School Board Meeting News

The Springdale Public Schools School Board met June 11, 2024.

Regular monthly School Board meetings are held at 5 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at the District Administration Building at 804 W. Johnson Ave.

Meetings are livestreamed HERE monthly.

Twenty Teachers from all 18 Springdale elementary schools were recognized as Elementary Teachers of the Year for their outstanding service this school year at the June meeting.

Please join us as we recognize:

• Bayyari Elementary School: Loretta Mansell

• Early Childhood Center: Lisa Carey

• Elmdale Elementary School: Stephanie Hines

• George Elementary School: Kourtnie Boshears

• Harp Elementary School: Leslie Harvey

• Hunt Elementary School: Polly Collier

• Jones Elementary School: Megan Benne

• K-8 Connect: Pamela Hollowell

• Knapp Elementary School: Cara Maxwell

• Monitor Elementary School: Rachel Oliver

• Jim D. Rollins School of Innovation: Jessie Walls

• Shaw Elementary School: Kim Gadberry

• Sonora Elementary School: Amy Johnson

• Smith Elementary School: Brittney Taylor

• Turnbow Elementary School: Jessica Stewart

• John Tyson Elementary School: S. Robyn Paschal

• Walker Elementary School: Katie Struebing

• Westwood Elementary School: Mary Ann Lassiter

• Young Elementary School: Kaci Phipps

The Board also congratulated Jessie Walls, a second-grade teacher from Jim D. Rollins School of Innovation, who was named Springdale Public Schools' Elementary Teacher of the Year.

Principal Carrie Farris accepted the award on her behalf.

Arkansas Department of Education Secretary Jacob Oliva has designated John Tyson Elementary School as one of the state's newest schools of innovation.

Schools have two years to earn the designation after their application is approved, and JTE earned the designation within one school year.

The primary purpose of a school of innovation is to improve learning for all students. Schools of innovation have the flexibility to explore new and creative alternatives to existing instructional and administrative practices.

John Tyson Elementary School was celebrated and honored this month as a new school of innovation at an Office of Innovation for Education Rally in Jonesboro.

"It is an honor to be recognized as a School of Innovation," said Dr. Shelly Poage, John Tyson Elementary School principal. "This recognition is only possible through the dedication of our staff and students, as well as our parents and community partners. Together, we work in creative ways to transform our school into a learner-centered environment."

The School Board likewise celebrated Ashely Kirby, John Tyson Elementary School assistant principal, and Jessi Walls, Jim D. Rollins School of Innovation second-grade teacher, on their outstanding contributions to their school, the district and beyond.

The award recognizes educators who are "Blazing the Trial" to transform teaching and learning across the state. These extraordinary individuals have pushed the boundaries, defied norms and inspired us all with their remarkable achievements.

Shaw Elementary School is the first Springdale school to earn the Arkansas STEM Model School designation.

Shaw is the seventh Arkansas school to receive the STEM designation, which stands for “Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.”

The designation emphasizes the integration of content to improve communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity, said Shelly Bewley, Shaw Elementary School principal.

Shaw’s team completed a rigorous, year-long application that compiled evidence from classrooms, the school and community involvement in support of earning the designation, Bewley said. The artifacts submitted showcased how STEM practices are embedded in the school's curriculum and instruction.

The English Language Proficiency Assessment for the 21st Century (ELPA21) is an annual assessment used to measure the English language proficiency of Springdale Schools' approximately 7,500 kindergarten through 12th grade English learners.

The ELPA21 is the one state assessment that remains unchanged from last year, providing a consistent measure for evaluating growth in English proficiency.

The assessment focuses on two key growth areas:

1. Overall Proficiency Level Growth
2. Growth in the Four Language Domains: Speaking, Listening, Reading, and Writing in grade-level academic English.

Results Snapshot for Spring 2023 vs. Spring 2024

• Increased Proficiency: The green section of the bar graphs show a higher percentage of students achieving proficiency this year compared to last. This marks the highest proficiency level since 2020.
• Emerging Level Increase: The red section indicates a higher percentage of students at the emerging level, largely due to the influx of approximately 950 new students to U.S. schools this year.
• Progressing Level: The yellow section represents students at the progressing level, with their growth measured across each language domain.

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Email: communications@sdale.org
Website: https://www.sdale.org/
Location: PO Box 8 Springdale Ar 72764
Phone: 479-750-8800