Eureka Springs School Superintendent Bryan Pruitt said the schools were closed because of weather Jan. 25 and 26, and from Jan. 30 to Feb. 3, using most of the state allotted snow days.
“We have used seven alternative methods of instruction (AMI) days so far,” Pruitt said. “We’re allowed ten before we have to make them up. If we use more than ten, we have to use spring break, other holidays, or add days to the end of school. This past year, we used nine total. To use seven this quickly is a little scary. So, we hope that we don’t get hit again.”
Students in grades 7 through 12 were required to do lessons available online through Google Classroom. Some students didn’t have power and were allowed more time to complete assignments. K-6 students received paper packets to complete their AMI requirements.
“To be counted present, they have to do the assignments,” Pruitt said. “These online assignments are really prepping kids for college because that is what they do in college. They get assignments emailed to them, and a deadline to email them back in. It is a win-win. It gives our kids the chance to be ready for the next step when they move on to college. We also have to keep students ready for end-of-year summative assessments. We want to hit the ground running and not waste any time getting our kids ready for those assessments. That goes into our school’s ranking with the state.”
Pruitt took issue with some politicians in the state who have been critical of public education in Arkansas.
“That is not all of Arkansas,” Pruitt said. “The rest of us feel like we are being attacked. We have loyal, dedicated teachers, students and parents. We are working hard and scoring well.”
Prior to the most recent winter storm, there was some strep throat and flu in the elementary school.
“I think that break helped us,” Pruitt said Feb. 6. “Things have cleared up now. We were hit at the right time to get a little break. Today no one is out with flu or strep throat. And there is not one incidence of Covid at school or at home. It looks like today everyone is here and is ready to get back at it. Everyone seems to be healthy.”