Ouachita River School District

Acorn Teacher Named AEEA Outstanding Educator of the Year Toby Hollin, Acorn Elementary 5th & 6th Grade Science Teacher has been named Outstanding Educator of the Year for the Arkansas Environmental Education Association (AEEA). Hollin was chosen among a host of applicants and recognized for the use of the Acorn campus outdoor classroom for instruction. The recognition ceremony will be on June 6, 2023. “I am very humbled and honored to even be considered for this award! We have so many great educators in our state. I am just glad our outdoor environment stood out and so proud of our students working so hard to help it become a great space to learn!”, stated Hollin. AEEA’ s mission champions access to environmental education, builds community among professionals, provides support to educators, and drives excellence in the field of environmental and outdoor education in Arkansas. Congratulations, Mrs. Hollin! We are proud of you! #orsdlifeprep Ouachita River School District Through a safe, caring, and serving environment, students learn, grow, excel, and succeed...this is our mission in preparing students for LIFE!

Ouachita River School District - Acorn and Oden campuses will be closed Monday, May 29, 2023 in observance of Memorial Day

ATTN: ORSD Parents/Guardians: The Department of Human Services (DHS) has begun sending renewal packets to those at risk of losing coverage. The first round of terminations began in April for those who are ineligible or who did not provide the requested information.

Attention Acorn Tiger Families!!!

ORSD Career Connect: Partnering for Student Success On May 1st, Ouachita River School District hosted their Inaugural ORSD Career Connect event in partnership with Western Arkansas Planning & Development District for Acorn and Oden High School seniors. The event was held in the Mary Davis Gym from 9-11:30 a.m. with over 60+ career representatives from business, industry, agencies, organizations, military branches, and higher education institutions. The Ouachita River School District Career Connect event for seniors included seniors identifying their postsecondary plan and career pathway, completing a career profile and resume, and participating in job interviews with our career partners. Career pathways were grouped by occupational clusters to help our career partners more effectively target and identify students for interviews to facilitate opportunities for employment, internships, apprenticeships, education, and training based on students’ career pathways, skills, and career goals. Students also learned about potential career and occupational pathways to explore as a result of this experience. The event was a huge success for students, career partners and our District! Ouachita River School District would like to extend our gratitude to the career representatives and partners that participated in this year’s event. Thank you for sharing your time, talents and important information with our students in helping them be better prepared for life! #orsdlifeprep Ouachita River School District Through a safe, caring, and serving environment, students learn, grow, excel, and succeed...this is our mission in preparing students for LIFE!

ORSD Career Connect: Partnering for Student Success On May 1st, Ouachita River School District hosted their Inaugural ORSD Career Connect event in partnership with Western Arkansas Planning & Development District for Acorn and Oden High School seniors. The event was held in the Mary Davis Gym from 9-11:30 a.m. with over 60+ career representatives from business, industry, agencies, organizations, military branches, and higher education institutions. The Ouachita River School District Career Connect event for seniors included seniors identifying their postsecondary plan and career pathway, completing a career profile and resume, and participating in job interviews with our career partners. Career pathways were grouped by occupational clusters to help our career partners more effectively target and identify students for interviews to facilitate opportunities for employment, internships, apprenticeships, education, and training based on students’ career pathways, skills, and career goals. Students also learned about potential career and occupational pathways to explore as a result of this experience. The event was a huge success for students, career partners and our District! Ouachita River School District would like to extend our gratitude to the career representatives and partners that participated in this year’s event. Thank you for sharing your time, talents and important information with our students in helping them be better prepared for life! #orsdlifeprep Ouachita River School District Through a safe, caring, and serving environment, students learn, grow, excel, and succeed...this is our mission in preparing students for LIFE!

AHS Senior Signing & Commitment Day Acorn High School held their annual Senior Signing & Commitment Day on Wednesday, May 10, 2023. The event was held in the Acorn Gymnasium with the event hosting numerous partners from colleges/universities, military, and business/industry for Acorn High School seniors to be recognized for their postsecondary commitments and scholarship offers. Each graduating senior was recognized for their postsecondary commitments to the following: Ashlee Arce - University of Arkansas Rich Mountain Cyrus Auer - University of Arkansas Rich Mountain Elijah Badger - University of Arkansas Rich Mountain Luis Basilio - University of Arkansas Little Rock & U.S. Army Ally Bissell - University of Arkansas Rich Mountain Johnathan Bodkin - University of Arkansas Rich Mountain & Sterling Machinery Braylan Bohlman - Champion Christian College Kadi Caldwell - University of Arkansas Rich Mountain Sky Carmack - University of Arkansas Rich Mountain Ryle Cole - University of Arkansas Rich Mountain Mikayla Cook - University of Arkansas Rich Mountain Colton Cox - Workforce Dakota Cunningham - Workforce Isabella Cunningham - Workforce John Austin Davis - University of Arkansas Rich Mountain & U.S. Forest Service Evelynn Ellis - University of Arkansas Rich Mountain Zachary Frost - Workforce Brookelyn Goss - University of Arkansas Rich Mountain Charish Hill - University of Arkansas Rich Mountain Timothy Clayton Hobbs - National Park College Ericka Holliday - University of Arkansas Rich Mountain Riley Jennings - University of Arkansas Rich Mountain Westin Johnson - University of Arkansas Rich Mountain Michael Laing - University of Arkansas Rich Mountain Raylin Lane - University of Arkansas Rich Mountain Olivia Maechler - University of Arkansas Fort Smith Destiny Mabry - Workforce Westen McEntire - University of Arkansas Rich Mountain & B & W Advanced Electric Preston Reed McGee - Arkansas Tech University Landyn Miller - Workforce Rachael Miller - Workforce Paige Parnell - Arkansas Tech University Addyson Prewett - University of Arkansas Fort Smith Chevy Ragain - Workforce Jamie Dane Richardson - University of Arkansas Cossatot Lori Richardson - University of Arkansas Rich Mountain Braven Rodgers - University of Arkansas Rich Mountain & NIDEC Motor Corporation Aubrey Jonah Rogan - Central Baptist College Makayla Sandoval - University of Arkansas Rich Mountain Harley Simon - Workforce Gavin Strother - University of Arkansas Rich Mountain Dakota Sullivan - Workforce Isaac Tedder - University of Arkansas Rich Mountain Alex Treat - University of Arkansas Rich Mountain Casey Van Meter - Northwest Arkansas Community College Brightwater Culinary Andrew Watts - University of Arkansas Rich Mountain & Rich Mountain Electric Cooperative Rachael Weddle - University of Arkansas Rich Mountain Emily Whorton - University of Arkansas Rich Mountain Jayden Willborg - University of Arkansas Rich Mountain Carter Wolfenbarger - Workforce Thank you to our postsecondary partners for higher education programs, training and career opportunities and scholarship offers for our seniors! Congratulations, AHS Class of 2023! We are proud of you! #orsdlifeprep Ouachita River School District Through a safe, caring, and serving environment, students learn, grow, excel, and succeed...this is our mission in preparing students for LIFE!

The Oden High School Awards Assembly will be held tomorrow, May 16th, at 6pm in the Bill Kelly Gymnasium. Light refreshments will be served afterward. Everyone is invited to attend; students who are receiving awards have been notified.

Ouachita River School District extends an invitation to honor the Class of 2023 of Oden High School Oden High School Graduation Friday, May 19, 2023 7:00 PM Bill Kelly Gymnasium 135 School Drive Oden, AR 71961 (870) 326-4311

Thank you, Cruizzers and the Myers Family, for providing drinks for Acorn Elementary teachers and staff. We appreciate your support for our school!

Ouachita River School District extends an invitation to honor the Class of 2023 of Acorn High School Acorn High School Graduation Thursday, May 18, 2023 7:00 PM Acorn Gymnasium 143 Polk Road 96 Mena, AR 71953 (479) 394-5544

Thank you, Union Bank, for providing breakfast for our teachers and staff! We appreciation your support for our school!

Little Hope Baptist Church hosted a Baccalaureate Service for the Oden High School 2023 Senior Class on the evening of Sunday, May 7th. Services were led by Pastor Andy Kennedy and accompanied by the congregation's talented musicians. Food and fellowship followed the services. Pictured from left to right: Matthew Shaw, Brady Philpot, Andy Kennedy, Nathanael Mayo, Emilee McAnelly, Wyatt Pearson and Justice Carty-Mauk. Article and photo provided by William Edwards, ORSD Assistant Superintendent

Sixteen students in Mrs. Lyle's Family CSI class finished the Babysitting Basics babysitting course and received their certificate from the University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service. The Babysitting Basics course covers the responsibilities of a babysitter, understanding children and their care, behavior and guidance, the importance of play and appropriate toys, and safety and emergency procedures including basic first aid. Thank you, Mrs. Martin for spending the week with us and helping us attain valuable life skills.

The Oden Woods & Waters Club, Oden High School's outdoor education and recreation club, held their annual Spring Fishing Tournament on North Fork Lake on Saturday, May 6th. Food and prizes were provided to club members, parents, and guests. A $100 Walmart Gift Card, a $50 Big T's Gift Card, a $25 Walmart Gift Card, and various fishing tackle, camping gear, and outdoor equipment were awarded to all participants based on who landed the largest bass. Pictured is club member Tegan Gray, weighing in his 4lb tournament-winning fish with club sponsor William Edwards. Pictured from left to right: Hayden Allen, Tegan Gray, Scottie Bryant, Matthew Lewis, Owen Hill, Clay Carmack, Hayden Robinson, Caleb Hearne, and Trent Hearne (photos by Kim Gray and Tori Allen).

THANK YOU to ORSD School Nurses! You are so appreciated! Amanda Bennett Leigh Garner Megan Strother

Acorn FCCLA had their End of Year Awards/New Officer Induction Ceremony last night in the Acorn Cafetorium. Lyndsey Powell received the Outstanding Member Award. Shelby Rusert was recognized for being an FCCLA Rising Star. All outgoing officers received a plaque for their service over the past year. Incoming officers for the 2023-2024 school year are Damon Cruz, Kora Carter, Kenzie Daniels, Lyndsey Powell, Lauren Cruz, Eilam Holland, and Gracie Mabry.

🎓 Hope Shaver, we wish you well in all your future endeavors! Class of 2023 | Oden High School OHS Commencement Ceremony Friday, May 19th | 7:00 pm #ORSD #OdenTimberwolves

Acorn Athletic Banquet Information

The Oden 2022/23 Yearbook was distributed today during 5th period! It is amazing! Way to go Mrs. Olmstead and the yearbook crew!! There are a few extras for $45.