Spartan Staff Weekly

Chelsea Jennings, Principal

Rhett Barrett, Assistant Principal

Aaron Tinnin, Assistant Principal

Email: cjennings@sdale.org
Website: sms.sdale.org
Location: 17051 E Hwy 412, Springdale, AR, USA
Phone: (479)750-8821
Facebook: Link

While "remember your why" has become a bit cliché, feeling purpose in our work is what keeps us invested and fulfilled even when it's tough. I reflect on this often, especially at a time when public education is facing more hurdles and needs us to champion it the most. Our kids deserve quality educators, communities need strong schools, and the future depends on both. Some tips to ensure your purpose doesn't get lost in the everyday shuffle:

• Keep student notes or drawings visible. A “feel good” bulletin board or wall of thank-you notes and doodles can lift you up in tough moments.

• Reconnect with former students. When possible, check in on a student you once taught — those moments are powerful reminders that your impact lasts.

• Celebrate small wins with colleagues. Start CTMs with celebrations. Collective joy fuels purpose.

• Post your purpose where you can see it. Keep it on your desk, planner, or computer background as a daily reminder.

• Anchor your tasks to impact. When grading or planning feels endless, remind yourself why it matters — e.g., “This feedback helps my students grow,” not “I have to finish this stack.”

• Revisit your own teacher origin story. What made you want to teach? What student or teacher shaped you?

• Protect your energy. Boundaries aren’t selfish — they preserve your ability to show up for the students and school.

Monday, October 6th:

• WIN: Intervention & Enrichment (Science Priority)
• Prairie Grove Visitors/Observers in AM
• SMS Volleyball vs Elmwood @ Lakeside, 4:30

Tuesday, October 7th:

• WIN: Intervention & Enrichment (ELA Priority)
• Student Leadership Team First Meeting @ WIN
• SMS Volleyball vs Kimmons @ Kimmons, 4:30pm

Wednesday, October 8th:

• CTMs @ 2:10 & Huddle @ 3:30pm

Thursday, October 9th:

• WIN: Intervention & Enrichment (Math Priority)
• Leadership Team Meetings: Team Leaders, PBIS Committee, & SOS Team
• SMS Football vs. Grimsley @ SHS, 5:30

Friday, October 10th:

• End of 1st Quarter
• 1st Quarter RISE Assembly (PM Activity Schedule)

Saturday, October 11th:

• SMS XC Meet /Springdale Meet @ SMS, 8:00am

Please have your grades updated in Empower by the evening of October 9th. We will print and disperse progress reports to Advisory teachers by Monday for conferences.

The Scholastic book fair will begin this Monday (10/6) & be open through the following week, including the evenings of conferences. To help get our students excited to shop the fair, there is a 10 minute video of book trailers that highlight some of the books that will be here.

Advisory teachers, please show these videos to your advisory class one morning this week. (FYI: If the Scholastic site gives you any issues, the refresh button always fixes it for me.) Book fair fliers & notes are in your box. You could wait & pass those out the same day you show the trailers, if you'd like.

All teachers -- Swing by the book fair & fill out a "Wish List Slip" or two (or more!) to hang up on your team's board. Some students get more excited about purchasing a book for their favorite teacher's classroom than they do for themselves! This gets you books in your classrooms & every purchase helps the library.

The book fair is the library's fundraiser--so thank you for your support & help getting our students excited to visit!

• Mon, October 13th - Parent Conferences @ 3:30-6:45
• Tues, October 14th - Parent Conferences @ 3:30-6:45
• Wed, October 15th - Normal Wednesday Schedule
• Thurs, October 16th - PD Day/Parent Contact Day @ 8:00-3:30 (No School)
• 8:00-11:00 - Tim Brown You Can Learn Workshop @ LMC
• 11:00-12:30 - Lunch on your own
• 12:30-3:00 - Parent contact (conference "no shows")
• Leadership Teams Breakout Sessions w/ Tim Brown
• 12:40-1:40 - Guiding Coalition @ War Room
• 1:50-2:50 - Team Leaders @ War Room
• 3:00-3:30 - Huddle @ LMC
• Fri, October 17th - Flex Day (No School)

• Teacher Preparation:
• Advisory Checklist
• Dinner will be provided both nights, so please block out a time to eat between 4:00-6:00.
• Monday - Raising Cane's Chicken Tenders & Sides
• Tuesday - Pizza & Salad
• Student Preparation:
• Learner Profile
• Examples of student work to share

If you're wanting to explore finding your happiness and purpose at work, I recommend a book called HEART! by Timothy Kanold. We have copies you can check out in the War Room professional library.

Shout out to our Weekly Warrior, Braden Kehl, who received the sword from Tom Collins!

Speaking of Collins, I know he thanked the staff last week, but I wanted you to know that we were able to fill up their freezer with a bunch of Wooden Spoon meals and provide extra cash toward expenses. Thank you for your kindness!

Ann Zega 9

Braden Kehl 31