Ouachita River School District

Gratitude to the dedicated ORSD Librarians for nurturing a vibrant reading environment and fostering a culture of literary exploration! National Library Week - April 7 - 13, 2024 "National Library Week is a time to celebrate our nation's libraries, library workers' contributions and promote library use and support. The theme for National Library Week 2024 is "Ready, Set, Library," illustrating the idea that in our always-online world, libraries give us a green light to something truly special: a place to connect with others, learn new skills, and focus on what matters most. At the library’s author talks, workshops, and book clubs, Americans can connect with fellow enthusiasts and local experts while building relationships that will last a lifetime. No matter where you find yourself on the roadmap through life’s journey—preparing for a new career, launching a business, or raising a family—the library provides an inclusive and supportive community where everyone belongs." - from American Library Association #orsdlifeprep

The 4th grade Acorn GT students competed at the Caddo Hills Quiz Bowl Tournament. The following are the high scorers for the day: 1st place: Tucker Merlone- 32 correct questions Tied for 2nd place: Eli Slaten and Greyson Gutierrez- 12 Tied for 3rd place: Summer Wagner and Ava Wells- 2 4th place: Kyelee Horn- 1 Tucker Merlone received the All Tournament Team award for answering the most questions correctly.

💕👰🤵 Last week kindergarten and 1st-grade students at AES celebrated a very special event… the Wedding of Q and U! This event is a silly, fanciful, wonderful way to teach students the spelling pattern of “qu” in a truly memorable way. The wedding reinforces the idea that every time we write a word with a q, we always follow the q with a u.

Mr. Watkin's Class earned the Traveling Attendance Trophy for having the best attendance during March 25th-29th! Attendance Matters! Every Person! Every Day!

Thank YOU, ORSD Paraprofessionals for all you do to support the Ouachita River School District student body, staff, families and community! You are valued and appreciated! #orsdlifeprep

ORSD Spotlight on Alumni! Acorn High School Alumnus, Johnathan Bodkin is an employee of Sterling Machinery in the position of Machinist. Johnathan was enrolled in the UARM Career Center his senior year in the Machine Tool Technology Program, interned and also worked part-time during his senior year at Sterling Machinery. Congratulations, Johnathan! We are proud of you! Ouachita River School District...preparing students for life! #orsdlifeprep

AES would like to honor Mrs. Kim Posey on School Librarian Appreciation Day! We love you, Mrs. Posey, and are so thankful for all you do for our staff, students, and school.

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 March 2024 and were recognized at the ORSD March Board Meeting: Dewanna Summitt and Whitney Starr Congratulations! #orsdlifeprep

AHS Students Attend OLT Performance "Romeo & Juliet" Thank you, Ouachita Little Theater and the cast of Romeo & Juliet for a wonderful performance and experience! #orsdlifeprep

In appreciation to our community partners and volunteers for a successful ACORN FFA Auction this year! Special thank you to: T-N-L Farm Credit Jimmy Martin Auction Services Simple Simon's Pizza of Mena We appreciate the outpouring of community support in helping students be better prepared for life! #orsdlifeprep

A HUGE shout out to our paraprofessionals at Acorn Elementary! We appreciate ALL you do for our students and school. Thank you Mrs. Shauna Wagner, Mrs. Michele Kincaid, Ms. Danielle Powell, and Ms. Raylin Lane.

At approximately noon today, Polk County Law Enforcement responded to an incident at an intersection close to the Acorn School Campus. This did not involve any Acorn students, staff, or faculty in any way.

A huge THANK YOU to Delta Kappa Gamma for the teacher appreciation baskets! 🧡🖤

Acorn Elementary Kindergarten Registration for the 2024/2025 school year is April 10, 11, & 12 from 9:00-2:00 at the Acorn Elementary Office. Students already enrolled in Kathy Medford Preschool DO NOT need to attend this registration. Student must turn 5 years of age by August 1, be a resident of Ouachita River School District or have filed a School Choice application by May 1st. A kindergarten physical is also required before school starts in fall 2024. Please bring the following items to be copied: immunization record, documentation of well-child physical (within the last 2 years), official birth certificate, and social security card. We look forward to serving you and your family in the upcoming school year!

AHS Students Selected for RYLA Four sophomores from Acorn High School have been selected by the Rotary Club of Polk County/Mena to attend the 2024 RYLA Camp. Irene Gilhousen, Summer Nix, Serenity Mahaffey, and Dodge Couture will be attending the camp hosted and organized by Rotary District #6170 to be held April 11-14, 2024 at the Arkansas 4-H Center in Ferndale, Arkansas. Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is an intensive leadership experience organized by Rotary clubs and districts where youth develop skills as a leader through a host of fun, engaging experiences and making connections with peers and leaders. Thank you to the Polk County/Mena Rotary Club and Rotary District #6170 for this amazing opportunity for students to experience and to develop leadership skills. Congratulations, Irene, Summer, Serenity and Dodge! 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!

Oden Campus Provides Storm Shelter The Oden Campus of Ouachita River School District has opened a storm shelter available for student and community use in the event of a tornado. ORSD Assistant Superintendent William Edwards shows Fire Chief Lavern Long and Volunteer Fire Department Member Keith Long the new structure. The storm shelter on the Oden campus is accessible to the community. If you are interested and would like to plan ahead, please contact William Edwards, ORSD Assistant Superintendent at (870) 326-4311. 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 last day of after-school tutoring for Acorn Elementary is April 18, 2024.

Acorn Campus Spring Pictures are Thursday April 4th. We will start with Pre-K at 8 am and work up through the grades. Picture proofs will be sent home in about 2 weeks. Any questions, you can contact Mrs. Pearce at AHS Library 479-394-5544 ext. 106, text 479-234-0614, or email gpearce@orsd.k12.ar.us

Oden's 8th grade class competed in the UARM Science fair help at the college campus on Friday, March 29th. They did a fantastic job!

The 5-6 Acorn GT students competed at the Caddo Hills Quiz Bowl Tournament. The following were the high scorers for the day: Lily Arender- 22 Cody Russert- 10 Ana Bohlman- 7 Joseph Parra- 7 Kylee Parnell- 5 Pierse Slater- 5 Payton White- 1 Lily Arender received the All Tournament Team award for answering the most questions correctly.