If you have not had an opportunity to fill out the survey, please do so at your earliest convenience. The survey is crucial in helping structure both our offsite and onsite learning for the 2020-21 school year. Thank you for your time and consideration.  If you have any questions or concerns please contact the district office @ 870-297-8339.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdxy-ISDT5dOCJ69NQh8hG6XWuaYPNQVRCCVHkJhwNux-PZOg/viewform

The last few months, National Beta members from Calico Rock High School have been working hard to submit their entries for the National Beta Virtual Convention. In late July, they were able to celebrate that hard work when announced as winners of the following competition: Calico Rock, Senior, Clayton Thompson 10th place in Agriscience.       Calico Rock Beta Club/Beta Member Places in National Competition

Calico Rock Senior Beta Club Members originally competed and received awards during their State Convention held in Hot SpringsLittle Rock, AR in January, 2020. Clayton Thompson received 4th place in state competition for Agriscience and team members: Jacob Crawford, Isaac Hall, Colten Clinkingbeard & Bryson Hicks all placed 1st in the state Engineering competition.  Their victory at the state level provided an opportunity to compete at the national level. The National Convention, originally planned to be held in Fort Worth, TX, was cancelled due to health and safety concerns stemming from the Coronavirus pandemic. However, over 12,000 Junior Beta (grades 4-8) and Senior Beta (grades 9-12) students were able to represent their schools in the first National Beta Virtual Convention.

"We are so proud of all our National Beta competitors.  This year they had to overcome obstacles, present their projects via video, and do online testing.  These young men went above and beyond to be successful and we thank them for their dedication.  We are so excited for Clayton to be recognized as a National Beta Convention Winner!"  says club sponsors: Melva Brannon & April Killian

With more than 500,000 active members and 8,750 clubs nationally and internationally, National Beta has become the nation's largest independent, non-profit, educational youth organization. National Beta promotes the ideals of academic achievement, character, service and leadership among elementary and secondary school students. National Junior Beta includes grades 4-8 and National Senior Beta includes grades 9-12. Visit betaclub.org for more information.

It's time to start scheduling classes!  Each day Mrs. Stephanie will be available from 8:30 to 2:30 to schedule classes with students.  

The days will be as follows:

COVID-19 Update 7-13-2020

Everyone probably knows that Governor Hutchinson and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has decided to push the start date for Arkansas schools back to August 24th.  This will be our first day of school.  Open House is scheduled for August 18th, however, it will be different this year.  Open House will be a meet and greet in the parking lot at both the high school and elementary.  This will allow for more social distancing as encouraged by the Arkansas Department of Health.  The principals will be posting more detailed information regarding the Open House event.

Also, I want to remind everyone about the survey that we sent out last week.  Please be sure to answer the survey questions promptly and honestly.  Your responses are important to us and to the decisions we have to make.  

We want our parents and students to rest assured that we will provide a safe and sanitized environment throughout the year.  Our plan is to sanitize buses and classrooms daily and multiple times when necessary.  We have purchased a room fogger for the purpose of sanitizing rooms in addition to wiping down the desk, door knobs and keyboards.  Additionally, the district has ordered water bottle filling stations to retrofit drinking fountains and more touchless paper towel dispensers.  I'm asked almost on a regular basis, "are you going to require the students to wear a mask?"  We will encourage students to wear a mask and masks will be provided for them on a limited basis.  Each student will receive three washable masks.  Teachers will also be given masks, however, it is not a requirement to wear a mask at this time.  We will also encourage social distancing as much as possible every day.  The Arkansas Department of Health has recommended that we be at least 6 feet apart and or wear a mask for the best results in combating the spread of COVID-19.  Most of you have spent some time with your children explaining the importance of this but if you haven't, please do so before the start of school.  This year, upon entrance to each building, employee's and student's temperature will be taken and a set of health questions asked.  If their temperature is less than 100.4, they can enter.  Of course, other or pre-existing policies remain in place also.  Last but not least, visitors will not be allowed in the buildings except for emergencies or in the case of prior appointment.  These are some changes taking place this year in order to protect everyone from COVID-19.

Other changes will include the method of instruction.  Traditional in class instruction and paper AMI packets are a thing of the past.  Instead, in class instruction will be blended with online learning delivered by internet or other means of technology.  The plan is to provide a Chrome Book for every student so they can utilize the internet to receive instructions and turn in their lessons.  For the students who do not have internet, hot spots will be available in different areas within the district for this purpose.  

Vendors across the state are scrambling to provide curriculum that addresses state standards for instruction.  So, frequently, we are receiving new information regarding methods of pushing out instruction and content for instruction.  We will be using the same curriculum content as in the past in addition to Lincoln Empowerment (Content) for instruction.  A Learning Management System (LMS) will be used to push out instruction to students at home.  This will allow for an easy pivot from the traditional face-to-face instruction to online learning.  

Please remember to do the survey we pushed out last week.  It is vital to making decisions for the upcoming school year.  Thank you, for your patience and understanding in these difficult times.  

I hope you and your families are practicing social distancing and taking other precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Again, thank you for your support and stay safe.

Jerry Skidmore, Superintendent

Calico Rock School District

Graduation commencement ceremonies for the Calico Rock High School Class of 2020 will be tomorrow night at 8:00 p.m. at the lower parking lot of the high school.  

Each graduating senior has 6 chairs assigned to them for their immediate family, all other family and friends will need to bring a lawn chair or a blanket for seating. Everyone is welcome.  

Please practice social distancing and wear your masks.  

For any students grades 9-12 who are interested in being on the golf team this year....

There will be a golf team meeting Tuesday July 7th, at 7:00 p.m.  We will meet at the main entrance of the high school.  We will discuss practices and protocols for the upcoming season.  If you are a returning golfer, or are interested in being on the team, please attend this meeting.  If you are unable to attend, please call the high school office and let them know you are interested but can't attend the meeting.  

I look forward to seeing you Tuesday night!  

Go Pirates!!!

Coach John Duffie