El Dorado School District

Did you know? Being late to school may lead to poor attendance. #EveryMinuteMatters #EveryStudentDeserves

• #EveryStudentDeserves • eXtreme Opportunities El Dorado School District students at BJH and EHS have the opportunity to participate in eXtreme, a drug prevention program sponsored by the Share Foundation. The program works with students in grades 8th-12th, teaching them to take the lead in drug and violence prevention through community outreach, drug education, and drug-free activities. Students at BJH are the first to experience being members of eXtreme Youth Programs, and their advisor, Mrs. Carey, said they had “an extremely amazing school year” last year. Some of this year's activities included hosting an information booth at the Union County Fair, ringing the bells for the Salvation Army, reading books to a local daycare, and empowering other students with facts about the dangers of vaping, the complications of drug abuse, and the consequences of consuming alcohol. For more information about eXtreme Youth Programs, visit their website at https://sharefoundation.com/our-agencies/extreme-youth-programs/programs.html.

Attention ESD guardians: All incoming kindergarteners must participate in kindergarten testing this summer! Results will be used to create class lists to ensure your child is matched with the best teacher. Sessions lasting about 20 minutes will take place on July 25 from 1-4pm and July 27 from 8-11am. If you do not have an appointment, please visit your child’s school during the testing window. We look forward to seeing you and your child in July! For more information, visit our website at https://www.eldoradopublicschools.org/page/kindergarten-assessments Atención padres de ESD: Todos los estudiantes de kindergarten deben participar en las pruebas de kindergarten este verano. Los resultados se utilizarán para crear listas de clase para asegurar que su hijo se empareja con el mejor maestro. Las sesiones de unos 20 minutos tendrán lugar el 25 de julio de 1-4pm y el 27 de julio de 8-11am. Si usted no tiene una cita, por favor visite la escuela de su hijo durante la ventana de pruebas. Esperamos verle a usted y a su hijo en julio. Para obtener más información, visite nuestro sitio web en https://www.eldoradopublicschools.org/page/kindergarten-assessments

Are you keeping up with the Summer Meal Program? Check out the updated website to get all the correct information! www.eldoradopublicschools.org/page/summer-meal-program You can also follow their Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/ESDFoodServices

It’s now time for the next phase in the District’s commitment to provide top-quality facilities for our students: a new intermediate school that will house all students in grades 3-6. This new facility will be located at the old El Dorado High School location on Timberlane Drive. To complete this next phase, the El Dorado School District is requesting a 5.0 debt service mill increase. If approved, the District's total new millage rate will be 38.5, which would still be the lowest in the county. We believe our students deserve the best learning facilities! Vote YES on August 8th! #EveryStudentDeserves

REMINDER: The Application to Request enrollment in the Wildcat Online Academy (WOA) for the first semester CLOSES TODAY. If you wish for your child to be considered for enrollment, please visit the WOA page to complete the application to request enrollment here: https://www.eldoradopublicschools.org/page/woa-enrollment.

REMINDER: The Application to Request enrollment in the Wildcat Online Academy (WOA) for the first semester is OPEN NOW. The deadline to complete is TOMORROW, JULY 21! If you wish for your child to be considered for enrollment, please visit the WOA page to complete the application to request enrollment here: https://www.eldoradopublicschools.org/page/woa-enrollment.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Back to School Orientations for each building/grade level will be held before school begins in August! August 10th: EHS 9th Grade & New Students • Last Name A-HA, 9:00 - 10:30am • Last Name HE-N, 10:30 - Noon • Last Name O-Z, 1:30 - 3:30pm BJHS 7th Grade Parent Meeting • Last Name A-L, 10:30am • Last Name M-Z, 1:00pm August 14th • BJHS 8th Grade, 1:00 - 4:00pm • Elementary, Noon - 6:00pm August 15th • WMS, Noon - 6:00pm School begins on Wednesday, August 16th.

SAVE THE DATE! Volunteer Training for the 2023-2024 school year! Friday, August 25 - 1 PM (TAC House) Tuesday, August 29 - 6 PM (TAC House) Friday, January 5 - 1 PM (TAC House) Who needs to attend: • People who want to chaperone band/orchestra events • People who want to chaperone field trips • People who want to chaperone athletic trips • People who want to chaperone overnight trips • People who want to volunteer in the school Who does not need to attend (They can...but it's not required that they attend training.): • People who are working in a concession stand through a booster club ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Viernes 25 de agosto - 13.00 horas (Casa TAC) Martes 29 de agosto - 18.00 horas (Casa TAC) Viernes 5 de enero - 13.00 horas (Casa TAC) Quién debe asistir: • Personas que desean acompañar a la banda u orquesta en sus actuaciones • Personas que desean acompañar a los alumnos en las excursiones • Personas que desean acompañar a deportistas en sus viajes • Personas que desean acompañar a los participantes en viajes nocturnos • Personas que quieren ser voluntarias en la escuela Quién no necesita asistir (Pueden... pero no es obligatorio que asistan a la formación): • Personas que trabajan en un puesto de comida a través de un club de apoyo

• #EveryStudentDeserves • EHS Social Studies Honor Society Although EHS has several different honor society organizations, many require very high GPAs in order to be accepted, and this can exclude some excellent students. Although the eligibility requirements are lower than others, the Social Studies Honor Society is based on social studies classes, maintaining an overall 3.5 GPA, and pushes participation in social studies courses to ensure students are fully qualified for collegiate programs through the NCAA Clearinghouse by requiring the necessary fourth year of social studies classes. Advisor Wayne Garner said, “This is an honor society based on performance within social studies classes. This honor society brings recognition and notoriety to social studies and provides students with knowledge on how a degree in social studies can provide for them now and in the future.” For more information, reach out to your social studies teacher once school begins!

• #EveryStudentDeserves • A CHANCE TO SHARE THEIR VOICE ESD students have the opportunity to participate in choir beginning in elementary. As they continue to move through the program, from school to school, students develop confidence and a love of music, while fostering their signing skills and learning about literature through music. Recent retiree and former BJH choral director, Mrs. Jamerson, loved her time at BJH in the choral department. She said, “Our class fosters unity and camaraderie among students, while allowing them the opportunity to spread joy through singing.”

LAST WEEK FOR AR SUMMER READING!

• #EveryStudentDeserves • OPPORTUNITIES TO GROW No matter what the program, we want students to grow and improve. In the Fine Arts Department, ESD students have the opportunity to join the band program when they enter 5th grade. Once they enroll, they continue to learn and develop. This past year, 68 BJH Band students performed at the Region III Concert Assessment with their new band director, Ms. Long. One of three middle/junior high ensembles to play that day, the students received Excellent and Superior ratings. Ms. Long said, “The 7th-grade students, specifically, have made extreme leaps and bounds this year with their playing and music comprehension. These students had only been playing for one or two years before entering the junior high band hall. I am extremely excited to see how their playing will continue to develop and where they will be at the end of their time at Barton.”

Are you keeping up with the Summer Meal Program? Check out the updated website to get all the correct information! www.eldoradopublicschools.org/page/summer-meal-program You can also follow their Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/ESDFoodServices

Did you know? Students can still fall behind if they miss just one or two days every few weeks. #EveryMinuteMatters #EveryStudentDeserves

• #EveryStudentDeserves • OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN ABOUT OUR TOWN Kindergarten students at Northwest Elementary spent time learning about different jobs and what opportunities were available to them in our town. One day, the majority of the kindergarten class traveled to Downtown El Dorado to enjoy a day of fun and learning! They learned about being a Mason, met with a local judge and discussed what happens in the courtroom, and ended their day with a picnic and playtime! Kindergarten teacher Mrs. Kingery said, “Our students have worked so hard, that we couldn't wait to treat them by taking them on a trip around their own town. I love to see the light bulbs go off! One day they're not sure about something, and the next, they just know it!”

• #EveryStudentDeserves • OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN ABOUT OUR STATE Second-grade Gifted & Talented students visit the Crater of Diamonds in Murfreesboro annually to learn about the history, geology, and techniques used to dig diamonds. This past year, 31 students, along with 13 parents and the GT staff made the trip. They learned to identify rocks and minerals they found during their research. Mrs. King, the GT Coordinator, said, “Second-grade GT did a lot of growing this year! We cannot wait to continue next year.”

Enjoying your summer vacation!? Make plans for all your school holidays by checking out the 2023-24 calendar! https://5il.co/1qtkb

The Application to Request enrollment in the Wildcat Online Academy (WOA) for the first semester is now open. The deadline to enroll for the second semester is July 21, 2023. If you wish for your child to be considered for enrollment, please visit the WOA page here: https://www.eldoradopublicschools.org/page/woa-enrollment Students who were enrolled in WOA for the 22-23 school year MUST complete the application again this year if they would like to continue to participate in WOA for the 23-24 school year. Applications will be reviewed to determine if the student is eligible to participate in WOA. Parents will be notified no later than Friday, August 4, if their student’s application has been accepted. WOA allows ESD students in 5th - 12th grades to choose virtual instruction that is developed and presented through teachers from Flex Point Global. The curriculum of the WOA will align with state standards to provide a rigorous and robust educational environment for students. To learn more about Flex Point Global, click here: www.flexpointeducation.com/courses-curriculum/course-catalog#globalschool. Please be sure to thoroughly read the Wildcat FAQ Document for more detailed information regarding changes to WOA for the 23-24 school year. To view the FAQs, click here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/13-5-CxHx6l292NvfErlK9oWgAe81sXegsJ08dD7uYrI/edit?usp=sharing. Parents and students who apply for Wildcat Online Academy agree to the requirements of the program as outlined in the WOA Parent/Student Contract (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oT40TpRFvxN0yawuJWneED7cRKNnpWhZ/view?usp=sharing).

• #EveryStudentDeserves • CODING Students across the El Dorado School District have various opportunities to learn about coding and then showcase what they know. This past spring, WMS sixth-grader Bradley Marlin won Honorable Mention (4th place) in the Great Arkansas History Video Game Coding Competition sponsored by the Arkansas Department of Education. He was in competition with students up to 8th grade, and his game about the Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs, AR was the only entry from South Arkansas. Way to go, Bradley!