UPDATEwww.searcyschools.org

Volume 30, Number 1 September 2016

Searcy Public Schools801 North Elm Street

Searcy, Arkansas 72143(501)268-3517

Inside this Issue:

AJHS EAST 2

Active Shooter Training 2

Iris Society 2

Lunch Menu 3

Events Calendar 3

Connect With Us 4

Flashing Red 4

Choir Camp 4

Dates to Remember• September 5-Labor Day/No School• September 10-White County Fair Parade• September 10--SWMS Block Party (SWMS families only)• September 20-SHS makeup and group photos• September 22-Progress Reports Sent Home

Community Supports Searcy SchoolsSearcy School District heldits annual district-wide “Back to School” event on August 12th at the SearcyHigh School Sullards Annexcafeteria. After a delicious lunch catered by Zaxby’s in Searcy, Superintendent Diane Barrett and AssistantSuperintendent SheenaWilliamson called employees’ names as winners of doorprizes donated by localcommunity businesses. We would like to thank thefollowing people and local busi-nesses for their commitment to the Searcy Public Schools and to education in our area.Thank you Donors!

• Regions Bank

• Riverwind Bank

• B&B Oil

• Simmons Bank

• The Cookie Basket

• Philip Williams

• Diane Barrett

• Searcy Education Association

• Steve Leonard

• Colton’s

• Hay’s

• Ronnie McFarland/ Farm Bureau

• First Security Bank

• Centennial Bank

• The Rib Crib

• Casa Brava

• The Rock House

• The Greek House

• Sno Island

Staff members display their winning prizes.

Local Churches Donate School SuppliesAt the beginning of the year, our schools are always in need of additional school supplies, so all our students have access to the materials they need. Fortunately, we have generous organizations who make an effort to fill that need. We would like to say a special “thank you” to

First Baptist Church Special Ministries VBS for collecting backpacks and school supplies as their mis-sion this year. Additionally, First United

Methodist Church donated a number of school supplies to our campuses, so our stu-dents will be prepared to learn and ready to begin the new school year. Thanks, FBC and FUMC

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Ahlf Junior High School Implements EAST ProgramAhlf Junior HighSchool students are benefiting from a new program this year. The junior high will now have its own EAST(Environmental and Spatial Technology) program where stu-dents will be able to work with technology and aid the community at the same time.AJHS EAST facilitator Kelly Martin is ready

to take on the new challenge. “I am very excited to be the EAST facilitator,” says Martin. “The students and I will be learning many different skills this year, including teamwork and problem-solving skills. The EAST Initiative can benefit the students by teaching them problem-solving skills they will use throughout their lifetime. Students will also have the chance to create solutions for problems in our community.” We at Searcy Public Schools

are indeed proud that now our students will have access to this equipment and curriculum at the junior high level as well as at senior high. We look forward to the innovative

and exciting learning that will be taking place in the AJHS EAST lab.

EAST students work with the EAST Initiative to set up new equipment the

week before school.

District Participates in Active Shooter TrainingThe entire staff at Searcy School Dis-trict along with area agencies par-ticipated in a simulated active shooter training on August 12th. Area agencies including law enforcement, emergency medical services, ADEM, Unity Health, and others worked for months with the Searcy School District administration to effectively and efficiently plan the event. Staff and law enforcement used this training experience to learn what

is working well and what elements may be im-proved in the event that Searcy School District was ever faced with this type of unfortunate scenario. Staff members indicated they now feel more prepared.

“Staff and law enforcement usedthis training to learn what is

working well and what elements maybe improved …”

White County Iris Society Partners with Westside and McRae

Mrs. Jill Snow’s class works around the newly planted flowerbed at Westside.

Westside and McRae Elementary Schools are delighted they have new landscaping on their campuses. Ms. Alice Jewel, president of the White County Iris Society, offered the services of the society to plant beds around the flag poles at the schools. Mrs. Jill Snow’s second grade class at Westside and Ms. Kristi Smith’s third grade class at McRae will be tending the beds and learning the proper ways to nurture and grow these beautiful beds that will greet our students and guests at the elementary schools. The goals of the White County Iris Society are spread-

ing knowledge about growing all kinds of irises, encouraging research, improving the quality of irises grown in our area, exchanging ideas, and helping novices who are starting to grow their favorite flower-

ing plants. Both campuses would like to thank members of the Iris Society who worked with our students includ-ing Mrs. Jewel, Marilee Coker, Fred Jewell, Paul Love, and Kathy Allgood.

Ms. Kristi Smith’s class displays their pots and planting tools after working with the Iris

Society during their school day.

Lunch Menu SEPTEMBER 2016 Page 3

SEPTEMBER 2016—Lunch Menus Searcy Public Schools Child Nutrition Program

1 Pig-in-a-Blanket with Mustard OR Grilled Chicken Breast with

Bread Stick Seasoned Baked Fries with

Ketchup Fresh Broccoli w / Ranch Dip Seasoned Whole Kernel Corn

Red Delicious Apple / Milk

2 Crispito with Cheese Dip OR

Personal Pepperoni Pizza Seasoned Pinto Beans

Green Salad with Dressing Fresh Banana

Milk

5

NO SCHOOL (Labor Day Holiday)

6 “Domino’s Smart Slice”

Pepperoni Pizza Green Salad with Dressing

Seasoned Whole Kernel Corn Raisins

Milk

7 Grilled Cheese Sandwich* OR Spaghetti with Meatballs &

Dinner Roll Fresh Baby Carrots/Baked Beans

Pineapple Chunks / Milk *SHS/AJHS: Hot Turkey/Cheese

Melt

8 Popcorn Chicken with Sauce OR

Three-Cheese Calzone Sweet Potato Crunch

Seasoned Black-eyed Peas Bread Stick Applesauce

Milk

9 Crunch Fish Fillet* OR

Mini Corn Dogs with Mustard “Smiles” Potatoes with Ketchup

Creamy Coleslaw Fresh Grapes

Brownie / Milk *SHS/AJHS: Fish Sandwich

12 Hot Dog OR Hamburger

Lettuce / Tomato / Pickles Baked “Cheetos Puffs”

Seasoned Whole Kernel Corn Baked Beans

Diced Pears / Milk

13 “Breakfast for Lunch” Scrambled Eggs

Biscuit w/Cream Gravy & Jelly Sausage Patty

Tator Tots with Ketchup Bell Pepper Strips

Juice / Milk

14 Personal Cheese Pizza OR

Chicken Nachos Green Salad with Dressing

Fruit Cocktail “M & M” cookie

Milk

15 Chicken Sticks with Sauce OR

Baked Ham Sour Cream & Chive Potatoes

Seasoned Green Peas/Hot Roll “Sidekicks” Frozen Juice Cup

Milk

16 Corn Dog with Mustard OR

Mostaccioli Pasta/ Dinner Roll Seasoned Whole Kernel Corn

Seasoned Green Beans Granny Smith Apple Slices with

Caramel Dip / Milk 19

Cheeseburger OR Pizza Crunchers

Lettuce / Tomato / Pickles Tator Tots with Ketchup

Baked Beans Seasonal Fresh Fruit

Milk

20 Chicken Tenders with Sauce

Mashed Potatoes with Gravy Broccoli with Cheese Sauce

Fresh Orange Quarters Hot Roll

Milk

21 Max Cheese Sticks OR Stromboli

Marinara Sauce Seasoned Whole Kernel Corn

Fruit Juice Punch “Chortles” Mini Grahams

Milk

22 Breaded Chicken Sandwich OR Chicken Spaghetti with

Bread Stick Lettuce / Tomato / Pickles

Baked Potato with Margarine & Sour Cream

Seasoned Green Beans Peaches / Cupcake / Milk

23 BBQ Chicken Drumstick with OR

Tangerine Chicken Macaroni & Cheese

Asian Rice Celery Sticks

Baked Sweet Potato with Cinnamon & Brown Sugar Roll / Pineapple / Milk

26 Garlic/Cheese French Bread Pizza OR Cheese & Poblano

Grab Wrap with Salsa Green Salad with Dressing

Glazed Carrots “Sidekicks” Frozen Juice Cup

Milk

27 Taco Salad with Cheese

Lettuce & Salsa Seasoned Pinto Beans

Fruit Juice Punch Cinnamon Roll

Milk

28 Turkey/Flatbread Sandwich

OR Chicken Nuggets with Sauce and Dinner Roll

Lettuce / Tomato / Pickles RF “Doritos” Nacho Cheese

Seasoned Green Beans Peaches / Milk

29 Pig-in-a-Blanket with Mustard OR Grilled Chicken Breast with

Bread Stick Seasoned Baked Fries /Ketchup

Fresh Broccoli w / Ranch Dip Seasoned Whole Kernel Corn

Red Delicious Apple / Milk

30 Crispito with Cheese Dip OR

Personal Pepperoni Pizza Seasoned Pinto Beans

Green Salad with Dressing Fresh Banana

Milk

NOTE: Additional foods may be offered to meet calorie needs for specific ages. 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 cdavis@searcyschools.org. USDA is an equal opportunity provider & employer.

NOTE: Additional foods may be offered to meet calorie needs for specific ages. 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 cdavis@searcyschools.org. USDA is an equal opportunity provider & employer.

Notice: Searcy High School 2017 graduation will be held on Friday, May 12th beginning at 7:30 P.M. at Lion Stadium.There is a misprint in the 2016-2017 Searcy Public Schools annual calendar. In the event of rain,

graduation will be held at the Benson Auditorium on the Harding University campus.

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25 26 27 28 29 30

FFA: White County FairLivestock Exhibition

AUGUST 2016 S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

OCTOBER 2016 S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

1 pm Golf:SHS vs. Jonesboro

3:30 pm Drama: SHS Fall Play Auditions & Callbacks

4 pm Tennis: SHS vs. Mt. Home4:30 Volleyball:

Sr. High vs. Beebe5:30 pm Football: 8th & 9th vs.

Conway White7 pm Football:

SHS vs. Valley View

Labor Day-No School

3:30 pm Golf: SHS vs.Harding Academy

4 pm Tennis: SHS vs.West Memphis

4:30 pm Volleyball: Sr. Highvs. Morrilton

5 pm Football: 7th Gradevs. Beebe

7 pm Football: JV vs. Beebe4 pm Volleyball: Jr. High

vs. Vilonia

3:30 pm Golf: SHSvs. West Memphis

4 pm Tennis: SHS vs.Marion/West Memphis

4 pm Volleyball: 7th Grade &Sr. High vs. Greenbrier

5 pm Football: 8th & 9thvs. Batesville

Deener: V/H/BMI Exams7 pm Football:

SHS vs. Batesville

SWMS: Block Party11 am Band: White County

Fair Parade

1:30 pm Golf:SHS vs. Marion

4:30 pm Volleyball: 7th Grade& Jr. High vs. LRCA

5 pm Football: 7th Gradevs. LR Christian

7 pm Football: JV vs.LR Christian

SWMS 4th Grade:V/H/BMI Exams

4:30 pm Volleyball:Sr. High vs. Vilonia

6 pm Westside: Watch Dog Dad Pizza Supper/Training

4 pm Volleyball:Jr. High vs. Clarksville

FFA and FCLA: WhiteCounty Fair Day Contests

3:30 pm Golf: SHS vs. Heber Springs4 pm Volleyball: 7th Grade ,Jr. High

& Sr. High vs. Batesville4 pm Tennis: SHS vs. Jonesboro

5:30 pm Football: 9th Grade vs. Valley View

McRae: 1st GradeGrandparents Lunch

7 pm Football:SHS vs. Morrilton

Orchestra:All-Region Auditions

9 am Choir: SHSAll-Region Workshop

3:30 pm Golf: SHS vs.Jonesboro/Harding Academy

4:30 pm Volleyball:Jr. High vs. Morrilton

5 pm Football: 7th Grade vs. Batesville

7 pm Football: JV vs. Batesville

Westside:V/H/BMI Exams

1:30 pm Golf: SHS vs. Marion4 pm Tennis: SHS vs. Marion

4:30 pm Volleyball:Sr. High vs. Mt. Home

4pm Volleyball:Jr. High vs. Greenbrier

Progress ReportsSent Home

SWMS 6th Grade:V/H/BMI Exams

5:30 pm Football: 8th & 9th vs. Greenbrier

Deener:Stick Horse Rodeo

7 pm Football:SHS vs. Jacksonville

4:30 pm Volleyball:Jr. High & Sr. High vs. Beebe

5 pm Football: 7th Grade Red vs. Black

4 pm Tennis:SHS vs. Mt. Home

6 pm AJHS: Literacy Night

McRae:V/H/BMI Exams

5:15 pm Regular School Board Meeting

Deener: Fall PicturesMcRae: Individual Picture Day

4 pm Tennis: SHS vs. Jonesboro4:30 pm Volleyball:

Sr. High vs. Morrilton5:30 pm Football:

8th & 9th vs. Vilonia

FFA: Northeast Arkansas District Fair Livestock ExhibitionDrama: R. Drift Tournament

Drama: ACTAA Fall Convention

Little Lionsteppers

1:30 pm Deener:Student Recognition

Assembly (K, 1st)2 pm Deener: Student

Recognition Assembly (2nd, 3rd)7 pm Football: SHSvs. West Memphis

Drama:EdTA Annual Fall Conference

FFA: White County Fair Livestock ExhibitionDrama: EdTA Annual Fall Conference

Orchestra: All-Region Clinic

Golf: Girls State Tournament Drama: One Act Prelims

September Events Calendar

Board of EducationPresident - Dr. Michael Liles

Vice President - Linda Benson

Secretary - Dr. Brent Blakely

Member - Jimmy Simpson

Member - Philip Williams

Superintendent - Diane Barrett

Concerns regarding UPDATE may beaddressed to Betsy Bailey, Editor at

bbailey@searcyschools.org

Connect With Us!

Search “Searcy School District” on App store anddownload mobile app.

www.facebook.com/searcypublicschools @SearcySchools

Flashing Red; Kids Ahead Choir Camp

Searcy High School choir stu-dents and alumni were visible as campers and counselors at the Arkansas State choir camp over the summer. Pictured are alumni Maddie Cossitt, Alana Nieder-brach, Hal Niederbrach, Victoria Pulliam, and current SHS choir member Nic Spelce.

Transportation Director Denise Twisdale instructs Deener kindergarten students on

proper bus safety.

School bus safety is a critical issue for Arkansas schools and families. Flashing Red; Kids Ahead is the theme for the state’s bus safety campaign. While the campaign ran through August, school bus safety is important year-round.Schools and safety advocates through-out the Natural State use this campaign as an opportunity to remind Arkansas motorists to obey all traffic laws when-ever they are near a school bus. Drivers will also be reminded that it is illegal to pass a stopped school bus whenever its lights are flashing, as students are get-ting on or off the bus.“This effort reminds motorists they play an important role in keeping our students safe,” said SPS transportation director Denise Twisdale, “We want to ask all motorists to exercise care and

patience whenever they are near or around a school bus.” Searcy School District transports ap-proximately 1,300 students on buses daily.

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