UPDATE Volume 31, Number 4 December 2017

www.searcyschools.org

Searcy Public Schools STEM Days at Searcy Schools 801 North Elm Street Searcy, 72143 (501) 268-3517

Inside this Issue:

SHS EAST Program 2

All-Region Choir 2 McRae students learned that transportation engineers are concerned with the safe and efficient movement of people Deener ESOL Night 2 and objects. They discovered that intersection designs require balancing the needs of many parties. Increasing Lunch Menu 3 safety often leads to decreasing efficiency.

Events Calendar 3 Westside Elementary School held “Bring a Pirate to Thanksgiv- SHS Business 4 ing” or “Planxgiving” STEM Day Student on November 15th. Students en- gaged in various creative STEM Art Winners 4 activities such as Cross the Creek Challenge, turkey hunting chal- SWMS Veteran 4 lenge, and treasure hunting and tower design where they mea- Searcy Athletics 4 sured weight, distance, speed and height . They also utilized their coding skills to participate in a pumpkin pie challenge. Sidney Deener Students enjoyed Dates to Remember Elementary a fun-filled day School held educational • December 3 day! Band Concert Turkey STEM Day and • December 7 participated in SHS Choir Concert various STEM activities with a • December 11 Thanksgiving theme. AJHS Choir Concert

• December 12 Orchestra Concert

• December 14 SWMS Choir Concert • December 20 Regular School Board Meeting • December 22-January 5 Christmas Break SWMS students in Mrs. Sara Cooper’s class performed No School a STEM “Mayflower” project during study of those who traveled on the Mayflower to settle. Page 2 DECEMBER 2017 SHS EAST Hour of Tech Each year, EAST A few of the projects that will be featured new computer programming and com- students host an EAST Night Out event are Searcy Miracle League Baseball, Unity puter science courses as electives. where they open the classroom to show Through Story, Classroom Emergency During the Hour of Tech SHS EAST and off the emerging technology they use to Go Bags, SHS Courtyard Makeover, and Computer Science students will guide par- solve community problems. They present ULockIt Security. ticipants through fun, hands-on coding projects they are working on and recruit The event will also include an opportu- activities to earn certificates and recogni- community partners who might be re- nity for community members to par- tion for completing an Hour of Code. Cod- sources or even clients for new projects. ticipate in an Hour of Code. To honor the ers will join the ranks of Governor Asa On Saturday, December 9, from 10:00 birthday of computing pioneer Admiral Hutchinson, Bill Gates, Serena Williams, a.m. to 1:00 p.m., in the Searcy High Grace Murray Hopper, Computer Science and Ashton Kutcher as experienced cod- School Cafeteria, SHS EAST will host an Education Week is celebrated worldwide ers! If coding is not your thing, you can EAST “Day” Out - Hour of Tech to pres- December 4 - 10. Arkansas has been a read a story for the Unity project or print ent their work and engage community leader in the effort to offer computer sci- a 3D model. All ages are invited. Refresh- members with technology demonstra- ence courses to all students and Searcy ments will be served and door prizes will tions using the Oculus Rift virtual reality High School was among the first schools be given out every 30 minutes. headset, 3D printing, and other cool tools! to join the Governor’s initiative and offer All-Region Choir Members Selected Congratulations to Searcy High School and Ahlf Junior High School choirs on the selection of a number of choir members to the All-Region choirs.

Pictured are Searcy High School choir members who were selected to the Sr. High All-Region Choir: Anna Donnell, Aubrey Kersey, Abby Hamby, McKenna Ahlf Junior High School All-Region Choir members selected are Makayela McMullin, Emily Provence, Ivey Canter, Amare Smith, Tori Tackett, Mason Rollins, Anna Sumner, McKenzie Magness, Meredith Allen, Emily Ryan, Turney, Isaiah Lawson, Dante Villeada, Keegan Johnson, Danny Ebner, Travis Sophia Nabours, Sayra Cagle, Emily Tillett, Daylon Banks, Dylan Covington, Ty Ebner, Stella Engel, Lauren Chapman, Christopher Ditto, Meredith Williams, Morgan, Cameron Hicks, Caelyn Pettis, Johnathan Peters, Jalen Jackson, Chase Chloe Long, Bailey Baker, Parriun Buchanan, Megan Sledge, Abby Feather, Johnson, and Austin Roberson. Not Pictured are Alex Lucas and alternates Vannah Brown, Miraya Gerardo, Jacob Barker, and Lauren Parks. Not pictured Kinley Burton, Audra Donnell, Von Herrell-Sims, and Nyeli Trujillo. are Madison Lutrell, Tori Brown, Madelyn Gower, and Jewels Manley. Deener Hosts first ESOL Night On Monday, November 6th, Sidney Deener celebrated its first ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) family night. Of the thirty-four ESOL families, twenty-nine were able to attend. At the event, families were able to get useful information to help with homework, access to Tumblebooks, information about the Gifted and Talented program, The families were grateful for this op- Migrant Services, the White County portunity to get information in their own Literacy Council, and helpful websites. language about ways to help support their The Beta Club provided child care at the parents. Afterwards, everyone enjoyed children’s education. We are particularly event while parents visited the different pizza, cookies and lemonade. The Na- thankful to Mrs. Sandra Garcia for her stations where translators from Harding tional Honor Society also had members help in organizing this event and making University helped explain information to to help with the cleanup from the event. it a special night for all involved. DECEMBER 2017 Page 3 Lunch Menu

1 Chili with Beef & Beans & Mini Saltine Crackers OR Mini Corn Dogs w/Mustard “Smiles” Potato Shapes/Ketchup Creamy Coleslaw Fresh Grapes Brownie / Milk 4 5 6 7 8 Hot Dog with Mustard “Breakfast for Lunch” Personal Cheese Pizza Chicken Sticks with Sauce Corn Dog with Mustard OR Hamburger Scrambled Eggs OR Taco Soup with Cheese- OR Baked Ham OR Mostaccioli Pasta with Meat Lettuce/Tomatoes/Pickles Biscuit w/Cream Gravy/Jelly Filled Bread Stick Sour Cream & Chive Potatoes Sauce & Garlic Bread Stick “Bacon Cheddar Fries” Snacks Sausage Patty Green Salad with Dressing Seasoned Green Peas Seasoned Whole Kernel Corn Seasoned Whole Kernel Corn / Tator Tots with Ketchup Glazed Carrots Hot Roll Seasoned Green Beans Baked Beans Bell Pepper Strips Fruit Cocktail “Sidekicks” Frozen Juice Cup Granny Smith Apple Slices with Diced Pears / Milk Juice / Milk M & M Cookie Milk Caramel Dip / Milk Milk 11 12 13 14 15 Cheeseburger Chicken Tenders with Sauce Max Cheese Sticks Breaded Chicken Sandwich BBQ Chicken Drumstick OR Pizza Cheese Crunchers Mashed Potatoes with Gravy OR Stromboli OR Chicken Spaghetti with OR Tangerine Chicken Lettuce / Tomato /Pickles Broccoli with Cheese Sauce Marinara Sauce Bread Stick Macaroni & Cheese Onion Rings with Ketchup Fresh Orange Quarters Cheesy Roasted Squash Medley Lettuce/Tomato/Pickles Asian Rice / Celery Sticks Baked Beans Hot Roll (school-made) Fruit Juice Punch Tator Tots with Ketchup Baked Sweet Potato Chunks Blueberry Crisp Milk “Nature Valley Crisps” Seasoned Green Beans Roll / Fruit Cocktail Milk Milk Peaches / “Celebrate” Cupcake Milk Milk 18 19 20 Chicken Noodle Soup with 21 22 Garlic/Cheese French Bread Taco Salad with Cheese Cheese-Filled Pretzel Stick Crispito with Cheese Dip Pizza OR Lettuce & Salsa OR Chicken Nuggets w/Sauce OR NO SCHOOL Bean & Cheese Burrito w/Salsa Seasoned Pinto Beans & Dinner Roll Personal Pepperoni Pizza (Christmas Holidays) Green Salad w/Dressing Fruit Juice Punch Baked Potato w/Margarine & Seasoned Pinto Beans Seasoned Whole Kernel Corn Cinnamon Roll Sour Cream Green Salad with Dressing “SideKicks” Smooth Frozen Juice Milk Fresh Cherry Tomatoes Fruit Cup /Milk Peaches / Milk Milk 25 26 27 28 29

NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL (Christmas Day) (Christmas Holidays) (Christmas Holidays) (Christmas Holidays) (Christmas Holidays)

NOTE: Additional foods may be offered to meet calorie needs for specific ages. See http://searcyschools.nutrislice.com for school-specific menus and nutrition information. ALL grain foods are >50% whole grain to meet USDA regulations. For more information or questions, contact Child Nutrition Director, Charlotte Davis, RD, LD at (501) 268-3517 or [email protected]. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. December Events Calendar

NOVEMBER 2017 JANUARY 2018 S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 1 2 Band: Jr. High 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 All-Region Tryouts 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Wrestling: Central Classic 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 6 pm Band: Searcy 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Christmas Parade 26 27 28 29 30 28 29 30 31 : Searcy Bank Classic 4 pm Basketball: 7th 3 4 5 vs. Cabot South 6 7 8 9 6 pm McRae: 2nd Grade Program 3:20 pm Choir: SHS 4:30 pm Basketball: 8th & 6 pm Wrestling: SHS vs. Mandatory Rehearsal 9th @ Little Rock Christian 10 am SHS “Community 4:30 pm Basketball: 8th & Greenbrier/Batesville SS/ 4 pm Basketball: 7th @ 7 pm Choir: Hour of Code” Event Beebe (A only) SHS Christmas Concert 2 pm Band: 9th vs. Clarksville Cedar Ridge/PA Wrestling: NWA Duals Christmas Concert Basketball: Cabot Tournament 3:20 pm Choir: SHS All-State Intro Party 4:30 pm Basketball: 10 11 4 pm Basketball: 7th vs. 12 8th & 9th @ Sheridan 13 14 15 16 Batesville Southside (A only) 6 pm Orchestra: 4 pm Basketball: 9th vs. Christmas Concert 7 pm Basketball: SHS Lions Batesville Southside 6 pm Wrestling: SHS vs. 4 pm Basketball: 7th @ @ Pulaski Academy 6 pm Wrestling: SHS vs. Lakeside/Beebe/LR Christian Jacksonville (A only) CAC/Robinson 7 pm Basketball: SHS Lions 7 pm SWMS: Drama: Conway Tournament 7 pm AJHS: Choir Concert @ White Hall Christmas Choir Concert Wrestling: Hornet Invitational

17 18 19 20 McRae: 21 22 23 Christmas Parties 8:45 am Deener: Pep Rally 2 pm Deener: Holiday parties 9 am SWMS: 5:15 pm Regular Christmas Parties Christmas Holiday 6 pm Westside: 1st Grade School Board Meeting 1:30 pm Westside: Program/PTO Meeting Superintendent’s Office Christmas Parties NO SCHOOL 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Christmas Holiday – NO SCHOOL 31 Christmas Holiday NO SCHOOL Basketball: Beebe Tournament Page 4 DECEMBER 2017

Board of Education SHS Business Student Ranks #1 in State

President - Dr. Brent Blakely CMOS Championship Vice President - Jimmy Simpson Searcy High School student Bethany Ellis Secretary - Philip Williams received a perfect score of 1000 on the Member - Dr. Michael Liles Microsoft Word 2016 Certification test and is currently ranked #1 in the state Member - Linda Benson in the MOS Championship in Word2016. Superintendent - Diane Barrett Congratulations, Bethany!

Art Contest Winners Five Searcy High School stu- dents placed in the Creative Arts Society’s Annual Art Show held in November. The students from left to right are Sophomore Concerns regarding UPDATE may be Antonio Keyes-Honorable Men- tion for his Pen & Ink drawing, addressed to Betsy Bailey, Editor at Senior Julia Mansur-3rd Place [email protected] for her Graphite drawing, Junior Mykha Hensley-1st Place for her Graphite drawing, Senior Anna SWMS Honors Rachel Hite-Honorable Mention for her Pen & Ink drawing and Own Veteran Senior Ane Elise Pitt-Honorable SWMS students in Mrs. Beth Crafton’s Mention for her acrylic painting. homeroom class presented Mrs. Lisa Smith with flowers as part of a Veteran’s Day rec- ognition. Mrs. Smith is an United States Searcy Athletics Army Veteran. Searcy High School ninth grade foot- ball team earned the title of Conference Champions after their victory again Beebe. Congratulations!

The Searcy High School Lion basketball team attended their annual retreat on November 4th & 5th at the 4H Center in Little Rock. Team members partici- pated in a number of challenging team building activities that required com- munication and teamwork as well as conquering some personal fears along the way. Well done!

Congratulations to Searcy High School athletes Erin McGuirt and Kalynn Hopkins for signing with Arkansas colleges to play collegiate sports. Erin McGuirt, daughter of Allen and Becky McGuirt, signed with the University of Arkansas to swim for the Arkansas Razorbacks Swim Team. Kalynn Hopkins signed to play golf for the Wil- liams Baptist College women’s golf team in SWMS teachers Chelsie Grate, ??? and Walnut Ridge, Arkansas. She is the daugh- Tonya Wright cheer on the Searcy Lion ter of Cale and Michelle Hopkins. football team before playoff games.