Live and learn

Lonoke County school districts prepare students for future

/ With four public school districts, Lonoke County students have quality education right in their hometowns. These schools use technology to enhance education while also embracing the agricultural roots of the area. Here is just a small look at what is happening in these school districts. CABOT SCHOOL DISTRICT One Cabot school has again earned national recognition. Cabot Middle School was recently recognized as both a National School to Watch and an Arkansas Diamond School. The school demonstrated a variety of attributes to receive these recognitions, including being academically excellent, developmentally responsive and socially equitable. This is Cabot Middle School’s third time to be recognized by the Schools to Watch program. “Every public school is vital to its community,” said Tony Thurman, superintendent. “The quality of a school district is a prime indicator of the success of a community. When you have a district like ours — one known for providing an excellent education to students — people and businesses want to make Cabot their home. The Cabot School District has a great impact on the community.” In May, Cabot High School graduated 688 seniors, with 221 of those receiving Honors and High Honors. Cabot’s class of 2018 was awarded nearly $15 million in scholarships. For some of the district’s younger students, those at Stagecoach Elementary School have a new way to grow their education. The school was awarded a $2,000 grant from Innovative Solutions for Educational Partnerships that was used to purchase materials to build raised gardens. The students chose what plants to grow in their new flower beds, planted the plants and cared for the space. The gardens gave teachers across the curriculum a new way to offer instruction using the plant beds, even in subjects such as math and science. The Cabot High School Automotive Technology Program was recently awarded a $13,750 grant from the Arkansas Motor Vehicle Commission. The school will use the grant money to purchase new diagnostic equipment. “The Cabot High School Automotive Technology Program offers hands-on learning and real-world problem-solving scenarios for students who are interested in not only learning about auto mechanics, but who also want to learn more about career choices within this field,” said Nicole Gatewood, assistant principal at Cabot High School. “Receiving grants such as the one awarded by the Arkansas Motor Vehicle Commission provides the funding needed to purchase modern technology for use in the auto-tech shop and training area.” LONOKE SCHOOL DISTRICT A new safe room was completed this school year at Lonoke Primary School. This new addition increases the district’s total safe rooms to three that can accommodate students at the district’s four school. These safe rooms will provide shelter in case of bad weather. “Our district is a microcosm of our community, representing the future of our growth and possibilities,” said John D. Tackett, Ed.D., interim superintendent. “The value our community places on its schools is reflected in the new state-of-the-art facilities that we have built in the past six years. School growth and community growth go hand in hand.” Tackett said the district is working to create more opportunities for students for personalized learning experiences through virtual classes, concurrent-enrollment offerings and more innovative scheduling. The district is also exploring how blended learning might benefit its students, he said. CARLISLE SCHOOL DISTRICT The Carlisle School District, which consists of Carlisle Elementary School and Carlisle High School, has 644 students in grades K-12. The district’s agriculture department recently received a grant to build a new greenhouse this coming school year. Brad Horn, superintendent, said the greenhouse will help support the high school’s award-winning FFA Club. Agriculture teacher Carly Bokker started a new row-crop program for agriculture students. The students learn about the process of row-crop farming, from soil tests and preparation all the way to the harvest and sale of the crops. The program is made possible through donations of services and products from the community. Horn said Bokker also worked tirelessly on receiving the grant for the new greenhouse.

“Outside of students, the teachers are the most valuable asset to the district,” Horn said. “They work very hard and sacrifice a great deal for the students in their classrooms. I am honored to serve alongside each and every one of them.” The district is also in the process of purchasing 88 new computers to update its current inventory. It also continues to add Chromebooks to its inventory for testing and student assignments, he said. “In the age we are in, technology is extremely important,” Horn said. “Students in some of our grade levels will have occupations that utilize technology that has not even been created yet. It is vital that we have technology in their hands as frequently as possible.”

ENGLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT

The England School District, which has about 725 students, is in the process of adding security doors to the high school campus. These doors lock and unlock when the bell rings, and a camera allows officials in the office to buzz in students and visitors. The new doors will also lock in the gymnasium and cafeteria. “When that tardy bell rings, [the system] completely locks our school down,” said Tyler Scott, superintendent. The district is also changing to a new cafeteria vendor, Opaa! Food Management Inc. Scott said the new vendor will offer a greater variety of options for the students and should save the district money. England Elementary School has a new Book Bus program, he added. This summer, the principal and vice principal hit the streets of England to hand out books to kids each week. “We’re trying to spark some interest in reading,” Scott said. Earlier this summer, Scott attended a conference where there was a presentation using Amazon Echo devices. These voice-controlled devices are used in many homes to play music, get the weather and for many other tasks. Scott said the devices can be used in the classroom to enhance lessons, make announcements and play educational games. Scott said he hopes to be able to get a device for every classroom in the district. “My technology coordinator is looking at the pricing on that,” Scott said.