Ouachita River School District

ORSD Family, Today January 24th, all campuses of the Ouachita River School District will early dismiss at 1:00 pm due to inclement weather. Please be safe. Respectfully, Jerrall A. Strasner Superintendent of Schools

Acorn Archery practice is cancelled for tomorrow, 1/24/2023.

Attention Acorn High School and Acorn Elementary Families: Due to the potential of winter weather, there will be NO after school tutoring tomorrow afternoon (1/24/2023).

AHS 2022-2023 Homecoming Acorn High School 2022-2023 Homecoming ceremony and basketball games were held on Friday, January 13, 2023. The homecoming royalty court represented included the following from both Acorn Elementary School and Acorn High School: 1st Grade - Aubrey Lackey, Flower Girl escorted by Jaxson Lyle, Crown Bearer 1st Grade - Maddie Powell, Flower Girl escorted by Tanner Davis Necklace Bearer Kylee Johnson, Freshman Maid escorted by Austin Davis, Senior KaitLynn Ledbetter, Freshman Maid escorted by Colton Taylor, Sophomore Sydney Holliday, Sophomore Maid escorted by Caden Tarkinton, Sophomore MaryClaire Laing, Sophomore Maid escorted by Bradley McEntire, Sophomore Shay Allen, Junior Maid escorted by Isaac Tedder, Senior Sophie Strasner, Junior Maid escorted by Sky Carmack, Senior Rachael Weddle, Senior Maid escorted by Jonah Rogan, Senior Ashlee Arce, Senior Maid escorted by Braylan Bohlman, Senior Ally Bissell, Senior Maid of Honor escorted by Aaden Bissell, Freshman Reigning 2021-2022 Queen Kiersten Larucci, escorted by Regan Larucci, 8th Grade Senior 2022-2023 Homecoming Queen Paige Parnell escorted by Gage Davis, Freshman Reigning Queen Kiersten Larucci presented the Queen’s necklace and crown as she crowned Senior Queen Paige Parnell. Queen Paige Parnell shared her sentiments and gratitude to the student body for their vote and support as this year’s AHS Homecoming Queen. Acorn vs Murfreesboro homecoming basketball included junior girls, senior boys and senior girls games. Homecoming festivities also included a dance held on Saturday, January 14th. Congratulations, AHS 2022-2023 Homecoming Court! #orsdlifeprep

Oden 3rd and 4th graders enjoyed some reading time in the library today. 😊

Attention Acorn Parents: If you have a senior athlete at Acorn High School, please email a few pictures of you athlete to sholland@orsd.k12.ar.us.

Acorn Elementary would like to celebrate these 3 students for having perfect attendance the first semester of school! Mrs. Chaney's Kindergarten student Mark Kincaid Mrs. Priddy's 1st grade student Valerie Rose Mrs. Morris' 3rd grade student Makenzie Kincaid "Attend today, and achieve tomorrow" School attendance matters! Great job students.

ORSD School Board Recognized In Appreciation The Arkansas School Boards Association (ASBA) announced that January is School Board Recognition Month in Arkansas. School board members play an essential role in our schools and community. Ouachita River School District will join other districts in Arkansas in celebration of our board by thanking them for the time, talents, and knowledge they bring to our district and for their commitment to the families and children of our community. Jerrall Strasner, ORSD Superintendent stated, “ On behalf of the ORSD family and community, our deepest gratitude and appreciation is extended to the Ouachita River School District School Board members whose commitment and dedication is to our mission: Providing a safe, caring environment where everyone learns and grows in order to be prepared for life. Our board members are involved and committed to our community by investing their time, knowledge and support to provide an enriching educational experience that impacts the lives of our students and families. Please join us in saying “thank you” to our school board members.” Mr. Strasner added that elected school board members give our citizens and constituents a voice in education decision making. “While we make a special effort to show our appreciation in January to recognize our dedicated board members, their contribution is a year-round commitment.” The board members serving our district are as follows: (photo back row, l to r) Gene Monk, Jason Neugent, Chris Tedder. (front row, l to r) Annette Hays, Lana Philpot, Cheryl Boyd, Rhonda Anderson. #orsdlifeprep

Mrs. Carmack’s English classes have been working on justification and explanation in their written responses for class work in preparation for the ACT Aspire. Here are some pictures of student engagement and cooperation. Way to go Mrs. Carmack and kiddos! 🧡🖤🐺

On the first week back from Christmas Break, students from Ode Maddox Elementary visit the Oden PTO Accelerated Reading Store. From January 10-12, students at Ode Maddox Elementary chose prizes from successfully testing on individual reading books. Congratulations, Timberwolves! #orsdlifeprep

Check out our littlest readers here at Acorn Elementary! These kindergarten students met their December reading goal in Mrs. Wilson's class. Olivia Slater, Mary Nichols, Ryan Shaddon, Savannah Hogan, Axton Priddy, Josslyn Dandikar, Browning Neal, Jamison Abernathy and River Smith

Attention Acorn High School Parents: Report cards were sent home this week, please be on the lookout:)

Acorn High school students Austin Briley, William Bloodworth, Clay McGee, Karma Christiana, and Jackson Lott competed at the DMESC High School Chess Tournament today. Out of 53 students, Clay McGee came out on top as 1st place champion. He was undefeated with a record of 5-0.

Acorn GT students Ryder Laughlin, Cy Young, Connor Bottomley, Carson Fairless, and Pierse Slater competed at the DMESC Elementary Chess Tournament yesterday. Out of 60 students, Cy Young won 3rd place with a record of 5-1.

If you ordered and Acorn Homecoming shirt before Christmas break, they are in. Please stop by the office:) Make checks payable to Acorn High School.

Reminder that Acorn Campus class pictures will be tomorrow Thursday January 12th. We will start with Pre-K at 8:00 am and go through 12th grade. If you have lost your order envelope, there will be extras available or you can use your own envelope with your child’s information on the front. Info needed is Name, Grade, Teacher, Acorn, and if you want the $15 Memory Mate package or any of the Add Ons and include your payment.

Acorn FCCLA attended Region VI Winter Conference at Lake Hamilton High School today. Kora Carter and Damon Cruz were inducted in as Region VI officers for the 2023-2024 school year. Kora will serve as the First Vice President. Damon will serve as the Vice President of Parliamentary Law. Region VI Star events participants were also recognized for their projects. Damon Cruz, Eilam Holland, and Lyndsey Powell will compete at the state conference in April.

~Acorn Elementary~ Positive Office Referrals for December 12th-20th

Acorn Alumni Scholarship Fundraiser Beans & Cornbread Dinner - $3 each Desserts & snacks sold seperately Friday, January 13th Acorn Gymnasium Concession opens at 5:30 PM! Acorn Homecoming - 5:00 PM Acorn vs Murfreesboro - immediately following homecoming ceremony

AHS Homecoming Dance Saturday, January 14, 2023 Acorn Cafetorium Doors open at 7 PM Acorn High School Students Grades 9-12 Entry $10 per person Must register/sign-up and pay by deadline: January 13th at noon To register/pay, contact: Acorn High School Office (479) 394-5544