
ORSD Spotlight on Alumni!
Acorn High School Alumnus, Trysten Richey is a senior at Southern Arkansas University achieving academic honors for the Spring 2024 SAU Dean’s List. Richey is majoring in K-12 Physical Education and Health.
Congratulations, Trysten! We are proud of you!
Ouachita River School District...preparing students for life! #orsdlifeprep


ORSD Now Hiring
Oden K-12 Schools positions:
Paraprofessional
Custodian
Acorn Preschool position:
Certified PreK Teacher



ORSD Spotlight on Alumni!
Acorn High School Alumnus, Brody Webb is a senior at Southern Arkansas University achieving academic honors for the Spring 2024 SAU Dean’s List. Webb is majoring in Agricultural Business.
In addition to his academic honors, Webb and members of the SAU Rodeo Team have qualified for the College National Rodeo Finals in Casper, Wyoming.
Congratulations, Brody! We are proud of you!
Ouachita River School District...preparing students for life! #orsdlifeprep


22nd ACORN SCHOOL REUNION
SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2024
Acorn Old Main Gym/Auditorium
1:00 - 4:00 PM
Registration begins at 1:00 P.M., general meeting will begin at 2:00 P.M, and fellowship will be through 4:00 P.M.
Contact your classmates, teachers, and staff to encourage them to attend!
The classes of Acorn High School Class of 1983 and Class of 1984 will be recognized and honored this year.
For more information and event details, contact:
Margo Reed Kimp (Class of 1969)
margokimp@gmail.com
479-243-5435
Cheryl Anderson Boyd (Class of 1983)
cboyd1964@yahoo.com
479-243-6648
Acorn School Reunion letter & contacts attachment


AAA Dead Period - Athletic Facilities & Fields Closed
June 23 - July 6, 2024
All AAA (Arkansas Athletic Association) member schools will observe an annual mandatory two (2) week athletic dead period.
During this time, coaches (licensed teacher coaches and registered volunteers) shall be prohibited from engaging in any type of activity involving student athletes whether it be practice, training, weight lifting, competition or travel.
Further, school athletic facilities will be closed to student athletes during this period.
Acorn and Oden campus athletic facilities and fields will be closed during the weeks of June 23 - July 6, 2024.


Ouachita River School District FY2025 Calendar

Acorn Schools Backpack Food Program
Wednesdays - 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Remaining distribution days for June & July 2024
Wednesday, June 19
Wednesday, June 26
Wednesday, July 3
Pick up will be at the Acorn High School Office
(479) 394-5544 - AHS Office


ORSD Now Hiring
Paraprofessional
Oden K-12 Schools
Inquiries, contact:
William Edwards, II, ORSD Assistant Superintendent
(870) 326-4311
Oden K-12 Schools
135 School Drive
Oden, AR 71961


ORSD Now Hiring
Math Teacher - 5th Grade
Acorn Elementary School
Inquiries, contact:
Jerrall Strasner, ORSD Superintendent
(479) 394-2348
ORSD Administration Office
143 Polk Road 96
Mena, AR 71953


ATTENTION - Preschool Registration at ORSD!
The Oden ABC Preschool on the Oden Schools’ campus is now accepting applications for the 2024-2025 school year!
Your child must be 3 years of age on or before the August 1, 2024 deadline.
In order to complete registration, you must submit all of the following documentation:
* Proof of Income (2023 tax information, if available) If not available or income changed from 2023 to current status due to a possible income change, a current month’s check stubs (30 days prior to date of application) may be accepted for proof of income.
Due to program eligibility guidelines, proof of income from check stubs cannot be older than 30 days prior to application. If 2024 taxes are accurate, please provide a copy for proof of income.
* Immunization Record - Must be current including 4-year old immunizations. If your child is 4 years of age by the date of the application, please make sure the immunization record submitted includes the current immunizations.
* Birth Certificate
* Social Security Card
* Proof of Health Physical - physical within the past year will be sufficient until expiration - a physical is not required upon registration but needs to be done as soon as possible and proof submitted for enrollment to be processed. Without proof of physical, the student will be moved to the waiting list.
*Utility Bill or Statement - verifying current address All documents listed above (in bold) are required to be submitted to process registration and enrollment.
THANK YOU for your interest in our preschool program at Oden! Our staff look forward to meeting and working with you and your child this upcoming school year!
Kimberly Robertson, Director
Applications are available now through August at Oden K-12 Schools’ Office. Please complete the form link: https://forms.gle/z977VR8e7mkTG6uw6
For more information, contact:
Oden ABC Preschool (870) 490-1195 (preschool phone)
Oden K-12 Schools (870) 326-4311
135 School Drive | Oden, AR 71961
#orsdlifeprep


2024-2025 Acorn Preschool Registration
To register, child must be 3 or 4 years of age on or by August 1, 2024.
The following documentation is needed for registration:
- Birth certificate
- Social Security card
- Current immunization record
- Current physical
- Verification of household income & address
- Completed application.
Applications may be obtained from the Acorn Elementary School office.
Acorn Preschool
Kathy Medford Preschool Building
143 Polk Road 96
Mena, AR 71953
(479) 394-4833 x, 416


THANK YOU, Mena Regional Health System!!
Acorn Schools' received generous donations from Mena Regional Health System to supply the Backpack Program! Thank you!
#orsdlifeprep


22nd ACORN SCHOOL REUNION
SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2024
Acorn Old Main Gym/Auditorium
1:00 - 4:00 PM
Registration begins at 1:00 P.M., general meeting will begin at 2:00 P.M, and fellowship will be through 4:00 P.M.
Contact your classmates, teachers, and staff to encourage them to attend!
The classes of Acorn High School Class of 1983 and Class of 1984 will be recognized and honored this year.
For more information and event details, contact:
Margo Reed Kimp (Class of 1969)
margokimp@gmail.com
479-243-5435
Cheryl Anderson Boyd (Class of 1983)
cboyd1964@yahoo.com
479-243-6648
Acorn School Reunion letter & contacts attachment


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


ORSD Spotlight on Alumni!
Acorn High School Alumnus, Jeb Willborg completed a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Arkansas in May 2024. He received the distinguished honor and recognition for Outstanding Bachelor of Science in Education in Physical Education Award.
Congratulations, Jeb! We are proud of you!
Ouachita River School District...preparing students for life! #orsdlifeprep


Attention AHS Senior Athletes
If you did not pick up your sports banner(s) from the office or your senior night poster, please stop by the high school office today or before noon tomorrow to pick it up:)

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
