Ouachita River School District

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT! ORSD (Acorn & Oden campuses) Nutrition Services - Meals & Menus for 2024-2025 School Year Mondays will be breakfast & lunch only (1 choice) Tuesdays - Fridays ● Breakfast for all students ● Lunch will include 2 meal choices ● Each student will receive an afternoon snack ● Juniors and seniors leaving for college or work at lunch will be able to pickup up a to- go lunch from cafeteria ● Elementary students will receive fresh fruits and vegetables between breakfast and lunch ● High school students will have the option of 2nd chance breakfast between 1st and 2nd hour ● All menus are located on our website Ouachitariversd.org > Lunch Menu > Choose School (Acorn or Oden) > Choose Menu (by grade) ● Link for menus Menus - August and September menus are now listed on the website ● Prek will receive breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack Non-Discrimination Statement: This explains what to do if you believe you have been treated unfairly. In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by: mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or email: program.intake@usda.gov This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

ATTN: ORSD Parents & Students Ouachita River School District will host a public meeting on Thursday, August 15, 2024 from 6:00 - 6:30 PM on both Acorn and Oden campuses. School starts on Tuesday, August 20, 2024 for grades K-12 on the Acorn and Oden campuses. School will be in session during the school year Tuesdays-Fridays, 7:45 AM – 4:13 PM. School on Mondays with a different timeframe than regular school days will be available starting the week beginning August 26th. A sign-up will be available at Open House events on both campuses for Monday school day. Basic school supplies will be provided for K-12 at Acorn and Oden campuses. Please check with your child’s building office and staff at Open House events for other supplies that may be needed or utilized and not provided by school such as; backpacks, water bottles, binders, etc.. We look forward to welcoming and serving you this year! #orsdlifeprep

Strasner Awarded Association of Arkansas Counties Scholarship Sophie Strasner, AHS Class of 2024, was awarded a scholarship from the Association of Arkansas Counties (AAC) Scholarship Program. Criteria for the scholarship includes a graduating senior from high school in Arkansas and must be a child, grandchild, adopted child, or stepchild of a current or retired county employee of Arkansas. Strasner plans to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Ouachita Baptist University and an advanced degree for a career as a Speech Pathologist. Sophie received the scholarship and recognition of award at the Association of Arkansas Counties Awards Luncheon on Thursday, August 8, 2024. Congratulations, Sophie! We are proud of you! #orsdlifeprep Photo, l to r: Polk County Judge Brandon Ellison and Sophie Strasner

Attention Acorn Preschool Parents!!! Reminder that Open House on August 7, 2024, has been canceled. If you have not received a call from your child's teacher to set up an appointment, please call 479-394-2348 ext. 416.

ORSD Now Hiring Acorn Schools position: Cafeteria Tech

Attention ODEN students in grades 9-12! Please contact Apryl Philpot to make an appointment to complete your class schedule. Call 870-326-4311 to make an appointment.

ORSD Student Meal Prices - 2024-2025 School Year Acorn and Oden campuses

IMPORTANT UPDATES!! ORSD Preschools - 1st Day of School - August 20th Acorn Preschool Preschool Director: Pamela Hackworth Kathy Medford Preschool Building 143 Polk Road 96 Mena, AR 71953 Phone: (479) 394-2348, x. 416 OR (479) 394-394-4833 Acorn Elementary Office Open House, Registration, Screenings will be conducted: August 15th, 16th & 19th - Teachers will call and set up appointments with the parents. 1st Day of Preschool - Tuesday, August 20th *Bus transportation will be available starting Tuesday, August 20th. Oden Preschool Preschool Director: Kimberly Robertson Oden Preschool Building 135 School Drive Oden, AR 71961 Phone: (870) 490-1195 OR (870) 326-4311 Oden Schools' Office Open House, Registration, Screenings will be conducted: August 15th, 16th & 19th - Teachers will call and set up appointments with the parents. 1st Day of Preschool - Tuesday, August 20th *Bus transportation will be available starting Tuesday, August 20th.

ATTN: ORSD Parents & Students The first day of classes on the ORSD - Acorn and Oden campuses for the 2024-2025 school year is Tuesday, August 20th for grades K-12 . School week and hours are 7:45 AM - 4:13 PM - Tuesday - Friday. Mondays are available and sign up will be set up at Open House events on each campus, Thursday, August 15th. We are excited and looking forward to serving you in the upcoming school year! #orsdlifeprep

ORSD Now Hiring Acorn Preschool position: Paraprofessional

Preschool Openings - Acorn and Oden Preschool Contact: Acorn Preschool Kathy Medford Preschool Building Phone: (479) 394-2348, x. 416 OR (479) 394-394-4833 Acorn Elementary Office Oden Preschool Oden Preschool Building Phone: (870) 490-1195 OR (870) 326-4311 Oden Schools' Office

Ouachita River School District - Acorn High School CTE Instructors Jim Pennington, Ricky Dollar & Mindy Lyle and School Counselor Tammy Young in attendance for the ArCTE 2024 Summer Conference. Mindy Lyle was recognized for state and national awards she received this year in the career and technical education field and her service on the ArCTE Board. Congratulations, Mindy! Arkansas Career and Technical Education (ArCTE) is a division of the national organization of Association of Career and Technical Education (ACTE). The ArCTE Summer Conference is packed with hands-on sessions to provide valuable tools, resources and experiences to enhance and enrich instruction and practicum experiences in the classroom, course development, and career application. The conference hosts career and technical industry leaders and partners sharing knowledge and skills required to better prepare our future workforce and leaders. The ORSD Team is excited to share what we learned with our students and parents to help students be better prepared for life! #orsdlifeprep

Acorn Senior Class of 2025 will have their Senior Portraits taken on Friday August 9th in the Old Main Auditorium starting at 8 am. Letters with a scheduled time and details have been mailed, so be on the lookout for it! The casuals backdrop is a pattern of tan, cream, and sand colors this year. We will also be taking the senior athletes banner pictures during this timeframe. Contact Glynda Pearce at gpearce@orsd.k12.ar.us or text @ 479-234-0614 for questions or clarifications. We're going to have a fantastic Senior Year!

ATTN: ORSD Parents & Students Ouachita River School District will host a public meeting on Thursday, August 15, 2024 from 6:00 - 6:30 PM on both Acorn and Oden campuses. School starts on Tuesday, August 20, 2024 for grades K-12 on the Acorn and Oden campuses. School will be in session during the school year Tuesdays-Fridays, 7:45 AM – 4:13 PM. School on Mondays with a different timeframe than regular school days will be available starting the week beginning August 26th. A sign-up will be available at Open House events on both campuses for Monday school day. Basic school supplies will be provided for K-12 at Acorn and Oden campuses. Please check with your child’s building office and staff at Open House events for other supplies that may be needed or utilized and not provided by school such as; backpacks, water bottles, binders, etc.. We look forward to welcoming and serving you this year! #orsdlifeprep

Acorn Schools Backpack Food Program Available for all students enrolled at Acorn Schools 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM on designated dates Remaining distribution days for July 2024 Thursday July 11 Wednesday, July 17 Wednesday, July 24 Pick up will be at the Acorn High School Office (479) 394-5544 - AHS Office

AHS Seniors Awarded State Association Scholarships Kora Carter, AHS Class of 2024, was awarded a scholarship from the AACIA Graduating Senior Scholarship Program from the Arkansas Association of Curriculum and Instruction Administrators. Criteria for scholarship includes a graduating senior pursuing a degree in education. Carter plans to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Education, specializing in special education at the University of Arkansas Fort Smith for a career as a Special Education Teacher. Kenzie Daniels, AHS Class of 2024, was awarded a scholarship from the Arkansas Association of Pupil Transportation (AAPT) Scholarship Program for the Ben Farmer Scholarship. Criteria for scholarship includes a graduating senior who has or had a family member involved in the pupil transportation industry. Daniels plans to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Arkansas Fort Smith and advanced degree for a career as a nurse anesthetist. Sophie Strasner, AHS Class of 2024, was awarded a scholarship from the Association of Arkansas Counties (AAC) Scholarship Program. Criteria for the scholarship includes a graduating senior from high school in Arkansas and must be a child, grandchild, adopted child, or stepchild of a current or retired county employee of Arkansas. Strasner plans to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Ouachita Baptist University and an advanced degree for a career as a Speech Pathologist. Congratulations, Kora, Kenzie and Sophie! We are proud of you! #orsdlifeprep

AHS Senior Zach Neugent built a desk for the Acorn Gym office from recycled and reclaimed lumber! Great work, Zach! #orsdlifeprep

Attention Oden Class of 2025! Heritage Photos will be taking Senior Portraits (Cap & Gown and Formals) next Wednesday, July 10th, from 11am-1pm in the cafeteria. There is a $20 fee for the session. (Make checks out to Heritage.) Pictures for senior basketball banners will also be taken that day. Contact Mrs. O with any questions!

ATTN: Hiring Substitutes! Monday, July 8th, ESS will be hosting an informational session and training. We would love to have you join us as a substitute! Visit ESS.com to start your application and be sure to register in advance using one of the links below. Register Now Oden Campus Register Now Acorn Campus

In observance of Independence Day on Thursday, Jully 4, 2024, Ouachita River School District - Acorn and Oden campuses will be closed