With little more than a week remaining before the holiday break, the Eureka Springs School Board met Monday night.
School will close after Dec. 19, and students will return on Jan. 3. With the semester winding down, the three principals offered brief updates on their schools. High School Principal David Gilmore said students are taking semester tests on Dec. 15 and Dec. 18, with Dec. 19 available as a make-up date. Gilmore said the staff has been “keeping an eye on seniors,” to make sure they stay on track in meeting credit requirements.
The Middle School has field trips to Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art upcoming for students in grades 7-8. Principal Caen Dowell said the band room has been “spruced up,” and he mentioned a band concert scheduled for the following night.
Elementary Principal Clare Haozous went into some detail in describing efforts in phonemic awareness in the lowest grades. The board members were familiar with phonics, but Haozous explained the importance of learning sounds before beginning to use written letters. She described the plan as “pre-phonics,” and said the steps help children isolate sounds and then blend them together. Haozous said the lowest grades work on phonemes every day, in a “fast paced and fun” structure.
The board approved an update to the tech resources policy. The update covers compliance with restrictions against political opinions or illegal activity on school technology.
December brings an annual donation of gift certificates for school staff. Jim Nelson, owner of Nelson Leather, once again provided $35 certificates to all school staff.