UPDATEwww.searcyschools.org

Volume 30, Number 4 December 2016

Searcy Public Schools801 North Elm Street

Searcy, Arkansas 72143(501)268-3517

Inside this Issue:

SHS EAST Night Out 2

Adrian Hannah Signing 2

Veterans Day Activities 2

Lunch Menu 3

Events Calendar 3

Deener Student Leadership Team 4

McRae Election 4

Dates to Remember

• December 1-3 SHS Bank Classic

• December 3 Christmas Parade

• December 23-January 6 Christmas Holiday

• January 9 School Resumes

SWMS Robotics Club Competes in Lego Cup Robotics Team recently competed in the Lego Cup at Harding Academy. Team members include sixth grade students Landon Crawford, Jonathan Da-vidson , Connor Derrick, Tani-yah Hansberry,

SHS Art Students Win AwardsSearcy High School art students entered their original art-work in the Creative Arts Society Fall Fest. Rylie Casteel won the distinc-tion of “Best in Show” with her Floral

Painting done in Pointillism style. Annika Smith took the third place slot for her pen and ink draw-ing through the stippling method. Con-gratulations to both stu-dents for their award-winning artwork.

Jayden Supratman, and Zach Wallace. The team members who worked many hours after school building and program-ming the school’s Lego Mind-storm EV3 robot were tasked with completing a “Level Out” challenge. The team competed against ten other teams . Us-ing a 4’X8’ wooden playing field, all competitors had to score as many points as pos-

sible using their robot to complete various tasks with ping pong balls. The game consisted of two periods. The first period required preprogrammed instructions and the second period was driver con-

trolled using PS2 controllers. Southwest Middle School is proud of the students’ team-work in brainstorming, de-signing, building, and driving the robot. Members displayed adjustment strategies, hard work, focus, and good sports-manship. SWMS is grateful for all team members and sup-portive parents.

Page 2 DECEMBER 2016

SHS EAST Program Hosted EAST Night Out On October 18, SHS EAST celebrated National EAST Night Out with 32 other EAST programs around the country. Students presented the projects they are working on this year to about 50 parents and community members. They also demonstrated some of the unique software applica-tions available to EAST programs. This year, EAST invited representa-tives from all of the non-profit orga-nizations in White County with the goal of developing new relations with community partners. Several organi-

zations attended and the students are working on ideas for how to collabo-rate with them. The following are a few projects that were featured at the annual EAST Night Out:• SAF at SHS—a possible Student Angler Federation• Unity Through Story-storytelling project to benefit children at Unity Health• Community Connections-an interac-tive web-based ArcGIS map of local businesses

Adrian Hannah Signs with UCA Searcy High School athlete Adrian Hannah signed to play baseball for the University of Central Arkansas on November 15. Surrounded by family, friends, teammates, coaches, and Searcy High School staff, Han-nah committed to the UCA Bears for the 2017-2018 season. Hannah, son of Craig and Mitzi Hannah, will finish out his senior year playing baseball

Campuses Celebrate Veterans with Various ActivitiesEach year, Searcy Public Schools celebrate Veterans Day with different activities across the district. The 2016 Veterans Day consisted of Muffins for Military Heroes at Westside, daily Veteran recognition at Deener during the Pledge of Allegiance the week of Veterans Day, annual Veterans Day Assembly at AJHS, and the annual first grade Veterans parade at McRae Elementary School. Southwest Middle School fourth grade teacher Laura Freeman invited SWMS custodi-an and U.S Air Force Veteran Billy Haile to speak to her class about what it means to be a member of the Armed Forces

for the Searcy Lions. The SHS base-ball team is coached by Coach Matt Davis (head), Coach Mitch Ferrell (assistant), and Coach Miles Wat-son (assistant). Hannah is pictured (right) with his family and coaches as he signs his papers. The Searcy School District offers congratulations to Adrian and his family on this excit-ing opportunity!

and how to support those who fight for our freedoms each day. Freeman’s class also wrote letters thanking Veterans throughout the community.

Lunch Menu DECEMBER 2016 Page 3

1PopcornChickenwithSauceOR

Three-CheeseCalzoneSweetPotatoCrunch

SeasonedBlack-eyedPeasBreadStickApplesauce

Milk

2ChiliwithBeef&Beans&Mini

SaltineCrackersORMiniCorndogswithMustard“Smiles”Potatoesw/Ketchup

CreamyColeslawFreshGrapesBrownie/Milk

5HotDogORHamburger

Lettuce/Tomato/PicklesBaked“CheetosPuffs”

SeasonedWholeKernelCornBakedBeans

DicedPears/Milk

6“BreakfastforLunch”ScrambledEggs

Biscuitw/CreamGravy&JellySausagePatty

TatorTotswithKetchupBellPepperStrips

Juice/Milk

7PersonalCheesePizzaOR

ChickenNachosGreenSaladwithDressing

FruitCocktail“M&M”cookie

Milk

8ChickenStickswithSauceOR

BakedHamSourCream&ChivePotatoesSeasonedGreenPeas/HotRoll“Sidekicks”FrozenJuiceCup

Milk

9CornDogwithMustardOR

MostaccioliPasta/DinnerRollSeasonedWholeKernelCorn

SeasonedGreenBeansGrannySmithAppleSliceswith

CaramelDip/Milk12

CheeseburgerORPizzaCrunchers

Lettuce/Tomato/PicklesTatorTotswithKetchup

BakedBeansSeasonalFreshFruit

Milk

13ChickenTenderswithSauceMashedPotatoeswithGravyBroccoliwithCheeseSauceFreshOrangeQuarters

HotRollMilk

14MaxCheeseSticksORStromboli

MarinaraSauceSeasonedWholeKernelCorn

FruitJuicePunch“Chortles”MiniGrahams

Milk

15BreadedChickenSandwichORChickenSpaghettiwith

BreadStickLettuce/Tomato/Pickles

BakedPotatowithMargarine&SourCream

SeasonedGreenBeansPeaches/Cupcake/Milk

16BBQChickenDrumstickORTangerineChickenMacaroni&Cheese

AsianRiceCelerySticks

BakedSweetPotatowithCinnamon&BrownSugarRoll/Pineapple/Milk

19ChickenNoodleSoupwithMiniSaltineCrackers&CheeseToastORChickenNuggetswithSauce

&DinnerRollBakedPotatowithMargarine

GrapeTomatoesPeachesMilk

20CarnitasNachoswithCheese

Lettuce&SalsaSeasonedPintoBeans

FruitJuicePunchCinnamonRoll

Milk

21BreadedBakedCatfishStrips

withDinnerRollORCheese&PoblanoGrabWrap

withSalsaSeasonedBakedFries

w/KetchupGreenSaladwithDressing

“SideKicks”FrozenJuiceCupMilk

22VegetableBeefSoupwithGoldfishCrackers&String

CheeseBabyCarrotswithRanchDip

FruitMilk

23

NOSCHOOL(ChristmasBreak)

26

NOSCHOOL

27

NOSCHOOL

28

NOSCHOOL

29

NOSCHOOL

30

NOSCHOOL

NOTE: Additional foods may be offered to meet calorie needs for specific ages. ALL grain foods are >50% whole grain to meet USDA regulations. For more information or questions, contact Child Nutrition Director, Charlotte Davis, RD, LD at (501) 268-3517 or cdavis@searcyschools.org. USDA is an equal opportunity provider & employer.

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NOVEMBER 2016 S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

JANUARY 2017 S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

4:30 pm Basketball: 8th& 9th Grade vs. Vilonia

5 pm Basketball: 7th Grade vs. Vilonia (gGbB)

6 pm Wrestling: SHS vs. Greenbrier/Batesville SS

4:30 pm Basketball:8th & 9th Grade vs.Little Rock Christian

6 pm Wrestling: SHS vs.Episcopal/Beebe

7 pm Choir: SHS Christmas Concert

5 pm Basketball 7th Grade vs. Bald Knob (GB)

6 pm Westside:1st Grade Program

2 pm McRae:Christmas Parties

5:15 pm Regular School Board Meeting

10 am Deener:Christmas Parties

2 pm SWMS:Christmas Parties

2 pm Westside:Christmas Parties

1:30 & 2 pmDeener: Student

Recognition Assembly5 pm Basketball: JV Girls vs.

Pulaski Academy6 pm Basketball:

SHS Lady Lions & Lionsvs. Pulaski Academy

Band: Jr. HighAll-Region Tryouts

Wrestling: Little Rock Central Tournament

6 pm Band: Christmas Parade

2 pm Band:Christmas Concert

4 pm Basketball: 7th Grade vs. Wynne (gGbB)

4:30 pm Basketball: 8th & 9th Grade vs. Clarksville

6 pm Basketball:SHS Lady Lions &

Lions vs. White Hall 7 pm Choir: AJHSChristmas Concert

7pm Choir:SWMS Christmas Concert

FFA: Eastern DistrictLeadership Conference

6 pm Wrestling: SHS vs. CAC/Maumelle

4pm Basketball:7th, 8th & 9th Girls

vs. Annie Camp6 pm Wrestling: SHS vs.

Lakeside/LR Christian7 pm Orchestra:

Christmas Concert

FFA: Greenhand/360 Leadership Conference

Basketball: Morrilton Tournament (Boys Only)

Basketball: Searcy Bank Classic

Christmas Holiday – NO SCHOOL

Christmas HolidayNO SCHOOL

Basketball: North Little Rock Junior High Tournament (9th)

Basketball: Panther Classic (Girls Only)

Wrestling: NWA Duals

Basketball: Beebe Tournament (Girls Only)Basketball: Lake Hamilton Tournament (Boys Only)

December Events Calendar

Board of EducationPresident - Linda Benson

Vice President - Dr. Brent Blakely

Secretary - Jimmy Simpson

Member - Philip Williams

Member - Dr. Michael Liles

Superintendent - Diane Barrett

Concerns regarding UPDATE may beaddressed to Betsy Bailey, Editor at

bbailey@searcyschools.org

McRae Students Learn Democratic Process on Election DayThird-grade students at McRae Elementary held a parallel elec-tion to the nation’s presidential elec-tion. Students voted for the president of cookies between two candidates - Oreo and chocolate chip. Votes were tallied for each classroom which represented each state’s votes. Then, votes were compiled into a third-grade pool representing our nation’s votes. Teachers and stu-dents discussed that a state may vote one way while the nation may elect a different candidate. Students only had their back-ground knowledge of the cookies, the

packaging, and what advertisements told them about the cook-ies to go by when they cast their vote. Students only got to taste the winning cookie. McRae’s third-grade President of Cookies is....Chocolate Chip! McRae Elementary School would like to thank parent volunteer Jenn Grady for constructing the student voting booth.

Page 4 DECEMBER 2016

Sidney Deener Elementary School principal Caroline Nail is depending on student leaders to assist her with the planning of building events and suggest ideas for involving parents on a daily basis. Each of these students were select-ed to represent their school as student advi-sors. Pictured are from left to right Elle Williams, Jaylie Sanders, Kyleigh Whal-ey, Dondria Gardner-Bailey, Elisabeth Bo-gan, Donovan Hughey, Addi-son McDonald, Abram Hernan-dez, and Noah Shelby (kneel-ing) along with principal Caroline Nail.

Students Selected to Deener Student Leadership Team