We appreciate your support and value the community partnership shared with our schools and the Polk County/Mena Rotary Club!
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Ouachita River School District earned “A” rating for Arkansas school districts through the Arkansas Department of Education school letter grades 2024-2025 official rating system, ATLAS (Arkansas Teaching, Learning & Assessment System).!
Ouachita River School District is proud of the hard work, dedication and commitment of our students, staff, families and community! The “A” rating earned is a reflection of the growth and commitment to learning, teaching, caring, supporting, engaging and partnering for success from each and every one, every day!
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Students observed bird behaviors, identified features of a healthy ecosystem, and discussed ways we can support wildlife right here on our school campus.
We love seeing our Tigers learning through real-world, hands-on experiences! 💙💛🐯
#ARinNOV8STEM #OutdoorSTEM #aestigersserve
On November 6, 2025, Acorn High School hosted a special tribute and program honoring our Veterans of all branches of service. The Acorn High School Student Council members gave each student in grades 5th - 12th, staff, Veterans and guests an American flag for the ceremony.
The program included the AHS Band and Choir performances under the direction of Acorn Schools' Music Director Valerie Couch, of our National Anthem and United States Armed Forces Medley with the presentation of each military branch's flag. Mr. Jerrall Strasner, ORSD Superintendent welcomed guests, students, and staff in attendance and emphasized the relevance and importance of honoring and recognizing those who served and serve to protect our freedoms.
The Acorn High School EAST Program, under leadership of Scott Bohlman and technical support from Makaila Goodner highlighted Veterans and their service in a slideshow presentation.
Special guest speaker Mayor Seth Smith, City of Mena shared a message of inspiration and pride for our service men and women, for our country and for our community.
Thank you to all who coordinated and participated in the 2025 AHS Veterans Program!
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Monday, November 10, 2025 & Tuesday, November 11, 2025
See you back on campus - Wednesday, November 12th!
Acorn vs Cossatot River (Away)
Tuesday, 11/4/2025
Acorn JG Lady Tigers vs Cossatot River JG Lady Eagles
Acorn SR Lady Tigers vs Cossatot River SR Lady Eagles
Acorn - 57 vs Cossatot - 42
Top Scorers: KaitLynn Ledbetter - 25 points, 4 Boards & 3 assists
Josey Dollar - 15 points, 8 boards & 4 assists
Acorn SR Tigers vs Cossatot River SR Eagles
Acorn - 49 vs Cossatot River - 43
Top Scorer: Braxton Hemund led all scorers - 20 points, 3 rebounds & 4 steals
We are thrilled to welcome local author Holli Plunkett and her adorable pup Maggie to Acorn Elementary for a special K–2 author visit on November 14th! 📚🐾
Holli will be sharing her book Naughty Maggie, a sweet and funny story inspired by her real-life doodle. Our students are going to love this visit!
📘 Order forms will be sent home for anyone who would like to purchase a signed hardcover or paperback copy of the book.
Hardcover – $20
Paperback – $13
We can’t wait for our little Tigers to meet a real author and celebrate the joy of reading! 💙💛✨
📖🐶 “Every story starts with imagination — and sometimes a little mischief!”
Acorn SR High Quiz Bowl Take 1st Place in Ashdown Invitational Tournament
The Acorn SR High Quiz Bowl Team competing in the Ashdown Invitational Tournament on 11/5/2025:
Zane Newton
Cadince Onstott
Eilam Holland
Brooke Osufsen
Anthony Gonzales
Matilda Grant
Jaylen McQueen
Jaycelin Gardner
Nine (9) teams total in the invitational. Congratulations to the AHS SR High Quiz Bowl Team and Coach Amy Slater!
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ACORN CLASSIC BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
Acorn vs Blevins (Home)
Saturday, 11/1/2025
Acorn SR Lady Tigers vs Blevins SR Lady Hornets
Acorn - 60 vs Blevins 29
Top Scorers: Victoria Squires - 13 pointes, Addisyn Ledbetter - 11 points, Josey Dollar - 12 points, KaitLynn Ledbetter - 10 points
Coach's quote: "I feel like we played with a lot of energy on Saturday night. I was very pleased with our defense against a very athletic Blevins club. We shot the ball very well from the perimeter. Any time you have 4 girls in double figures it really helps." Coach Chris Ledbetter, Acorn Lady Tigers Basketball
Acorn SR Tigers vs Blevins SR Hornets
Acorn - 64 vs Blevins - 73
Top Scorer: Kaden Carter - 14 points & 10 rebounds
Acorn Tigers hit the road to face the Cossatot River Eagles on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. Tip-off begins with the Jr Girls at 5:00 p.m., followed by the Senior teams. Come out and support the Tigers as they battle it out on the court!
October 2025
Michele Kincaid
Kristina Johnson
Kim Posey
Kelly Slaten
Congratulations, Michele, Kristina, Kim and Kelly!
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September 2025
Helen Bridges-Lewis
Crystal Hill
Congratulations, Helen and Crystal!
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Acorn Schools' Veterans Program
THURS 11/6/2025
12:00 PM
Mary Davis Gym
Honoring all military branches
Jerall Strasner, ORSD Superintendent
🎄 AES Presents: Christmas at the OK Corral 🤠
Acorn Elementary is excited to invite you to our Annual Elementary Holiday Musical – Christmas at the OK Corral!
Join us Thursday, December 4th, in the Acorn New Gym for a festive evening of music and fun!
🎬 Performance Schedule:
Kindergarten & 1st Grade: 6:00 PM
2nd – 4th Grades: 7:00 PM
🎤 Speakers and actors will stay for both performances.
👕 Student Attire:
Students should wear a white t-shirt, jeans, and boots (if they have them). Each student will receive a red bandana upon arrival.
We would love for everyone to come out, enjoy the show, and support our amazing students as they share the spirit of Holidays—Western style!
Way to go, Zane!
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Acorn High School Welcomes All Veterans, Active Military and families to Annual Veterans Day Program
Thursday, November 6, 2025
12:00 PM
Guest Speaker: Mayor Seth Smith, City of Mena
Mary Davis Gym - Acorn High School
143 Polk Road 96
Mena, AR 71953
October 28, 2025
Acorn SR Lady Tigers vs County Line SR Lady Indians
Acorn - 54 vs County Line - 38
Top Scorer: Isabella Lozier - 27 points
Coach’s quote: “The girls showed up at County Line with great effort and executed a great game plan to beat a really good county line team on the road. This game was a real test for our girls with their size and experience. I was impressed with the way we showed up and defended so well. We struggled some offensively outside of Bella Lozier scoring 27 points. All in all it was a great night of Acorn Lady Tiger basketball.” Acorn Lady Tigers Coach Chris Ledbetter
The Acorn Cross Country program continued its outstanding 2025 season on October 29, 2025 at the Tom Stuthard Top 25 Invitational, turning in dominant performances across divisions. The Junior High Girls captured the team championship, the Junior High Boys narrowly missed the title by just four points, and Acorn High School squads produced solid individual finishes that show their depth and promise heading into postseason meets.
Junior High / Middle School Girls — Team Champions (27 Points)
Acorn Junior Girls led the field from start to finish, capturing first place behind an incredible team effort.
Individual highlights:
• Genevieve Simborio (9th) — 1st place, 11:21.4 (Individual Champion)
• Kylie Ezell (9th) — 3rd place, 12:25.2
• Anastasia Bohlman (7th) — 9th place, 13:04.2
• Kaylin House (7th) — 12th place, 13:38.1
• Evie Norris (7th) — 14th place, 13:50.0
• AbiGail Slater (8th) — 15th place, 13:53.9
• Kaelyn Donald (11th) — 21st place, 14:26.3
Additional Competitors:
Emma Gray (8th, 26th, 14:48.7); Lacelynn Southern (7th, 27th, 14:51.5); Payton Myers (7th, 28th, 15:00.8); Breezie Harris (7th, 29th, 15:14.6)Paisley Laughlin (9th, 31st, 15:37.9); Brylin Clark (7th, 35th, 16:36.5).
Team Result: 1st — 27 points | Total Time: 1:04:18.9 | Average: 12:51.7
Junior High / Middle School Boys — Runner-Up (51 Points)
Acorn Junior Boys were just four points shy of the championship, showing their depth with seven runners in the top 20.
Scoring Runners:
• Ryder Willeford (8th) — 2nd place, 10:05.9
• Ryder Laughlin (9th) — 9th place, 11:04.3
• Cy Young (9th) — 14th place, 11:25.6
• Dominic Libby (9th) — 16th place, 11:30.1
• Kooper Hollin (9th) — 18th place, 11:33.1
Additional Competitors:
Brayden Dukeshire (9th, 19th, 11:34.2); Isaac Johnson (9th, 20th, 11:35.8); Spencer Murray (8th, 25th, 12:03.4); Koy Long (8th, 26th, 12:16.1); Aaron Belcher (27th, 12:24.0); Brody Murry (29th, 13:52.8); Hunter Higgins (31st, 14:17.6).
Team Result: 2nd — 51 points | Total Time: 55:39.0 | Average: 11:07.8
High School Girls
Although Acorn did not field a complete varsity team, the Acorn Lady Tigers had two solid performances that highlighted the program’s future strength:
• Addisyn Ledbetter (10th) — 12th place overall, 26:54.1
• Josey Dollar (11th) — 13th place overall, 26:58.5
High School Boys
Acorn Tigers were represented by two competitors:
• Zane Newton (12th) — 4th place overall, 20:09.2
• Ayvaan Flores (9th) — 32nd place, 25:05.7
Congratulations to the AHS XC Athletes and Coach Keith Willsey!
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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!
