SPRING/SUMMER 2013
Dear Parents and Community, The spring and summer seasons in Arkadelphia Public Schools were full of great moments. In May, Arkadelphia Badger Baseball won the 4A state championship at Baum Stadium in Fayetteville. It was a great day for our players, athletic program and community. We also celebrated as our Arkadelphia Promise seniors signed their academic ‘letters of intent’ just days before they graduated from Arkadelphia High School. We are extremely proud of our graduates and wish them the best as they begin a new phase of their lives. Our summer months were spent preparing for another year of teaching and learning. The New Tech expansion at AHS began in June and we welcomed several new teachers, students and families to Arkadelphia over the summer. On August 1, Arkadelphia Public Schools was proud to reopen the Historic Peake High School on Caddo Street. After ten years of fundraising, grant writing and developing partnerships, we cut the ribbon with over 250 alumni, staff and community members looking on. Our faculty and staff have been preparing for the full K-12 implementation of the Common Core State Standards in Arkadelphia. The expectations for our graduates are increasing and we must continue to prepare them for a successful transition into college and career. Your continued support and partnership are appreciated as we raise the bar for every student in our District. Go Badgers! Sincerely,
Donnie Whitten, Ed.S. Superintendent
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Making history
10 years in the Making: Peake Rosenwald - After a decade of grant writing, planning and construction, the historic Peake High is once again serving the youth of this community. The renovated facility is part of the APS Early Childhood Program, which provides for PreK students ages 6-weeks through 4 years old.
Superintendent Donnie Whitten Communications Director Sean Ruggles Communications Intern Nicole McPhate
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Exemplary teachers
Teachers are a school’s most valuable resource and these teachers are this year’s “MVPs” for the Arkadelphia Schools. The vote is in, and the teachers of the year for 2013-14 are...
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The spring season for Badger Athletics was highlighted by a state championship for the baseball team in a win over Stuttgart at the U of A at Fayetteville’s Baum Stadium.
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Back-to-school celebration
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E-mail sean.ruggles@ arkadelphiaschools.org
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Badger Baseball: State Champs
Author Clifton Taulbert joins APS for annual event
Rosenwald hosts book signing
Community contributions allow for books to be donated
Service Awards
Dedicated APS employees and retirees honored
Arkadelphia Public Schools Voice is a publication of the Arkadelphia Public Schools Communications Department. Questions regarding this publication may be directed to:
Phone (870) 246-5564 x1214 Mail Arkadelphia Public Schools attn: Dept. of Comm. 235 N. 11th St. Arkadelphia, AR 71923
8 Arkadelphia Public Schools Board of Education Dr. Jeff Root, President Dr. Kenneth G. Harris, Jr., Vice President Dr. Shelly Perrin, Secretary Karrie Goodman Billy Groom Terri King
Making history
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en years of grant writing and fundraising culminated in the renovation of the Historic Peake High building. A celebration and ribbon cutting was held on August 1 in conjunction with the annual Peake High reunion (see photos, opposite page). Dr. Patricia Wright, APS Director of Special Programs and Schools of the 21st Century, supervised the project and will now lead the Early Childhood Education program hosted at the facility for 3-year-olds in the Arkadelphia Public Schools. Twin Rivers Architecture designed the restoration.
Above, pieces of the original concrete sign are shown reassembled after being discovered on the lot. At right, the original Rosenwald Peake High building as it appeared circa 1951. Below, the renovated Peake High, which now serves as an Early Childhood Education facility for APS.
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A lengthy hallway display of historic memorabilia is a feature highlight of the renovation, along with the towering, original, wood-framed windows in the auditorium. The original brick exterior, a rare aspect of the Rosenwald schools, was also preserved. Overall, the renovation creates ample space for a quality learning environment, which is also centrally located within the community. The facility expands APS’s comprehensive, birth through college and career education system. The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005.
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Exemplary teachers
Lara Veazey Peake Elementary School
Dawn Forthman Perritt Primary School
Karen Phillips Goza Middle School
Britney Hickman Central Primary School and District Teacher of the Year
Steve Patterson Arkadelphia High School
2013-14 Teachers of the Year 4
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Teachers of the Year were recognized at the annual back to school celebration held at OBU’s Walker Conference Center. Staff members at each campus vote for the teacher of the year from their school. Each campus’ winner then completes an application and submits an essay to an external evaluation committee who selects the district teacher of the year. For 2013-14, the winning teachers are: -Dawn Forthman, Perritt Primary Forthman has taught kindergarten at Perritt for 13 years. She has also served the district as a substitute teacher and parental involvement coordinator. Forthman earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from HSU in 1993, and a master’s degree in Educational Theory and Practice from Arkansas State University in 2010. She believes that all children desire to learn and are capable of learning. According to Forthman, “It is my job, as an educator, to constantly be on the lookout for new or different teaching styles and strategies that might help my hard-to-reach students.” Her organizational skills, consistency, and caring personality make her an effective teacher. She provides support for students that need it and challenges students that are ready to advance. -Britney Hickman, Central Primary Hickman has served the district as a second grade teacher at Central for three years. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from HSU in 2010 and recently completed a master’s degree in Educational Leadership, also from HSU. As an undergraduate, she worked in the district’s after school Prime Time
program. She is a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages) international and state organizations, and serves as the second grade team leader. Hickman has provided training at Central and HSU on a variety of topics. She is also head counselor in HSU’s Summer Institute for 9 through 12 grade students. Hickman states that she has always wanted to be a teacher. In the 4th grade, she made the decision to be a fun, effective, and dynamic teacher. “At the beginning of each year, I sit in a chair and look inside my classroom from the hallway. The reason I do this is because I want to see what my students see when they first walk into the classroom. This is one reason my classroom is interactive, colorful, and engaging to all students,” Hickman said. The students in her classroom use technology on a daily basis. She utilizes a classroom web page as one means of communicating with parents and students. She believes that forming positive relationships with students is one way to ensure a child’s success. -Lara Veazey, Peake Elementary Veazey is currently a 5th grade math and science teacher at Peake and just completed her third year of teaching. Before becoming a teacher, she served the district as a paraprofessional for seven years, and as a substitute for two years. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Middle School Education from HSU in 2010. She is currently working toward a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from HSU. Veazey is very passionate about teaching. In her words, “When I reflect on teaching and student learning, my heart swells with antic-
ipation, excitement, and fulfillment.” She believes that education should be an experience and creates a classroom that is active, safe, and student-centered. She strives to help students make connections between the classroom and the real world. -Karen Phillips, Goza Middle Phillips has taught 8th grade math and Algebra I at Goza for four years. She began her career in education as a Title I Aide at Central Primary for two years. Between assignments in Arkadelphia Public Schools, she taught middle school mathematics in Hope for 14 years. She has two degrees from HSU: A bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in mathematics. She is a current member of the Arkansas State Teachers Association. Phillips states, “I love teaching mathematics to my students.” For three years in a row, 100 percent of her Algebra I students have scored proficient or advanced on the state end-of-course exam, which she credits to her high expectations of all students and her use of data when making instructional decisions. -Steve Patterson, Arkadelphia High Patterson has taught in the district for 28 years and currently teaches PreAP and AP language courses at AHS. Before joining our team, he was an assistant band director in Nashville. He earned a bachelor’s degree from OBU, majoring in Pastoral Studies. He also earned a master’s degree in secondary education from OBU. Patterson wears many hats. To name a few, he is the head coach of the Badger soccer team, as well as Badger and Lady Badger continued on page 9
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Badger Baseball: State Champs
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Badger and Lady Badger Athletics Baseball he 2013 season was as memorable as they come for the Badger baseball team as the Badgers earned the school’s firstever baseball State championship with a 3-2 win over Stuttgart in the 4A State championship game at Baum Stadium in Fayetteville. Junior John Franklin Matros earned the win on the mound as he pitched six-plus innings and for his efforts was named the 4A State Tournament Most Valuable Player. Matros and junior center fielder Jakahari Howell were named to the All-State Tournament team and were selected All-State by the coaches of the 4A-7 district. The Badgers finished second in the conference to Central Arkansas Christian, but started peaking at the right time, putting together a win in the Regional championship game against CAC, earning a state tournament first-round bye. After a hard fought 6-4 win over Lincoln in the quarterfinals, the Badgers faced off against CAC for the 4th time in the 2013 season and earned a trip to the title game at Baum Stadium with a 13-5 win over the Mustangs. The Badgers graduated four seniors with a state title in Tyler Daniell, Lane Jester, Taylor Ochello and Griffin Rucker.
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Softball season full of injuries plagued the Lady Badger softball team, but the season ended on a high note with a win in the 4A-7 District tournament at Arkansas Baptist High School in Little Rock. The Lady Badgers defeated Central Arkansas Christian 14-2 thanks to several big hits, including a grand slam by senior second baseman Kristin Conzel. Freshman third baseman Victoria Lewis was selected All-Conference and the program said goodbye to four four-year letter winners in Conzel, Blair Harrison, Brooke Pritchard and Ashley Whittle.
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Track he 2013 AHS track and field season was highlighted by two individual qualifiers for the 4A State Track meet in Heber Springs. At the 4A-7 District Track Meet in Nashville, sophomore Angel Eley won the conference title in the 1,600 and the 3,200, qualifying for the state meet. It was the second consecutive year that Eley has won the two events at the conference level. Eley finished fourth in the state in the 1,600. On the boys’ side, junior high jumper Mark Brazil finished in 6th place in the state meet after a qualifying mark of 6’4” during a meet at Lake Hamilton earlier in the season. (photo/James Leigh, Siftings Herald)
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Lady Badger Soccer ppearances in the state tournament are not out of the ordinary for the Lady Badger soccer program, but the 2013 season was especially nice as the Lady Badgers won their first round match in the 4A State Tournament at Burns Park in North Little Rock, defeating Warren 4-2 and then took top seed Gentry to the wire as the teams were scoreless at the end of the overtime periods. When the match had to be decided on penalty kicks, Gentry was able to advance with a 2-0 decision. Junior Taylor Parsons was selected to the All-State Tournament team. Juniors Callie Smith and Spencer Tuggle were selected All-State by the league’s coaches for the 2013 season.
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Badger Soccer he Badger soccer team made the 4A State Tournament as the 4th seed from the 4A-South conference after a mid-season lull took things down to the wire with regards to qualifying for another state tournament bid. But when the Badgers got in, they took full advantage, upsetting top seed Episcopal Collegiate 3-2 in penalty kicks. The match went to double overtime and ended 2-2, sending the match to PKs. After the win, the Badgers faced Berryville in the second round and a 3-1 lead was too much to overcome for the Badgers, ending the season. Senior Harrison Durrett was selected All-State for the Badgers by the league’s coaches.
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Annual Back-to-School celebration Event includes recognition of employees of the year and Pulitzer-nominated author
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faculty and staff began the 2013-14 school year with a back-to-school celebration which featured several guest speakers including Executive Vice President of the Arkadelphia Regional Economic Development Alliance and Area Chamber of Commerce, Shelley Loe, as well as Pulitzer-nominated author Clifton Taulbert, who led much of the day’s presentations. Certified and classified employees of the year were recognized, and new employees of the district were also introduced. -The classified employees of the year are: -Billy Bennett, District wide Bennett, affectionately known as Uncle Bill, has faithfully served the district as bus driver for the past 15 years. Also, he has served the community as a small business owner and SCAT bus driver. He is presently a Sunday school teacher at Trinity Temple Assembly of God Church and has been described as the man to call if you need someone to pray for you. He is well liked by his riders whom he treats with kindness and respect. He is very dependable and professional, and dedicated to safely transporting our students to and from school each day. -Tonya Campbell, Peake Elementary Campbell serves as a paraprofessional at Peake. Her duties include supervising students in the K-5 IDS classroom, assisting students who need extra help in the regular classrooms, and supervising students in the hallways and cafeteria. Campbell is always positive and willing to help out wherever needed. She is professional and courteous to everyone,
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Author and presenter, Clifton Taulbert, speaks to APS faculty and staff at the annual back-to-school celebration. Taulbert’s Building Community Institute and numerous books focus on improving society through common respect, compassion and integrity. and is an advocate for the students she serves. She is dependable and promotes a positive school culture by acting as a role model for others. -Nancy Dugger, Central Primary Dugger serves as the food service manager for Central. Outside of school, she dedicates her time to helping our four-legged friends. She began a Facebook page titled Lost and Found Pets of Clark County. Dugger is a dedicated employee whose first concern is always the children and providing them with a well-balanced meal. Nancy treats others with kindness and respect, making her a pleasure to work with. She is always willing to lend a helping hand to others.
-Toma Lambert, Perritt Primary Before becoming a PreK paraprofessional, Lambert served the district as a substitute teacher for three years. She serves our community as an active participant in the bi-annual clothes drive and the Christmas food drive. Lambert has a positive “can-do” attitude and always puts the needs of the children before her own. She is a team player and always willing to assist anytime, anywhere. The quality of her work is superior and students love her. Parents regularly compliment her rapport with students and with parents. Additionally, Lambert was named District Employee of the Year. -Aundra Leeper, Administration-
Leeper serves the district as the Custodial Supervisor. She serves as a deaconette in her church. Her past service includes youth Sunday school teacher and youth choir director. Leeper is very knowledgeable, dependable, and willing to help others. She is always friendly and cooperative. Aundra can be counted on to get the job done in a timely and thorough manner. Under her leadership, several changes have been made to help the district operate in a more cost effective manner. Overall, the quality of her work is outstanding. -Anderson Thomas, Goza Middle Thomas has worked for the district for 33 years. He currently is a custodian at Goza. His attitude is always positive and his job performance is of high quality. He is efficient, thorough, and timely in his work. He genuinely
cares for the students, faculty and staff at Goza and is a friend to everyone. In his own words, “Whatever is asked of me, I will do; DJ at school parties, dress up, play basketball. I enjoy it all!” He is a positive role model for students. -Mary Williams, Arkadelphia High Williams has been a part of the Arkadelphia Food Service team for six years. She volunteers her landscaping skills to Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church and Williams Funeral Home. She also enjoys giving the elderly a helping hand. Williams is known for her strong work ethic and sense of humor. She is appreciated because of the effort and energy she puts into her job. She enjoys taking care of the children, and, on several occasions, referred the names of students in need of extra food to the school counselor.
Teachers, from page 5 golf teams. He is an advisor of the Quiz Bowl team and Student Council. He is the public address announcer for football, basketball, and band, an adjunct professor at OBU, and an Upward Bound instructor at OBU. Twice Coach Patterson has served as president of the Board of Directors of the Arkansas Governors Quiz Bowl Association. He is Quiz Master for the state AETN broadcasts and Sr. High tournament coordinator. Patterson has hosted several student interns and observers from HSU and OBU. Among his awards, he has been selected for the Daily Siftings Herald Favorite Educator Award five times and Optimist Club “Friend of Youth” Award. Four times, he has been chosen as the AHS graduation speaker. Four times, he has been named district soccer coach of the year. From a letter written to Patterson by a former student, “One man’s belief in me over twenty years ago is still shaping my future,” a reminder that teachers’ actions do make a difference.
APS’s Rosenwald Early Childhood Center hosted Taulbert for a reception and book signing event the evening prior to his presentation at the backto-school celebration. Thanks to generous support from many community sponsors, every guest at the reception received an autographed copy of one of Taulbert’s works.
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Service awards
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ear the end of the 201213 school year, APS employees gathered at OBU’s Walker Conference Center to recognized the dedication of fellow employees who have served the district for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years. Several retiring employees were also honored. 5 year recipients: Kelly Bell, Michelle Conroy, Lawrence Harris, Kimberly O’Neal, William Pettigrew. 10 year recipients: Tracye Davis, Cary Goza, Whitney Smith, Dee Ana Taylor, Lara Veazey. 15 year recipients: Billy Bennett, Shawna Childs, Edward Collins, Ericka Davis, Mary Dumond, J.T. Egger, Kelly Foshee, Patti Goodson, Kenneth Helms, Clarissa Mays, Joe Middleton, Freda Newborn, Tanya Ruble, Jeremy Smith, Lisa Stanley. 20 year recipients: Charlotte DeWitt, Michael Forthman, Martin Newborn. 25 year recipients: Amy Hornsby, Diane Mathews, Phyllis Watts. 30 year recipients and retiring: Rachel Halaby (31 years), Carolyn Hunter (40 years). Retiring: Sue Ashbaugh (28 years), Lee Bost (11 years), Donna Grigsby (18 years), Ruby Henry (23 years), Larry Manning (26 years), Dee Ana Taylor (10 years), Ron Young (11 years).
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Retirees
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