Magnolia School District

The love of reading is contagious, and learning opportunities abound when schools and communities partner together to focus on building a culture of reading for their students, families, and community. Because of their outstanding school/community collaboration, the Arkansas Department of Education recently recognized seven cities as R.I.S.E Communities for 2022-2023. ADE’s Reading Initiative for Student Excellence, or R.I.S.E. Arkansas program, encourages reading beyond just the classroom and sets a goal to create communities and schools that promote a culture of reading for residents of all ages. To be eligible for the recognition, schools and communities submitted a letter of commitment, developed an action plan, and provided a portfolio that showed evidence of implementation throughout the year. Applications were then scored using a rubric. There was one factor that each recognized community had in common: dedication to promoting the love of reading. The only community and district to be recognized a Gold-Level winner twice is Magnolia. Magnolia submitted the maximum number of ten literacy events in their application for the award. These events promoted the importance of creating a culture and love of reading and collaboration among the schools and community. Friday, December 8, a celebration was held at the Magnolia Performing Arts Center. Representatives from the Arkansas Department of Education presented Superintendent John Ward, District Curriculum Coordinator Penny Talley, and the state and community partners with the award. The District appreciates the support provided by the community and businesses of Magnolia. Without the donated funds and time from these collaborating partners, the literacy events and winning the R.I.S.E. Community Award would not be possible.

MAGNOLIA SCHOOL DISTRICT CHRISTMAS CARD A Christmas card creation by Magnolia Middle School eighth-grade art student, Ja’Kaleigh Carter, was chosen to be used by the Magnolia School District for the upcoming holiday season. JaKaleigh’s creation will be reproduced as the 2023 Christmas card for the District. Superintendent John Ward will send out the card to each employee of the Magnolia School District. JaKaleigh is the daughter of Brittany Simmons.

Parent/Teacher Conferences

CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SUPPORTS TOY DRIVE FOR ARKANSAS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL

EAST SIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL HONORS VETERANS East Side hosted a Veterans Day Assembly on Friday, November 10 where over 40 Veterans were the distinguished guests of honor. Ms. King led the entire student body in songs expressing their gratitude for our country and Veterans. Coach Donnell Ford delivered the message of Courage to those in attendance. Several veterans couldn't make it to the ceremony so home visits were made complete with singing and goody bags.

USDA Columbia County Commodities Distribution November 16-17, 2023 9:00 am The Hospitality House 100 Meadowbrook Lane

Magnolia Food Service Department announces that the PEBT Call Center will be open the month of November. Contact the Magnolia Food Service Department with questions regarding missing PEBT cards.

Congratulations to Brenda Murria! Brenda is the GRAND PRIZE WINNER in the Magnolia School District Meal Application Promotion drawing. She is the winner of a $100 GIFT CARD. Please come by the Magnolia School Annex Food Service Department to redeem your prize. The Magnolia School District Food Service Department would like to thank everyone that filled out lunch applications this year.

Magnolia School District to Hold Annual Flu Clinic Parent Consent forms will be sent home with students on Monday, October 2.

Retired Sergeant Major, Jody Mallory, recently accepted 155 flags to be retired by Magnolia Junior Charity League. Before taking those flags to Camp Robinson, he stopped by Mrs. Jarvis' first grade class at East Side Elementary to do a presentation on proper flag disposal.

Congratulations to Abigail Alphin and Crystal Carter winners of the MSD Meal Application Promotion drawing!! Abigail Alphin - $50 Walmart Gift Card Crystal Carter – All Season Athletic Pass Please come by the Magnolia School Annex Food Service Department to redeem your prize.

The Magnolia Band Boosters will hold a meeting Tuesday, September 5th. The meeting will be held in the MHS Band Hall and start at 5:30 PM. All band parents and anyone wishing to support the band program are encouraged to attend.

Magnolia Middle School Welcomes “BE PRO BE PROUD” Friday, September 1, 2023 Be Pro Be Proud, Inc. is a workforce development initiative introducing America’s students to technical careers through virtual reality experiences. Be Pro Be Proud works to connect interested students to resources, training, and employment opportunities in the construction, manufacturing, transportation and utilities sectors. Set inside of a 78-foot double-wide tractor trailer, the Be Pro Be Proud organization hopes to use the new mobile workshop as a proving ground for high schoolers who have an aptitude for work in the trades. Today’s skilled professional workforce is aging out and the next generation of new talent is not sufficient to fill the demand. Nationwide, there are an estimated 5.6 million job openings, with approximately 60,000 of these openings here in Arkansas. The majority of these are in high skilled technical fields. The initiative targets many key audiences including high school and nontraditional students, current skilled professionals, legislators, parents, teachers, career coaches and employers to dispel the myths about skilled trade professions, showcase current skilled professionals’ true vocational pride, highlight the many career opportunities available within these trades and provide necessary resources and training to those interested. According to Mr. Graham, MMS Principal, all the 8th students will have an opportunity to visit the trailer on Friday. “We are also happy to welcome guests from Southern Alunimum, as they have asked to come out and tour and take part of this pivotal day for our students. The plan is shut down the front drive immediately in front of MMS in order to park this 78FT tractor trailer. This is a really neat opportunity for our students, and I certainly want to thank Career Coach Tiffany Fallin and Counselor Kelly Ribble, for their work in preparation to make this day possible. I encourage parents to visit and explore the BeProBeProud website, because this is going to be an awesome day and opportunity to change the perceptions of skilled professions with students, parents, and educators. I know Mr. Ward is excited to host this event within our district and we extend the offer to stakeholders of our community to stop by and visit with us on Friday!”

WENTWORTH PLACE MAKES WATER DONATION TO PANTHERS Due to the extreme heat advisories currently affecting our area, staff members at Wentworth Place donated water bottles the the Panther football team. Over 200 bottles of water will be used for football practices and games. Pictured L to R: Wentworth Place employees Brenda Strickland; Pat Johnson; Panther coach, Luke Bowser; and Wentworth Place staff member, Julia Nipper.

East Side Pie and Parent volunteers have been busy this week handing out waters and cold towels to bus drivers and riders this week!

This is the website for the online application. https://frapps.horizonsolana.com/MAGP01 (If the link doesn't open, try copying and pasting into the search bar.)

Magnolia Home Access Center (HAC) HAC has a new URL address. Please go to http://hac23.esp.k12.ar.us to access your HAC account using your existing login credentials.

MAGNOLIA SCHOOL DISTRICT 2023-2024 Meet the Teacher Day - Friday, August 11 - 9:00 AM - Noon First Day of School - Monday, August 14 Click Here to View the District Calendar and Events: https://5il.co/21ilf

Great things are beginning to happen for the 2023-2024 year in the Magnolia School District! This week, district staff and administrators were in a two-day professional development to prepare for the new year and set goals for how the District can WIN FOR KIDS!