Alma Middle School

To learn more and view details, please follow this link: https://aptg.co/qnkfZC

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!

The first day of school is TOMORROW — Wednesday, August 13, 2025! We can’t wait to welcome all our Airedales back for an amazing year!

Important Bell Times & Doors Open:

Alma Primary School:
Doors Open: 7:30 AM
Tardy Bell: 8:10 AM
Parent Pick-Up Release: 3:05 PM

Alma Intermediate School:
Doors Open: 7:30 AM
Tardy Bell: 8:10 AM
Parent Pick-Up Release: 3:10 PM

Alma Middle School:
Doors Open: 7:30 AM
Tardy Bell: 8:05 AM
Parent Pick-Up Release: 3:27 PM

Alma High School:
Doors Open: 7:15 AM
Class Begins: 8:05 AM
Dismissal Bell: 3:30 PM

Reminder: The new 'Bell to Bell, No Cell' Law is now in effect across the district and the state. To review the details, please visit: https://www.almasd.net/page/bell-to-bell-no-cell

For more back-to-school info, check out this post:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19HddRnTrv/

Here’s to a great start, Airedales!

We wrapped up our week of PD last week with the 2025 Teacher Appreciation Breakfast! Huge thanks to River Valley Ministerial Fellowship for the delicious food and awesome giveaways for our staff.

Today’s the day! Open House at Alma School District is happening from 3:30 – 6:30 PM for all grade levels — including Pre-K! Stop by to meet teachers, explore classrooms, and get ready for an amazing 2025–2026 school year. We can’t wait to see you!

ATTENTION PARENTS: Meal applications for the 2025–2026 school year are needed from ALL families — and submitting one could win you a great prize!

Help your student. Support your school. Win prizes.

Your completed application opens doors to valuable benefits like free school meals, free summer school, free ACT testing, reduced internet service, and lower college application costs.

Submit your application by August 31, 2025 to be entered into the drawing. Already submitted? You're automatically in!

Two winners will be selected: One will receive a $100 gift card, and another will win two athletic passes for the 2025–2026 school year.

LINK: https://www.almasd.net/page/child-nutrition-services

Let’s make it happen, Airedales.

Back to school PD kickoff - what a great morning to launch the 2025 – 2026 school year! Staff from Alma School District — along with educators from surrounding districts in partnership with the Guy Fenter Education Cooperative — came together for a powerful professional development session featuring renowned educator and author Todd Whitaker. His insight and humor brought energy and inspiration to kick off the year strong! A huge THANK YOU to Arkansas River Valley Electric for fully sponsoring the event and showing up with swag in hand and support in full force.
We're energized, connected, and ready to take on a great year!

Alma staff are getting ready for the new school year — and that includes being prepared for emergencies! This week, team members from across the district participated in CPR training to ensure they're ready to respond when it matters most. Even better — Assistant Superintendent Dr. Wood and Science Specialist Zach Thomas led the training after recently becoming certified CPR instructors themselves! We’re proud of our staff’s commitment to safety and student well-being as we gear up for another great year!

This week, educators from each campus, along with district administrators, participated in a dynamic professional development session led by Claire Murray of the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET). The session, "Elevating Coaching," focused on empowering teachers to take on leadership roles within their schools by utilizing student work to enhance instructional practices.

This training equips participants with the certification required to serve as mentors for both year-long residency students and novice teachers in their first, second, and third years of teaching.

Claire shared research-based strategies centered on student data analysis, reflective practice, and planning — all designed to foster the professional growth of early-career educators.

We extend our sincere thanks to Claire and the NIET team for their partnership and commitment to our instructional teams. We look forward to applying these practices throughout the school year to support teacher development and student success.

Hey Bookmobile Fans! As we wrap up the summer, we’re no longer checking out books during the final stops. The last day of the Bookmobile is next Wednesday, July 30th — be sure to swing by, say goodbye, and return any books you still have! Thanks for a great summer of reading!

Starting with the 2025–2026 school year, Arkansas’s “Bell to Bell, No Cell” law goes into effect — and Alma Schools will be following it. Students will not be allowed to use personal devices (like phones, smartwatches, or tablets) during the school day — from the first bell to the last. There are exceptions for emergencies, IEPs, and extracurricular needs. Alma's updated policy is now available in the Student Handbook and online. Make sure to talk with your student so they’re ready for this change. Full details here: www.almasd.net/page/bell-to-bell-no-cell

Now accepting ads for the Airedale Football Program! Whether you want to recognize a local business or celebrate a senior student, this is a great opportunity to show your support. To reserve your spot, contact Amie Nicholson at (479) 632-4791 or ANicholson@almasd.net. You can also access the form by visiting https://5il.co/3m9io. The deadline to submit is Friday, August 15, 2025. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this Airedale tradition!

Summer break doesn’t mean the learning stops for our incredible teachers! Alma Middle School educators Jennifer Pitts and Ashley Combs are attending Reading Beyond Words: Seeing to Understand through Visual Literacy — a 3-day arts integration conference at Crystal Bridges, hosted in partnership with Focus 5. This powerful event brings together educators from across the country and across content areas, all exploring how visual literacy can deepen student understanding. Way to go, Mrs. Pitts and Mrs. Combs!

Substitutes, we’re gearing up for a great year — and we want you with us! Join us for the Alma School District Substitute Workshop on Thursday, July 24 at 10:00 AM in the Union at Alma High School. Whether you're brand new or returning for another year, this is your chance to get refreshed on daily procedures and connect with our team. Don’t miss it — we’re excited to kick off the year with you!

The Bookmobile has been rolling through the community, spreading joy, stories, and snacks all summer long! In addition to our usual books and meals, we’ve been thrilled to partner with Urrutia Family Dental and Buffalo City Soaps, who donated special items to share with kids. Pediatrics Plus also pitched in with hygiene kits and goodie bags for everyone on board. It’s been an amazing summer so far — and there’s still time to join the fun! The Bookmobile will be out and about through July 30th.

Summer fun isn’t over just yet, but the countdown to a brand new school year has officially begun! Mark your calendars with these important dates to help your family get ready. On August 7th, all campuses will host an Open House from 3:30 – 6:30 PM — a great chance to meet teachers, tour classrooms, and get everything in place for a smooth start. Then on August 11th, students will participate in Great Start, a special day designed to help ease into the new year with a little extra support. (More details coming soon!) Kindergarten students will not participate in Great Start, but instead, we’re offering a Kindergarten Open House that same morning from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Kindergarten families are also invited to attend the district-wide Open House on August 7th — or feel free to join us for both! Finally, the big day is almost here—the first day of school is August 13th, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone back for an amazing 2025–2026 school year. Get those backpacks ready — it’s almost go time!

Hey Alma families — we’ve got a few tuition-paid spots open in our Pre-K program! Give your child a strong start with a high-quality early learning experience right here at Alma School District. If you're interested, be sure to follow the link below to access the waiting list and submit your information. LINK: https://www.almasd.net/o/aps/page/pre-k-information

It’s that time of year — back-to-school shopping is here! School supply lists are now ready to view, so you can get a head start on preparing for a great year ahead. Check out your school’s list and stock up on the essentials! LINK: https://www.almasd.net/page/school-supply-lists

No Bookmobile this Friday, July 4 - she's off for the holiday! Stay safe, keep reading, and we'll see you Monday! 🚐💨