Congratulations to the following AHS Basketball players
#10 - Staijah Taylor - All-Conference
#1 - Jordan Jones - All-Conference
#4 - Audre Reed - All-Conference
#24 - Nicholas Watson - All-Conference & All-State
#teamtasd #potentialrealized #saferazorbacks
TASD WILL CONTINUE TO REQUIRE MASKS
Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson announced that he will not extend the mask mandate. The previous directive from the Governor is now considered guidance.
Although the health directives that governed our schools’ operations have been converted to guidance, the Arkansas Department of Health and the Arkansas Department of Education strongly advise districts to continue to follow all measures that have allowed successful in-person learning to occur. Since Governor Asa Hutchinson’s announcement, the TASD Board of Directors have not made a formal decision to continue, modify, or eliminate policies on mask requirements. However, the Texarkana Arkansas School District will continue to require staff and students to wear masks until the board meets to discuss changes, if any, for the remainder of the school year.
While it is not possible to eliminate all risks associated with COVID-19, TASD has successfully provided in-person learning options since August 2020. This success can be attributed to the multiple layers of mitigation strategies that have been implemented in our district, such as social distancing, reduced class sizes, mask wearing, disinfecting and cleaning, handwashing, and physical distancing to the extent practical.
This is a reminder that tomorrow, Friday April 2, is a virtual day for all students; however, our campuses will be open and buses will run for students who wish to attend school.
Additionally, the ACT Aspire testing window opens Monday, April 5. All traditional, hybrid, and virtual students in grades third through tenth are required to take the ACT Aspire assessment on their campus. TASD will continue to work diligently to maintain a safe environment as students prepare for the ACT Aspire test. Your child's campus will contact you with information regarding specific testing dates and times.
All schools and offices will be closed for Spring Break - March 22 - 26.
Enjoy your break. #teamtasd #potentialrealized
Don’t forget to set your clock forward one hour for Daylight Saving Time 3/14/2021.
With the opening of the new middle school, there will be an increase in the number of students riding the bus. The increase in ridership will impact a few of our bus routes.
Route change information will be sent home with students who ride route 1, 3, 4 or 5. If you do not receive the information by this Friday, please contact your child’s campus or the Transportation Department at 870-772-1281.
The North Heights Junior High staff and students are ten days away from moving into the new Arkansas Middle School. The new school will house sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students. However, only the seventh and eighth graders will move in this semester; sixth graders will start the 2021-2022 school year on the new campus. Principal Theresa Cowling said, “There is definitely a buzz of excitement in the air as our team of teachers and students prepare to transition to Arkansas Middle School.” Students and staff will move into the new school on March 8. “I have enjoyed being part of this historic moment; it is not every day that you have an opportunity to move into a new facility like our new middle school.”
The $26 million building project began in 2017 with the restructuring of bonds. In addition to money from the bonds, the district received $6 million from the Arkansas Academic Facilities Partnership Program. “This is an exciting time for our district and the community,” commented Superintendent Dr. Kesler. Arkansas Middle School is 125,000 square feet and sits on 31 acres. The new campus will house 1,000 students and is equipped with state-of-the-art science and computer labs, two band halls, 2 gymnasiums, and much more. “Trice Elementary was built in 1983, and it was the newest school in the Texarkana Arkansas School District,” Kesler stated. “We are pleased that the district was able to build the new middle school without an increase to taxpayers.”
A ribbon cutting ceremony will be announced at a later date. However, we invite you to countdown with us by following the Texarkana Arkansas School District on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
All Texarkana Arkansas School District campuses and offices will resume regular schedules on Monday, February 22. #teamtasd #potentialrealized #saferazorbacks
Inclement weather continues to cause unsafe travel conditions in our area. All Texarkana Arkansas School District campuses and offices will remain closed for the remainder of the week. Schools and offices will reopen on Monday, February 22. Thursday and Friday will be virtual learning days for students. Stay safe and warm.
Tonight’s regular scheduled meeting of the TASD Board of Education is postponed and rescheduled for Monday, February 22.
Freezing temperatures and additional snowfall will continue across our region. Road conditions are unsafe for travel as overnight and early morning temperatures continue to remain below freezing. Therefore, all Texarkana Arkansas School District campuses and offices will remain closed with plans to resume on Thursday, February 18. Tuesday and Wednesday will be virtual learning days for students. Please stay safe.
Reminders:
Virtual Parent-Teacher Conferences will take place this Thursday between 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. Friday, February 12, is a virtual day for all students; however, our campuses will be open and buses will run for students who wish to attend school that day. In observance of Presidents' Day all TASD schools will be closed Monday, February 15.
Virtual Parent/Teacher Conferences will be February 11th from 4:00 - 7:00 PM.
TREE REMOVAL AT ARKANSAS HIGH SCHOOL - In the coming days, two large trees will be removed on Jefferson Avenue in front of the Arkansas High School gymnasium.
After an in-depth analysis, it was determined that the trees have reached their life cycle and are diseased. For the safety of staff and students Naren’s Tree Service will begin the removal of the trees on January 16, 2021.
The District will be planting new trees and landscape to enhance the curb appeal in front of the high school gymnasium.
#teamtasd #potentialrealized #saferazorbacks
No School - Monday, January 18, 2021 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Fairview Elementary School students, staff and guests celebrated their school’s history which stretches back 100 years. The creation of the Raggedy Ann doll, band-aids, and the Baby Ruth candy bar are a few things that happened 100 years ago. A special thank you to Mayor Allen Brown and Representative Carol Dalby for attending today’s celebration. #teamtasd #potentialrealized #saferazorbacks
Congratulations to Razorback Theatre Company!
AHS Razorback Theatre Company competed in the Arkansas Educational Theatre Association One-Act Festival for adjudication on November 11.
Out of 22 One-Acts, AHS received a Superior rating and are one of 6 schools that have been selected to be Showcased at the Arkansas EDTA State Festival in February. For the rest of the story visit our website.
The JV & Varsity girls basketball games scheduled for Friday, December 4th, in Arkadelphia have been cancelled. Varsity boys will still play in Arkadelphia (1 game) starting at 5:30pm. #teamtasd #potentialrealized #saferazorbacks
TASD PARTNERS TO HELP STUDENTS RE-ENGAGE - The coronavirus pandemic has taken a toll on many of our students and their families. Despite offering multiple learning pathways, students and families across the state of Arkansas and the country continue to struggle with finding the balance of dealing with the safety and welfare of the children and engaging in schoolwork. The impact of the pandemic has resulted in many students falling behind.
The Texarkana Arkansas School District is partnering with the Arkansas Department of Education’s Engage Arkansas initiative. Engage Arkansas will assist TASD in supporting students and families who disengaged during this challenging time and help build connections to improve student attendance, engagement, and academic success. “Partnering with the Arkansas Department of Education’s Engage Arkansas initiative is a win/win for our district as well as our students,” commented Superintendent Dr. Kesler. “Through Engage Arkansas, students benefit from additional resources like academic coaches, counselors, and access to telehealth at no cost to families or the district.” Visit our website for the rest of the story.
The Texarkana Arkansas School District is one of 128 schools and districts in the state that will receive subgrant funds to support literacy. The Arkansas Department of Education received a grant from the U.S. Department of Education totaling $38 million for the Arkansas Comprehensive Literacy State Development Program. The Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education accepted applications for the Successful Outcomes for Arkansas Readers (SOAR) subgrant, and TASD was awarded $99,500.