March 29, 2016

Hard to believe Friday is April Fools' Day.

Head's Up

Friday, April 1st is the first, First Friday of the season. Bentonville Schools will have booth space at every first Friday for students and staff to connect with the community. This space should be used for community engagement, so let me know if you have ideas.

Saturday, April 2nd is the Bentonville Half Marathon. A great place to cheer the runners is at Tennie Russell, Sugar Creek, and Thomas Jefferson.

I know it's a whole summer away, but August First Friday theme is "Back-to-School." Downtown Bentonville Inc. is giving us a street, yep, a street - quite possibly Main Street in front of  Walton's 5 & 10 this year - for us to use. Start thinking about what you might want to do with the space. Last year we had the first ever competition between BHS and BWHS, and Old High brought in a mobile makerspace.

Monday, April 4th is National School Librarian Day. Where would we be without librarians! I for one wouldn't have anyone to point out my misstakes.

Tuesday, April 5th the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce and the Governor's Workforce Development Campaign bring their mobile Be Pro Be Proud trailer to BHS to promote skilled trades as a career option.

Tuesday, April 5th is National Deep Dish Pizza Day. Deliver my Ditka to 500 Tiger Boulevard.

Thanks to all who are participating in the Best Buddies Friendship Walk on Saturday, April 23rd. This is truly a great cause and will impact so many in our community. While you're there, make sure to visit the Diversabiities Awareness activities at Lawrence Plaza. It's probably time for someone to start a Diversabilities Club. (hint, hint) It's also the first Farmers' Market of the Year.

@bpscommunity

While you were away, I made sure that the downtown restaurants kept their quality up.

Remember to send news items and information on the awesomeness that's happening in your classrooms on a daily basis to pstolt@bentonvillek12.org and khelm@bentonvillek12.org.

Wait a minute, kids 9 - 13 can go to college? They can at NWACC from June 6th to July 28th. NWACC Kid's College engages children ages 9 - 13 in fun, educational short-courses on campus. Learn more and register at nwacc.edu/kidscollege.

Crystal Bridges summer camp registration is open. This year, Crystal Bridges and the Scott Family Amazeum are partnering to present How It's Made as one of the offerings. Details http://crystalbridges.org/events/category/summer-camp/list/

And now for something completely different. Washington Junior High is hosting S.E.R.E. Camp Jr. for 5 weeks starting Monday, April 4th to teach reading survival skills. Check this link for details. First person to get the reference in the first sentence wins a Subway sandwich.

Grants and PD

Check out Economics Arkansas for some great programs for educators. http://www.economicsarkansas.org/our_supporters/event_calendar.html/calendar/2016/4

Video of the Week

April is National Humor Month. I guarantee a chuckle out of this talk.



Have a great week.

March 15, 2016

Final week before Spring Break!

Head's Up

In case you forgot, next week March 21 - 25, 2016 is SPRING BREAK!

Not sure, but April might be the most aware month of the year.
It's Autism Awareness Month, National Child Abuse Prevention Month, Food Health Awareness Month, National Youth Sports Safety Month, Sexual Abuse Awareness Month, and National Humor Month. There's nothing funny about any of these. But a sense of humor will help make the world a better place.

The Bentonville 1/2 Marathon in Saturday, April 2, 2016. Get out and support those runners. If you want to do something special and unique, like, say, have a collaborative art project along the route, let Josh Stacey at Bentonville Parks and Recreations know.

Last meeting for Diversabilities Awareness Festival is Thursday, March 17, 2016 from 4:15 to 5:15 pm. Thanks to all who filled out the google form last week to sign up and have students participate on Saturday, April 23. Need more information on Best Buddies Walk? Find it here.

@bpscommunity

AT&T brought their "It Can Wait" anti-texting and driving campaign to BHS last Monday and Tuesday. I was able to get into the simulator, and it was quite an interactive experience. BHS Assistant Principal Ben Lewis didn't survive his drive.

The good people at Arthrex Surgical Equipment and Dr. Brian Dougherty brought live surgery back to BHS last week when they performed an arthroscopic surgery on a cadaver shoulder. It was so quiet you would have thought you were in a (blank.) A little interactive piece for you.

Students from Ruth Barker and BHS collaborated on projects to teach the community about the Civil Rights Movement. The projects were exceptional and in a first, at least for me, included both a digital and good old-fashioned analog handmade project.

Hundreds of people came out for Arts and Academic Night at Old High Middle School last week. There were so many clever activities that visitors could engage in. It's amazing to see how many different ways academic content can be infused with the arts.







Dyslexia Specialist Kristen Kossover and Assistant Principals Tracey Wood, Leslie Lyons, and Angie Stafford presented on BPS RtI process to support Dyslexic students and support students. Word on the street says their presentation was packed!

The Tiger basketball team has to be congratulated for playing in what can only be described and challenging circumstances in Hot Springs at the state tournament. Huge crowds showed up and stayed for the Bentonville game vs. Cabot. This game could have made a dent in the capacity at Verizon Arena. Coach McMahon and his players showed a lot of class.



Fulbright and Washington Junior High robotics teams won a regional competion and are heading to world championships in Kentucky in April.

I'm a little jealous about not being invited to attend SXSW edu conference. BPS had a contingent of influencers in attendance for this conference known for innovative ideas.

Grants and PD

KEEN Footwear is providing up to $10,000 for outdoor projects. Interest click here.

Video of the Week

Starting to like these videos from John Spencer.


Enjoy your week. Have an excellent break!

March 8, 2016

Not going to jinx it. Not going to even mention that we haven't had a snow day this year. Nope not going to do it.

Head's Up

Do you know kids who are looking for volunteer hours, or just want to make a difference in the community? Diversabiities Awareness Festival and Best Buddies Friendship Walk could use their help on Saturday, April 23, 2016 from 8:00am to 12:00 at Lawrence Plaza in Downtown Bentonville.
For more information on Best Buddies, contact Sheila Munn, Kathy Breed, or Libby Shaller.

If you're having students create projects to raise
awareness of Diversabilities, fill out this form by Friday, March 11, 2016. Contact Paul Stolt for information on Diversabilities.

Friday is also the last day to suggest names for Elementary 11 and Middle School 5. Use this form.

Crohn's Disease or Colitis affect millions of Americans and many in our community suffer from the debilitating effects of these two often misunderstood diseases. You can help raise awareness and funds to support research by participating in Take Steps for Crohn's and Colitis April 9, 2016. It's also another great opportunity for students to get involved in a community event.

Some of you may know Ann Taylor. She's an exceptional Bentonville educator who battled through Leukemia and is now cancer free, but not cancer forgotten. Help her become the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Woman of the year.

Daylight savings ends this Sunday. Use those Starbucks cards you got in December Monday.

High School students are invited to enter the Congressional Art Competition. Winning entries are displayed in Washington, D.C.

@bentonvillecommunity

I was talking to a teacher this weekend and was asked about how best notify communications about upcoming events. He said: "You should have a form for that." Here it is. http://goo.gl/forms/YUbSe0iGfW Save it to your desktop. Or you can email khelm@bentonvillek12.org or pstolt@bentonvillek12.org. Done.

The collaboration between Apple Glen and Bentonville Schools, Crystal Bridges, Bentonville Public Library, and the Amazeum created an exceptional community event to celebrate this year's One District, One Book - The One and Only Ivan.

Maybe the most interesting part about this day was that it was nearly impossible to tell who was a Bentonville family and who was visiting the museum. We are so fortunate to have these community partners to help us create learning opportunities for all families.

Last Friday, RE Baker dedicated a new set of swings for students with special needs. The best part about this event was that students initiated and lead this celebration. The swings were one of the projects created as part of the McLarty Daniel School Support Program. In every elementary school that has participated, the student projects have all been targeted toward supporting peers and the community. 

Nice little news article can be viewed here http://www.nwahomepage.com/news/bentonville-school-unveils-accessible-swings

Grants & PD

Cox Communication's Innovation in Education program awards grants up to $2,500 to fund classroom and school-wide projects that encourage and promote students' innovation and imagination.

Video of the Week

Don't take this one personally, just thought it was a clever commentary on the times in which we live.



Now, get out there and take some selfies!