Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
Lakeside Band
https://youtu.be/SzDP-UHWAO0
George Junior High Choir
https://youtu.be/nRYYJH-zHjo
SWJH Band
https://youtu.be/yBZoABEbvwM
SWJH Choir
https://youtu.be/iDRS3v4bdME
SHS Band
https://youtu.be/pSy2NSv8Zd0
Thank You
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.
