia Public Schools! 🎆 Wishing everyone an enjoyable and safe holiday filled with the sparkle of summer fun and family time together! ❤️💙🤍 #BadgerPride

Arkadelphia Public Schools buildings and offices will be closed beginning Thursday, July 3rd for the 4th of July holiday. Offices will reopen on Monday, July 7th. Enjoy your holiday!
#BadgerPride

📣 And They’re Off — FBLA Is Anaheim Bound! Our talented, hardworking, and dedicated students are officially on their way to the FBLA National Leadership Conference in Anaheim, California, which kicks off this Sunday!✈️ This incredible group has spent months preparing for this moment, and we are so proud of everything they’ve accomplished. A huge thank you to our amazing advisers — Mrs. Ashley Wesley, Ms. Lakesha Berry, and Ms. Jequetta Berry — for their unwavering support, encouragement, and the countless hours they’ve invested to help our students grow and succeed. We couldn’t do it without you! Join us in wishing everyone the best of luck as they represent our district with pride! #ArkadelphiaFBLA #GozaFBLA #ArkadelphiaProud #FBLA #NLC2025 #RoadToAnaheim #FutureLeaders #BadgerPride #ThankYouAdvisers

Our Staff Graduate Spotlight is shining on Peake Elementary School Teacher Cherrel MaGee who earned her Master of Arts in Teaching from Henderson State University this year. She accomplished this with Magna Cum Laude Honors. Ms. MaGee has also been accepted into the ESOL Institute with the goal of adding ESOL certification to her teaching license in order to benefit her students even more. Congratulations Ms. MaGee! #BadgerPride

Arkadelphia Public Schools were represented this summer at the Solution Tree High Impact Teams training in Austin, Texas. AHS Teacher Courtney Barras and Julie Bradshaw, Peake Assistant Principal Leah Clark, Peake Teacher Vanessa Rodgers, and Goza Teacher Ashley Whittle attended the training as we continue to build great teams in our district. #BadgerPride

📣 FBLA Is Headed to Anaheim! We are proud to announce that three outstanding members of Goza Middle School’s FBLA chapter will represent our district at the FBLA National Leadership Conference in Anaheim, California, taking place June 29 – July 2! 🇺🇸✈️ Please join us in congratulating: 🌟 Tiana Berry – Exploring Business Issues 🌟 Giselle Marroquin – FBLA Mission and Pledge 🌟 Anakaye Wilson – Learning Strategies Join us in wishing them the best of luck as they compete on the national stage! #GozaFBLA #ArkadelphiaProud #FBLA #NLC2025 #FutureLeaders #RoadToAnaheim