Patrick Kingston is one of seven Springdale Public School District National Merit Semifinalists. He is a senior at Har-Ber High School. He says, "This feels really good. We took the PSAT test a couple times during my freshman and sophomore years. We did a lot of test preparation. This is exciting and means a lot. My dream school is Columbia University. My backup plan would be the University of Arkansas."
Come out and support the Springdale Schools Band programs and get a free car wash! The first 1,000 are free!!! Thank you Speedy Splash
And the band keeps marching on! Our teachers and directors go out of their way to put our students as their priority and think of new ways to adapt! Thank you for all that you do! #THEChoice
Trey Bowerman is one of seven Springdale Public School District National Merit Semifinalists. He is a senior at Har-Ber High School. He says, "I didn't see this coming. I still can't believe I made it. It was a lot of work and I think I did well, but it's still hard to believe I am a National Merit Semifinalist. I have applied to go to school at Oxford University in England. If that doesn't work out I will likely attend the University of Arkansas."
Noah Livingston is one of seven Springdale Public School District National Merit Semifinalists. He is a senior at Har-Ber High School. He says, "I have been working a long time for this. It is a great honor. Har-Ber has a great atmosphere for learning and I love the students and teachers here. I am doing the paperwork to apply for admission to one of the military academies. All three of them are great."
When you qualify for Free or Reduced Price Lunch you also get FREE resources and opportunities!
https://www.smore.com/h18vp-schoolcafe-com
Shelter Insurance Players of the Week for Har-Ber and Springdale High! Way to go! Pictured: Luke Adams - HBHS, Ricardo Gonzalez - SHS
This weekend looks like a perfect weekend to support our band and get a free car wash! First 1,000 are free!
A Butterfly of Hope
Art, with all its positive power, can be used to bring light, grace and tranquility to a community, and what better way to bring students and teachers together than an art project?
This is exactly what the art teachers and students at Springdale High School did as they collaborated to make a beautiful and unique butterfly installation with the purpose of uplifting the school in the midst of the pandemic.
Students in sculpture class, including blended students, were given an origami paper that they could take home if needed and instructed to write a message of hope or a simple note within it.
Mary Beth Breshears, an art teacher at Springdale High School, asked herself, “How can we bring color to the school?” And instead of having students introduce themselves, she thought it would be fun to start their return to school with art right away!
The teachers walked the halls of the school brainstorming about where they could place this unique art project and came across the idea of displaying it in the rotunda for everyone to see and admire.
They wanted to bring a “hopeful note” to the school and purposely wrote out the word “hope” in origami butterflies with help from the Student Council team.
“A lot of the teachers have been thanking us for bringing color to the school; really appreciating something aesthetically pleasing to look at.” said Breshears.
Amanda Craddick, another SHS art teacher, explained, “We are in the middle of this pandemic, our students have been hit so hard with issues and it’s great to see it raise the morale of the school. It’s just so happy! The reception of it has been really good.”
The art teachers believe it is the brightest part of the school and this collaboration will bring a positive impact and an uplifting message of HOPE to the community, especially to the students and staff, during this time.
Below are just a few of the messages of hope written by students themselves.
Pictured: SHS Art Teachers: Amanda Craddic, Mary Beth Breshears, Katie McCloskey, and Ty Lee. Pictured as well, the student council team of Springdale High School.
“I hope I pass the year with good grades and that we may have everything back to normal, if not better than before.”
“I hope to make new friends.”
“I want to be able to connect with others and pass all my classes. I also hope everyone stays safe.
“I hope I have a successful future.”
“I am wishing this year everything goes back to normal and everything will be okay.”
“I hope to get to see our season through for cheer and football.”
“My dream for this year is to be more involved in school, start applying for colleges, and find the right career path for my future.”
“I hope to improve my art skills and maybe find new hobbies.”
“I want to learn how to draw and create cool art pieces.”
An amazing art display completed through collaborative effort is another reason Springdale Public Schools are #THEChoice.
George IF Has Passion to Help Dyslexic Students
Elizabeth Dederich is in her 21st year as an educator, including 20 in the Springdale Public School District, but a new assignment has flamed her passion for helping students who are diagnosed with showing markers for dyslexia. While maintaining her position as an instructional facilitator at George Elementary School, Dederich has had the opportunity to work with the district’s building level dyslexic interventionalists.
“I taught fourth grade in my first year in education and I was mesmerized by how first grade teachers taught readiing,” says Dederich, who is in her 10th year at George. “Four or five years ago Annette (Thompson, George principal) wanted me to dig deeper into dyslexia.
“I earned an endorsement in dyslexia and learned through the Science of Reading that phonological awareness is the first step toward learning to read. So, the question becomes, how do we recognize when a problem in learning to read is because of dyslexia?”
In searching for answers for supporting those diagnosed with markers of dyslexia, Dederich dove into district professional development, noting, “Linda Odle, Leanne Howard and Cindy Love have done a great job of helping us watch children, find specific gaps in their learning and helping us fill those gaps. It’s fascinating. We have time and a structure in place to fill those gaps.”
Recognizing the need to have someone within the district to train and work with the building level dyslexic interventionalists (there is one in every school), coordinator of student support services Damon Donnell chose Dederich to begin to fill that role.
“It was like giving a dog a bone when Damon gave me the opportunity to work with the BLDI’s,” says Dederich. “In kindergarten through fifth grade, we use Phonics First when dealing with dyslexia. In grades 6-12 we utilize Structures. The BLDI’s are given extensive training and are exposed to the Science of Reading. Our district has given us resources to support the work.
“At George, Annette has given me responsibilities and taught me how to create systems that promote change. Sue Wood, another IF, has been instrumental in my learning through the years. I love my work at George but also want to serve our entire district. The BLDI’s need a place to ask questions and have peer support. I have been blessed because several of them have reached out to me after our training sessions.”
It doesn’t surprise Donnell that the BLDI’s have connected with Dederich. He says, “Elizabeth is one of the best leaders I’ve ever worked with. She gets people and how to make change through collaborative effort.”
Dederich doesn’t take the leadership responsibility lightly.
“One of the ways we can test for dyslexia is through a map fluency assessment,” Dederich explains. “I spent the summer doing a deep dive into how the test works and how we are assessing. It enabled me to create professional development.
“A book we use says one in five students could have dyslexia. We need to recognize what the markers for dyslexia are. Reading difficulties could be a result of too many absences, a language barrier or it could be dyslexia. We have to be able to identify the problem to provide the proper services.”
What is the eventual goal?
“Our hope is that within time every student is reading on grade level as we remove the difficulties of being dyslexic,” Dederich responds. “We want to make sure every student’s needs are met. There is no specific timetable because every child is different. But, when we look at the data we want to make sure each student is making adequate progress.”
Working to insure every dyslexic student receives the resources necessary to overcome any obstacles is another reason Springdale Public Schools are #THEChoice.
Padres, por favor lean el anuncio importante sobre almuerzos gratis y reducidos. ¡Es más que un almuerzo!
Parents, please read the important announcement about free and reduced lunch. More than just a meal!
Padres, por favor vea el volante para aprender informaciĂłn importante sobre los almuerzos gratis y reducidos.
Parents, please see the flyer below to learn about important information regarding free and reduced lunches.
Donation to GJHS by the Urban League of Arkansas. They collected school supplies for the month of August and presented them to us Sept. 4th. The supplies will help our students at every level of engagement their families choose this year. Pictured in photos: Brandon Claybrook, Mr. Jenkins, Danielle Reynolds, Gheremey Edwards, Alicia Johnson.
Save the Date! The 41st annual Springdale Band Car Wash is almost here! On September 23rd the first 1,000 cars get a free car wash and vacuum at 3 Speedy Splash Locations. Partners like Speedy Splash is another reason why Springdale Schools is #THEChoice
Watch Bulldog Varsity Football LIVE on YouTube!
Springdale Bulldog Football | SHS vs Farmington
https://youtu.be/tG76zotze9I
Watch Wildcat Varsity Football LIVE on YouTube!
Har-Ber High School Football | Har-Ber vs Greenwood
https://youtu.be/XBW79zVZqHM
DTSOI Lacrosse are looking at adding more players to our men's lacrosse program across the district. If interested, please reach out to Coach Stokes at jstokes@sdale.org. Practices start at the beginning of October. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
Air high fives are just as awesome! Thank you teachers for caring so much about our students! #ThankATeacher
