A big thank you to our students who made the first full week of school GREAT. Some students this week received a "Fast Pass" for wearing their badges when randomly selected for a badge check and we had a huge turn out at the Back to School Bash. We are looking forward to many more events/activities to come!

Last Friday, Jared Ives graced the scene at Arkansas Arts Academy. Jared, a full-time Little Rock AR musician, brought his expertise to the percussion students. Jared is the drummer for a Led Zeppelin tribute band that recently played at Railyard Live.

Opal Agafia dropped by Garret Jones’ orchestra studio!

We had an awesome turn out for the Back to School Bash. Check out all the fun below.

Ms. Dale and Dr. Langley took the woot woot wagon around to each teacher for some yummy morning treats while playing wonderful sing-along Disney hits! Top picks by teachers were : Coffee, Muffins, Fresh Fruit, and Yogurt! We have the absolute best staff and appreciate them so much!

Ms. Redwine graduated from Fayetteville High School 2nd generation and then from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, 3rd generation on both sides of family with BA in Spanish. She was a University of Kansas student for a year technically while she studied abroad at the University of Costa Rica in San Jose for a year.

Ms. Redwine joined Peace Corps and was sent to Pirva Mai, Kyrgyzstan for 2.5 years. She later fund-raised and brought 3 of her former Kyrgyz students to the US. Two of them graduated with honors at Fayetteville High School and one graduated with honors at Bismark High School in North Dakota. There was enough funding left over to put 8 more of her former students through Universities in Kyrgyzstan, some of which were prestigious and competitive. She was even featured in the Chicago Tribune for her efforts!

Ms. Redwine won a place in the Mississippi Teacher Corps, a program through the University of Mississippi, and while working teaching in rural MS schools with high teacher needs, obtained her MA in Curriculum and Instruction.

After that, she returned to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan for another 3.5 years first teaching in an English Language School and finally obtaining a job at Bishkek International School as a 3rd and 4th grade mixed class teacher working with students from all over the world.

Wondering what else there was in the world, fate brought her to Berlin, Germany where she taught 2nd grade students at a local German bilingual school. It was there that she gave birth to her beautiful soon-to-be 15 year old daughter, Audrey, whereby she felt it was time to return to the US to be closer to family. She taught Spanish at West Fork High School for 3 years and then Spanish at Fayetteville High School for 7 years before embarking on her next overseas assignment to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba for 2 years. Wanting to again be closer to family, she moved back to NWA and has been working at AAA as part of the Special Services team. She loves it here in NWA, working at the AAA and she loves her students.

Exciting times ahead! Arkansas Arts Academy is proud to announce the formation of our first ever E-sports Team, and we're inviting our talented students to step up for tryouts.

Why E-sports?

E-sports, or competitive video gaming, has seen a meteoric rise in popularity and recognition worldwide. Beyond the thrill of competition, participating in E-sports fosters essential life skills such as strategic thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving. Plus, it provides a platform for our students to engage in a community-driven activity that resonates with their interests. With its rising prominence, some colleges now offer scholarships to standout E-sports players, providing a pathway for our students to blend passion with academic pursuits.

Game Line-up & Schedule:

• Tuesdays, 4:00-5:00pm:

• League of Legends

• Splatoon™ 3

• Wednesdays, 4:00-5:00pm:

• Super Smash Bros.™ Ultimate

• NBA 2K

• Thursdays, 4:00-5:00pm:

• Rocket League

• Madden

• Mario Kart™ 8 Deluxe

• Hearthstone

Selected participants would need to attend sessions for their specific game and dedicate at least one additional day for practice.

Tryouts & Team Selection:
We encourage all students to express their interest through the Google Form at TinyURL.com/AAAEsports. A selection process will be in place to determine our final lineup.

For more information, please refer to the attached flyer which outlines games, schedules, and other pertinent details or visit PlayVS.com/Arkansas for specific rules for each game. Contact Mr. Beard at rbeard@artsk12.org if you have any additional questions.

Peace Week Art Contest, Essay Contest & Lesson Plans

Arkansas Peace Week (September 17-24, 2023) offers great youth programs for schools and youth programs.

Peace Week Essay Contest – Essay Contest for 7th – 12 Grade Students

• Cash Prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place winners in each grade.
• Entry Deadline September 6, 2023
• Winners are invited to read their essays at the Arkansas State Capitol on September 23.

Peace Week Art Contest – Art Contest for 1st -12th Grade Students

• Cash Prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place winners in each grade.
• Entry Deadline September 6, 2023
• Finalists will be displayed at the Arkansas State Capitol. September 17-23.

School and Group Lesson Plans and Resources

• Lesson plans and resources developed in partnership with LRSD and Volunteers in Public Schools (VIPS). We invite all Arkansas schools and youth groups to participate and present these lessons teaching peacemaking skills to the youth in our state.

Peace Week began our school programs in 2017 when Pax Christi Little Rock (PCLR) worked with school counselor Mildred Calhoun to develop a peace curriculum for Little Rock’s Rockefeller Elementary. The following year we worked with Volunteers in Public Schools (VIPS) and Little Rock School District to expand these non-violence lesson plans and resources for elementary age students. Today over 15,000 students participate in Arkansas Peace Week from all over the state: from Bella Vista to McGehee and Blytheville to Eldorado.

Please visit our website www.arkansaspeaceweek.com or our Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/arkansaspeaceweek for the latest information. Email arpeaceweek@gmail.com with questions.

Calling all aspiring performers! Unleash your inner star with Alex Fry's extraordinary musical theatre class Join us for an unforgettable after-school journey into the world of singing and acting on our high school campus. Whether you're a seasoned performer or just starting to explore the stage, this deep dive into the art of musical theatre will elevate your skills and boost your confidence. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to shine – enroll today and let your passion take center stage! #MusicalTheatreMagic #AlexFryClass #UnleashYourPassion

afry@artsk12.org

Elevate Your Music Game with AJ Harris!

Calling all young talents aged 13-18! Join AJ Harris's vibrant after-school music class on the high school campus. Unleash your singing, rapping, musical, or production skills in a collaborative, inspiring environment. Don't miss the chance to amplify your musical journey – enroll now! Contact aharris@artsk12.org

AAA notifies the parents of each student about the right to request information regarding the professional qualifications of the student's classroom teachers and paraprofessionals. ESSA §1112(e)(1)(A-B)