October Board Meeting Recognitions
We’re celebrating our incredible staff and leaders this month!
Alma Primary School – Recognized for fostering a strong foundation for lifelong learning through dedication and care.
⭐Honorees: Jessica Gillingham, Erin Sanders, Melissa Ellifrits, Amanda Nelson, Jennifer Schneider, Ashley White
Alma Intermediate School – Recognized for launching the 5th Grade Ambassador Program, creating meaningful leadership opportunities for students.
⭐Honorees: Madison Yates, Shelbi Thomas, Allie Smith
Alma Middle School – Recognized for providing nutritious meals and a welcoming environment that supports student success.
⭐Honoree: Jill Boyd
Alma High School – Recognized for exceptional teaching and demonstration of Illustrative Mathematics. Her dedication, positive attitude, and impact have inspired fellow Alma High School math teachers.
⭐Honoree: Amanda Atwell
National Principal Month
This October, we celebrate the leadership, dedication, and care of our principals who make a difference in every school:
Brian Kirkendoll – Alma High School
JD Coursey – Alma Middle School
Jennifer Lyon – Alma Intermediate School
Shawn Bullard - Alma Primary School
Thank you to all of our staff and principals for the impact you make on our students every day!
We’re celebrating our incredible staff and leaders this month!
Alma Primary School – Recognized for fostering a strong foundation for lifelong learning through dedication and care.
⭐Honorees: Jessica Gillingham, Erin Sanders, Melissa Ellifrits, Amanda Nelson, Jennifer Schneider, Ashley White
Alma Intermediate School – Recognized for launching the 5th Grade Ambassador Program, creating meaningful leadership opportunities for students.
⭐Honorees: Madison Yates, Shelbi Thomas, Allie Smith
Alma Middle School – Recognized for providing nutritious meals and a welcoming environment that supports student success.
⭐Honoree: Jill Boyd
Alma High School – Recognized for exceptional teaching and demonstration of Illustrative Mathematics. Her dedication, positive attitude, and impact have inspired fellow Alma High School math teachers.
⭐Honoree: Amanda Atwell
National Principal Month
This October, we celebrate the leadership, dedication, and care of our principals who make a difference in every school:
Brian Kirkendoll – Alma High School
JD Coursey – Alma Middle School
Jennifer Lyon – Alma Intermediate School
Shawn Bullard - Alma Primary School
Thank you to all of our staff and principals for the impact you make on our students every day!
October is National Principals Month!
We’re so thankful for the leadership, dedication, and care our principals show each and every day.
Help us celebrate these incredible leaders:
🏫 Brian Kirkendoll – Alma High School
🏫 JD Coursey – Alma Middle School
🏫 Jennifer Lyon – Alma Intermediate School
🏫 Shawn Bullard – Alma Primary School
Let them know how much you appreciate them and recognize the positive impact they have on our schools the next time you see them!
We’re so thankful for the leadership, dedication, and care our principals show each and every day.
Help us celebrate these incredible leaders:
🏫 Brian Kirkendoll – Alma High School
🏫 JD Coursey – Alma Middle School
🏫 Jennifer Lyon – Alma Intermediate School
🏫 Shawn Bullard – Alma Primary School
Let them know how much you appreciate them and recognize the positive impact they have on our schools the next time you see them!
Homecoming Week Highlights 🎉🏈💚
What a wonderful week of celebrating tradition, school spirit, and community! From start to finish, our Alma family - students, staff, alumni, parents, and friends - helped make Homecoming 2025 one to remember.
Thank you for being part of the fun and for showing your Airedale pride in so many ways!
What a wonderful week of celebrating tradition, school spirit, and community! From start to finish, our Alma family - students, staff, alumni, parents, and friends - helped make Homecoming 2025 one to remember.
Thank you for being part of the fun and for showing your Airedale pride in so many ways!
Homecoming has arrived, and we’re excited to celebrate this special tradition! A big thank-you to everyone who came out for last night’s parade. Tonight, the Airedales face the Harrison Goblins, with the coronation ceremony set for 6:30 p.m. on the field, just before kickoff. Come out and enjoy the spirit and excitement! We appreciate Heritage Portraits for beautifully capturing our homecoming court!
The homecoming fun isn’t slowing down!
Today’s the day for the homecoming parade! Queen Raleigh and her court will be leading the way, along with other amazing groups and organizations.
📍 Main Street
⏰ Tonight at 6:00 PM
Come out, cheer loud, and celebrate with us!
Today’s the day for the homecoming parade! Queen Raleigh and her court will be leading the way, along with other amazing groups and organizations.
📍 Main Street
⏰ Tonight at 6:00 PM
Come out, cheer loud, and celebrate with us!
This week, our Alma Primary School kindergarteners had some very special guest readers — the Airedale Varsity Basketball Team! Players traded their basketballs for books and spent time reading aloud to our youngest learners. The kids were thrilled to sit with their hometown athletes, and the players enjoyed connecting with the future Airedales. Moments like these are what make our Alma community so special — seeing our older students step up as role models and inspire the next generation of Airedales. Way to go, team!
Huge thanks to everyone who came out Friday night to cheer on the Airedales! Alma Cheer & Alma Dance brought the energy with an incredible Spirit Clinic! Always proud to be an Airedale!
Professional Learning in Action! Last week, Mrs. Hubbs and Mrs. Reeves attended a professional learning event in Little Rock for Instructional Leaders. They joined leaders from across Arkansas to explore strategies and practices designed to empower the teachers they lead this school year. Great work, Mrs. Hubbs and Mrs. Reeves — thanks for leading the way for our Airedale educators!
A meaningful morning at Alma Primary School. This week, one of our students helped Officer Mahan raise the flag before school — the perfect way to start the day! Experiences like this teach responsibility, respect, and pride in our school and community. On a day like today, as we remember 9/11 and reflect on the importance of our flag and the freedoms it represents, this moment feels especially powerful. A huge thank-you to Officer Mahan for making these mornings memorable for our students!
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.
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!
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!
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!
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.
