Ouachita River School District

Ouachita River School District - closed on Memorial Day Acorn and Oden campuses will be closed on Monday, May 27, 2024 in observance of Memorial Day

Ouachita River School District Celebrates Employees of the Month The following staff were voted ORSD Employees of the Month by their peers for the month of May 2024 and were recognized at the ORSD May Board Meeting: Nicole Edwards and Patty Carmack Congratulations! #orsdlifeprep

Acorn Students Compete in National Poetry Contest Acorn High School students in grades 8th, 10th & 11th submitted poetry to the 18th Annual National Student Poetry Contest offered by the America Library of Poetry. The students have the opportunity to win over 62 prizes including cash, laptops, tablets, shopping sprees, and Amazon gift cards. They also have the opportunity to be published in a poetry anthology this fall. Several former students of AHS have received the honor of publication through this contest. Results will be published this fall. AHS students submitting poetry in May 2024 include: 8th grade: Adalyn Bohlman Jaylen McQueen 10th grade: William Bloodworth Dodge Couture Lauren Cruz Isabella Fowler Irene Gilhousen Chloe Kelley Tazanna Haggard KaitLynn Ledbetter Brookelyn Lewis Lacy McEntire Macy McEntire Zane Newton Summer Nix Brooke Osufusen Lyndsey Powell Lana Revels Victoria Squires 11th grade: Rebecca Bloodworth Congratulations to all competitors! #orsdlifeprep

Oden Woods and Waters Club Spring Fishing Tournament 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 11th. Food and prizes were provided to club members, parents and guests. A spinning reel combo, tackle box, and a Walmart gift card were awarded to the three anglers who landed the largest bass. All anglers received various fishing tackle, camping gear, and outdoor equipment. Prizes were partially donated by Big T's and former Oden Woods and Waters Member Jeffery Stovall. Food was donated by Mena Walmart. Pictured from left to right are OWWC Sponsor William Edwards, club members Emma Gray, Bellanova McLoud-Silcocks, Raina McLoud-Silcocks, Tristen McLoud-Silcocks, Hayden Allen, Tegan Gray, Hayden Robinson, Owen Hill, Clay Carmack, Eric Aldridge, and guest Jordan Carmack (photo by Kim Gray). Weigh In OWWC Sponsor, William Edwards, weighs-in fish for OWWC Club Member Owen Hill. Owen Hill won first prize for the largest bass. Weigh In-Emma Gray OWWC Member Emma Gray, weighs-in her fish. Emma finished in the top four. Weigh In-Hayden Allen OWWC Member Hayden Gray, weighs-in his fish. Hayden finished in the top four. Top Four The top four anglers from the tournament pictured from left to right are Hayden Allen, Emma Gray, Tegan Gray, and Owen Hill (photo by Kim Gray). Alumni Mentorship and alumni sponsorship are values ingrained in the club's culture. This year's tournament involved OWWC Alumni Travis Gray, Kim Robertson, William Edwards, Jeffery Stovall, and (not pictured) Tommy Beshears. Congratulations to all competitors and thank you to our alumni and community for your support! #orsdlifeprep

AHS Alumni Spotlight - Jacob Cottman Jacob Cottman is employed by Tyson of Grannis and works in Harvest Room Labor Department. Congratulations, Jacob! We are proud of you! #orsdlifeprep

AES would like to give a big thanks to Upward Bound for donating a bike for our End of the Year Paw Drawing, which Kyzer Daughtery won. Students earned tickets for good behavior and making good choices throughout the school year. Those tickets were collected all year long and names were drawn for prizes.

Acorn High School Class of 2024 Kenzie Daniels, Valedictorian Sophie Strasner, Salutatorian Kenzie Daniels is the daughter of Jon and Lisa Daniels. Her higher educational goals including attending the University of Arkansa Fort Smith in the Myles Friedman Honors Program to pursue an APRN and advanced degree for her career as a Nurse Anesthetist. Sophie Strasner is the daughter of Jerrall and Misti Strasner. Her higher educational goals include attending Ouachita Baptist University to pursue a BA in Communication Disorders and advanced degree in Speech & language Pathology for her career as a Speech Therapist. Congratulations, Kenzie and Sophie! #orsdlifeprep

Acorn High School Class of 2024 Spotlight - Autumn Yoakem Congratulations, Autumn! Proud of you! AHS Commencement Ceremony Thursday, May 16, 2024 7:00 PM Acorn Gymnasium

Students and teachers celebrated, "Grandma Davis". She has worked in Acorn Elementary's First Grade with Mrs. Priddy as a part of the DMEC Foster Grandparent program for the past 13 years. Grandma Davis' kindness, compassion and dedication to our students has truly influenced us all and will be dearly missed as this is her final year with the Grandparent program. Thank you, Grandma Davis, for your service and love towards the students. Your contribution to the school community is truly appreciated.

ATTENTION: ORSD Parents Reminder to pay your child’s meal charges by Friday, May 17th . You can pay at your child’s building, the ORSD Administration Office or online at www.ezschoolpay.com

Acorn High School Class of 2024 Spotlight - Paige Smedley Congratulations, Paige! Proud of you! AHS Commencement Ceremony Thursday, May 16, 2024 7:00 PM Acorn Gymnasium

Acorn High School Class of 2024 Spotlight - Rylee Belcher Congratulations, Rylee! Proud of you! AHS Commencement Ceremony Thursday, May 16, 2024 7:00 PM Acorn Gymnasium

Oden High School Commencement Ceremony Friday, May 17, 2024 7:00 PM Bill Kelly Gymnasium

Thank you, Chad & Megan Auer and The Auer Family for your generous support for Teacher Appreciation Week!

Thank you, parents, high school volunteers, and staff, for working so hard at the AES Fun Day! We had a great day and loads of fun. I appreciate ALL of your support it making this fun day possible.

I would like to give a big shout out to the following for your support and recognition for the Acorn Elementary Staff last week during Staff Appreciation Week. Thank you! the Dandikar family ORSD Admin Mrs. Cheryl Boyd Union Bank Wal Mart DMESC Mrs. Shannon Simpson Progressive Therapy We appreciate all of your support!

Thank you, Nurse Mandie, for everything you do to care for our students and staff! You go above and beyond and are always willing to help any way you can. I appreciate you!

Acorn High School Commencement Ceremony Thursday, May 16, 2024 7:00 PM Acorn Gymnasium

Acorn High School Class of 2024 Spotlight - Samuel Walker Congratulations, Samuel! Proud of you! AHS Commencement Ceremony Thursday, May 16, 2024 7:00 PM Acorn Gymnasium

Acorn High School Class of 2024 Spotlight - Hannah Woodard Congratulations, Hannah! Proud of you! AHS Commencement Ceremony Thursday, May 16, 2024 7:00 PM Acorn Gymnasium