We are thrilled to congratulate Blake Holsted of Alma High School, who has been selected as a National Merit Semi-Finalist! This prestigious recognition honors students who score among the top performers on the PSAT/NMSQT and demonstrate exceptional academic achievement, dedication, and hard work.
Becoming a National Merit Semi-Finalist is a remarkable accomplishment, and Blake’s success reflects not only personal commitment but also the support of our teachers, family, and community. We are incredibly proud of Blake and look forward to celebrating this achievement as he moves toward the next stage of the National Merit Scholarship process!
Becoming a National Merit Semi-Finalist is a remarkable accomplishment, and Blake’s success reflects not only personal commitment but also the support of our teachers, family, and community. We are incredibly proud of Blake and look forward to celebrating this achievement as he moves toward the next stage of the National Merit Scholarship process!
Mrs. Price’s science students at Alma Middle School have been experimenting with bath bombs! They tested individual ingredients like baking soda, citric acid, Epsom salts, and oils — trying to answer the question: “What makes a bath bomb fizz?”
Individually, nothing happened — no bubbles, no fizz! Next, they combined ingredients and discovered the secret duo that makes the magic happen (we’re keeping that part under wraps for next year’s kids 😉).
Up next: uncovering the mystery gas that’s being created. Stay tuned — our budding scientists are on the case!
Individually, nothing happened — no bubbles, no fizz! Next, they combined ingredients and discovered the secret duo that makes the magic happen (we’re keeping that part under wraps for next year’s kids 😉).
Up next: uncovering the mystery gas that’s being created. Stay tuned — our budding scientists are on the case!
Mrs. Hunter’s 3rd graders took their math outside! With whiteboards in hand, they explored equal groups and making arrays while enjoying the beautiful Fall weather. They’re finishing up their Introducing Multiplication unit and doing an amazing job!
Ms. Hall’s crew at Alma Intermediate School have been busy learning in the most fun ways!
Math in Action: Young mathematicians across the entire 3rd-grade are tackling multiplication with Play-Doh! By building arrays with rows and columns, they explored equal groups and discovered how numbers connect. Hands-on math = creativity + engagement + fun!
Science Spotlight: During their Animals Through Time unit, students headed to the safe room to test their speed against dinosaurs! Third graders became dino detectives, comparing their steps to fossil tracks to see just how fast dinosaurs really were. Lots of laughs, learning, and maybe even a few future paleontologists in the making!
Math in Action: Young mathematicians across the entire 3rd-grade are tackling multiplication with Play-Doh! By building arrays with rows and columns, they explored equal groups and discovered how numbers connect. Hands-on math = creativity + engagement + fun!
Science Spotlight: During their Animals Through Time unit, students headed to the safe room to test their speed against dinosaurs! Third graders became dino detectives, comparing their steps to fossil tracks to see just how fast dinosaurs really were. Lots of laughs, learning, and maybe even a few future paleontologists in the making!
Students in Mrs. Stricklin’s Education Technology and Intro to Education classes at Alma High School are turning big ideas into bold designs! Using design software and our poster printer, they’re creating powerful visuals that inspire motivation and celebrate education.
It’s Kindness Week in the Alma Primary School library!
Mrs. Shores started the week by sharing “I Walk With Vanessa,” a powerful wordless picture book that invites students to “read” the illustrations and uncover the story on their own.
Kindergarteners will spend the week learning about what a good friend looks like, sounds like, and how they make others feel. After the lesson, students enjoyed hands-on center time activities to extend their learning in fun and engaging ways.
Mrs. Shores shared that the story not only highlights kindness, empathy, and friendship — it also helps young readers build meaning through illustrations, nurturing a love for reading right from the start.
Mrs. Shores started the week by sharing “I Walk With Vanessa,” a powerful wordless picture book that invites students to “read” the illustrations and uncover the story on their own.
Kindergarteners will spend the week learning about what a good friend looks like, sounds like, and how they make others feel. After the lesson, students enjoyed hands-on center time activities to extend their learning in fun and engaging ways.
Mrs. Shores shared that the story not only highlights kindness, empathy, and friendship — it also helps young readers build meaning through illustrations, nurturing a love for reading right from the start.
Fresh air and good books made the perfect learning combination at Alma Intermediate School! Ms. Hall’s third graders took class outdoors, partnering up to practice fluency and then finding their own spot on the lawn to enjoy a book of their choice. A great reminder that reading — and learning — can happen anywhere!
Mrs. Price’s students at Alma Middle School have kicked off their first science unit with an exciting question: How can we make something new that wasn’t there before?
The adventure began with a hands-on mystery — dropping a bath bomb into water. Students quickly noticed the bubbling reaction and filled the room with investigative questions: Where do the bubbles come from? What if we used boiling water? What exactly are bath bombs made of?
This spark of curiosity launched an engaging investigation into chemical reactions. Over the course of the unit, students will:
- Explore the properties of matter
- Model changes at the molecular level
- Discover how new substances are created
From mixing ingredients to analyzing data patterns, they’re not only learning chemistry concepts but also building critical thinking skills — all while having fun and staying curious.
The adventure began with a hands-on mystery — dropping a bath bomb into water. Students quickly noticed the bubbling reaction and filled the room with investigative questions: Where do the bubbles come from? What if we used boiling water? What exactly are bath bombs made of?
This spark of curiosity launched an engaging investigation into chemical reactions. Over the course of the unit, students will:
- Explore the properties of matter
- Model changes at the molecular level
- Discover how new substances are created
From mixing ingredients to analyzing data patterns, they’re not only learning chemistry concepts but also building critical thinking skills — all while having fun and staying curious.
Sweet news, Airedales! Alma has been nominated for Yarnell’s Sweetest Play of Week Zero! The play: QB Chase Parker with the backward pass to Samuel Schlegel, who launches it to a wide-open Dylan Jackson for the touchdown! Vote and check out the full details here.
IMPORTANT UPDATE for Airedale fans: Tonight’s Battle of the Bone game will NOT be available on the Alma School District livestream due to illness. However, you can still catch every play and cheer on the Airedales by tuning in to the Van Buren livestream instead.
Watch live here: https://youtube.com/@pointermediavb?si=E3YPxxr444C8I9m7
Thank you for your understanding, and let’s still bring the spirit — whether in the stands or tuning in from home.
Watch live here: https://youtube.com/@pointermediavb?si=E3YPxxr444C8I9m7
Thank you for your understanding, and let’s still bring the spirit — whether in the stands or tuning in from home.
REMINDER: Alma School District will be CLOSED on Monday, September 1st in observance of Labor Day. We hope everyone enjoys a safe and relaxing long weekend! Classes will resume on Tuesday, September 2nd.
Generations of Airedales have checked out their first books with Mrs. Camden. Our cherished Alma Primary School library assistant continues to share the joy of reading with every student who walks through this space! 📚💚
It’s Battle of the Bone week! The Airedales take on the Pointers this Friday, August 29, at Blakemore Field. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available now at the Administration Building and Alma High School office. Let’s pack the stands and cheer loud — good luck, Airedales!
All Sports Passes are now available for purchase at the Administration Building. A valid ID is required at the time of purchase. Passes are not valid for Little League games. Payment may be made by cash or check. Senior citizens are eligible to receive up to two passes per person. Student athlete passes are available for students in grade 7 and above. Let’s pack the stands and support the Airedales all season — Go Airedales!
Alma High School’s Club Fair was full of energy today! Nearly 90% of our high school students are involved in a club or activity, showing just how much spirit, connection, and opportunity AHS has to offer. We’re proud of our Airedales for discovering their passions, building friendships, and making the most of their high school journey!
Alma High School has been named one of the Best High Schools in the Nation by U.S. News & World Report! We’re ranked in the top 40% nationwide for 2025-2026 — an incredible achievement that reflects the hard work of our students, staff, and community. Congratulations to everyone who made this possible — AHS pride is shining bright! Check out our full profile here: https://www.usnews.com/.../alma.../alma-high-school-1228
FREE & REDUCED MEALS – 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR
We encourage every family to submit an application!
For details and to apply, visit: https://www.almasd.net/.../page/free-and-reduced-information
Giveaway Reminder: Submit your application by August 31 for a chance to win!
- One winner will receive a $100 gift card
- Another winner will receive two athletic passes for the 2025–2026 school year
Alma School District is an equal opportunity provider.
We encourage every family to submit an application!
For details and to apply, visit: https://www.almasd.net/.../page/free-and-reduced-information
Giveaway Reminder: Submit your application by August 31 for a chance to win!
- One winner will receive a $100 gift card
- Another winner will receive two athletic passes for the 2025–2026 school year
Alma School District is an equal opportunity provider.
Free Virtual Sign Language Classes for Parents
The EARS Program at Arkansas Children’s Hospital is offering Beginner Signing Exact English classes for parents of children who are deaf or hard of hearing and use (or are learning to use) sign language.
Details:
- Format: Signing Exact English
- Cost: FREE (must meet eligibility criteria)
- Instructor: Erika Studer, M.S., CCC-SLP
- Dates: Thursdays – 9/18, 10/2, 10/23, 11/6, 11/20, 12/4, 12/18
- Time: 6:00–6:30 PM (via Zoom)
Register by September 5, 2025
📧 Email Jessica Newman at newmanjl@archildrens.org to sign up.
💻 Participate from your computer, iPad, or smartphone — just make sure you have a camera, microphone, and internet access!
Let’s connect, learn, and support our students together!
Off to a GREAT start! Yesterday, incoming 3rd, 6th, and 9th graders toured their new schools, met staff, learned procedures, and got comfortable before the first day. We’re ready for an amazing year!
