Education notebook
3 state schools get diamond tag
Cabot Middle School South in Cabot, Paris Middle School in Paris and Hellstern Middle School in Springdale have been named Arkansas Diamond Schools as part of the state’s Schools to Watch initiative, a national recognition program developed by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-grades Reform.
The schools were cited for using research-based strategies within a school schedule to give every child access to a rigorous, high-quality education.
The schools are studentcentered with teachers and administrators who are deeply committed to the academic achievement of all students, Arkansas Schools to Watch co-directors Charles Green and Mona Briggs said last week in announcing the selections.
Arkansas has had 10 schools receive the honor since 2007. Schools are designated for a three-year period, after which they must be redesignated.
Show to feature students’ artistry
The Little Rock School District will showcase to the public the artistic talents of its students in kindergarten through 12th grades at the second annual Artistry in the Rock event April 29-30 in the Metroplex Event Center at 10900 Colonel Glenn Road.
Musical and dramatic performances, as well as artwork exhibits, will be part of the free event that will be from 1-7 p.m. April 29 and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 30.
The Artistry in the Rock is the result of work by the Little Rock School District’s fine arts department that includes among its offerings elementary beginning band, piano laboratories at some elementary and middle schools, band and choir at all middle and high schools, orchestra at some middle and high schools, drama at all high schools and dance at magnet secondary schools.
Additionally, 13 of the fine arts specialists in the district have achieved national certification by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.
App developed on state’s schools
The Arkansas Department of Education’s Research and Technology Division has developed an application that enables users of smart phones and computer tablets to access information on Arkansas school districts, schools and educational cooperatives.
The application, which can also be used on desktop and laptop computers, includes contact information and quick links to maps locating each school. The application is available for use by the general public.
Those wishing to access the site can open a browser and navigate to adedata.arkansas.gov/mobile/.