Bismarck School District
Magnet Cove School District will communicate directto help their students enhance ly with the ADH. "If a case their educational skills and of COVID-19 is confirmed assets. Despite the pandemic, within the district, the POC Thomas believes in the qualwill provide a list of students ity that the district maintains and district staff identified as a productive relationship with probable close contacts to the the students and their families ADH and follow the guidance "One of the district’s top and communication protocol priorities is to have meanprovided by the ADH," acingful collaboration with cording to the district. our families and community
"Magnet Cove School during this pandemic so that District follows the guidance our students can continue to of the Arkansas Department receive a quality education of of Health. Per this guidance value, merit, and worth. And at this time, we do so far, we have been successful," Thomas said. He has been pleased by how well everyone has adjusted to several methods of learning if remotely or virtually due to the COVID-19 crisis.
"The district provides students with the opportunity to learn remotely/virtually, or in-person, on a daily basis. I am not aware of many school districts that allow for this, as in most school districts, students must commit to a nine-week or semester remote/virtual option," Thomas said.
The new Magnet Cove Elementary school project has begun on the school campus in Magnet Cove. Since the passing of the proposed millage rate increase to build the new school Thomas stated the process of the project is going well in its beginning stages. Thomas believes this project will benefit the school district as well as the teachers, students and the community in
The Magnet Cove School District has progressed in a positive way while the world continues to adjust to all challenges and tasks it has faced since the outbreak of COVID-19.
Magnet Cove School District Superintendent Danny Thomas has commended on the district's progress to keep a valuable and productive learning environment for all students during the pandemic.
"Magnet Cove has maintained its focus on student safety, and teaching and learning, while dealing with the pandemic," Thomas said. "We still have some rough waters ahead but we are on a solid foundation and I couldn’t be prouder of our students, parents, support staff, teachers, administrators and school board members during this difficult time," Thomas added.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the school district has utilized a variety of means to communicate with families including; email, the website, text and phone messages, Facebook and local media outlets.
The district has noted, it will maintain a COVID-19 resources webpage that can be accessed directly from the Magnet Cove School District webpage at www.magnetcove.k12.ar.us. The Point of Contact has been identified for the MCSD and this POC not share the campus or district number of positive cases. Both FERPA and HIPAA allow the sharing of information to the public health agency in an imminent threat or emergency. We provide this data to the Arkansas Department of Health and these numbers are included in their data. Some school level data is provided via their website, but anything less than five becomes identifiable," the district notes.
The district aims to always prepare an efficient and productive learning atmosphere
Magnet Cove.
The architectural services for the project are provided by CAMD Architecture, Inc., in El Dorado. Thomas mentioned the construction management services are under the direction of Hill & Cox Corporation of Hot Springs.
The new school will have an enormous impact for the school district. Because of the preparation to help make this project possible, Thomas feels the project is something well worth investing for the school district, Thomas said.
"Our patrons made a significant investment in our children’s education by approving an 8.6 millage increase on September 10, 2019," Thomas said.
"Because the millage passed, the district will receive an additional $3,335,000 in contributions from the state of Arkansas through the State’s Academic Partnership grant program for the construction of the new elementary school as it will replace a school that is 70 years old. The new school will be a source of community pride and it will be accessible for after-hour events and community activities."
During the process of the project, Thomas wants this new addition to be something everyone is proud of— to leave a legacy in the future for the community.
"We are very thankful and grateful to our patrons of the Magnet Cove School District for their support of our schools. We will continue to do our part as your school district to serve the future needs of our students where all learn, all belong, and all succeed," he mentioned.
The new elementary school is expected to be completed for the start of the 2022-2023 school year.
The Bismarck School District is located at 11636 Highway 84, in Bismarck. Established in 1930, BSD currently has
145 members of faculty and staff.
The school district credits their faculty, staff, and students for its continued success. BSD asserts that each person they employ plays a pivotal role in the school district’s success. BSD employs a dedicated team. Tony Chambers is the high school principal; Ellen Coleman, is the principal for the middle school; Lana Hughes, is the elementary school principal; Nancy Scott, is the special education director; Kimberly Turner, curriculum coordinator; and Susan Kissire, is the superintendent.
BSD is currently ranked sixth academically in the state. According to data released by the Arkansas Department of Education, the school received all A’s on the school report card, the ADE’s reporting system, for 3 years in a row.
Great things are always happening at Bismarck Elementary. Students and teachers are striving daily for academic and social emotional success. With a rigorous curriculum and excellent teachers, students are getting a well rounded education. Virtual parent nights are approaching and we look forward to connecting with our school families. With the help of the Southwest Regional Solid Waste Management District, BES will begin a recycling program for students. The program will help educate and give resources to our students, planting the knowledge that we can help curb climate change through recycling. Our Bismarck Elementary hallways will be getting a makeover soon. Officiala said they are looking forward to seeing more of their creations proudly displayed.
However BSD is not only successful academically. During the 2020 season, the senior girls golf team won the 3A state tournament for the 3rd year in a row.
Bismarck Middle School is 1:1 with each student having their own school-issued Chromebook. Mrs. Boyett, the LMS, was awarded a Ross Grant to purchase ebooks so more students have access to books from both home and school. Students have been able to participate in multiple extracurricular activities while following COVID guidelines. Jackson Overturf won the Patriot’s Pen writing contest and Avery Mathis came in exond. We also held a virtual winter concert with the sixth grade, middle school, and high school bands. Archery classes taught by Mike Copeland are very popular, and several students were able to hunt deer this winter with a bow. We were also able to celebrate our amazing veterans in our community with a virtual Veteran’s Day celebration.
During these unprecedented times, Bismarck
School District faculty, staff, students, and parents have worked together to ensure we have a very successful school year. Because the previous year ended while learning at home, students who have been attending on-site learning and virtual learning are experiencing new challenges. Everyone has worked diligently to embrace those challenges and we have worked together to get through them.
We have been blessed to stay open and not have to shut our doors. As a district, we know how important it is for our students to be open. Every precaution has been taken to ensure the health, wellness, and safety of our students. All buildings, classrooms, facilities, and buses go through a very stringent sanitizing process.
“As we look towards the future, we are excited about what we see. We have highly qualified educators who are dedicated to our students, and a support staff that stands ready to help. Our parents, community, and board members stand ready to offer support and are an integral part of our team. Together, we will make 2021 the best year yet,” according to the district.