Alma School District Newsletter
January 21, 2022
Practice Makes Progress
Airedale Agriculture
Take a Break
Alma Marketing Students Pass Certifications
Students in the Marketing Program of Study at Alma High School have been busy taking certifications that demonstrate comprehensive knowledge on a specific platform or area. Certifications passed include 11 certifications in Virtual Business-Fashion; 20 certifications in Virtual Business-Entrepreneurship; 1 in Content Marketing; 1 in Blogging; 1 in Email Marketing; 29 in Google Introduction to Data Studio; 21 in Google Analytics for Beginners; 5 in Advanced Google Analytics; and 1 in the ACT National Career Readiness Certification.
Congratulations to these Career and Technical Education students!
Dee Ann Harris
List your current job title and # of years; include other jobs you have held in education:
I am currently the Assistant Principal at Alma Primary School and have been for the past 11 years. I have also taught kindergarten, second grade, elementary remedial reading, seventh and eighth-grade language arts, and was a middle school counselor. This is my 39th year as an educator, and Alma School District is the only district for which I have worked.
My degrees and colleges/universities I attended include:
I received my BSE in Early Childhood and Elementary Education and MSE in School Counseling and Leadership from Arkansas Tech University. I also have my Principal's Licensure from Arkansas State University. In 2011 I became National Board Certified in School Counseling.
My job is best described as:
I wear many hats. I teach students appropriate behavior at school and in public. I also assist parents with APS procedures and parameters because many of them are experiencing public school for the first time. One of my favorite jobs is empowering teachers to be the best they can be for their students, to use best practices, to navigate communication with parents, and to facilitate their becoming leaders themselves.
A word or phrase to describe me when I am working is:
Focused, busy, and having fun! There is nothing better than interacting daily with 5, 6, and 7-year-olds!
My family includes:
My husband Phil and I have been married for 37 years. Our son Dr. Zach Harris and his wife Leslie live in New Bern, NC, with their three children Madelyn, Abigail, and Ben. Our daughter Malia Price and her husband Matt live in Alma, AR, with their two children Gracelyn and Rhett.
When I am not working, you're most likely to find me:
Spending time with my husband, my adult children, and my grandchildren. I also love to read and play the piano.
When I was young, I wanted to grow up to be a:
teacher, ever since I was in first grade. I never gave it a second thought.
A personal motto of mine is:
There is a purpose behind every behavior. Explore the underlying issues and you will understand the behavior.
My favorite vacation spot is:
My favorite vacation spot is Emerald Isle, NC.
My favorite meal is:
Italian or Mexican is my favorite meal.
My favorite Sonic drink is:
Peach-mango water
My favorite student activity - the one I look forward to the most - is:
My favorite student activity would have to be the class performances for holidays.
As an educator, I am committed to:
I am committed to being a lifelong learner and encouraging others to do the same.
When I was a student, my favorite teacher or favorite part of school was ___ because ___:
My favorite teacher was Mrs. Brenda Partain. She was not only my junior high choir director, but she was also someone who listened to me and cared about what was going on in my life. She helped me through some very difficult adolescent years.
The people who push me to be a better educator is:
Our students and teachers are who push me to be a better educator.
My favorite part of the school day is ___ because ___:
The morning announcements because it is such a positive interaction with different students each day!
As an educator, I am proud of:
I am proud of having been allowed to play many roles in a great school system my entire career.
I became a teacher/educator because:
I always loved school and learning and I wanted to teach students who would in turn love school and learning.
Something I want our district patrons to know about me:
I love your children. Each one is important to me, and I am honored to be a part of their early years in school.
R.I.S.E Arkansas
AHS Semi-Formal is next Saturday!
Spring 2022 Soccer Registration
Recreational division is ages 4+ (Grades Pre K - 8th grade)
Travel (competitive) will be based on the number of players signed up in the three competitive divisions (9U, 11U, 13U) and is TRYOUT BASED.
Registration window: January 10th - February 18th | NO LATE REGISTRATIONS!
Practices will begin after the registration window closes and games will begin in April
Airedale Theatre's Upcoming One-Act
Christy (Bullet) Brady wants to be the fastest runner on his street. If he can only run fast enough, he’ll be taken on as a messenger boy and maybe earn a bit of money for his family. When the Easter Rising in Ireland kicks off in 1916, revolution is the last thing on his mind.
The Messenger looks at the impact of the Rising on ordinary families like the Brady's. The play offers the opportunity to take a wider view of children's lives in conflict today.
Thursday, January 27, 2022, at 7:00 pm. For children and adults age 8+. Tickets will be sold at the door: $5 adults and $3 students.
RISE Arkansas
R.I.S.E. (Reading Initiative for Student Excellence) Arkansas encourages a culture of reading by coordinating a statewide reading campaign with community partners, parents, and teachers to establish the importance of reading in homes, schools, and communities. This initiative is facilitated through the Arkansas Department of Education Division of Elementary and Secondary Education. The goals of R.I.S.E. are as follows:
Goal 1: Sharpen the focus and strengthen instruction.
Goal 2: Create community collaboration.
Goal 3: Build a culture of reading!
Because of R.I.S.E., the focus on reading progression for your child has shifted from determining your child’s reading level to determining what skills they need to read with fluency and comprehension.
Press Row
Kevin Taylor is an experienced sports writer with 40 years of experience, including the last 22 at Southwest Times Record in Fort Smith. Kevin's specialty is feature writing. A native of Texas, Kevin spent seven years in Palestine, Texas before moving to Fort Smith in 1999. Kevin and his wife Mardi built a home in Alma in 2005. The Taylors have two sons, Logan (16) and Landon (11). In addition, Kevin enjoys yard work and working with his model train layout.
Read what's new on Press Row:
Join Team Airedale
Alma School District
Email: webmaster@almasd.net
Website: www.almasd.net
Location: 916 U.S. 64, Alma, AR, USA
Phone: 479-632-4791
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/almaschools/
Twitter: @AlmaSchools
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GO AIREDALES!