Reminder: NO SCHOOL MONDAY, OCTOBER 10.
Students are out for Fall Break this coming Monday!
It’s that time of year…cold and flu season is upon us! Washing your hands often and disinfecting surfaces in your home can help prevent the spread of illness.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), getting your annual flu shot is one of the best ways to protect your family. Flu shots are recommended for everyone six months of age and older. The CDC recommends that people get vaccinated against the flu starting in October. The earlier you get your shot, the sooner your immune system can start producing antibodies — typically within two weeks. However, getting vaccinated later is still beneficial and can help protect you through the end of flu season.
With the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic, many have forgotten about protecting themselves from seasonal influenza. The flu virus changes from one year to the next, which means getting your flu vaccine this and every other year helps to boost your immunity and protect against the most common strains of the virus. It also helps to prevent the spreading of the disease through our local community.
ESD students have the opportunity to get their flu shot at school with our free flu clinics. Contact your student’s school for more information.
Students , teachers, and families also have an opportunity to get the flu shot at the Wildcat Wellness Center located on the WMS Campus. Call 870-639-3875 to schedule your appointment!
Link to Flu Form for school flu clinics: https://5il.co/1ixz9
#WellnessWednesday #WeAreESD
Katie King, the El Dorado School District GT Coordinator, graduated from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration/Entrepreneurship, the University of Arkansas at Monticello for non-traditional licensure, and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock for her Gifted Education licensure. In addition to her role as GT Coordinator for the district, Ms. King is also a 2nd-6th grade GT Facilitator at Retta Brown.
Although Ms. King enjoyed her time at UAM and UALR, her heart belongs to the University of Arkansas, where she spent an exciting four years. She grew up cheering for the Hogs, attending home football games at the U of A from the time she was old enough to say “go.” “I honestly didn’t know other colleges existed back then. We weren’t introduced by our teachers.” So with her family's devotion to the Hogs, Ms. King was destined to attend U of A.
U of A was special for many reasons. Ms. King enjoyed the atmosphere, pledged Delta Delta Delta, was a member of the U of A Dance Company, and had great professors. But it was the sports that made her time exciting and memorable. While she was there, the men’s basketball team won the NCAA Championship, and Ms. King was privileged to see the last Razorback game played at Barhill Arena, more commonly referred to as the “night the lights went out at Barnhill” by Razorback fans. She was also present for the opening game of Bud Walton Arena and watched the team become National Runners-Up. She also witnessed the inaugural baseball game at Baum Stadium before she graduated.
Thank you, Ms. King, for sharing about your time at the U of A! If you are interested in learning more about the University of Arkansas, visit https://www.uark.edu/.
Information regarding COVID P-EBT Cards:
ESD is not responsible for when or how cards are mailed out. As of 10/3/2022, P-EBT cards have not been mailed, and DHS does not have an estimated date on when they will be mailed. At this time, ESD does not have any further information for families.
If you'd like to inquire further, please call the P-EBT Call Center at 833.316.2421.
In honor of National Principal's Month, we are going to celebrate each of our seven principals by sharing a little about them! First up, Mrs. Sherry Hill of El Dorado High School!
Be sure to #ThankAPrincipal the next time you see Mrs. Hill!
Happy National Custodian Appreciation Day to all our wonderful custodians! We are thankful for all you do to keep our schools in great shape throughout the year!
It's game day! Lots of tailgating going on this evening, including "Frolic on 5th" at Hugh Goodwin from 5-6pm. The stadium opens at 6pm. Kickoff begins at 7pm.
REMINDER: All Kindergarten - 6th graders must be accompanied by an adult at all times while attending ESD athletic events. The clear bag policy remains in effect for all athletic events.
Class of 2023 Parents: Mark your calendars! There will be a Senior Parent Promise Meeting held on Tuesday, October 11th in the EHS Commons from 5-6pm. Please make plans to attend!
Beginning September 30, 2022, all students in Kindergarten through Sixth Grade must be accompanied by an adult at all times while attending El Dorado School District athletic events.
Students must enter with an adult and remain with that adult throughout the event. An adult is defined as any person assuming the responsibility and supervision of the student they bring. This person cannot be a student in grades 7-12.
When entering the game, all K-6 students must have their hand stamped. Students with a stamp must be accompanied by an adult when they visit the lower level (under the bleachers), including the concession stands and/or the restrooms. Students who have a stamp but are not accompanied by an adult will be sent back to sit with their adult in the stands.
The purpose of attending athletic events is to cheer for and support our Wildcats and Wildkittens. This policy is in place to ensure the safety of our students and to allow the best game experience for all El Dorado and visiting fans.
Alyssa Avant, a teacher at Washington Middle School, graduated from Southern Arkansas University with a Bachelor of Arts in History, and soon, she will graduate with her Master of Arts in Teaching, also from SAU. Ms. Avant teaches fifth-grade social studies at WMS.
After graduating from Southern Arkansas University Tech, Ms. Avant received a transfer scholarship to attend SAU. Her time at SAU was valuable to her for many reasons, including the new perspective and experiences it brought into her life. “Having the experience to learn about different cultures and parts of history gave me a better understanding of the world around me, and of myself, too. Additionally, the education courses I have taken only further stirred my passion to help others succeed. By attending SAU, my passion was made a reality.”
Thank you, Ms. Avant, for sharing about your SAU experience! If you are interested in learning more about Southern Arkansas University, visit https://web.saumag.edu/.
The Accelerated Reader (AR) Reading Lab is open every Monday at Hugh Goodwin Elementary from 4pm-6pm. The lab is open to all El Dorado School District students. If you are looking for another opportunity to take AR tests, this is a great one!
It may not feel like fall, but in just two weeks, we will be out of school for fall break!
There will be no school on Monday, October 10th for fall break, followed by Parent Teacher Conferences on Tuesday, October 11th.
If you are unable to travel to Benton tonight, you can still cheer on the Cats! Kickoff is at 7pm. Watch the game live here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6icgX_VREs
ESD Athletics has its own Facebook page! Keep up with all Wildcat and Wildkitten sports by following the ESD Athletics page here: https://www.facebook.com/ESDAthletics.
Go Cats! Go Kittens!
Taking care of yourself physically can improve your mental health. Be sure to:
• Eat nutritious meals
• Avoid smoking and vaping
• Drink plenty of water
• Exercise helps decrease depression and anxiety and improves mood
• Get enough sleep. Researchers believe that lack of sleep contributes to a high rate of depression in college students.
Daniela Rivas, a Yocum Elementary teacher, graduated from the University of Central Arkansas with a Bachelor of Science in Addiction Studies. Mrs. Rivas currently teaches 4th-grade literacy.
Choosing the University of Central Arkansas (UCA) was an easy choice for Mrs. Rivas. “It was far enough away to help me be more responsible but close enough to come home when I needed to.” Another thing that made her UCA experience special was the opportunities provided by the Reynolds Performance Hall. “They always brought guest speakers in. One of them was Nev from the Catfish The TV Show,” and Mrs. Rivas got to meet him.
Thank you, Mrs. Rivas, for sharing about UCA! If you are interested in learning more about the University of Central Arkansas, visit https://uca.edu/.
Progress Reports will be available this week. Check with your student's school for more information.
Reminder: The Clear Bag Policy goes into effect today for athletic events.
If you plan to attend tonight's football game, please remember:
• The gate will open at 6pm.
• Only clear bags that adhere to the policy will be allowed inside the gate.
• There will not be a place to store bags.
• Although individuals taking tickets and administrators working the gate are enforcing the clear bag policy, they did not make the policy.
For more information, visit bit.ly/ESDClearBagPolicy.
Want to receive text, email, and/or phone calls with important information, such as bus route updates, newsletters, policy updates? Contact your student's school to submit your most up-to-date contact information.
You can also download our mobile app and follow us online!
Beginning on Friday, September 16th, the El Dorado School District will implement a Clear Bag Policy in an effort to provide a safer environment and improve security.
The Clear Bag Policy limits the size and type of bags that may be brought into stadiums, gymnasiums, and other athletic fields. Prohibited items include but are not limited to purses larger than a 4.5" x 6.5” clutch bag, coolers, briefcases, backpacks, fanny packs, grocery bags, cinch bags, luggage of any kind, computer bags and camera bags, or any bag larger than the permissible size.
Bags that are permitted included:
• Tote bags that are clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC and do not exceed 12” x 6” x 12”
• One-gallon clear plastic freezer bags
• Small clutch bags with or without a handle or strap, no larger than 4.5” x 6.5” (approximately the size of a hand)
Bags not permitted:
• Backpacks, printed plastic bags, fanny packs, purses, reusable grocery totes, mesh or straw bags, duffle bags, large totes, and camera or binocular cases.
• Diaper bags are not allowed. Items normally carried in a diaper bag must be put into a clear plastic bag for venue entry.
In the near future, metal detector screening and a search of all items being carried in may take place at all ESD Athletic Venues. There are no provisions available to store or safeguard any prohibited bags. ESD is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
*An exception will be made for medically necessary items after proper inspection at a gate by the respective gate supervisor.
For more information, visit our website at www.eldoradopublicschools.org/o/district/page/clear-bag-policy.
