Thank you Walker Foundation!
Thank you Truity Credit Union!
Thank you McDonald's!
JOHN SCOTT – SRO, SPRINGDALE HIGH SCHOOL
John Scott had served in law enforcement for 22 years when he was given an assignment he was told was “perfect for me.” The trouble was, he didn’t see it that way. But, after a month of teaching in the Springdale High School Law Academy, Scott realized how perfect his new position was.
“I loved doing training in the police department,” Scott says. “I love teaching and sharing the knowledge I’ve picked up through the years. I had trained officers for four and a half years when the position came open to teach in the Law Academy at Springdale High School.
“I was told the job would be perfect for me because I was a good teacher but I didn’t think I would have enough patience to work with kids. After a month at the school my attitude changed and I fell in love with teaching high school students. They were so welcoming.”
Scott teaches two classes a day to juniors taking Fundamentals of Law Enforcement. He also serves as a student resource officer at SHS. In his third year in his current position, Scott still appreciates the welcoming environment.
“The image of law enforcement in our schools is very positive,” Scott says. “The students at the high school love us, the have fun with us, they engage with us and they communicate well with us. They feel comfortable telling us what their needs are and we do everything we can to help meet those needs.
“The Springdale police department and Springdale School District support the SROs. The administration at Springdale High School is wonderful. We are here for them and they are here for us. It is a great community.”
Scott utilizes one of his talents to build a deeper bond with the SHS staff. He cooks lunch for them on a semi-regular basis.
“My wife, Melissa, and I love to cook,” Scott explains. “On Sundays we map out our meals for the week. Today I have fajitas and rice for lunch. Everyone in the office is envious. Every Friday a staff member or an SRO is responsible for furnishing lunch for the principal, assistant principals and ladies in the office.
“Most Fridays whoever is responsible will order pizzas but when it’s my turn I cook something and bring it. I include some for the nurses and the attendance staff. This week I am either going to make chili or tacos. When I make chili I will bring about six pounds of it and it is always gone by the time the day is over.”
Scott receives plenty of satisfaction when he cooks but even more when he witnesses the progress of students in the Law Academy.
“We have about 140 students in the Law Academy and 46 are in the classes I teach,” Scott says. “Sophomores take Introduction to Criminal Justice and seniors take Introduction to Criminal Law. They receive various certificates during the time they are in the academy. That gives them a head start when they graduate. In fact, they can go right into areas of law enforcement like dispatching or working in a jail.
“Two of last year’s graduates are already serving as dispatchers for the Springdale police. They start with good salaries and excellent benefits. In Arkansas you have to be 21 to join the police force. Serving in the jail or as a dispatcher provides valuable experience for those who want to join the police when they are 21. We believe what we are teaching them allows them to bridge the gap between when they graduate from high school and when they turn 21 and can become an officer.”
Of course, students in the SHS Law Academy are well versed in several areas long before they graduate. They are tested in handcuffing, dealing with felony traffic stops, and DWI testing and are trained to stop the bleeding when encountering someone who has been wounded as well as dealing with an active shooter, among other things.
“Training has been a little different this year because of COVID,” Scott says. “We are just finishing testing for handcuffing. Everyone wears rubber gloves and face coverings, we do it outside, we rotate partners so no two students are close to each other for more than 10 minutes, and when we are done we sanitize everything. To be fair, I don’t judge them. SROs from other schools will come and do the judging.”
While training officers and now students is enjoyable for Scott, his career didn’t begin as a policeman. After he graduated from high school he went straight into the military.
“I graduated from McDonald County High School in Missouri, just north of the Arkansas line, and joined the army,” Scott recalls. “I was in Operation Desert Storm and trained all over the world. I helped train Thailand’s military when I was stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska. They are wonderful people in Thailand.
“I loved being stationed in Alaska. The winters were cold but weren’t so bad because I loved to ski. The summers were great. The sun would be up at 3:30 in the morning. It was hardly ever dark. I had been in the army eight years, my time in Alaska was over and I wanted to be stationed in Colorado. When that didn’t work out I came home and joined the police force.”
He served with the Bella Vista police for 12 years before moving to Springdale. He notes, “Springdale is a larger community with more opportunities on the police force. I served on patrol and in the traffic division recreating accidents. That was tough because many times the accidents involved death. I was training officers when I took the position at Springdale High School.”
Since an officer’s career lasts 28 years and Scott has just three years remaining before hitting that mark, what does he plan to do when he retires from the force?
“I’m already working on it,” responds Scott, who earned his associate’s degree from Northwest Arkansas Community College and his degree in organizational management from John Brown University. “I want to teach.
“Each of our students does a portfolio and part of that is writing letters. I read those letters. When I read a letter that said, ‘I never had a dad but if I did I would want him to be like Corporal Scott’ it brought tears to my eyes. So, this summer I decided to give our students all of me. I went to Little Rock to take classes to get a teacher’s license. I’m now certified.
“We are able to do a lot in the Law Academy but we can do much more with another certified technician. Obviously it would be up to the district administration and the school board but I would love to continue to teach in the Law Academy full time.”
Parents don't forget! October 16th and 19th will be remote learning days. Please see the flyers below for more information.
Watch LIVE
Har-Ber High School Volleyball | Har-Ber vs. Ft. Smith Southside
https://youtu.be/M_9PzbKUPRc
Congratulations to Hayden and Carter Swope Har-Ber High School boys double state championships in tennis. Also, please congratulate the Har-Ber High School boys tennis team for being the 6A state runner-up. State championships are another reason why Springdale Schools are #TheChoice .
Thank you Joann's Fabric!
Free school meals are still available on the All Virtual Days, Friday and Monday. Both meals can ONLY be picked up on October 16. Preorder by 9am October 16 at http://go.sdale.org/food. Families pick up your meals from any school. Serving families is why Springdale is #TheChoice!
Watch Live at 5pm
Springdale Public Schools | October School Board Meeting
https://youtu.be/KZTZEygYX9A
Thank you United Way!
Thank you Burger King!
Bernice Young wins National Recognition
https://www.smore.com/rext5-bernice-young-elementary-wins
Thank you NWA Food Bank!
Parents please mark your calendars for these important dates!
First grade teacher Jana Lara and third grade teacher Amy Sandy, both of Sonora Elementary School, have each won $500 from Scholastic Books by entering the company's contest. Each will be able to add a considerable number of books to their classroom libraries. Dedicated teachers who utilize resources to enhance their classrooms help make Springdale Public Schools #THEChoice.
TRAVIS BEYER, SRO, CENTRAL JUNIOR HIGH
Think toys make a difference? They did for Travis Beyer, who serves as student resource officer at Central Junior High. Fascinated by police car and firetruck lights, Beyer loved playing with toy versions of those vehicles.
“I was always intrigued with the flashing lights on police cars and firetrucks,” Beyer recalls. “I loved the gadgets that came with those vehicles. All my toys reflected that. If a toy had lights, I wanted it. I was also impressed when I saw a policeman in uniform. I knew at an early age I wanted to be a police officer.”
Beyer has been wearing the uniform of a Springdale police officer for 20 years. He is in his sixth year as SRO at Central Junior High.
“I’ve always enjoyed working on the police force because there are so many options available to us,” Beyer says. “I have served on all shifts of patrol and as a field training officer. There are also detectives and drug interventionists and SROs. A full career on the police force is 28 years and they make sure you never get burned out.
“Becoming an SRO was a goal of mine. Jeff Taylor, who supervises the SRO program, had talked to me about being an SRO for years before I took the position at Central. When I came to Central I fell in love with my job again.”
Why does he love being SRO at Central so much?
“The students, staff and families have made me feel like a team member,” Beyer responds. “It’s been amazing. Until COVID the students gave me high fives and fist bumps every morning. There’s still an occasional elbow bump. The PTO here spoils the teachers and staff and me, too. I’ve received so many baked goods I think I’ve gained 30 pounds since I’ve been here. I am blessed to be part of the Central team.”
Diligently watching student traffic even as he was being interviewed, Beyer is quick to point out, “It’s important to make sure our schools have a safe learning environment. Studies show kids learn better when they know they are safe. That’s why the relationships we build with students and their families are so important. Those relationships last long after the students have gone to high school.
“I will see some of our former students in the community and they do a double take when they see me out of uniform. I’m usually wearing a ball cap and comfy clothes. It means a lot to me when they say hello.”
Of course there are many in the community who have known him away from the police force since he has been a lifelong Springdale resident. He was an Elmdale Eagle, a Central Warrior and a Springdale Bulldog growing up.
Was he influenced by an SRO as he was going through Springdale schools?
“Not really,” he responds. “I knew we had an SRO at Springdale High School and I saw and respected him but I never got in trouble growing up. I never had to deal with the police on that side.”
Beyer was too busy playing American Legion baseball and football for Springdale High to get into trouble. He enjoyed his athletic experiences but is envious of what he sees at Central.
“Sports were stressful for me,” Beyer says. “I wish I would have had more fun. I look at the relationships these kids at Central have with their coaches and am a little jealous. They form a strong bond with each other.”
Beyer’s strongest bond is with his family. He and his wife have three daughters, all of whom have been or are being educated in Springdale.
“Our oldest daughter was a Har-Ber cheerleader and is in graduate school at the University of Central Arkansas,” Beyer says. “We have a 10th grader at Har-Ber High School who plays volleyball and softball and our fifth grader is at Walker Elementary. I’ve always told our kids to have no regrets. Try out for whatever you are interested in.
“I tell the kids at Central the same thing. They call me “OB” for Officer Beyer. I always tell them to have a great day and make good choices. They’ve heard it so much they sometimes say it to me before I can say it to them.”
Beyer has plenty of great days at Central but when he’s away from his job he loves to hunt and fish.
“My entire family loves the great outdoors,” Beyer says. “We all have a passion for being outdoors. Our daughter at Har-Ber is also into travel sports. We are away most weekends for travel softball. Our youngest daughter takes dance. We encourage our daughters to pursue what they enjoy. They don’t have to do something just because an older sister does.”
Beyer encourages the students at Central just like he does his own daughters. It helps that he and the other district SROs receive plenty of community support.
“Lieutenant Taylor has a love and passion for Springdale Schools,” Beyer says. “We receive amazing support from Lieutenant Taylor, city government and the entire community. I hear from parents all the time, thanking me for what I do. I am very grateful to work in Springdale and have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our students and families.”
Beyer and the entire staff of SROs make a difference every day. They are among the reasons Springdale Public Schools are #THEChoice.
U.S. Congressman Steve Womack visited Young Elementary School to congratulate teachers, staff and students for being named a Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. He also took a tour of the school and presented the library with several books donated by the Library of Congress. Womack said, "Springdale Schools have an amazing list of accomplishments that would take years to chronicle. Students at Young may be too young to realize it now but someday they will know they are being educated in a system that is much better than most systems around the country. And, don't forget the great support you receive from the Springdale community." Special visits by state and national leaders help make Springdale Public Schools #THEChoice .
Each year, the United States observes National Hispanic Heritage Month. But, how long has the U.S. been doing this? Was it always a month? Don't know? Don't worry This is Springdale has you covered!
https://www.smore.com/f5nqb-this-is-springdale
Watch LIVE at 5:30pm Springdale High School vs Har-Ber High School
https://youtu.be/BECVlQMD8Wk