UPDATEwww.searcyschools.org

Volume 30, Number 5 January 2017

Searcy Public Schools801 North Elm Street

Searcy, Arkansas 72143(501)268-3517

Inside this Issue:

UV Rays Experiment 2

SHS Basketball Retreat 2

McRae Engineering Night 2

Lunch Menu 3

Events Calendar 3

SHS Wrestling 4

Library Information 4

Dates to Remember

• January 12 Report Cards Sent Home

• January 16 MLK Day/Makeup Day if needed

• January 25 Regular School Board Meeting

Celebrating a New Year at Searcy Public Schools

AJHS EAST Student Advances in CompetitionSearcy School District would like to congratulate Ahlf Junior High School eighth grade student Lyd-ia Fleener for advancing past Round 1 of the EAST Tech Support Olympiad Competition. She is one of 160 students in Arkansas to move forward to the second round.

Cumulative scores for Rounds 1 and 2 will be tabulated, and the top six contestants will be invited to participate in the final round at the annual EAST conference in Hot Springs during the month of March.

Searcy School District wel-comes our students and staff back to school for the spring semester of the 2016-2017

school year. Visit our web-site, mobile app, and social media for upcoming events and news.

SHS Concert choir celebrates at the

end of the Christmas concert during the

month of December.

Page 2 JANUARY 2017

Kindergartners Learn the Effects of SunBen Carrigan of the Harding University STEM Center and his college students led kin-dergarten students in Mrs. Dianne Thomas’s class in an experiment they won’t forget. College students crafted lizards out of UV sensitive pony beads and gave one to each student in the class. The group went outside with their lizards and watched them change color in the sun. Fol-lowing the outdoors experi-

ment, students then came in and brainstormed how they might protect their lizards and ourselves from the sun. They took these great ideas and began to construct dif-ferent types of shelter for their lizards. Following the creation of their shelters, students then experimented outside to see whose struc-tures worked well to protect the lizards from the UV rays.

SHS Basketball Team Promotes Team-buildingThe Searcy High School senior Lion basketball team attended a retreat on November 19-20 at the C.A. Vines Arkansas 4-H Center, which is located just west of Little Rock. The team members participated in the 4-H Center’s ExCEL program, an outdoor challenge course and team-building program. As part of the retreat, athletes had the opportunity to canoe, fish, zip line and participate in a variety of team activities that also included a high ropes course.

McRae Hosts Family Engineering Night

During McRae Elementary School’s Family Engineering Night, families competed to de-sign a prototype of the tallest free-standing tower made of fuzzy sticks. While designing these towers, families had to work under ever-changing restraints which produced a lot of laughs, but also set the

Teammates and coaches spent the weekend encouraging one another and building team relationships.

stage for discussion about collabora-tion, perseverance, and productive struggle—characteristics commonly found in today’s math classroom. Families learned about the latest brain research regarding the Growth Mindset, and everyone walked away enthusiastic about engineering!

Lunch Menu JANUARY 2017 Page 3

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NOSCHOOL

9BreadedSteakFingersOR

TeriyakiChickenwithAsianRiceMashedPotatoeswithGravy

SeasonedGreenBeansTexasToastApplesauce

Milk

10“Domino’sSmartSlice”

PepperoniPizzaGreenSaladwithDressing

SeasonedWholeKernelCornRaisins

Milk

11GrilledCheeseSandwich*OR

SpaghettiwithMeatballs/DinnerRoll

FreshBabyCarrotsBakedBeans

PineappleChunks/Milk*SHS/AJHS:HotTurkeyCheese

Melt

12PopcornChickenwithSauceOR

Three-CheeseCalzoneSweetPotatoCrunch

SeasonedBlack-eyedPeasBreadStickApplesauce

Milk

13ChiliwithBeef&Beans&Mini

SaltineCrackersORMiniCorndogswithMustard“Smiles”Potatoesw/Ketchup

CreamyColeslawFreshGrapes

Brownie/Milk

16

NOSCHOOL

17“BreakfastforLunch”ScrambledEggs

Biscuitw/CreamGravy&JellySausagePatty

TatorTotswithKetchupBellPepperStrips

Juice/Milk

18PersonalCheesePizzaOR

ChickenNachosGreenSaladwithDressing

GlazedCarrotsFruitCocktail

“M&M”Cookie/Milk

19ChickenStickswithSauceOR

BakedTurkeyw/GravySourCream&ChivePotatoesSeasonedGreenPeas/HotRoll“Sidekicks”FrozenJuiceCup

Milk

20CornDogwithMustardOR

MostaccioliPasta/DinnerRollSeasonedWholeKernelCorn

SeasonedGreenBeansGrannySmithAppleSliceswith

CaramelDip/Milk

23CheeseburgerOR

PizzaCheeseCrunchersLettuce/Tomato/PicklesTatorTotswithKetchup

BakedBeansSeasonalFreshFruit

Milk

24ChickenTenderswithSauceMashedPotatoeswithGravyBroccoliwithCheeseSauce

FreshOrangeQuartersHotRoll

Milk

25MaxCheeseSticksORStromboli

MarinaraSauceSeasonedWholeKernelCorn

FruitJuicePunch“Chortles”MiniGrahams

Milk

26BreadedChickenSandwichORChickenSpaghettiwith

BreadStickLettuce/Tomato/Pickles

BakedPotatowithMargarine&SourCream

SeasonedGreenBeansPeaches/Cupcake/Milk

27BBQChickenDrumstickORTangerineChickenMacaroni&Cheese

AsianRiceCelerySticks

BakedSweetPotatowithCinnamon&BrownSugarRoll/Pineapple/Milk

30BreadedBakedCatfishStrips

withDinnerRollORCheese&PoblanoGrabWrap

withSalsaSeasonedBakedFries

w/KetchupGreenSaladwithDressing

“SideKicks”FrozenJuiceCupMilk

31CarnitasNachoswithCheese

Lettuce&SalsaSeasonedPintoBeans

FruitJuicePunchCinnamonRoll

Milk

NOTE: Additional foods may be offered to meet calorie needs for specific ages. ALL grain foods are >50% whole grain to meet USDA regulations. For more information or

questions, contact Child Nutrition Director, Charlotte Davis, RD, LD at (501) 268-3517 or cdavis@searcyschools.org. USDA is an equal opportunity provider & employer.

DECEMBER 2016 S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

FEBRUARY 2017 S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28

5:15 pm Regular School Board Meeting

Report Cards Sent Home4 pm Basketball:

7th Grade vs. Vilonia (gGbB)4:30 pm Choir:

Region 1 All-State Workshop5 pm Basketball:

8th & 9th Grade vs. Vilonia6pm Wrestling:

SHS vs. Catholic/Central

McRae: 2nd QuarterHonor Assembly

4:30 pm Basketball: 8th & 9th Grade vs. Clarksville6 pm Wrestling: SHS vs.

NLR/LR Hall

Deener: Class Pictures

4:30 pm Basketball: 8th & 9th Grade vs.

Little Rock Christian6 pm Wrestling: SHS vs.

Jonesboro/Mt. Home

5 pm Basketball:JV Girls/Boys vs. Beebe

6 pm Basketball: SHS Lady Lions & Lions vs. Beebe

Westside: Honor RollAssemblies: 8:30 am (2nd)

9:30 am (1st); 10:30 am (3rd)6 pm Basketball: SHS Lady

Lions & Lions vs. Greenbrier

SWMS: 2nd 9 WeeksHonors Assemblies

5 pm Basketball:JV Girls/Boys vs. Batesville

6 pm Basketball:SHS Lady Lions & Lions vs. Batesville

Deener: Honors/Student Recognition Assembly

9:30 am (K, 1st)1:35 pm (2, 3rd)

Band: Sr. HighAll-Region Tryouts

Wrestling: Searcy Duals

Wrestling:Bryant Hornet Duals

Wrestling: CentralConference Duals

8:30 am Choir:HU All-State Workshop

School Resumes

4 pm Basketball: 7th Grade vs. Greenbrier (gGbB)

4:30 pm Basketball: 8th & 9th Grade vs. Greenbrier

*MLK Day/Makeup Day

4:30 pm Basketball:8th & 9th Grade vs. Morrilton

4:30 pm Basketball: 8th & 9th Grade vs. Morrilton

4 pm Basketball: 7thGrade vs. Cabot

South (gGbB)5 pm Basketball:

JV Girls vs. Morrilton 6 pm Basketball: SHS Lady

Lions & Lions vs. Morrilton

4 pm Basketball:7th Grade vs.

Cabot North (gGbB)4:30 pm Basketball: 8th & 9th

Grade vs. Conway Blue5 pm Basketball:

JV Girls/Boys vs. Vilonia6 pm Basketball: SHS Lady

Lions & Lions vs. Vilonia

4 pm Basketball: 7thGrade vs. Batesville (gGbB)

5 pm Basketball: JV Girls/Boys vs. Mt. Home

6 pm Basketball: SHS Lady Lions & Lions vs. Mt. Home

4 pm Basketball:7th Grade vs. Beebe (GB)5 pm Basketball: JV Girls/

Boys vs. Beebe6 pm Basketball: SHS Lady

Lions & Lions vs. Beebe

Wrestling: Fayetteville Tournament

Drama: Dardanelle Sand Lizard Tournament

Band: All-Region Concert Clinic

Christmas Holiday – NO SCHOOL

4:30 pm Basketball: 8th & 9th Grade vs. Beebe

Drama: Jonesboro TournamentFFA: Greenhand/360 Leadership Conference

Drama: Cabot Classic

4 pm Bowling: SHS vs.CAC

Report Cards Sent Home4 pm Bowling:

SHS vs Heber Springs4 pm Basketball:

7th Grade vs. Vilonia (gGbB)4:30 pm Choir:

Region 1 All-State Workshop5 pm Basketball:

8th & 9th Grade vs. Vilonia6pm Wrestling:

SHS vs. Catholic/Central

Westside: Honor RollAssemblies: 8:30 am (2nd)

9:30 am (1st); 10:30 am (3rd)4 pm Bowling:

SHS vs. Clarksville6 pm Basketball: SHS Lady Lions

& Lions vs. Greenbrier

Deener: Class Pictures

4 pm Bowling: SHS vs. Beebe4:30 pm Basketball: 8th & 9th

Grade vs.Little Rock Christian

6 pm Wrestling: SHS vs.Jonesboro/Mt. Home

4 pm Bowling:SHS vs. Beebe

4 pm Bowling:BakerCompetition, Conway

4 pm Basketball:7th Grade vs. Beebe (GB)

5 pm Basketball: JV Girls/Boys vs. Beebe

6 pm Basketball: SHS Lady Lions & Lions vs. Beebe

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January Events Calendar

Board of EducationPresident - Linda Benson

Vice President - Dr. Brent Blakely

Secretary - Jimmy Simpson

Member - Philip Williams

Member - Dr. Michael Liles

Superintendent - Diane Barrett

Concerns regarding UPDATE may beaddressed to Betsy Bailey, Editor at

bbailey@searcyschools.org

“Mrs. Reader Pants Bingo” –Coming to Deener LibraryWe know how important it is to have good reading skills. Third graders at Sidney Deener will have an extra opportunity and a fun way to do both. How?—-Playing Reading Library Bingo!“Reading Library Bingo” is an optional reading incentive program that both motivates and rewards students for read-ing! “Reading Bingo” was developed by a librarian (Mrs. Reader Pants) a few years ago and has been successfully used in many elementary libraries since.How does it work?Students participating will receive a “Bin-go Card” with different reading require-ments in each space. As they complete each task or skill, they provide required information in each space on the card. When the card is completed, the student returns the card to the library for a prize and a new card on the next level.There are six levels in all from an array of genres and subjects. Playing Library Bingo is a fun way to encourage students to use different search strategies, expand their reading choices, and above all, just READ!

Page 4 JANUARY 2017

Congratulations to the SHS wrestling team for winning first place in the Little Rock Central Classic tournament for the third year in a row. Ten SHS var-sity wrestlers placed in the top three of their divisions and six junior varsity placed in the top three of theirs.

SHS Wresting Team WinsLittle Rock Central Tournament

Westside Elementary School library will host two important events during the month of

February. The spring book fair is scheduled for February 6-10,

and Bingo For Books will beheld Thursday, February 23

from 5-30-7 P.M.

Second grade students in Mrs. Clay’s class at Sidney Deener work with soft chalk pastels to create holi-day reindeer. Pictured are Liam Wilson and Elisa-beth Bogan, and D’Lyna Fancher and Bentley Brown. Mrs. Marian Colburn is the art teacher at Deener.