Starting a new year
The Junction City School District is excited about beginning a new school year. The district’s staff believes we have the best students and parents; we are dedicated to providing the very best learning environment. New for this year is the Arts and Activities Building. This 1.8 million dollar facility was financed through a second lien bond and a partnership grant from the Arkansas Department of Academic Facilities.
With its completion we greatly expand our arts program. Included in the building is a new high school music room and a new high school art room. The building also includes a physical education gym and two health classrooms. Elementary arts and physical education will now move into the spaces vacated by the high school. Those rooms have been renovated and are in great shape.
The District will only have a few new faces on staff this year. Dana Ayres, a veteran teacher, joins the staff as a kindergarten teacher. Belva Cannon returns after a short retirement to take over elementary special education. Amy Colvin joins the District after several years in Lincoln Parish, Louisiana. Lynn Coffman, also a veteran teacher, joins our staff as a middle school social studies teacher. Alex Peterson, a first year teacher, joins the elementary staff as a multi-subject teacher in fifth and sixth grades. We give our new teachers a special welcome and feel assured that they will fit in with the school culture.
Over the last few years, one of our focal points for academic improvement has been increasing parental involvement and improving the academic culture of the district. We have made progress. We encourage parents to contact building administration and teachers with any concerns they may have. All contact information is posted on our school website. Along with easy access to staff, we host multiple opportunities throughout the year for face to face time with our teachers and administrators.
As with every district in the state, student performance on mandated testing is a big concern. Our elementary school showed significant progress in some areas as did the high school. Assessment results certainly are not where we want them, and the District has a focused plan to raise student performance.
Our co-curricular activities are unrivaled. Students have opportunities to participate and excel in FFA, FHA, FCCLA, music, photography, auto mechanics, welding, and art. From animal showing to music and art competitions, our students have opportunities to expand their exposure.
Of course, Junction City is known for having one of the most competitive athletic programs in the state. Coach Brad Smith, formerly the defensive coordinator, takes leadership of the defending AA State Football Champions. He and the football staff look to repeat in 2019. Cheer coach Jordan Weldon, after a 2018 AA/ AAA runner-up campaign, looks to field one of her best cheer squads. Lady Dragon basketball coach Henry Harrell expects great things from his team. After winning the district title in 2019 and making back to back state tournament appearances, the Lady Dragons are poised for another strong season. Kendall Hutcheson’s boys’ basketball team is talented and ready for a banner year. Baseball, the reigning 2019 AA State Champions, are also looking to play late in the season under legendary coach Joe Hammett. The softball program has matured lately. Coach Justin Thompson is optimistic about the 2020 season. As always, the Dragon weight program will be at the top this year. Dragon and Lady Dragon Track will show their speed this spring.
The Junction City School District prides itself on offering students a well-rounded educational experience. The small school family atmosphere dominates the school culture. Junction City is a unique place capable of creating wonderful memories from kindergarten to graduation. Though the district encompasses 203 square miles, our school is the center of the community.