At the October Board Meeting, the Hot Springs Public Schools Education Foundation awarded 11 first-ever HSSD Enrichment Grants to HSSD student groups and programs, in grades, subject areas, and initiatives across the district.

Safety is our top priority at the Hot Springs School District. We are proud to announce the approval of our Hot Springs School District Institutional Law Enforcement Agency by the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training, which will be directed by Chief Institutional Law Enforcement Officer Carl Seymour.

Thank you to HSWCHS and HSJA administrators and staff for meeting your first quarter goal. Both schools had a deadline to submit their essential standards documents. On Wednesday, we surprised both buildings with a celebration in honor of meeting their goals. I also want to pay special tribute to our HSSD Homecoming festivities throughout this week and today. Thank you to all students, staff members, families, and returning alumni for the joy that I sense from you in reflecting about where this district has been, and where we are going in the future.

Our Homecoming Pep Rally and Ceremony are tomorrow! Please note a few minor changes here, due to expected rain. We look forward to a wonderful finale to Homecoming Week, and the celebration of HSSD tradition!

Our Hot Springs Junior Academy G.R.A.C.E. (Girls Reaching Above Challenging Expectations) group and Principal Natasha Lenox spoke today at the Women’s Leadership Council of Hot Springs Luncheon. Because of a generous grant from the Council, G.R.A.C.E. students have taken multiple field trips and participated in numerous community service events and projects in the Hot Springs area and in Little Rock.

The 4th annual Garland County Reads event was another hugely successful literacy celebration hosted by Garland County school districts in downtown Hot Springs at the Hot Springs Farmers Market. The collaboration is unique from any other literacy celebration across Arkansas, and is well loved and generously supported by the Hot Springs community and area schools. A community that reads together, grows together!

Start planning now to join in on the fun for our 2019 HSSD Homecoming Week, October 7-11. See daily themes to make Homecoming week as memorable as it always is in celebrating #HSSDTrojans spirit and tradition!

Flu Clinics have been scheduled for all HSSD schools October 1-4. Students must provide signed consent forms in order to receive flu shots. Consent forms are available in all school offices.

Families from across Hot Springs - join us for a festive event celebrating the HSSD, including bouncy houses, decorated pumpkin judging, booths and games, and entertainment from our talented, world class HSSD student groups! Make the fun even bigger this year by bringing your kids in costume.

This week, I am excited to highlight a visit from Senator Alan Clark and Representative Les Warren as part of Take Your Legislator to School Month, offer a BIG Congrats to our athletic programs following a week of wins, and share two anonymous shoutouts to our HSJA EAST Program and an educator at OVPA. 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!