Ouachita River School District

Have you ordered your 2024 Acorn Tiger Yearbook? It's not too late! Online orders and orders through Mrs. Pearce at AHS Library can be made until we hit our number of books we get printed, but once we run out...it's too late. Books are priced at $55 now and will arrive in May. You can email gpearce@orsd.k12.ar.us, text 479-234-0614, or call 479-394-5544, ext. 106 to order or check to see if you already placed an order or order online: jostens.com/yearbooks

Acorn Archery Display Skills at Regional Tournament Acorn top scorers in each category: August Alvis - High School Cooper Strother - Middle School Isabella Willeford - Elementary Congratulations! We are proud of you! For more information about Acorn Archery, contact: Acorn Archery Coach Brittney Moore at bmoore@orsd.k12.ar.us #orsdlifeprep

Acorn FBLA Advances to State On February 9th, Acorn FBLA traveled to District I FBLA Spring Conference in Fort Smith. At the conference, Acorn students participated in a variety of competitions and placed accordingly: 1st Place - Graphic Design: Shay Allen, Kora Carter, Ava Smith-Hawley 2nd Place - Journalism: Rebecca Bloodworth 1st Place - Business Calculations: Clay McGee 8th Place - Health Care Admin: Damon Cruz 8th Place - HR Management: Alexis Bradley 8th Place - Intro to Public Speaking: Lauren Cruz 7th Place - Social Media Strategies: Matilda Grant, Jordan Lyle Students placing in the top five (5) of each category qualify to compete at the FBLA State Leadership Conference in Little Rock, AR on April 29-30, 2024. Congratulations to the Acorn students who competed this year! We are proud of you! Thank you to Mrs. Makaila Goodner for helping students to prepare for the competition! #orsdlifeprep Photo, l to r (back row): Kora Carter, Ava Smith-Hawley, Shay Allen, Rebecca Bloodworth, Jordan Lyle, Clay McGee, Lexi Bradley. (front row) Matilda Grant, Madelynn Auer. (Not pictured) Damon Cruz and Lauren Cruz.

Acorn Elementary will not have after-school tutoring next Wednesday and Thursday, February 21, and February 22, 2024.

AHS Alumni Spotlight - Sky Carmack AHS Spotlight on alumnus is Sky Carmack. Sky earned honors and was named to the UA Rich Mountain Vice Chancellor’s List for fall 2023 semester. UA Rich Mountain students named to the Vice Chancellor’s List are full-time, current students who complete 12 semester credit hours or more, excluding developmental coursework, and earn a 3.5 to 3.99 grade point average. Congratulations, Sky! We are proud of you! #orsdlifeprep

AHS Sophomores Selected for RYLA Irene Gilhousen and Summer Nix, sophomores at Acorn High School, were chosen among applicants by the Rotary Club of Polk County/Mena to attend the 2024 Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Camp. The camp is hosted and organized by Rotary District #6170 and will 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. “We are looking forward to meeting new people and engaging in new experiences through RYLA!”, stated Nix and Gilhousen. Both expressed their gratitude in being selected and for the opportunity to attend RYLA Camp. Congratulations, Irene and Summer! We are proud of you! #orsdlifeprep Photo, l to r: Irene Gilhousen, Summer Nix

AHS Alumni Spotlight - Jayden Quebedeaux AHS Spotlight on alumna is Jayden Quebedeaux, Jayden earned honors and was named to the University of Central Arkansas Presidential Scholars. Recognition as a Presidential Scholar or Dean’s List scholar is based on grades earned during each semester of the regular academic year. Eligibility on the Dean’s List requires at least a 3.5 GPA with a minimum course load of 12 credit hours. Students must achieve a 4.0 GPA with a minimum course load of 12 credit hours to qualify as a Presidential Scholar. Congratulations, Jayden! We are proud of you! #orsdlifeprep

National School Counseling Week 2024 National School Counseling Week 2024, “School Counseling: Standards-Based, Student-Focused,” sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), will be celebrated from Feb. 5–9, 2024, to focus public attention on the unique contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems and how students are different as a result of what school counselors do. National School Counseling Week highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career. The special week honoring school counselors provides recognition for school counselors who “implement comprehensive school counseling programs, a vital part of the educational process for all students as they meet the challenges of the 21st century,” according to Mayor Seth Smith. In a proclamation, Mayor Smith cited school counselors for being actively engaged in helping students examine their abilities, strengths, interests and talents; for working in a partnership with parents as they encounter the challenges of raising children in today’s world; for focusing on positive ways to enhance students’ academic, career and social/emotional development; and working with teachers and other educators to provide an educational system where students can realize their potential and set healthy, realistic and optimistic aspirations for themselves. School counselors are certified, experienced educators with a master’s degree in school counseling. The combination of their training and experience makes them an integral part of the total educational program. “School counselors work with all students to remove barriers to learning by addressing students’ academic concerns, career options and social/emotional skills,” said Jill Cook, ASCA executive director. “School counseling programs help to increase student achievement and provide a much-needed resource for students, parents, teachers and administrators. School counselors are integral to student success.” More than 100,000 school counselors participate in a variety of festivities nationwide and many schools host special events and activities to call attention to the countless benefits of a comprehensive school counseling program. School counselors serving elementary, middle and high school students in the Ouachita River School District: Linda Heath KyLynn Ledbetter Apryl Philpot Tammy Young Parents or community members with specific questions or concerns about school counseling programs should contact the school counselors at their local schools. More general information can also be found on ASCA’s website, www.schoolcounselor.org. ### About the American School Counselor Association The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) promotes student success by expanding the image and influence of school counseling through leadership, advocacy, collaboration and systemic change. ASCA helps school counselors guide their students toward academic achievement, career planning and social/emotional development to help today’s students become tomorrow’s productive, contributing members of society. Founded in 1952, ASCA has a network of 51 state and territory associations and a membership of approximately 43,000 school counseling professionals. For additional information on the American School Counselor Association, visit schoolcounselor.org. 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! #orsdlifeprep

ATTENTION ALL ACORN TIGER FANS!!!! The Acorn Senior boys will take on the Horatio Lions tonight in their first round of district!! They would love for you all to come out and support them this evening!!! Location: Caddo Hills Gymnasium Time: 8:30

Acorn Students Win Top Honors Polk County Spelling Bee On February 7th, Acorn Elementary and Middle School students competed in the Polk County Spelling Bee hosted by Cossatot River School District in the Wickes Elementary School Auditorium. The following students placed top honors in the competition: 1st Grade: Avery Beaty - 2nd Place 4th Grade: Kyelee Horn - 1st Place 5th Grade: Lily Arender - 1st Place Raj Dandikar - 3rd Place 6th Grade: Lily Arender - 3rd Place 7th Grade: Drew Mabry - 1st Place 8th Grade: Drew Mabry - 1st Place Overall Winner: Drew Mabry Congratulations to the Acorn students who participated this year! We are proud of you! Thank you to the staff and parents who helped students prepare for the competition and to Union Bank for sponsoring this annual event for Polk County schools! #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!

ATTN: ORSD Students & Parents/Guardians Please mark your calendars for the schedule of important upcoming dates. Thank you in advance for making every effort to ensure your child attends school and on time. We value this partnership in helping your child to have a successful, meaningful experience! The week of March 5th - 7th, the ATLAS Writing Summative Assessment will be administered on the following dates by grade levels: March 5th - Acorn High School - 7th - 10th & Oden High School - 6th - 10th March 6th - Ode Maddox Elementary - 3rd - 5th March 7th - Acorn Elementary - 3rd - 6th If you have questions or need additional information, please contact your child’s building office. Ode Maddox Elementary School & Oden High School - (870) 326-4311 Acorn Elementary School - (479) 394-4833 Acorn High School - (479) 394-5544 #orsdlifeprep

AHS Celebrates Senior Athletes & Honors Coach On February 6th, Acorn High School hosted Senior Night to recognize the Class of 2024 senior athletes. Seniors recognized for their participation in one or more Acorn High School athletic programs included: Shay Allen August Alvis Kora Carter Buddy Cusson Kenzie Daniels Randy Dill Daisy Dollar Noah Holland Audrey Holliday Ricardo Lopez-Perez Matthew Lyle Harlei McCourtney Hunter Neal Jordyn Prewett Sean Rios Trinity Staggs Sophie Strasner Bella Tedder Sarah Tedder At half-time of the senior girls’ game, Shay Allen was recognized and named 2-A 2023 Girls State Wrestling Champion. Coach Andy Arnold presented Shay with the state championship ring. Congratulations, Shay! We are proud of you! At the end of the SR Boys game, Coach Mike Jackson was recognized for his many years of coaching and serving the Ouachita River School District - Acorn campus. Coach Jackson was surrounded by his family upon receiving the recognition and Mr. Jerry Strasner, ORSD Superintendent announced the Acorn Gymnasium court will be named Mike Jackson Court in honor of Coach Mike Jackson. Congratulations, AHS Senior Athletes, Shay Allen, and Coach Mike Jackson! 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!

Attention Oden Elementary Parents: Read Across America Week is March 4-8. We are ordering t-shirts for this week. If you would like to order one for your child the cost is $14. The order and money is due by Friday, February 16th. Your child brought home an order form on Feb. 8th. We have extra order forms in the main office.

National School Counseling Week - February 5-9, 2024 "School Counseling: Standards-Based, Student-Focused” Celebrating and recognizing the Ouachita River School Counseling Team serving Acorn and Oden Schools: Linda Heath KyLynn Ledbetter Apryl Philpot Tammy Young #orsdlifeprep

Ouachita River School District will be in session on the Acorn and Oden campuses Monday, February 19, 2024 This is a makeup day for inclement weather school closings in January 2024.

Valentine's Day Announcement for Acorn High School

ORSD Students Participate in Experience the Power Event at UARM On Wednesday, January 31st, students from Acorn and Oden High Schools participated in the Experience the Power non-traditional careers exploration event on the main campus of the University of Arkansas Rich Mountain in Mena. The event is a partnership with UA Rich Mountain and DeQueen-Mena Education Service Cooperative to provide opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience in a variety of technical programs: Cosmetology, Welding, Machine Tool, Massage Therapy, Information Technology, Emergency Medical Technician and Phlebotomy. Thank you for the invitation and opportunity for our students! #orsdlifeprep

AHS Senior Night Tuesday, 2/6/2024 Acorn vs Umpire Acorn Gymnasium 5:30 PM - AHS Senior Night Ceremony 6:00 PM - Senior Girls Basketball Game Senior Boys Basketball Game immediately following SR Girls game Ceremony & games livestream link: https://youtube.com/live/undgAmkqEwU?feature=share

ATTN: ORSD Parents & Guardians Ouachita River School District is conducting a survey to solicit your input and feedback on a future school week calendar and schedule proposal. The ORSD 4-Day Instructional Week proposal would be a Tuesday - Friday school week. Mondays will be available as an option if your child(ren) need child care, enrichment/intervention/tutoring, etc...A daily schedule, curriculum, and meals will be provided on Mondays for students in attendance on that day the same as Tuesday - Friday. Thank you for your input and feedback! Your response is important! Please submit by Tuesday, February 13, 2024. If you have specific questions, please contact: Jerrall Strasner, ORSD Superintendent at (479) 394-2348 or William Edwards, ORSD Assistant Superintendent at (870) 326-4311. Survey link to Google Form (Gmail account): https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeF_XOFtELRW0B1ZJDA3rDvwBeWBoWRWZc6HpDoeBuqhhNYGw/viewform Website link for survey if you are unable to access form (email account other than Gmail or to access download for printed copy): https://www.ouachitariversd.org/documents/4day-info/579781 #orsdlifeprep

On Thursday, January 25th, UA Rich Mountain TRiO Team assisted AHS Class of 2024 seniors and parents with filing FAFSA and the application process for ADHE scholarships. Thank you to the UARM TRiO staff for partnering with our seniors and parents on this important process in making the transition from high school to postsecondary! #orsdlifeprep