THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL IS TOMORROW!
The 2026–2027 school year officially begins tomorrow for our K–12 Airedales! Before heading to bed tonight, take a few minutes to make sure your family is ready.
🚌 Transportation
Double-check your student’s bus route, pick-up time, and transportation plan. Please remember that routes may run a little slower during the first few days as everyone settles into a routine.
➡️ https://www.almasd.net/page/transportation
⏰ Arrival & Dismissal Times
Review your child’s campus handbook for school hours, arrival and dismissal procedures, attendance information, and other important expectations.
➡️ https://www.almasd.net/documents/state-required-information/student-handbooks/452404
🍎 Breakfast & Lunch
Take a look at what’s being served and talk with your child about their meal plans for tomorrow.
➡️ https://menus.healthepro.com/organizations/820
💳 Meal Payments
Parents may add money to student meal accounts online through MyPaymentsPlus. New users will need to create a profile before making a payment.
➡️ https://www.almasd.net/o/asd/page/mypaymentplus
🥪 Free and Reduced-Price Meals
Families are encouraged to complete a meal application. Until an application is processed, households are responsible for the full price of meals.
➡️ https://www.almasd.net/page/child-nutrition-services
📱 Stay Connected
Make sure you have the Alma Schools app downloaded and notifications turned on. Rooms will be our primary tool for classroom and school-to-home communication throughout the year. Pre-K and kindergarten families, please stay tuned - we are still working to provide you with Rooms access!
➡️ https://www.almasd.net/o/asd/page/rooms-support
A Few Final Reminders for Tomorrow:
✅ Pack backpacks and lay out clothes tonight.
✅ Label lunchboxes, water bottles, jackets, and other belongings.
✅ Make sure your child knows how they will get home.
✅ Allow extra time for heavier traffic and longer drop-off and pick-up lines.
✅ Get a good night’s rest - we’ll see you in the morning!
You can also find these resources, school supply lists, health information, enrollment details, and more in our Back-to-School Hub:
🔗 https://www.almasd.net/page/back-to-school-hub
We appreciate everyone’s patience and flexibility as our students, families, drivers, and staff settle into a new routine. We can’t wait to welcome our Airedales tomorrow for an amazing first day! ✏️📚🚌
The 2026–2027 school year officially begins tomorrow for our K–12 Airedales! Before heading to bed tonight, take a few minutes to make sure your family is ready.
🚌 Transportation
Double-check your student’s bus route, pick-up time, and transportation plan. Please remember that routes may run a little slower during the first few days as everyone settles into a routine.
➡️ https://www.almasd.net/page/transportation
⏰ Arrival & Dismissal Times
Review your child’s campus handbook for school hours, arrival and dismissal procedures, attendance information, and other important expectations.
➡️ https://www.almasd.net/documents/state-required-information/student-handbooks/452404
🍎 Breakfast & Lunch
Take a look at what’s being served and talk with your child about their meal plans for tomorrow.
➡️ https://menus.healthepro.com/organizations/820
💳 Meal Payments
Parents may add money to student meal accounts online through MyPaymentsPlus. New users will need to create a profile before making a payment.
➡️ https://www.almasd.net/o/asd/page/mypaymentplus
🥪 Free and Reduced-Price Meals
Families are encouraged to complete a meal application. Until an application is processed, households are responsible for the full price of meals.
➡️ https://www.almasd.net/page/child-nutrition-services
📱 Stay Connected
Make sure you have the Alma Schools app downloaded and notifications turned on. Rooms will be our primary tool for classroom and school-to-home communication throughout the year. Pre-K and kindergarten families, please stay tuned - we are still working to provide you with Rooms access!
➡️ https://www.almasd.net/o/asd/page/rooms-support
A Few Final Reminders for Tomorrow:
✅ Pack backpacks and lay out clothes tonight.
✅ Label lunchboxes, water bottles, jackets, and other belongings.
✅ Make sure your child knows how they will get home.
✅ Allow extra time for heavier traffic and longer drop-off and pick-up lines.
✅ Get a good night’s rest - we’ll see you in the morning!
You can also find these resources, school supply lists, health information, enrollment details, and more in our Back-to-School Hub:
🔗 https://www.almasd.net/page/back-to-school-hub
We appreciate everyone’s patience and flexibility as our students, families, drivers, and staff settle into a new routine. We can’t wait to welcome our Airedales tomorrow for an amazing first day! ✏️📚🚌
A few sweet highlights from the first day of Pre-K! ✏️🖍️💚💛
Thank you to our families for entrusting us with your precious little ones on this exciting first day - and to our amazing teachers who are already loving, encouraging, and teaching them so well. We’re looking forward to a wonderful year of learning, growing, and making memories together! 🐾
Thank you to our families for entrusting us with your precious little ones on this exciting first day - and to our amazing teachers who are already loving, encouraging, and teaching them so well. We’re looking forward to a wonderful year of learning, growing, and making memories together! 🐾
💧 Science or magic? ✨
Today was Great Start, and Ms. Neihouse already had her ninth-grade students hard at work! Colton Schluterman demonstrated “mysterious water suspension” for the class.
📸 Photo 1: Air pressure pushed up while water pressure pressed down.
📸 Photo 2: The card was removed, but the water “magically” stayed in the jar thanks to surface tension - and a screen hidden from the class!
What a fun, hands-on way to kick off the new school year! 🧪🔬
Today was Great Start, and Ms. Neihouse already had her ninth-grade students hard at work! Colton Schluterman demonstrated “mysterious water suspension” for the class.
📸 Photo 1: Air pressure pushed up while water pressure pressed down.
📸 Photo 2: The card was removed, but the water “magically” stayed in the jar thanks to surface tension - and a screen hidden from the class!
What a fun, hands-on way to kick off the new school year! 🧪🔬
It’s Back-to-School Week, and we’re off to a GREAT START!
Today, students in grades 3, 6, and 9 returned for Great Start—a half-day opportunity to explore their new campuses, meet their teachers, learn their schedules, and get comfortable before the first full day of school! 🏫📚✏️
We loved seeing our Airedales back on campus and can’t wait to welcome everyone soon!
Today, students in grades 3, 6, and 9 returned for Great Start—a half-day opportunity to explore their new campuses, meet their teachers, learn their schedules, and get comfortable before the first full day of school! 🏫📚✏️
We loved seeing our Airedales back on campus and can’t wait to welcome everyone soon!
📚 Find the Right Book with Lexile® Reading Levels!
Finding a book that is the right fit can make all the difference in building reading skills and confidence. Alma School District has leveled our library collection using Lexile® measures to help students find books that match their reading ability.
We encourage students to choose a book that is “just right” - one that provides the right balance of challenge, growth, and confidence.
Families can find their student’s most recent Lexile level through the Atlas portal. For additional support, please reach out to your student’s Literacy teacher.
📖 Looking for your student’s next great read?
Explore Lexile® Find a Book through the Lexile & Quantile Hub to search for books based on reading level and interests, explore vocabulary by chapter, and make reading an engaging part of everyday life.
Start exploring today:
🔗 Hub.Lexile.com/Find-A-Book
Happy reading, Airedales!
Finding a book that is the right fit can make all the difference in building reading skills and confidence. Alma School District has leveled our library collection using Lexile® measures to help students find books that match their reading ability.
We encourage students to choose a book that is “just right” - one that provides the right balance of challenge, growth, and confidence.
Families can find their student’s most recent Lexile level through the Atlas portal. For additional support, please reach out to your student’s Literacy teacher.
📖 Looking for your student’s next great read?
Explore Lexile® Find a Book through the Lexile & Quantile Hub to search for books based on reading level and interests, explore vocabulary by chapter, and make reading an engaging part of everyday life.
Start exploring today:
🔗 Hub.Lexile.com/Find-A-Book
Happy reading, Airedales!
🎉 That’s a wrap on Open House! 🎉
We had so much fun seeing our halls filled with students, families, and excitement for the new school year! 💚💛
Thank you to everyone who came out to meet teachers, visit classrooms, reconnect with friends, and get ready for an amazing year ahead. We can’t wait to see our students back in the halls!
Bring on the 2026–2027 school year! 🐾
We had so much fun seeing our halls filled with students, families, and excitement for the new school year! 💚💛
Thank you to everyone who came out to meet teachers, visit classrooms, reconnect with friends, and get ready for an amazing year ahead. We can’t wait to see our students back in the halls!
Bring on the 2026–2027 school year! 🐾
A sweet surprise for our transportation and maintenance teams!
A huge thank you to Autumn Grant, our Transportation/Maintenance Secretary, for organizing a special treat for our mechanics last week! Autumn reached out to Anything’s Popsicle and invited them to bring the ice cream truck by, and they were happy to help us celebrate the hard work of our transportation and maintenance teams.
Our mechanics enjoyed some delicious ice cream and a well-deserved break. We appreciate Autumn for helping make this happen and for finding a fun way to show our team how much they are valued! 💛🍦🚌
A huge thank you to Autumn Grant, our Transportation/Maintenance Secretary, for organizing a special treat for our mechanics last week! Autumn reached out to Anything’s Popsicle and invited them to bring the ice cream truck by, and they were happy to help us celebrate the hard work of our transportation and maintenance teams.
Our mechanics enjoyed some delicious ice cream and a well-deserved break. We appreciate Autumn for helping make this happen and for finding a fun way to show our team how much they are valued! 💛🍦🚌
Join us Friday, August 14 at 7:30 PM at Airedale Stadium for a night full of school spirit, excitement, and Airedale pride!
We will be introducing our 7th through 12th grade athletes and activities, including football, dance, cheer, volleyball, cross country, and tennis. We are also excited to continue celebrating our younger Airedales with the second year of introducing 2nd through 6th grade tackle football and cheer!
Following the student and athlete introductions, get ready for the second annual Big Dog - Little Dog Game, where our 3rd and 4th grade Little Airedales will take on the high school football team!
Bring your family and friends and join us for a fun night as we kick off another great year of Airedale athletics and activities!
We will be introducing our 7th through 12th grade athletes and activities, including football, dance, cheer, volleyball, cross country, and tennis. We are also excited to continue celebrating our younger Airedales with the second year of introducing 2nd through 6th grade tackle football and cheer!
Following the student and athlete introductions, get ready for the second annual Big Dog - Little Dog Game, where our 3rd and 4th grade Little Airedales will take on the high school football team!
Bring your family and friends and join us for a fun night as we kick off another great year of Airedale athletics and activities!
It's Open House Day! 🎉
The wait is almost over! Today is your chance to meet teachers, explore classrooms, and get ready for an amazing school year. We're just a few days away from welcoming our Airedales back!
Upcoming Dates:
🏫 Today (Aug. 6): District-Wide Open House | 3:30–6:30 PM
✏️ Aug. 10: Kindergarten Open House | 8:30–11:30 AM
🚀 Aug. 10: Great Start for Grades 3, 6 & 9 (Schedule Below)
🖍️ Aug. 11: First Day of Pre-K
🎒 Aug. 12: First Day of School (K–12)
Great Start Schedules (Monday, Aug. 10)
Alma Intermediate (3rd Grade)
• 7:30 AM – Doors Open (Parents may walk students to the morning area)
• 8:00 AM – Students released to classrooms (Parents may walk to the classroom door)
• 11:05 AM – Lunch
• 12:10 PM – Parent Pick-Up
• 12:15 PM – Bus Dismissal
Alma Middle School (6th Grade)
• 7:45 AM – Doors Open
• 8:30 AM – 1st Period Begins
• 12:27 PM – Dismissal
Alma High School (9th Grade)
• 7:45–8:10 AM – Arrival & Breakfast
• 8:10–8:25 AM – Welcome at Skokos PAC
• 8:25–11:50 AM – Tours & Schedule Run-Through
• 11:50 AM–12:25 PM – Lunch at the Student Union
• 12:15 PM – Parent Pick-Up
• 12:25 PM – Bus Dismissal
We can't wait to see everyone at Open House today and officially kick off another great year in Alma Public Schools!
🔗 Back-to-School Hub: https://www.almasd.net/page/back-to-school-hub
The wait is almost over! Today is your chance to meet teachers, explore classrooms, and get ready for an amazing school year. We're just a few days away from welcoming our Airedales back!
Upcoming Dates:
🏫 Today (Aug. 6): District-Wide Open House | 3:30–6:30 PM
✏️ Aug. 10: Kindergarten Open House | 8:30–11:30 AM
🚀 Aug. 10: Great Start for Grades 3, 6 & 9 (Schedule Below)
🖍️ Aug. 11: First Day of Pre-K
🎒 Aug. 12: First Day of School (K–12)
Great Start Schedules (Monday, Aug. 10)
Alma Intermediate (3rd Grade)
• 7:30 AM – Doors Open (Parents may walk students to the morning area)
• 8:00 AM – Students released to classrooms (Parents may walk to the classroom door)
• 11:05 AM – Lunch
• 12:10 PM – Parent Pick-Up
• 12:15 PM – Bus Dismissal
Alma Middle School (6th Grade)
• 7:45 AM – Doors Open
• 8:30 AM – 1st Period Begins
• 12:27 PM – Dismissal
Alma High School (9th Grade)
• 7:45–8:10 AM – Arrival & Breakfast
• 8:10–8:25 AM – Welcome at Skokos PAC
• 8:25–11:50 AM – Tours & Schedule Run-Through
• 11:50 AM–12:25 PM – Lunch at the Student Union
• 12:15 PM – Parent Pick-Up
• 12:25 PM – Bus Dismissal
We can't wait to see everyone at Open House today and officially kick off another great year in Alma Public Schools!
🔗 Back-to-School Hub: https://www.almasd.net/page/back-to-school-hub
Welcome, Airedale Academy Cohort of 2026! 🎉
Today we officially kicked off Airedale Academy and welcomed our newest Team Airedale members to the Alma School District family! We’re so excited to have this amazing group joining us as they begin a new chapter of inspiring, supporting, and making a difference for our students.
Please help us give the Airedale Academy Cohort of 2026 a warm Team Airedale welcome! 🐾
Guardians of students who attended an Alma School during the 2025-2026 school year should have received a Returning Student Registration email. Please review the information provided, make any needed updates, and complete the registration process before Open House on Thursday, August 6.
If you have not seen this email, please check your spam or junk folder, as these messages and registration links sometimes get filtered there.
This registration process applies only to students who were enrolled in Alma School District last year. Families with new students should follow the new student enrollment process.
Thank you for helping us ensure we have accurate information for the start of the new school year!
If you have not seen this email, please check your spam or junk folder, as these messages and registration links sometimes get filtered there.
This registration process applies only to students who were enrolled in Alma School District last year. Families with new students should follow the new student enrollment process.
Thank you for helping us ensure we have accurate information for the start of the new school year!
🐾 New Role Announcement
Alma School District is excited to announce that Sara Hubbs will be stepping into a new role at Alma High School!
Sara brings 12 years of teaching experience to her new position, and this school year marks her fourth year serving the Alma School District. Throughout her career, she has worked with students in grades 7–12 as a literacy teacher, dyslexia and reading interventionist, and cheer coach.
A graduate of Van Buren High School, Sara earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Arkansas–Fort Smith, a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of Arkansas at Monticello, and a Master of Science in Library Media and Information Technologies from the University of Central Arkansas. She is passionate about fostering curiosity, confidence, and a lifelong love of reading and learning while helping students develop strong critical thinking and information literacy skills.
Outside of school, Sara enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, reading, cooking for friends and family, and visiting the beach.
In her new role, Sara looks forward to continuing to grow as an educator while serving as a compassionate and enthusiastic resource for students and staff. She is excited to collaborate with teachers to strengthen instruction by connecting students with meaningful print and digital resources, building research and information literacy skills, and using technology to enhance learning.
Please join us in congratulating Sara on her new role! We’re excited to see the continued impact she will make for the students and staff at Alma High School.
Alma School District is excited to announce that Sara Hubbs will be stepping into a new role at Alma High School!
Sara brings 12 years of teaching experience to her new position, and this school year marks her fourth year serving the Alma School District. Throughout her career, she has worked with students in grades 7–12 as a literacy teacher, dyslexia and reading interventionist, and cheer coach.
A graduate of Van Buren High School, Sara earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Arkansas–Fort Smith, a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of Arkansas at Monticello, and a Master of Science in Library Media and Information Technologies from the University of Central Arkansas. She is passionate about fostering curiosity, confidence, and a lifelong love of reading and learning while helping students develop strong critical thinking and information literacy skills.
Outside of school, Sara enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, reading, cooking for friends and family, and visiting the beach.
In her new role, Sara looks forward to continuing to grow as an educator while serving as a compassionate and enthusiastic resource for students and staff. She is excited to collaborate with teachers to strengthen instruction by connecting students with meaningful print and digital resources, building research and information literacy skills, and using technology to enhance learning.
Please join us in congratulating Sara on her new role! We’re excited to see the continued impact she will make for the students and staff at Alma High School.
🎉 Just ONE week from today until Open House! 🎉
Can you believe it? The excitement is real, and we can't wait to welcome our students and staff back for another amazing school year!
As you prepare for the first day, don't forget to visit our Back-to-School Hub - your one-stop resource for everything you need to start the year off right! You'll find school supply lists, Open House information, registration resources, calendars, and more.
LINK: https://www.almasd.net/page/back-to-school-hub
We can't wait to see everyone next week. Go Airedales! 🐾
Can you believe it? The excitement is real, and we can't wait to welcome our students and staff back for another amazing school year!
As you prepare for the first day, don't forget to visit our Back-to-School Hub - your one-stop resource for everything you need to start the year off right! You'll find school supply lists, Open House information, registration resources, calendars, and more.
LINK: https://www.almasd.net/page/back-to-school-hub
We can't wait to see everyone next week. Go Airedales! 🐾
Summer learning doesn't stop for our educators!
This week, our 3rd grade math teachers are diving deep into professional development - rolling up their sleeves to analyze assessments, align them to state standards, and calibrate achievement level descriptors so every assessment truly reflects student understanding.
It's this kind of behind-the-scenes work that ensures our students are set up for success from day one of the new school year. Proud of our teachers for choosing growth, even in the summer!
This week, our 3rd grade math teachers are diving deep into professional development - rolling up their sleeves to analyze assessments, align them to state standards, and calibrate achievement level descriptors so every assessment truly reflects student understanding.
It's this kind of behind-the-scenes work that ensures our students are set up for success from day one of the new school year. Proud of our teachers for choosing growth, even in the summer!
Sharing best practices beyond our district!
We're proud of Alma Middle School Principal Mr. Coursey for presenting at the Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators (AAEA) Conference in partnership with McNair Middle School. Together, they shared successful middle school instructional practices and highlighted the impact of the Schools to Watch program.
Thank you, Mr. Coursey, for representing Alma with excellence and for sharing innovative strategies that are making a difference for students - not only in our district, but across Arkansas. Your leadership continues to inspire others in education!
We're proud of Alma Middle School Principal Mr. Coursey for presenting at the Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators (AAEA) Conference in partnership with McNair Middle School. Together, they shared successful middle school instructional practices and highlighted the impact of the Schools to Watch program.
Thank you, Mr. Coursey, for representing Alma with excellence and for sharing innovative strategies that are making a difference for students - not only in our district, but across Arkansas. Your leadership continues to inspire others in education!
Alma School District Career & Technical Education teachers recently attended the Arkansas ACTE State Conference in Benton, where they participated in professional learning, networking, and statewide Career & Technical Education updates.
Throughout the conference, our educators attended sessions focused on new CTE initiatives, connected with teachers from across Arkansas, and participated in CTSO meetings to bring back fresh ideas for our classrooms.
"I enjoyed networking with the other business educators and bringing home new strategies that will benefit both our students and community members," said Alma High School business teacher Ashtan Sieber.
We are also proud to share that, through Perkins funding, several Alma teachers were awarded new classroom equipment to enhance hands-on learning opportunities for our students.
We appreciate our CTE educators' commitment to continuous learning and their dedication to providing students with relevant, high-quality career and technical education experiences.
Throughout the conference, our educators attended sessions focused on new CTE initiatives, connected with teachers from across Arkansas, and participated in CTSO meetings to bring back fresh ideas for our classrooms.
"I enjoyed networking with the other business educators and bringing home new strategies that will benefit both our students and community members," said Alma High School business teacher Ashtan Sieber.
We are also proud to share that, through Perkins funding, several Alma teachers were awarded new classroom equipment to enhance hands-on learning opportunities for our students.
We appreciate our CTE educators' commitment to continuous learning and their dedication to providing students with relevant, high-quality career and technical education experiences.
Great things continue to happen for Alma School District at the AAEA Summer Conference! 🎉
Michael Bridges, Alma School District’s GT & AP Coordinator, was selected as the Arkansas Association of Gifted Education Administrators (AAGEA) Administrator of the Year and was recognized during the AAEA Summer Conference.
Congratulations to Michael on this well-deserved honor! His leadership, dedication, and commitment to supporting gifted and advanced learners make a lasting impact on our students and schools.
Pictured: Michael Bridges with Superintendent Kevin Hesslen and Assistant Superintendent Brian Kirkendoll.
Michael Bridges, Alma School District’s GT & AP Coordinator, was selected as the Arkansas Association of Gifted Education Administrators (AAGEA) Administrator of the Year and was recognized during the AAEA Summer Conference.
Congratulations to Michael on this well-deserved honor! His leadership, dedication, and commitment to supporting gifted and advanced learners make a lasting impact on our students and schools.
Pictured: Michael Bridges with Superintendent Kevin Hesslen and Assistant Superintendent Brian Kirkendoll.
On Monday, the Alma High School NJROTC Color Guard had the honor of presenting the colors during the opening session of the Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators Conference in Little Rock. We are proud of these students for representing Alma High School with pride and professionalism!
🚐📚 Final Week of the Bookmobile! ☀️
We’re rolling into the final week of our summer Bookmobile season! A huge thank-you to everyone who has hopped aboard this summer to check out books, find new favorites, and keep the pages turning.
This week, we’ll be focused on returning books, but meals will still be available at our scheduled stops!
If you still have books checked out, be sure to return them during our final week. We’d love to see you one more time before the Bookmobile rolls away for the summer!
Thank you for making this summer of reading so special! 💛
We’re rolling into the final week of our summer Bookmobile season! A huge thank-you to everyone who has hopped aboard this summer to check out books, find new favorites, and keep the pages turning.
This week, we’ll be focused on returning books, but meals will still be available at our scheduled stops!
If you still have books checked out, be sure to return them during our final week. We’d love to see you one more time before the Bookmobile rolls away for the summer!
Thank you for making this summer of reading so special! 💛
Congratulations, Lindsey Johnson!
Lindsey was recently recognized as an AAC Top Performing Career Coach at ACTE!
Her recognition honors her for having the highest number of students in the state who submitted applications for enrollment during the 2025 Arkansas Applied Campaign.
We are so proud of Lindsey and her dedication to helping students take the next step toward their futures!
Lindsey was recently recognized as an AAC Top Performing Career Coach at ACTE!
Her recognition honors her for having the highest number of students in the state who submitted applications for enrollment during the 2025 Arkansas Applied Campaign.
We are so proud of Lindsey and her dedication to helping students take the next step toward their futures!
