Wildcat Connections: March 2023
El Dorado High School
J.R. Stipp-Bethune & Kieran Obiozo have been recognized as National Merit Finalists. Only 1% of high school seniors are selected as finalists! Congrats, guys!
Barton Junior High School
The Robotics teams from BJHS qualified for Worlds in Dallas, Texas on April 30-May 2.
Hugh Goodwin
During Read Across America Week, students participated in different dress up days. Here, Mrs. Clayton, dressed as Miss Read a Book, poses with her princes and princesses!
Yocum Elementary
Students in Mrs. Gulick's class celebrated Read Across America Week with Arkansas Education Association President Carol Fleming, who stopped by to read and donate books to the library!
The February Wildcat Impact recipient was Julie Baker of Northwest Elementary.
Mrs. Baker is a special education teacher at Northwest. She has been in the district for five years.
One parent said, “Mrs. Baker goes above and beyond to make sure that her students and their families know they are loved and cared about. When I send my son to school, I know that I don't have to worry because she creates a safe place for him to be and watches over him as if he were her own. If he ever has to be out due to sickness or appointments, she checks in just to make sure that everything is okay. Mrs. Baker has encouraged my son to reach his personal and academic goals and has never given up on him even if progress at times is not as quick as we hope. She is everything that we hoped for in a teacher for our child.” A colleague said, “Mrs. Baker is kind and compassionate. She truly cares for all our students at Northwest, not just the ones in her classroom. She is willing to help her fellow teachers, and you always know you can count on her for prayer. Mrs. Baker is a great role model for all of us!”
The Wildcat Impact in El Dorado (WILD) award recognizes one El Dorado School District staff member each month who has made an impact in our community. We recognize that our staff members, from bus drivers to cafeteria staff to classroom teachers to paraprofessionals to administrators all play a vital role in our students' success. We also know that there are many staff members who have made and are making lasting positive impacts on our students and community. We want to celebrate those who go the extra mile, even when many of them see it as just doing what is best for our kids. So, we are asking for nominations from the community, parents, teachers, former students, current students, business partners--anyone that has experienced the positive impact their particular nominee has made and/or continues to make.
In addition to recognition, we are partnering with local businesses and organizations to give a prize to that month's winner. In February, the prize was sponsored by College Avenue church of Christ. College Avenue has been a partner with Northwest Elementary for years, and we are grateful for their support. They donated a gift basket full of goodies.
If there is an ESD staff member that you believe goes above and beyond? Someone who strives to live out our mission "every student deserves." Would like to recognize them--maybe a bus driver, teacher, principal, school counselor, secretary, etc.? Please let us know by completing the form at https://bit.ly/WILDAward.
Monthly Newsletter for the El Dorado School District