Governor Beebe issues proclamation, Central Students present

Proclamation issued by Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe naming January School-Board Member Appreciation Month.

Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe issued a proclamation naming January as School Board Member Appreciation Month, and recognizing the efforts of the more than 1,470 volunteer school-board members in Arkansas. The proclamation emphasizes the important role school boards fulfill in their communities by acknowledging the “paramount importance (of education) to the future of the State of Arkansas and the Nation, with over 468,000 children attending public and charter schools in Arkansas.”

Beebe states in the proclamation that school-board members “must be committed to success, contribute countless hours fulfilling their roles, participate in annual training to enhance their knowledge, and receive no compensation for the time and effort they contribute on behalf of their schools.”

“[School-board members] must be committed to success, contribute countless hours fulfilling their roles, participate in annual training to enhance their knowledge, and receive no compensation for the time and effort they contribute on behalf of their schools.”

 - Gov. Mike Beebe, in his proclamation naming January School-Board Member Appreciation Month

Arkadelphia Public Schools’ Superintendent Donnie Whitten read Beebe’s proclamation as part of his Report of Excellence during January’s regular meeting of the APS Board of Education, and recognized the seven, elected members of APS’s board, thanking them for their dedication to providing Arkadelphia students with first-class education opportunities.

Following the Report of Excellence, Central Primary students presented a variety of projects to the board. Third grader Blaise Batson, CPS’s Early Act Citizenship Council President, recapped the EACC sponsored events this school year including organizing floats for the homecoming and Christmas parades, food drives for the Clark County Humane Society and needy families, and a week’s worth of activities promoting drug-free living for Red Ribbon Week, a Veteran’s Day celebration, and a collection for the Angel Tree.

Batson pointed out that during their EACC Christmas Party, officers gave gifts to the Angel Tree instead of to each other.

Coming up during the week of January 27, CPS’s EACC is sponsoring The Great Kindness Challenge, where students will attempt to complete 50 acts of kindness during the week.

According to CPS Principal Melinda Morris, a shift away from an “anti-bullying week” and instead toward positive acts of kindness is helping eliminate a focus on negative, bullying behaviors.

“This teaches the same core values and frames the same lessons in a positive manner. The research, and our own observations, show this to be a better approach.”

 -Melinda Morris, CPS Principal

 “This teaches the same core values and frames the same lessons in a positive manner. The research, and our own observations, show this to be a better approach,” Morris said.

Batson concluded her presentation saying that the EACC is keeping very busy “planning activities for Central students AND doing all we can to support our community.”

Central Primary second grader Christian Moore presents a research project about the Golden Gate Bridge, and below, Judsen Coon delivers his report on Teddy Roosevelt. 

CPS students Judsen Coon, Christian Moore and Carter Babb demonstrated current research tools and methods being utilized at Central with their presentations about Teddy Roosevelt, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Monster Glowing Squid. The three students researched and presented with the aid of classroom iPads and online search engines designed to provide a safe and reputable sources for classrooms.

District teacher of the year Britney Hickman showed several video clips of her students participating in a recycling project and demonstrating activity transitions in her classroom.

Board members along with Whitten recapped the highlights from their experiences at the Arkansas School Board Association annual conference.

“It’s a good opportunity hear from your peers,” Whitten said. “There isn’t an emphasis on guest speakers and the sessions that are available showcase tangible ideas for other districts to consider.”

APS Curriculum and Instruction Director Jeannette Turner described current professional development opportunities for faculty and said that a primary area of focus this year has been the new TESS (Teacher Excellence and Support System) evaluations.

Whitten added that APS faculty members are dedicated to professional development, often exceeding the required number of hours. According to Whitten, teachers who accumulate 30 additional hours of professional development, giving them a total of 90 annual hours, are eligible to receive a $500 stipend.

APS News Service

sean.ruggles@arkadelphiaschools.org