Adds more programs, clubs for student involvement

Lakeside is very proud of the continued academic achievements of their students, as well as the dedication of their teachers, support staff, and administration.

Lakeside School District was ranked fourth in the state of Arkansas as one of the “Best Public School Districts” by the 2017 Niche Rankings. Lakeside High School was also ranked in the 2017 Washington Post’s “America’s Most Challenging High Schools.”

On Aug.10, Lakeside will host the fourth annual day camp, RAMP UP, an orientation for incoming eighth-grade students. The camp allows students making the transition from the middle school to the high school the opportunity to become acquainted with the teachers, the building, and several of the students.

Lakeside will hold its annual Open House on Aug. 16 for Pre-K through 12th-grade students and parents. Times will be from 3-6 p.m. for Lakeside Primary School, 4-7 p.m. for Lakeside Intermediate School, 5-8 p.m. for Lakeside Middle School, and 6-9 p.m. for Lakeside High School.

We are excited to have our staff back on campus starting Aug. 13 to prepare for the return of our students on Aug. 20.

“The first day of school is an exciting day for all of us, especially our students said Shawn Cook, superintendent. “Seeing the smiles light up on thousands of faces reminds me how fortunate we are to be a part of the Lakeside team. From the crews that have worked in 100-degree weather to make sure our grounds and buildings are ready for school to begin, to the bus drivers who have perfected routes for timely arrivals on day one, to our nurses, media specialists, staff, counselors, administration, and our teachers who have spent countless hours and resources preparing for our students. We are all instrumental in our commitment to doing what we are assigned to do with care and quality.”

Cook said the education Lakeside provides each student reaches deep into the surrounding area and will leave a mark on generations to come.

“I am so thankful for the support of our community in building a better Lakeside. We are excited about our campus growth and the building projects that will benefit our students,” he said.

Lakeside provides all academic school supplies for its students, Cook added.

Last year, Lakeside Primary School became a School of Innovation by the State and offered the very first kindergarten and first-grade Flex Classroom. The implementation of the Flex Class had a great first year and has doubled in the number of students for the upcoming 2018-19 school year.

The primary school will continue the scheduling interventions for every child, every day that began in 2016-17, as well as continue incorporating physical education for every child, every day.

A new extracurricular aspect that LPS will offer to all students in kindergarten and first grade will be STEM instruction each week. The instruction will allow students to delve into Project Lead the Way, Computer Science, and other STEM activities on a weekly basis. The school also works collaboratively with the YMCA to provide after school care each day.

At LPS, one of the strongest areas is small group instruction in both literacy and math. By collecting data and MAP testing, LPS academic coaches can work with teachers to drive instruction and best meet the needs of all their students. LPS is very excited to be a part of the R.I.S.E. initiative with the Arkansas Department of Education. R.I.S.E. stands for Reading Initiative for Student Excellence. Our staff has been trained this summer in how to teach reading using the Science of Reading. We look forward to helping students learn to read with this scientific approach.

This year, Lakeside Intermediate School is excited to be considered a School of Innovation by the state and offer the Flex Classroom, which started in LPS last year, to the students in grades 2-4. Just like at the primary school, the Flex Classroom at the intermediate is designed to allow students a more flexible school day by combining the best of the traditional learning, home-school learning, and virtual learning.

Currently, LIS offers Spanish to students in the second grade; however, this year the offering will extend to the students in the third and fourth grade as well. Other extended learning opportunities for LIS students include the Compass Learning computer program, a program that allows students to work on reading and math skills at home. Project Lead the Way at LIS has rejuvenated their science curriculum. It has allowed many students to showcase their talents that might not have had that opportunity in the past.

Based on test scores, LIS received an A on its school report card and received $38,000 in reward money that they will get to spend on their students in the upcoming year.

Lakeside Middle School will once again be expanding its class offerings which will include three additional Project Lead the Way courses: Green Architecture, Energy and the Environment, and Innovators and Makers App Creators.

Sixth grade students, for the third year, are allowed class choice because of the school of innovation waiver that allows students to take more PLTW classes. Class choice and electives are important for students as it allows them to explore different fields of study or topics of interest. The middle school will also be offering an Automation and Robotics course for seventh-grade students as an elective.

Two years ago, LMS introduced the EAST program. It has been a huge success with the students which allowed more sections to be opened up this year as well as the addition of a full-time EAST teacher.

Last year, LMS introduced seventh-grade clubs that met once a month. Each student was a member of two clubs and could choose from a variety of interests including cooking, board games, tennis, yearbook, carpentry, stock market, yoga, dance, fishing, and more.

Lakeside High School is excited to announce its growing course offerings for the upcoming year, including Social Media, Cyber Security, Orientation to Teaching II, PLTW Biomedical Science, Theater classes, AP Environmental, AP Seminar, Virtual Class offerings including six new AP offerings. The EAST program will now be offered to students in the eighth through 12th grade.

There are several changes to highlight from the summer. The high school choir displayed its talents at Disney World, Skyler Wood, Andrew Montgomery, Pierce Helton, Noah McClanahan, Tyler Tidwell, Gideon Drake, and Lauren Sims competed at the National FBLA Competition in Baltimore, Md., and LHS has welcomed changes in their coaching staff with Rhonda Thigpen, head volleyball coach.

The high school is very proud of its Broadcasting students. Lakeside TV was recognized over 100 times for their excellence in Broadcast Television, Film, and Production. There were 49 different students who won awards during the 2017-18 school year. Other programs that are continuing to grow and do great things at LHS are the Sports Medicine program, Drama, and Choir.

Last year was a great year for Lakeside athletics: Conference Co-Champions in football, Conference Champions in boys and girls tennis and baseball, State Champions in cheerleading, boys soccer, and girls golf. Thea Rice won an Individual State Championship in tennis, Chance Mahan won an Individual State Championship in wrestling, and Mason Vondenstein received two Individual State Championships in swimming.