Ouachita River School District

Reminder Acorn Campus: The 3rd-6th Grade PeeWee Basketball and Archery pictures will be taken this Saturday January 6th. These will be official team pictures for the Yearbook as well as individuals. PeeWee starts at 8:00 am in the Mary Davis Gym with 4th grade girls and ends after 10:20 when 6th grade boys have taken their pictures. (See schedule in this post for more time details.) The photographer will then go to the Old Main Auditorium for the Archery pictures. Order envelopes were sent home before the break if you wish to buy pictures, but the photographer will have extras if you need them. All students will have their individual photo taken should you decide to order later. Contact Mrs. Pearce at 234-0614 (text preferred) if you have questions about the pictures.

ORSD Resumes Classes Monday, January 8, 2024 Acorn and Oden Schools will resume classes for the spring 2024 semester on Monday, January 8, 2024 #orsdlifeprep

Mrs. Larucci's 1st-grade class is spreading the Holiday Cheer by making Christmas cards for local nursing homes. They also celebrated Christmas with their adopted senior Bella Tedder! Merry Christmas from Mrs. Larucci's Class!

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 December 2023 and were recognized at the ORSD December Board Meeting: Brittney Moore, Linda Heath, Tammi Faught & Michelle McGee. Congratulations to all! #orsdlifeprep

Acorn & Oden Schools will be closed for Christmas Break Friday, December 22, 2023 - Sunday, January 7, 2024 School will resume on Monday, January 8, 2024

Acorn High School Announces Class of 2024 Mr. & Miss Acorn Noah Holland, Mr. Acorn 2023-2024 Noah is the 17-year old son of Steven & Samantha Holland. He has attended Acorn Schools since the second grade. He is an honor student and member of the following Acorn High School clubs, organizations and athletics: Senior Boys Basketball Team, Senior Boys Baseball Team, Senior Boys Track and XC Cross Country Teams, National Honor Society, Golf Team, Tennis Team, Fellowship of Christian Students Noah reflected on his years at Acorn and shared his favorite memory, “Making it to state in all sports I was involved in and being with my friends making memories that will last forever.” Noah stated, “I was surprised and also very honored to be voted as Mr. Acorn and to represent our school.” Noah plans to pursue higher education goals at a college or university to pursue a major leading to an industrial trades-related career. Sophie Strasner, Miss AHS 2023-2024 Sophie is the 17-year old daughter of Jerrall & Misti Strasner. She has attended Acorn Schools since kindergarten. She is an honor student and member of the following Acorn High School clubs, organizations and athletics: Senior Girls Basketball Team, Senior Girls National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Students Sophie reflected on her years at Acorn and shared her favorite memory. "I was shocked and honored when I discovered I was chosen as Miss Acorn. Our graduating class is full of many amazing girls that could also represent Miss Acorn, so I am very appreciative of this honor and recognition.” "My favorite memory about Ouachita River School District is the fact that I live on the school campus. It comes with many great perks, including never having to use gas money on driving to school because I walk." Her career plans are to become a speech pathologist. She plans to start her postsecondary education at the Ouachita Baptist University to attain a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders and complete a graduate degree in Speech Pathology. Congratulations, Noah & Sophie! #orsdlifeprep Ouachita River School District...preparing students for life!

Attention Acorn High School parents and Acorn Elementary parents: There will be NO afterschool tutoring next week. 12/18/2023-12/21/2023.

Acorn Music Department Choir Concert on Thursday, December 14th Livestream link https://www.youtube.com/live/B-MQK8-hFHo?si=OZE1riSuzRABydfQ

Acorn Elementary K-4th Grade Students Presents: An Old-Fashioned Christmas Tuesday, December 19th @ 6 and 7 PM

Just a reminder! Acorn Music Department presents 2023 CHRISTMAS CONCERTS Acorn Choir Concert Grades 5-12 Thursday, December 14th 7:00 PM Mary Davis Gym - Acorn Campus Acorn Band Concert Grades 7 - 12 Friday, December 15th 7:00 PM Mary Davis Gym - Acorn Campus Please mark your calendar for the events!

Oden Campus Announcement: K-6 students participating in tonight's Christmas musical need to be here at 5:45 in the high school music room. Choir and band students need to be here at 5:30 in the high school music room. The Musical Performance starts at 6:00 in the gym. The Live Nativity Play will immediately folllow.

Acorn Elementary will not have after-school tutoring the week of December 18, 2023.

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 November 2023 and were recognized at the ORSD November Board Meeting and will be at the upcoming December Board Meeting: Crystal Hill, Jennifer Barrett, Andy Bosch, Kim Posey, Sherri Powell, and Keith Willsey. Congratulations to all! #orsdlifeprep

2023-2024 AHS Homecoming Ceremony Acorn High School 2023-2024 Homecoming Ceremony and Junior Girls, Senior Girls and Senior Boys basketball games were held on Friday, December 8, 2023. The homecoming royalty court represented included the following from both Acorn Elementary School and Acorn High School: 1st Grade - Nova Sullivan, Flower Girl escorted by River Smith, Crown Bearer 1st Grade - Olivia Slater, Flower Girl escorted by David Tipton, Necklace Bearer Josey Dollar, Freshman Maid escorted by Regan Larucci, Freshman Kimberly Cline, Freshman Maid escorted by Eilam Holland, Freshman Kylee Johnson, Sophomore Maid escorted by Aaden Bissell, Sophomore KaitLynn Ledbetter, Sophomore Maid escorted by Kaden Carter, Sophomore Rebecca Moore, Junior Maid escorted by Blake Moore, Freshman Kohlea Carmack, Junior Maid escorted by Colton Taylor, Junior Sophie Strasner, Senior Maid escorted by Noah Holland, Senior Jordyn Prewett, Senior Maid escorted by Sean Rios, Senior Ava Smith-Hawley, Senior Maid of Honor escorted by Payton Davis, Senior Reigning 2022-2023 Queen Paige Parnell, escorted by Gage Davis, Sophomore Senior 2023-2024 Homecoming Queen Daisy Dollar escorted by Jasper Dollar, 8th Grade Reigning Queen Paige Parnell presented the Queen’s necklace and crown as she crowned Senior Queen Daisy Dollar. Queen Daisy Dollar shared her sentiments and gratitude to the student body for their vote and support as this year’s AHS Homecoming Queen. Acorn vs Foreman homecoming basketball included junior girls, senior boys and senior girls games. Homecoming festivities also included a dance held on Saturday, December 9th. Congratulations, Acorn 2023-2024 Homecoming Court! #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!

VFW Post #4451 Recognizes AHS Essay Winners & Teacher of the Year Acorn High School students were recognized and honored for their winning essays in the VFW Post #4451 (Veterans of Foreign Wars) 2021 Voices of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen Essay Contests. Acorn High School English Teachers: Mrs. Amy Slater and Mrs. Kelly Slaten facilitate the essay contests for students. The students were recognized on November 21st at a ceremony hosted at the VFW Post American Legion Hall. The following students were awarded prizes for their essay rankings: Voices of Democracy Essay Rebecca Bloodworth, AHS Junior - Awarded 1st Place - $600 Matilda Grant, AHS Freshman - Awarded 2nd Place - $500 Kaitlynn Kedbetter, AHS Sophomore - Awarded 3rd Place - $400 Patriot’s Pen Essay Drew Mabry, AHS 7th Grader - Awarded 3rd Place - $100 Mr James Spradlin, AHS History Teacher was recognized as VFW High School Teacher of the Year. Congratulations to Mr. Spradlin and our AHS Tigers’ essay winners! #orsdlifeprep Photo 1 - l to r; Amy Slater, Rebecca Bloodworth, Kaitlynn Ledbetter, Matilda Grant, Drew Mabry and Kelly Slaten. Photo 2: Mr. James Spradlin, Acorn High School History Teacher 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!

Acorn Alumni Scholarship Fundraiser Baked goodies & silent auction tonight, Friday, December 8th at AHS Homecoming games! Proceeds support Acorn Alumni Scholarship! Concession opens at 5:30 PM!

The Oden K-6 elementary, high school choir and high school band Christmas musical will be December 13th at 6:00 p.m. in the gym. Students should be here by 5:45 p.m. Elementary students will go to the high school room 1 and 2, where teachers will be there to get them lined up. The annual Oden High School Nativity play will follow the elementary musical on December 13th at 6:45 in the Bill Kelly Gymnasium. The Oden Baptist Church will provide hot chocolate and cookies after the Live Nativity Play.

AHS National Honor Society Inducts New Members On October 9th, Acorn High School National Honor Society held an induction ceremony to welcome new members. National Honor Society is a prestigious honor organization recognizing members for academic achievement, leadership, and service. The program included: Welcome by President Ava Smith-Hawley, Pledge of Allegiance by Parliamentarian Kenzie Daniels and invocation, description of NHS characters by each current NHS Officer, and Ceremony Closing by Michelle McGee, AHS National Honor Society Advisor. Refreshments were served at the close of the ceremony. The 2023-2024 AHS National Honor Society Officers and Members At-Large are: President: Ava Smith-Hawley Vice President of Service: Payton Davis Vice President of Scholarship: Shay Allen Secretary: Kora Carter Treasurer: Meera Henry Reporter/Public Relations: Daisy Dollar Parliamentarian: Kenzie Daniels Members At-Large: Sarah Tedder Noah Holland Annabella Tedder Rileigh Husted Sophie Strasner Nehemiah Auer Rebecca Bloodworth Kohlea Carmack Christian Christiana Damon Cruz MaryClaire Laing Hailee Shores Caden Tarkinton The 2023-2024 Inductees are: Lauren Cruz Isabella Fowler Ireen Gilhousen Chloe Kelley Kaitlynn Ledbetter Zane Newton Summer Nix Lyndsey Powell Taylor Watts Karli Davis Congratulations, AHS National Honor Society Members & Inductees! Ouachita River School District…preparing students for life! #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!

Acorn Homecoming Ceremony & Basketball Games vs Foreman Friday, December 8th Acorn Gymnasium Homecoming Ceremony - 5:00 PM Acorn Junior Girls, Senior Girls and Senior Boys games to follow Acorn Alumni Committee will be selling goodies and accepting donations for annual scholarship! 2023-2024 AHS Homecoming Royalty Queen: Daisy Dollar Escort: Jasper Dollar Maid of Honor: Ava Smith-Hawley Escort: Payton Davis Senior Maid: Jordyn Prewett Escort: Sean Rios Senior Maid: Sophie Strasner Escort: Noah Holland Junior Maid: Kohlea Carmack Escort: Colton Taylor Junior Maid: Rebecca Moore Escort: Blake Moore Sophomore Maid: Kylee Johnson Escort: Aaden Bissell Sophomore Maid: Kaitlynn Ledbetter Escort: Kaden Carter Freshmen Maid: Kimberly Cline Escort: Eilam Holland Freshmen Maid: Josey Dollar Escort: Regan Larucci Reigning 2022-2023 Queen: Paige Parnell Escort: Gage Davis Crown & Jewel Bearers: David Tipton & Olivia Slater River Smith & Nova Sullivan Congratulations to maids and escorts for this year's Acorn Homecoming Royalty Court!

Acorn High School 2023 Homecoming Maids, Maid of Honor & Queen Queen: Daisy Dollar Maid of Honor: Ava Smith Hawley Senior Maid: Jordyn Prewett Senior Maid: Sophie Strasner Junior Maid: Kohlea Carmack Junior Maid: Rebecca Moore Sophomore Maid: Kylee Johnson Sophomore Maid: Kaitlynn Ledbetter Freshmen Maid: Kimberly Cline Freshmen Maid: Josey Dollar Congratulations, AHS Homecoming Maids, Maid of Honor and Queen! AHS Homecoming Friday, December 8, 2023 5:00 PM, games immediately following homecoming ceremony Acorn vs Foreman Acorn Gymnasium