Ouachita River School District

Reminder from SRO Harvey. State Law says "Stay off Cellphone in School Zone".

ORSD Family, Welcome to the 2021-22 school year! We are excited to see all of you today as we conduct our Open House and Public Meetings. This year we are continuing our safety measures on all of our campuses to help stop the spread of Covid-19. Remember if you have been exposed to someone with Covid-19 recently and are experiencing symptoms please do not come to campus tonight. We are encouraging the use of masks especially in areas where we cannot socially distance. Also, we are NOT under a mask mandate on campus at this time. We will keep you posted on any changes as we monitor the positive rates in our communities. Again, we are excited to see you and your children on our campuses this evening. If you have questions when your scheduled time is this evening, please reach out to your campus principal today. Respectfully, Jerrall Strasner Superintendent ORSD

I am so excited to be back home! I graduated from Acorn, and have looked forward to the day I could return. I have taught a total of thirteen years. Two of those years I taught at Van-Cove as a P.E. Teacher, G/T Coordinator, Assistant Boys Basketball, and Girls Softball Coach. I taught adult GED classes for two years for RMCC. Most recently, I coached volleyball, track and taught P.E. at Waldron Schools for nine years. I love anything outdoors with my family. We camp and play at the lake as often as possible. I place my faith first, and truly believe this is exactly where I need to be. I look forward to the opportunity to teach and get to know these kids!

We have a new drop off and pick up plan for Preschool and Elementary. Please study the map, and use it as a guide when you drop off or pick up students at Acorn School. Please share with family that might drop off and pick up.

**The phones on Acorn campus are currently down. If you are needing to contact: Acorn Elem: email abosch@orsd.k12.ar.us Acorn High: email rhill@orsd.k12.ar.us There is also faculty available in both buildings to assist you. Sorry for any inconvenience.

Farm Bureau Women's Committee Donates School Supplies The Polk County Farm Bureau Women's Committee generously donated school supplies to Acorn High School to help make the transition and welcome back to school a successful one for students. Charlotte Wiles, Committee Chair stated, "Farm Bureau values the educators of our community and extends a thank you to all who are involved in the education process." In addition to providing resources, the mission of PCFBW is to conduct community-based activities and programs that promote agriculture and the mission of Farm Bureau. "We appreciate their support and donation to provide a much needed resource for our students to start the year", stated Dewayne Taylor, Acorn High School Principal. Ouachita River School District values the partnership with this community organization in helping students be prepared for life. Photo l to r: Dewayne Taylor, Charlotte Wiles, and Colt Wiles.

I graduated from Acorn High School in 2016 and began my college career at UofA Rich Mountain; I graduated with my Associate of Arts summer of 2018. From there I transferred to Arkansas Tech University pursuing a Bachelors in Fine Arts and graduated December 2020. I am currently enrolled at Southern Arkansas University where I am pursuing my Master of Arts in Teaching degree. I love all things creative and enjoy spending time outside. A lot of my inspiration and drive for my art projects stem from nature. I am getting married in September and my fiance and I are in the process of buying my first home. I'm excited about this opportunity to share my passion with students and fellow teachers!

My name is Stacy Morris and I will be teaching in 3rd grade at Acorn Elementary this year! I graduated from the University of Arkansas with my Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. Upon graduation I got married my now husband, and moved to Missouri! I taught in Missouri for the last two years and am excited to get back home to teach! I love sports, dogs, kayaking, and spending time with my family and friends. I am so ready to start this year!

Attention: AHS Parents & Students! The Tiger staff and faculty welcome YOU to Acorn High School for the 2021-2022 year! We are excited and prepared to serve in achieving student success!  Please mark your calendars for Wednesday, August 11, 2021 and the following events and times: * Acorn Schools Public Meeting - 6:00 PM - @ Acorn Cafetorium * Acorn High School Open House - @ Acorn Gymnasium  Student schedules will be distributed and Chromebook devices will be available for checkout. We encourage you to visit with faculty and staff during your timeframe “meet and greet”.  Timeframes by grade level are: 4:30 PM - 7th Grade 5:00 PM - 8th Grade 5:30 PM - 9th Grade 6:30 PM - 10th Grade 7:00 PM - 11th Grade 7:30 PM - 12th Grade The first day of school is Monday, August 16, 2021. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact the AHS Office at (479) 394-5544. Updates, news, important student and school information are posted on the school website at www.ouachitariversd.org. Be sure to check out and LIKE the Ouachita River School District Facebook page! Students, please check your school email regularly to receive important information and updates! Through a safe, caring, and serving environment, students learn, grow, excel, and succeed...this is our mission in preparing students for LIFE!

1995 graduate of Oden High School Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education-Henderson State University Master's degree in Educational Leadership-Arkansas State University Library Media Certification 20 years of teaching experience at Oden Married to Jason Bergum 3 children: Megan, Sarah and Trent 1 granddaughter: Sadie I love spending time with my family, going to the beach and snorkeling, and I am a huge Razorback fan.

Surprise birthday party for W.T. Youngblood at the Acorn Cafeteria. Come celebrate with him and his family.

*Oden High School Athletic Reminder* High School athletes can get their physical tomorrow on campus . Healthy Connections will be here with their mobile unit to give physicals to our athletes. Physicals will start at 8:00 a.m.

Oden High School's Open House will be August 11th. We are scheduling grade level times to come and meet teachers, get student schedules and checkout chromebooks. The Public Meeting will be at 6:00 p.m. in the cafeteria. We are asking that families sit together in the cafeteria. The schedule for high school is listed below. We are looking forward to a great year! 6th/7th grades 5:00-5:30 8th/9th grades 5:30-6:00 Public Meeting 6:00-6:30 10th/11th/12th grades 6:30-7:00 Athletic meeting in cafeteria 7:00-7:30

Ode Maddox Elementary will have their Open House on August 11th. We have scheduled times for each grade level to meet with their teacher. Teachers will be calling parents to let you know grade level meeting times. They are also listed below. Public Meeting will be at 6:00 p.m. in the cafeteria. We are asking that families sit together in the cafeteria. We are looking forward to a great year! Kindergarten 5:00-5:30 1st grade 5:30-6:00 Public Meeting 6:00-6:30 2nd grade 6:30-7:00 3rd-5th grade 7:00-7:30

My name is Ricky Dollar. I was raised on a cattle and poultry farm in Pine Ridge. I attended Oden school and graduated in 1995 and from there went to Rich Mountain Community College where I earned an Associates of Applied Science Degree in Machine Tool Technology. I returned to college at Southern Arkansas University where I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Ag. Business. I am currently attending SAU again while I work to earn a masters degree in the MAT program. I have been married to my wife, Darcy, for 19 years and have three children; Daisy, Josey and Jasper. My hobbies include watching my kids compete in sports, and hunting and fishing with them.I enjoy spending time with my family. I also enjoy teaching others and helping them to be successful.

ACORN HIGH SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE - 8.11-2021

Mrs. Philpot is conducting counselor/parent meetings this week on the Oden Campus. Mrs. Philpot can help you understand graduation requirements for your child. Thank you Mrs. Philpot for all you do!

*Acorn Elementary* Open House will be Wednesday, August 11th starting at 3:30 p.m. Please be expecting a call from your child's teacher soon to schedule an appointment. Meetings will be held in small groups due to Covid-19.

Hi, I am Helen Bridges. I am a recent honor graduate from SAU, with a degree in Elementary Education. This past year I’ve had the privilege to intern at both the ORSD campuses. My passion is to educate and inspire the next generation. In my free time I enjoy making memories with my children, hiking a trial or locating a bargain. I look forward to serving this year as the 1st grade teacher at Oden.

My name is Kelly Slaten and I am so excited to join the AHS staff as the 10th-12th grade English instructor this year! I was born and raised in Waldron, and earned my BS in English Education from Williams Baptist University in Walnut Ridge, AR. I now live in Waldron with my wonderful husband, Jeremy, and our two amazing children, AbiGail and Elijah. After a year at home tutoring virtual learners (including my own kids), we are all glad to be back to on-site learning/teaching. I have 9 years teaching experience, primarily in the great state of Texas. My passions are connecting great themes of literature to my students’ everyday lives, and helping students develop their written and oral communication skills. The more staff and leadership I meet at ORSD, the more confident I am that this is a caring and professional school, with student learning and growth being the primary focus. Our family loves camping, fishing, swimming, and animals. We are involved in our local 4-H, Southside Baptist Church, Tae Kwon Do at Wolf Pack Martial Arts, and our local fishing team, The Water Dogs! We are looking forward to getting to know the Acorn community better as school begins in August. Go Tigers!