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AJHS Toy Drive Parade 1AJHS Wreaths Across America 1Hour of Code Event 2Annual Hall of Honor 2Lunch Menu 3Calendar of Events 3AJHS Spelling Bee Winners 4Airport Day Essay Winner 4Wrestling Team 4Artists of the Month 4

Ahlf Junior High School Assists MilitaryFamilies and Honors Veterans

Veterans who attended the Ahlf Junior High School Wreaths Across America ceremony participate in the ceremonial wreath passing.

Ahlf Junior High School seventh and eighth grade students donated approximately 1400 toys to military families during the holiday season. Pictured are Alivia Mayes and Denise Diaz displaying a portion of the donations during the Toy Drive Parade.

Hour of Code Event by Betsy Bailey

Olivia Etheride from Mrs. Lindsey Davis’s class cel-ebrates her computer programming success!

Westside second grade students Haden Hall and Nate Knighton code during the Hour of Code exer-cise December 7-11. Hall and Knighton are students in Mrs. Jill Snow’s class.

Most days I enter an elementary classroom with my camera, the students are very interested in having their photographs taken. This past week was a bit different, though. I entered Mrs. Snow’s second grade class at Westside Elementary School on Tuesday, and students never looked away from their laptop computers. Our students in grades first through twelve partici-pated in The Hour of Code last week. In celebration of Computer Science Education Week, students world-wide spent an hour during the week of December 7-13 being introduced to coding (computer programming). Searcy School District students had the opportunity along with over two million other students to learn various coding strategies depending on their grade levels. As I walked around the room observing the students, I heard statements from them such as “This is awesome! Yesssssss! Let’s see if this works. I did it! I’m on level 8 now!” And I even watched the entire class applaud technology instructional facilitator Patti Kitts when she coded correctly and displayed it on the Smartboard. Mrs. Kitts worked with individual classes at Westside all last week, and Harding science facilitator Ben Carrigan met with the entire third grade on Thursday. “The students are 100 percent engaged during the sixty minutes,” she said. “They don’t want to miss any directions because they want to be able to make their programs work.” Kitts added that whatever fields our students choose to pursue, their success will hinge on understanding how technology works. Currently, the most in-demand careers worldwide are those in the fields of computer science and engineering. The Hour of Code is organized by 501c3 non-profit Code.org that is dedicated to expanding the participation in com-puter science in schools. Through this activity, students are improving their math, science, problem-solving, and reading skills.

Also, the Hour of Code encouraged parent volunteers to assist dur-ing class time. What an outstanding opportunity for our parents and caregivers to see what their children are learning during the school day! Our teachers will be able to use these same activities as enrichment resources for their students throughout the school year. For more information about The Hour of Code, access https://hou-rofcode.com/us.

Five New Inductees into the Searcy Education Foundation Thir-teenth Annual Hall of Honor. Three educators and two Searcy High School alumni will be in-ducted into the Searcy Public Schools Education Foundation Hall of Honor on January 28, 2016. The banquet and induction ceremony will be held in the Sullards Annex Cafeteria at Searcy High School beginning at 6:30 P.M. Tickets priced at $35.00 will go on sale January 4. They may be picked up at the Searcy Public Schools Superintendent’s Office at 801 North Elm or by calling 268-3517. Being honored in 2016 are retired elementary educators Nell Darden, Darlene Haynie and Barbara Jones. The alumni being honored are Dr. Molly Koffler Gathright and the late Wilbur D. Mills. The honorees were selected from nominations submitted by the public to the alumni committee of the foundation. The five recom-mendations were then voted on by the foundation board. Nancy Showalter, Searcy Education Foundation president, remarks “We have an excellent slate of deserving nominees that have contrib-uted much to their communities and the students in Searcy School District. Searcy Education Foundation is looking forward to installing these honorees in January at our annual banquet.” For a complete list of former Hall of Honor inductees, access the Searcy School District’s website at www.searcyschools.org and click on Searcy Public Schools Education Foundation tab. Since the inception of the foundation, grants have been awarded to teachers for educational programs that were not funded by the normal operating budget of Searcy Public Schools.

Searcy Education Foundation 13thAnnual Hall of Honor

What’s Happening at Searcy Schools?

What’s Cooking at Searcy Schools?January — Lunch Menu

Searcy Public Schools Child Nutrition Program

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.

          1  

 NO  SCHOOL  

(New  Year’s  Day)    

4  Garlic/Cheese  French  Bread  Pizza  OR  Beef  Burrito  with  

Cheese  Sauce  Seasoned  Green  Beans  

Glazed  Carrots  Applesauce  /      Milk  

5  Taco  Salad  with  Cheese  

Lettuce  &  Salsa  Seasoned  Pinto  Beans  

Fruit  Juice  Punch  Cinnamon  Roll  

Milk  

6  Chicken  Noodle  Soup  

w/Crackers  &  Cheese  Toast  OR  Chicken  Nuggets  with  Roll  

Baked  Potato  w/Margarine  &  Sour  Cream  

Grape  Tomatoes  Peaches    /    Milk  

7  Pig-­‐in-­‐a-­‐Blanket  w/Mustard  OR  Grilled  Chicken  Breast  w/Bread  

Stick  Seasoned  Baked  Fries  with  

Ketchup  Fresh  Broccoli  w/Ranch  Dip  Seasoned  Whole  Kernel  Corn  Red  Delicious  Apple  /  Milk  

8  BBQ  Chicken  Drumstick  with  

Macaroni  &  Cheese  OR  Tangerine  Chicken  w/Asian  Rice  

Celery  Sticks  Baked  Sweet  Potato  with  Marg/Cinn/Brown  Sugar    Roll  /  Pineapple  /  Milk  

11  Breaded  Steak  Fingers  OR  

Teriyaki  Chicken  w/Asian  Rice  Mashed  Potatoes  with  Gravy  

Seasoned  Green  Beans  Texas  Toast    /      Fresh  Banana  

“Dragon  Punch”  /    Milk  

12  “Domino’s  Smart  Slice”  

Pepperoni  Pizza  Green  Salad  with  Dressing  

Glazed  Carrots  Raisins  Milk  

13  Grilled  Cheese  Sandwich*  OR  

Spaghetti  with  Meatballs/Dinner  Roll  Fresh  Baby  Carrots  

Baked  Beans  Pineapple  Chunks  /  Milk  

*SHS/AJHS:    Hot  Turkey  Cheese  Melt  Sandwich  

14  Popcorn  Chicken  with  Sauce  

OR  Roast  Pork  w/Gravy  Sweet  Potato  Crunch  

Seasoned  Black-­‐eyed  Peas  Bread  Stick  

Applesauce    /    Milk  

15  Chili  with  Beef  &  Beans  with  

Mini  Saltines  OR  Mini  Corn  Dogs  w/Mustard  “Smiles”  Potatoes/  Ketchup  

Creamy  Coleslaw  Fresh  Grapes  /Brownie/Milk  

 

18      

NO  SCHOOL  (Professional  Development  Day)  

19              Hot  Dog  with  Mustard  OR  

Hamburger  Lettuce/Tomato/Pickles  White  Cheddar  Popcorn  

Baked  Beans  Diced  Pears  /  Milk  

20  Personal  Pepperoni  Pizza*  OR  

Chicken  Nachos  Green  salad  with  Dressing  

Glazed  Carrots  Fruit  Cocktail  

Chocolate  Chip  Cookie/Milk  *SHS/AJHS:  w/Jalapeno  Crust  

21  Chicken  Sticks  w/Sauce  OR  

Baked  Turkey  Sour  Cream  &  Chive  Mashed  

Potatoes  Seasoned  Green  Peas  

Hot  Roll  Applesauce    /  Milk  

22  Corn  Dog  with  Mustard  OR  Mostaccioli  Pasta  w/Roll  

Seasoned  Whole  Kernel  Corn  Seasoned  Green  Beans  

Granny  Smith  Apple  Slices  with  Caramel  Dip  

Milk  25  

Cheeseburger  OR  Pizza  Cheese  Crunchers  Lettuce/Tomato/Pickles  

Glazed  Carrots  Seasonal  Fresh  Fruit  

Milk    

26  Baked  Ham  

Mashed  Potatoes/Gravy  Broccoli  w/Cheese  Sauce  Fresh  Orange  Quarters  

Hot  Roll  Milk  

27  Max  Cheese  Sticks  OR  Stromboli  

Marinara  Sauce  Seasoned  Whole  Kernel  Corn  

Fruit  Juice  Punch  “Nature  Valley  Cinnamon  

Crisps”  Milk  

28      Breaded  Chicken  Sandwich          OR  Chicken  Spaghetti  with  

Bread  Stick  Lettuce/Tomato/Pickles  

Baked  Potato  with  Margarine  &  Sour  Cream  

Seasoned  Green  Beans  Peaches/Cupcake/Milk  

29  Crispito  with  Cheese  Dip  OR  Vegetable  Beef  Soup  with  

“Goldfish”  Crackers/St.Cheese  Seasoned  Pinto  Beans  

Green  Salad  with  Dressing  Golden  Delicious  Apple  

Milk    

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DECEMBER 2015 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

FEBRUARY 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

Christmas Break NO SCHOOL

First Day ofSecond Semester

4:30 pm Basketball:8th Grade & SHS Cubs

vs. Morrilton

4 pm Basketball: 7th Grade vs. Greenbrier

4:30 pm Basketball: 8th Grade & SHS Cubs vs.

Greenbrier

PD Flex Day Makeup Day

Morgan Nick Parent Meeting,6 pm, SHS PAC

4 pm Basketball:7th Grade vs. Beebe

5 pm Basketball: JV Boys & Girls & SHS vs. Nettleton

5 pm Wrestling: SHS vs.LR Central/Mtn. Home

5 pm Basketball:JV Boys & Girls & SHS vs.

West Memphis

4 pm Basketball:7th Grade vs. Cabot North

4 pm Basketball:8th Grade & SHS Cubs vs.

Conway Blue5 pm Basketball: JV Boys &

SHS vs. North Little Rock

Deener: Class Pictures4 pm Basketball: 7th Grade vs.

Cabot North5 pm Wrestling: SHS vs.

Benton, NLR, Conway5 pm Basketball: JV Boys &

7th Grade Girls vs Mt. Home

4:30 pm Basketball:JV vs. Harding Academy

Grade 2 OLSAT Test

4 pm Bowling:SHS vs. MSM/LR Catholic

5:15 pm Board MeetingSuperintendent’s Office

Report Cards Sent HomeChoir: All-State Workshop

4 pm Bowling:SHS vs. Cabot

4:30 pm Basketball:8th Grade & SHS

Cubs vs. Beebe

4 pm Wrestling:SHS vs. Sylvan Hills4:30 pm Basketball:

8th Grade & SHS Cubs vs. Vilonia

5 pm Basketball: 7th Grade vs. Vilonia

4 pm Bowling:SHS vs. Heber Springs

4:30 pm Basketball:8th Grade & SHS

Cubs vs. Clarksville

4:30 pm Basketball:8th Grade & SHS Cubsvs. Little Rock Christian

5 pm Basketball: 7th Gradevs. Bald Knob (GB)

5 pm Wrestling: SHSvs. Sheridan, Senior Night6:30pm Searcy EducationFoundation Hall of Honor

5 pm Basketball: JV Girls & SHS vs. Central

Westside Honor Assemblies:8:30 am 3rd Grade9:30 am 1st Grade

10:30 am 2nd GradeSWMS Honor Assemblies:

9:15 am 6th Grade10:15 am 4th Grade11:05 am 5th Grade

5 pm Basketball: JV Girls &SHS vs. Marion

FFA: Greenhand/360Leadership Conference

4 pm Basketball: JV Boys & Girls & SHS vs. Jonesboro

Deener HonorAssemblies:

1:30 pm K & 1st Grade2 pm 2nd & 3rd Grade5 pm JV Boys & Girls

& SHS vs. Cabot

Band: Sr. HighAll-Region Tryouts

Wrestling: Searcy DualsChoir: BOB Workshop

Basketball:Beebe Tournament

(7th Grade Girls Only)Choir: All-State Workshop

Choir: All-State Workshop

Drama: Sand Lizard Classic Tournament

Drama: Cabot Classic Forensics Tournament

Band: All-Region Concert Clinic

Drama: One Act Preliminary

Wrestling: Fayetteville Tournament

Wrestling: Maumelle Tournament

upda

teVolume 29, Number 5

January 2016

Searcy Public Schools801 North Elm Street

Searcy, Arkansas 72143(501)268-3517

www.searcyschools.org

Board of EducationDr. Michael Liles - President

Linda Benson - Vice PresidentDr. Brent Blakely - Secretary

Jimmy Simpson - MemberPhilip Williams - Member

Superintendent - Diane Barrett

Concerns regardingUPDATE may be addressed to

Betsy Bailey, Editorbbailey@searcyschools.org

Art ists of the Month

JANUARY

Congratulations to fourth grade students Jamie Sampson (Rogers/Rezanka), Alyssa Devore (Colburn/Willibey), and Ava Sciba (Simmons/Smith) for being named the January Artists of the Month.

Congratulations to Southwest Middle School fifth grade student Alexis Lara for being selected as the winner in the First Community Bank Airport Day essay contest. She received a $250 educational scholarship from First Community Bank.

Spelling Bee WinnersAhlf Junior High School students recently competed in school spelling bees. The winners

will advance to the White County Spelling Bee that will be held later this month.

7th grade spelling bee winners: Greg Suprat-man, first place; Lydia Fleener, third place; and Tristin Carpenter, second place. Spelling bee officials: Becky Hall, Pediatric Therapy Associates; Shari Ed-munson, First Commu-nity Bank; Steve Watts, The Daily Citizen; and Donny Lee, Harding University.

8th grade spelling bee winners: Holden Jones, second place; Julia Hooper, third place; and Haven Whitney, first place. Spelling bee officials: Tyonia Beard, Simmons Bank; Shari Edmunson, First Com-munity Bank; Catlyn Sills, Pediatric Therapy Associates; and Donny Lee, Harding University.

The Searcy High School wrestling team placed first in the Little Rock Central wrestlingtournament for the second year in a row. Jordan Slaughter,Caleb Freeman, and Tristan Brackenridge placed first in their divisions, and several other athletes received medals.Congratulations SHS!