Alma School District

Alma High School launched its first Principal’s Leadership Academy last week! Senior student leaders nominated by AHS staff joined Mrs. Moore, Mr. Coursey, Mrs. Self, Brent Williams from FBC Alma, and Mrs. Walker for a full day of learning, collaboration, and fun. Through training sessions and activities, students explored ways to lead effectively within their teams and organizations while helping others grow as leaders. The academy prepares these seniors to make a positive impact now and help develop the next generation of leaders at AHS.

Band got that BLING, and the faces say it all! 💍 Current and former Alma High School Band directors presented championship rings to the students who made the achievement possible, including members who have since graduated. The Pride of Alma Symphonic Band earned the 2026 Class 5A State Championship at the Arkansas School Band and Orchestra Association (ASBOA) State Concert Contest in Searcy, taking first place in its first year participating! The ensemble was also designated the 5A Honor Ensemble for the 2027 ASBOA State Concert Contest, where it will give a featured performance. We’re so proud of these students and grateful to the directors who helped them reach this milestone!

Today is Custodian Appreciation Day! Thank you to our Alma School District custodians for the work you do each day to keep our schools clean, safe and welcoming. Your care for our buildings supports everyone who learns and works in them, and we appreciate all you do for our students and staff!

🏈 AMS and AHS students get in FREE this Friday, October 2, as the Airedales take on Farmington! A big thank you to Urrutia Family Dental for generously sponsoring student admission. We appreciate your support and the opportunity you’re giving our students to enjoy a Friday night cheering on the Airedales! 🐾

October is National Principals Month! 🏫👏 Join us in celebrating Mrs. Moore, Mr. Coursey, Mrs. Lyon and Mr. Bullard for the leadership, care and dedication they bring to our schools each day. Thank you for supporting our students, staff and families and for all you do for Alma School District!

Today, Alma School District administrators, Board of Education members and staff had the incredible opportunity to visit Ebbing Air National Guard Base and get an inside look at the important work happening right here in our community! ✈️

As a Purple Up district, we are proud to support our military-connected students and families. Opportunities like this deepen our appreciation for the service and sacrifice of our military community and the impact they have on the families and communities we serve.

During the visit, our group toured the base, met with personnel and even had the opportunity to see an F-35 up close!

A big thank you to the Ebbing team for welcoming us, sharing more about their mission and giving us such a memorable experience. 💚💛

More good news for Alma Middle School! The University of Arkansas Office for Education Policy has recognized AMS with two Outstanding Educational Performance Awards based on student growth on the ATLAS:

🏆 High Overall Growth (Statewide)
🏆 High Science Growth (Statewide)

The overall award reflects growth across math, English language arts and science. To determine these awards, the Office for Education Policy looks at how much students improved compared with other students who had similar prior achievement. That makes this recognition a meaningful measure of the progress AMS students are making.

These awards belong to the students who put in the work each day and the teachers, staff and families who support them. Congratulations, Alma Middle School!

Last Monday, Alma High School students and advisor Ashtan Sieber spent the day learning beyond the classroom!

Through Airelooms’ renewed membership with the Alma Area Chamber of Commerce, students joined Brian Huff and Kyle Morris for a networking breakfast at Airedale Diner. Kyle shared his business journey and encouraged students to choose kindness, build connections and always strive to do their best.

Students also joined the Arkansas DECA State Board meeting virtually from Olive Coffee before visiting the Alma Public Library, where leadership team members Barrett Curd and Jake Johnson saw their co-authored children’s book, Silly Goose, featured on the shelves! 📚

🎉 IT’S PARADE DAY! 🎉

Homecoming Week begins today, and we’re already bringing the fun! Make plans to join us tonight as we celebrate the 2026 Homecoming Court, along with our clubs and organizations.

The parade begins at 6:00 p.m. on Main Street, heads down Fayetteville Avenue and returns via Spring Street.

Please note that AHS parade participants will assemble and dismiss in the band lot area, while Little League participants will stage in the visitor parking section.

Alma Primary School kindergarten students welcomed some very special guests today as several classes celebrated Grandparents Day! Students and their grandparents enjoyed cookies, conversation and time together. We loved seeing so many sweet moments and smiling faces, with more celebrations to come tomorrow!

Alma Intermediate School has welcomed some “extra” students during Bring Your Parent to PE Week! Parents are joining their children for lessons focused on cooperation and teamwork while practicing communication, working toward shared goals, encouraging teammates and celebrating the success of others. Thank you to everyone who has joined in the fun! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🐾

Mrs. Dunn’s Alma High School healthcare students recently visited Johnson Dermatology for a behind-the-scenes look at the field! Students toured the facility, explored career opportunities in dermatology and learned more about skin health. Thank you to Johnson Dermatology for welcoming our students, sharing your expertise and sending them home with generous goody bags filled with skincare samples!

🎉 CUE THE CONFETTI! 🎉 Today, we had the honor of joining OG&E representatives in recognizing Alma High School Assistant Choir Director Kacie Ramsey as the September OG&E Power Educator of the Month! Making this recognition even sweeter, Ms. Ramsey was nominated by two of her former students. She also received a $500 DonorsChoose gift card to purchase items for her classroom. Congratulations, Ms. Ramsey! We are so proud to have you inspiring students at Alma High School!

Today, Alma High School seniors gathered once again ahead of College & Career Day to hear from UAFS Chancellor Dr. Terisa Riley and other university representatives. They shared what makes the University of Arkansas–Fort Smith a great place to continue their education, including the wide variety of programs and opportunities available. Next week, seniors will hear from even more guests as they explore their options and begin making important decisions about their futures! 🎓 UAFS Chancellor’s Office: https://uafs.edu/about/chancellor/.

We are one month into the school year, and there is already so much to celebrate at Alma High School! On Monday, students and staff gathered for the first Victory Celebration, a monthly assembly recognizing the outstanding accomplishments and positive contributions of AHS students and staff. A special thank-you to Alma TSA for hosting this month’s celebration! 🎉

🐾 Airedale MVPs
12th Grade: Tristan Nutt
11th Grade: Olivia Whipple (Not Pictured)
10th Grade: Gracelynn Edwards
9th Grade: Alexis Arnold
Faculty MVP: Emily Banks
Assistant Principals’ Award: Suzanna Powers

⭐ 2026 AP Scholars
Jackson Bauer, Savannah Butcher, Mason Flanagan, Enrique Garcia, Rebecca Gillingham, Maddie Holland, Ezra Keller, Avah Mendez, Heather Mitchell and Gianna Perreault

⭐ Boys and Girls State Delegates
Boys State: Andrew Bush and Jackson Bauer
Girls State: Hailey Kelly (Not Pictured)

⭐ Arkansas Governor’s School Participants
Jessica Coleman, Braxton DeLude, Lilly Fimple, Enrique Garcia and Nate Lyon

🎭 Theatre Students Earning NFHS Certifications
Ariah Barker, Alayla Bartlett, Kira Burris, Shane Costigan, Emma Davis, Rachel DeWater, Raylee Fryar, Raylee Goodwin, Zach Gribbin-Riley, Jadyn Hayes, Grace Ivy, Isabella Koperski, Jaxon Loyd, Cody McLemore, Josh Merriweather, Adison Rayburn, Keyeen Rhodes, Julius Vargas, Bryson Vasquez, Abel Wassenaar, Connor Waid, Emma Wittenborn and Jonmika Wright

⭐ Additional Student Honors
Ellyse Wright was elected to the Arkansas Council for Military Children.
Saydee Hammonds earned a junior board position with the Midwest American Aberdeen Association.
Hailey Kelly was named the Farm Bureau Ag Student of the Month.

👏 Staff Recognition
AHS Career Coach Lindsey Johnson received the ACTE Top Performing Career Coach Award for submitting the highest number of college applications during the Why Apply Campaign.

🏆 School Recognition
Alma High School was named a U.S. News & World Report Best High School!

Congratulations to each of this month’s honorees! We are proud to celebrate the many ways our students and staff are achieving, leading and making a difference at Alma High School!

💻 Tuesday, September 15, is IT Professionals Day, and we’re excited to celebrate the team that keeps Alma School District connected! A big thank-you to Technology Director Thad Nipp, Network/Server Analyst Skip Thompson, Technician Cole Seratt, Network Administrator Chris Burress, Technician Basil Kenner, and Technology Specialist Amy Brewer. Whether they’re solving technical issues, supporting classrooms, or keeping systems running across the district, their work makes a difference every day! 🌟 Help us show our appreciation by leaving a note of thanks for our Technology Team in the comments! 👏

Eighth-grade DECA members put their skills into action before Friday’s game, gaining real-world retail experience at Airelooms! Operated by Alma High School DECA members, Airelooms offers Airedale apparel and spirit gear for fans of all ages. What a great opportunity for these students to learn, lead, and serve their community!

A Slam Dunk for Reading! 📚🏀

Several kindergarten classes at Alma Primary School welcomed special visitors this afternoon as members of the Airedale varsity basketball team stopped by to read with students! The players will return this spring, when the roles will reverse and the kindergarteners will get to read to them. We love seeing our students connect across campuses!