The Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education has placed an additional emphasis on making tutoring programs available to students in need. At a Feb. 10 meeting, members of the Eureka Springs School Board heard that students who have not performed well on standardized Atlas testing are eligible for up to $500 in tutoring.
Elementary Principal Clare Haozous said parents attending upcoming conferences with teachers will be encouraged to take advantage of the program. “We hope our parents will want their kids to participate,” she said. Haozous said she expects the tutoring program to help with Atlas testing later this spring.
Students in third grade are working toward the skills required for the Atlas tests, with a special focus on writing. The Atlas tests are relatively new, and teachers and students have worked on proficiency. Haozous said students will see what types of questions they will face, and they are learning how to respond to a variety of prompts.
Haozous said a recent Literacy Night had a good response from students and parents, as a local author read to the kids. Parents learned what reading and writing skills students should have at the end of second grade, and they received materials to take home for guidance.
Elementary students have been collecting for the Good Shepherd Humane Society, and they will have a field trip to visit the dogs in May.
High school juniors are preparing for ACT tests. All high school students are continuing to focus on writing skills.
In other business:
- Gifted and Talented Coordinator Jerry Wells introduced members of the school’s successful Quiz Bowl team.
- The Special Ed program received two grants recently. A grant supplied tablets to help non-verbal students communicate. Another grant provided guinea pigs for the classroom, and the students are learning to care for their new pets.
- A proposed budget for 2026-27 was approved, as required by the state.
- The board voted to continue a financial advisory agreement with First Security Beardsley. Supt. Bryan Pruitt said the school’s partnership with FSB has been productive. The agreement covers the next three years.
- All board members are up to date on their requirements for training sessions.
- Although the school district had recently been required to create zones for board members, that requirement has been reversed. All board members now serve at large. Jayme Wildeman and Gayla Wolfinbarger will come up for election this year. Prospective board members will circulate petitions between Feb. 24 and March 3.
- Pruitt’s contract was extended for another year and will run through 2028.