El Dorado School District

Reminder: No school tomorrow, September 5th in honor of Labor Day.

Bus routes 23 and 37 will NOT run this afternoon, Friday, September 2nd. If your student rides Route 23 or Route 37, please make alternate arrangements for after-school transportation. We apologize for this inconvenience. Unfortunately, there is a national bus driver shortage, and our district is one among many in Arkansas and across the United States that needs bus drivers. If there are any in our community that are interested in filling this need, please visit Transportation website at https://www.eldoradopublicschools.org/page/transportation.

#COLLEGEWEDNESDAY Allison Applegate, a Washington Middle School teacher, attended Arkansas Tech University, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science. Currently, Mrs. Applegate teaches 5th-and 6th-grade special education literacy. “Arkansas Tech really made me feel like family,” which made it an easy choice for Mrs. Applegate, who has strong ties to family. Not only did ATU feel like a family, but Mrs. Applegate felt like her professors treated her as such. “Even to this day, my professors check in with me,” she said. Aside from her personal and emotional growth at Arkansas Tech, she said that her program “prepared me for my teaching career and opened new doors for my career path.” Thank you, Mrs. Applegate, for sharing about Arkansas Tech! If you are interested in learning more about Arkansas Tech University, visit https://www.atu.edu/.

It's not too late to be a volunteer* in ESD schools THIS semester! Attend tonight's Volunteer Training at the TAC House from 6:00-7:30pm to be eligible! *Volunteers must attend training annually. The next training for the 22-23 school year will not be held until January 2023.

Gifted & Talented Parent Night is tonight! Visit the Retta Brown GT Center this evening to meet teachers and learn more about the upcoming year. 2nd Grade Parents: 6-6:30pm 3rd and 4th Grade Parents: 6:30-7:30pm

Reminder: There will be no school on Monday, September 5th in honor of Labor Day.

Did you know there's a new website for school lunch menus? With the website, you can view this week's menu PLUS filter for allergies! Check it out at eldoradopublicschools.nutrislice.com. You can also download the app for easy viewing!

El Dorado Schools is deeply saddened by the passing of Barton Junior High teacher Haylee Clark. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends, co-workers, and students at this time. We send our most sincere condolences to all those who loved her. We know this will be a difficult time for students and staff. Counselors will be available Monday on campus. In addition to counseling services, students and staff are invited to stop by the BJHS library on Monday and Tuesday to honor Mrs. Clark. Materials will be provided for those who wish to leave memories and/or say their goodbyes. These tributes will be shared with her family at a later date.

We were thrilled to see 76 participants in Volunteer Training this afternoon! Thank you to everyone who took the time to come! The next training is August 30th from 6pm-7:30pm in the TAC House! We hope to see you there! After Tuesday's training, the next one isn't until January! If you plan to volunteer this semester, make arrangements to attend Tuesday!

Thank you to our community partner, Nexans - Amercable, who donated hand sanitizer and tissue to be used throughout the school district today! We truly appreciate your generosity and support!

Don't forget! The first volunteer training takes place today from 1:00pm-2:30pm at Central Office!

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences will have a team at the Bash with a Splash event this Saturday, August 27th! They will be offering free health screenings, including an A1C check, blood pressure, height, weight, and additional information on colorectal and breast cancer. They will also be offering COVID-19 vaccines for those who are interested. If you choose to receive the vaccine, you will receive a $20 gift card.

*COLLEGE WEDNESDAYS ARE BACK!!* Katy Gorden, a CTE teacher at El Dorado High School, graduated from the University of Central Arkansas with a Bachelor of Science in Education. She currently teaches career readiness, coaches freshmen cheer, and assists with varsity cheer. Coach G. decided to attend UCA for a few reasons. While in high school, she traveled to Conway to cheer competitively and was familiar with the town. She had many friends attending there or already living in the area, and she would still be within reasonable driving distance from her family. With all her connections, Conway just felt like home. One thing that made her UCA experience special was the opportunity to teach at a variety of schools during her time with the teacher’s college. “I loved getting to go to many different elementary and middle schools around central Arkansas and interacting/teaching the students. I was able to experience interning at four schools between Conway and Little Rock before graduating. It made becoming a teacher more realistic.” Thank you, Coach G., for sharing about UCA! If you are interested in learning more about the University of Central Arkansas, visit https://uca.edu/.

In an effort to support teachers as they grow and develop in the PLC process, the El Dorado School District is dismissing at 1:30pm on Wednesdays. Tomorrow is Wednesday...don't forget that 1:30pm dismissal starts tomorrow!

Google currently has the phone number to El Dorado High School listed incorrectly. We are working to get the number corrected, but until then, please note that the phone number to EHS is 870-864-5100. Thank you!

Join us for Volunteer Training to learn what it takes to be a successful volunteer! Three trainings will be offered this year: • Friday, August 26, 2022, 1pm - 2:30pm at Central Office • Tuesday, August 30, 2022, 6pm - 7:30pm at the TAC House • Friday, January 6, 2023, 1pm- 2:30pm at Central Office Make plans to attend one of these trainings! We look forward to having volunteers in our buildings all year long!

We are so excited to open our doors for the first day tomorrow! School begins tomorrow morning at 7:55am!* Check out what's for breakfast/lunch here: https://eldoradopublicschools.nutrislice.com/menu/ Bus schedules are posted here: https://www.eldoradopublicschools.org/page/transportation *Remember, drop-off begins at 7:30am. Parents will not be able to enter school buildings, including tomorrow.

Bus drivers met this week for their annual back-to-school meeting. They have the privilege of welcoming our kids to school everyday. There are still opportunities available for you to do the same! Visit our website for more information! If you are looking for a 2022-2023 bus route, you can find them on the district website. The routes have updated. Visit https://www.eldoradopublicschools.org/page/transportation today!

The El Dorado Service League is offering FREE haircuts this Sunday, August 21st from 1pm-5pm at the TAC House! This offer is open to all Union County students!

1. OBEY THE SPEED LIMIT (AND OTHER TRAFFIC LAWS). In order to help keep our students and staff safe, it’s vital that everyone slow down to the appropriate speed while traveling in school zones. Pay attention to students who are using crosswalks. Did you know it’s illegal to pass a stopped bus that’s picking up or dropping off children? It definitely is in ALL 50 states. Don’t pass a school bus from behind or from either direction if you’re on an undivided road when it’s loading or unloading children. In the state of Arkansas, it’s illegal to use your cell phone while in a school zone. Taking your eyes off the road and your surroundings while in a school zone puts the students and staff at risk. 2. DROP-OFF OR PICK-UP KIDS IN THE DESIGNATED AREAS. Learn where the correct drop-off and pick-up locations are at your student’s school. Pay attention to the rules/expectations of each building. Those rules and expectations are put in place to keep students and staff safe. 3. FOLLOW DIRECTIONS. School staff, patrol officers, and volunteers are there to keep students safe. Following their instructions is one of the easiest ways to help you safely navigate the drop-off and pick-up process. 4. KEEP YOUR COOL. Mornings can be tough. Resist the urge to engage in road rage or parental frustrations right before dropping your student off. Their day can be greatly impacted by that short drive to school. Remember, children model our behavior, so it’s our responsibility to set a good example. 5. STAY IN YOUR CAR. To keep a consistent flow of traffic moving, do not exit your vehicle while in the drop-off/pick-up line. If you need to assist your student with anything, please park in the designated parking area and walk them to the door. Parents will not be able to enter school buildings, including on the first day of school.