HSSD will host Driver's Education classes this summer on the following dates: June 10-14; June 17-21; July 8-12; and July 15-19. See details below about cost and deadlines. With questions, call our Hot Springs World Class High School at 501-624-5286.

Standardized testing begins next week across the #HSSD ... Find details for 3rd-10th grade, below. On these dates, please make sure that your students are well rested, and well fed. Please do not schedule appointments for students during these dates. We appreciate you!

For their contribution to Global Youth Service Day, our amazing JAG (Jobs for America’s Graduates) students at the Junior Academy chose various locations in the Hot Springs community to serve including: Brookfield, West Shores, downtown Hot Springs, and The Caring Place.Groups developed their own goals, shopping lists, and agendas necessary to complete service projects at each unique spot. JAG Coordinator Mrs. Goodman points out that students not only put thoughtful time into planning projects, but that she receives excellent compliments from staff members at each location regarding their manners and kindness, and their thorough job of cleaning up after themselves. Our #HSSD students are welcome back to all facilities at anytime.

At the HSJA Reality Fair this week, HSSD 7th-8th grade students worked with volunteers organized by the Diamond Lakes Federal Credit Union to simulate the planning and management of personal finances based on a set income. Volunteers from students and staff at the HSJA and across the HSSD, as well as the Hot Springs community, served as an array of salesmen, experts, and financial advisors. Diamond Lakes Federal Credit Union hosts events like these across Garland County to help set realistic financial goals and expectations for individuals of all ages.

HSJA staff members have set an extraordinary example for students during a four-week Step Challenge! 29 participants competed in teams divided by departments. The winning team - Team Electives - logged 1,340,787 steps over the course of the challenge. Pedometers were graciously donated by the Arkansas Heart Hospital.

This week’s shoutout goes to the amazingly talented students at our HSSD, and the brave way that our student groups put themselves out there in public forums, competitions, and performances. We’ve had a series of memorable events this week that have taken weeks (and in some cases- years) of preparation, discipline, creativity, integrity, community collaboration, and I’ll say it again - amazing talent. I also want to share an anonymous shoutout to Mrs. Hatcher at our HSJA. Trojan ‘Good Things’ is a weekly shout out from #HSSD Superintendent Dr. Stephanie Nehus to individuals in our school community who are doing amazing things!

At the HSSD, we have four outstanding EAST Programs. All groups presented and competed this week at the 2019 EAST Conference at the Hot Springs Convention Center. Their amazing work has made the HSSD extremely proud. During the Conference Gala last night, our HSWCHS team Program was awarded the prestigious Project Sophistication and Innovation Award, and an individual award via Miles Hermann in the ARCHICAD Competition.

This week’s shoutout goes to our Park Magnet School staff members who have been super positive and helpful all week during massive staff absences due to widespread flu and illness. They also still managed to have incredible growth in MAP reading scores in all K-2 classrooms. I am SO proud of this staff and our students. I also want to share an anonymous shout to Ms. Holder and Mrs. Cox as follows “Langston’s Ms. Holder and Mrs. Cox rendition of Dr. Seuss Wocket in My Pocket!!!!”

This week’s shoutout goes to our 7th-12th grade students and support staff/sponsors in our HSSD Secondary Theatre Program for their excellent production of “Footloose!” Your theatrical talent, months of hard work in rehearsals and preparation, and wonderful collaboration as a student team was evident during every part of the “Footloose!” performance. I also want to share an anonymous shout to Mrs. Sadler at our HSJA.

The HSJA JAG (Jobs for Arkansas Graduates) Program has received a $500 Walmart Community Grant to help support 7th-8th grade JAG students in community service endeavors and student initiatives within the district. Thank you to Walmart Store 261, which is the Walmart Supercenter on Central Avenue in Hot Springs. JAG students are working during the spring semester to plan a ceremony for students who have completed the program, and to complete service learning projects in the Hot Springs area at nursing homes, homeless shelters, blood donation centers, and other non-profit organizations. JAG students are also beginning a campaign of reading to elementary classes throughout the HSSD.