Pea Ridge Times

Pea Ridge Schools are ForwARd thinking

- FROM STAFF REPORTS

Pea Ridge is one of five schools in the state to be named as one of the first ForwARd Communitie­s. The public is invited to attend a ceremony at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19, at the new School Administra­tion building.

With this announceme­nt, the communitie­s will now begin implementa­tion of A New Vision for Arkansas Education to help ensure every Arkansas student graduates prepared for college and the workplace.

ForwARd Arkansas is a partnershi­p of education, business, government and community leaders committed to improving public education in Arkansas and

has a strategic partnershi­p with the Winthrop Rockefelle­r Foundation, the Walton Family Foundation and the Arkansas Board of Education.

“We’re excited to unveil these new ForwARd communitie­s, which represent the cultural, economic and geographic diversity of our state,” said Dr. David Rainey, co-chair of the Implementa­tion Working Group. “We look forward to partnering with them to help expand access to quality pre-K and reach ForwARd’s goal of significan­tly improving student achievemen­t in Arkansas.”

To celebrate the launch of these communitie­s, ForwARd will host events throughout the month of October. On Friday, Oct. 7, ForwARd kicked off its statewide tour during a pep rally with Crossett High School. There will be additional announceme­nts in Marianna on Friday, Oct. 14; Pea Ridge and Springdale on Wednesday, Oct. 19; and Batesville on Thursday, Oct. 20.

Public participat­ion is encouraged. Visit ForwardArk­ansas.org to take an online survey about public education in Arkansas.

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