(Above) Mrs. Howard’s 5th and 6th grade students first week started off with recycle projects. Students brought objects they were going to trash at home and made different animals and other objects with their recycled materials.
Mrs. Vanelli uses technology in an interesting way for classroom rules. Students had ten questions and were put into groups. Students utilized technology to download questions and their groups would answer the questions based off the scanned pictures that were displayed throughout her class.
QR codes were used for instructions, and classroom rules.
By Jack James
The room was filled with friends and family Thursday at the Lavaca Senior Citizens building to honor a special man. Leaders from the group called Quilts of Valor took the stage to present a surprised Gene Clearwater with one of their special quilts, sewn with love and respect from quilters who are members of this wonderful club.
Quilts of Valor is a non-profit foundation whose goal is to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor. Quilts of Valor Foundation began in 2003 with a dream, literally a dream. Founder Catherine Roberts’ son Nat was deployed in Iraq. Over 193,000 have been made and presented in all fifty states of the United States of America.
Master of Ceremonies was Sue Anderson who made a short speech to the crowd and highlighted what the life of a veteran does for us. It includes honor, sacrifice, comfort and the fact that freedom isn’t free. Along with members Marsha Beat and Karen Richardson, Gene was presented this beautiful quilt. It was made by the Conway chapter of QOV. Gene was nominated by Thomas Douglas, son of Sedalia and the late Charlie Douglas of Lavaca.
Gene served in Korea and also in Vietnam. He was very surprised and honored to receive this honor and we are very proud and honored to thank him for his great service. Gene Clearwater was presented with the Quilt of Valor during a ceremony highlighting his service to our Nation. Thank you, Mr. Clearwater.
By Tammy Moore Teague
The decision came down yesterday, a state panel denied the approval of Hartford’s new charter school, Sugarloaf Valley Academy, for the 2019-2020 school year.
The panel found that there wasn’t a demonstrated need shown for the school and they “had concerns about whether it could attract a sufficient number of students to be financially viable.”
SVA wasn’t the only charter school being considered. Four applications were submitted across the state, and only one was approved. Open enrollment charter schools are taxpayer supported and are operated by a nonprofit organization rather than a traditional school district.
Charter panel decisions are reviewed by the State Board of Education, who has the authority to accept or reject the decision. Charter school applicants can appeal to the board for a formal hearing. We will continue to follow this story and report in the event RVA pursues an appeal.
By Tammy Moore Teague
On Tuesday, August 14, the Waldron City Council met in regular session. During the meeting the council voted to approve Mayor Neil Cherry’s recommendation to adopt an agreement with the Sebastian County Mental Health Department.
In approving this motion, the city can contact the SCMHD to come and transport offenders or patients who are mentally ill, and/or those battling drug and alcohol addiction.
In other business, the city agreed to enter into a contract with Square One Enterprises. The company will overhaul the clarifier at the waste water treatment plant. This move will help ensure the waste water treatment plant remains functioning at an optimal levels.
Lastly, the council voted to adopt an ordinance that will increase municipal court fines by $5. This motion must be approved by the Quorum Court at their next meeting.
In future business, the council plans to examine a policy on smoking areas at the new city park. Also, invites the public to attend Community Coffee, which will be held at Dalton Place Assisted Living Center on Tuesday, August 21 at 9 a.m. The city will welcome Family Dollar team members, share community interests as well as ideas.
By Tammy Moore Teague
The Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office is teaming up with the United States Marshal’s Museum and Fort Smith Police Department to present National Night Out, which will feature Bill Cooper’s Safe Kids! The fair will be held on Tuesday, October 2 from 4-8 p.m. at Harry E. Kelley Park downtown.
Bill Cooper’s Safe Kids is an educational event offering children and parents the opportunity to meet representatives from multiple safety-related agencies, learn ways to protect themselves and talk about difficult topics such as bullying. There will be free next generation DNA Lifeprint kids available, including fingerprints, palm prints, photographs and DNA swabbing to help in the event a child goes missing.
Admission is free and the event is open to the general public.
By Tammy Moore Teague
Dust off those cookbooks, find grandma’s prized winning recipe and come be a part of the first annual Mansfield Parent Involvement Committee’s Potluck Cook Off.
The event is slated to take place at the Mansfield High School Cafeteria on September 15 at 2 p.m. “We are always looking for new ideas and ways to bring our schools and community together,” commented President Amanda Wilson.
There will be three categories: main course, side dish and dessert. Each of these will be judged by the community. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $5, at 12 and older. Attendees will be able to sample the dishes and vote for their favorite.
At the conclusion of the meal, first place blue ribbons will be awarded in each category. “We are asking that you sign up for one or more categories to ensure that we don’t have just one course,” added Wilson. If you have any questions you can contact Wilson at 479-849-7616. “We hope to see you out there for an afternoon of great food and good old fashion fun”
By Tammy Moore Teague
At Thursday night’s Mansfield City Council meeting, City Attorney Matt Ketcham presented members with information regarding an ordinance that would regulate yard sales within the city.
The ordinance would require permits for yard sales, which would have to be obtained through city hall. The council discussed charging for the permits, but Ketcham advised against it saying it would “be a nightmare to keep track of.”
Reasons for the ordinance include the city’s ability to track the locations of the sales and to ensure that the signs are taken down in a timely manner. “If not,” added Ketcham, they can be fined.
Mansfield Middle School 8th grade student, Serenity Brunson was chosen to attend a Leadership Summit at Harvard College in Cambridge, Massachusetts during Summers break. “I went to the ambassador leadership program to learn how to be a better leader, learn different leadership skills, gain knowledge of what college life is like, and to start exploring my options for college” stated Brunson.
Once Brunson arrived at the esteemed university, she toured the campus, walked the freedom trail, and visited the Paul revere house and old north church. After her stint as a tourist, Brunson went right to work at the summit, where she stood among hundreds of hand-picked students. Lex Mickle (Left) MMS Social Studies teacher poses with Serenity during their Harvard visit. Mr. Mickle was one of the “Teacher Leaders” chosen for the Summit.
The summit included many activities that tested the students skills, and allowed them to work together and independently to achieve goals set by their peers, and administration. “We learned the seven habits of highly effective teens, attended a meeting hosted by a panel of college students explained the application process and what college life is like, toured the Massachusetts Institution of Technology (MIT) and worked on several projects” added Brunson. Brunson explained that their group did a community service project through LIfeWay where they packed snack bags and literature kits for children who may not have the resources to have snacks during the day, and don’t have books to read at home. Additionally, Brunson and her team came up with a community service plan where they were to act as if they had to expand it like a business/non-profit organization to make it known around the world. This project was presented on the last day at the summit to all attendees, and participants. “This trip was better than I ever imagined it would be, and I’m so thankful to everyone who helped me be able to be here” stated Brunson.
