The 2024-25 SSD School Calendar was approved by the district's Board of Education Monday night. The calendar was developed following input from parents, faculty and staff. This calendar will be similar to those of previous years, however, instead of counting days of instruction, this calendar will be based on minutes of instruction. The first day of school will be August 19 and the last day of school is scheduled to be May 23, the Friday before Memorial Day. There will be 173 total days of instruction (compared to 178 in a traditional calendar), and the school days will be slightly longer (8:00-3:20 instead of 8:00-3:10).
The Sheridan School Board approved this week a plan to add 10 minutes at the end of each school day -- beginning Monday, Feb. 19 -- for the remainder of the 2023-24 school year to make up three of the days that were missed due to inclement weather. (Beginning Monday, the school days will be 8:00-3:20, instead of 8:00-3:10.) The other two days that were missed will be made up on Feb. 16 and March 29, which were built into the original calendar as make-up days. Attached is the revised calendar for the 2023-24 school year.
Thank you to SMS PTO / Mill Town for providing dinner for our teachers at ALA. Another thank you to Pine Federal Credit Union for helping make our Valentines special for our staff and students.
Congratulations to the Lady Jackets for their win at White Hall last night!
Students in Mrs. Lewis' AP Psychology class enjoyed making "sock babies" to care for during their Developmental Psychology Unit. This ongoing project emphasizes child development, parenting styles, and role of parenthood as students provide 24-hour care to their "babies."
Join us in congratulating Tamara Howard, who was approved by the Sheridan School Board on Monday night to be principal at East End Elementary School in 2024-25. (Current EEE principal Vickie Easley will be retiring.)
Howard has served as assistant principal at EEE for the past three years and has been with the Sheridan School District since 2012. A former head softball coach and assistant basketball coach for Sheridan, "Coach" is known by many for leading the Lady Yellowjacket softball team to four consecutive Class 6A state championships from 2016-2019, compiling at 141-22 record during that time. Howard has a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from the University of Central and a master’s degree and specialist degree in Educational Leadership from Harding University.
Congratulations to Tamara Howard! #YJNation #BeADifferenceMaker
Congratulations to Sheridan's Alternative Learning Academy for being selected by the Arkansas Association of Alternative Educators as one of the highest achieving alternative learning programs in Arkansas. And extra kudos to Sheridan student Josh Belcher for receiving the group's Diamond Award. According to the AAAE website, the award is given to students "... for displaying diligence, perseverance, sensitivity and resiliency." In addition to Belcher, those in attendance representing Sheridan were students Jacob Atkins and Arabella Gay, ALA Principal Dennis Wolfe, teachers Tyler Seaton and Randy Stout, and SSD Superintendent Dr. Karla Neathery. Great job! #YJNation #BeADifferenceMaker
REMINDER: The annual Sheridan High School Elective Fair is being held during the school day today for all 8th-11th grade students. The Elective Fair will also be open tonight during Parent-Teacher Conferences for parents and students to view together. The Elective Fair is a great way to explore course options for next year!
Congratulations to the Sheridan 8th grade girls' basketball team for their first round win on Saturday in the conference tournament over Sylvan Hills. They will play White Hall tonight at 7 p.m. at Jacksonville. Go Jackets!
Free substitute teacher training:
Sheridan School District - Tuesday, Feb. 20, 9a-12p
🍎 Proof of high school ciploma/GED required
🍏 Must pass FBI/DHS background checks (please call ESS prior to training for instructions)
🍎 Bring I-9 acceptable documents to the training
If you have questions, please contact ESS at (800) 641-0140.
Thank you to Mrs. Christy Daniels for all she does for the staff and students at our ALA campus. She goes above and beyond for our staff, and puts our students' needs above her own. #YJNation
It's time to sign up for cheer tryouts ... (info in the graphic.)
The 2024 Sheridan football schedule is set! It's going to be a GREAT season to be a Yellowjacket! #YJNation
As National School Counseling Week nears its end, we've highlighting counselors throughout the Sheridan School District. Today, we'll profile our high school counselors, Nick Steele, Vicki Strong, and Abbey Lusinger. Thank you for all that you do! #YJNation #BeADifferenceMakers
Twelve Sheridan High School student-athletes participated in National Signing Day activities today in a ceremony at Yellowjacket Arena. SHS seniors who have signed to play college sports include: Kayden Porter (basketball, Ouachita Baptist), Brennan Jarreau (baseball, Henderson State), Bella Norman (track/cross country, Ouachita Baptist), Izaiah Owens (football, Central Arkansas), Abby Martin (volleyball, Lyon College), Lakin Shaw (cheer, Central Arkansas), Braden Reed (football, Ouachita Baptist), Callie Kilburn (softball, Ouachita Baptist), Jackson Bourne (football, Ouachita Baptist), Nathan Uptagrafft (track, Central Arkansas), Joanna Loretz (cheer, Central Arkansas), and Macy Moring (cheer, Central Arkansas). Congratulations to these Yellowjacket seniors and best wishes in your college endeavors! #YJNation #BeADifferenceMaker
During this National School Counseling Week, we've meeting counselors throughout the Sheridan School District. Today, we'll profile our middle school counselors, Jessica Ashcraft, Christy Daniels, and Carrie Shankles. We appreciate all that you each do for our district! #YJNation #BeADifferenceMakers
Our final SSD school board member profile is of the longest-serving member of the board, Jody Spann. He has served on the board more than 26 years, and was president of the board approximately 17 years.
What is your occupation/employer? I have been in the custom home-building business all my life. Both of my grandfathers were builders. My Dad and uncle operated Spann and Williams builders for 32 years. My wife, Sherry, and I started Spann Construction Inc. in 1998. We specialize in custom home-building and design.
Where are you originally from? (where you grew up) I am a life-long resident of East End.
How long have you served on the SSD Board of Education? I became a board member 26+ years ago (1997) to be more involved with my children's education and now have the same opportunity with my grandchildren. I have had the opportunity to serve under five superintendents.
What drew you to serve on the board? I wanted to be part of helping improve and enhance the education system of Sheridan Schools, as well as be an advocate for students and staff in the Sheridan School District.
What do you enjoy most about the position? Watching our teachers and staff succeed in having a positive impact on students’ lives and seeing those students going on to be successful contributing citizens.
Tell us a little about your education/experience/background? I was Senior Class President and a 1978 graduate of Sheridan High School. While I was in school, I enjoyed being part of the football team, FFA and Youth For Christ. After graduation, I attended the Missionary Baptist Seminary.
Any info about your family or pets you’d like to share? I have been married to my high school sweetheart, Sherry, for 44 years. We have two children: daughter, Charity Hart, and son, Billy John Spann, both graduates of Sheridan Schools. We also have six grandchildren: Chelsey, Payten, Zaine, Wyatt, Sally Kate, and Avery.
What is your favorite meal? One of the favorite things about turkey hunting with my Dad was the fried wild turkey breast, fried potatoes and homemade rolls when the hunt was successful, which most of the time it was with my Dad.
What is your dream vacation? (Assuming money and time are not an issue.) Sherry and I have had the privilege to travel to some very nice places in last several years, but Hawaii and Alaska remain on our bucket list.
What are your hobbies? My wife and I love to travel and see new places. I love to dive and spear fish in area lakes. We enjoyed a snow skiing trip at spring break for many years when our kids were in school. I love to hunt, fish, ride horses, and be part of anything our grandchildren are doing.
Below is ticket information for the 5A-South Girls Regional Wrestling tournament. It will be held Saturday, Feb. 10 at Hot Springs Lakeside beginning at 10 a.m.
Tickets are available online through GoFan at: https://gofan.co/event/1377312?schoolId=AR18640
Tickets will be redeemed on site by tournament “ticket-takers,” so it is important that they are not redeemed before then. Tickets are $7 for regional tournaments. Admission will be charged for ages 5 and up. Only the current year AAA passes and lifetime AAA passes will be accepted for this tournament. No conference/district passes will be accepted. Each AAA pass admits 2 people only – the cardholder and one guest.
Let’s support our Jackets!
Coming soon! It's almost time to enroll your new Yellowjacket. Online registration for pre-K and Kindergarten students for the 2024-25 school year will be available beginning March 4. More information will be coming soon. #YJNation
It's Game Day! Sheridan hosts El Dorado tonight at Yellowjacket Arena. JV boys will tip off at 5:00 p.m., followed by the varsity girls. The Lil Jackettes will perform at halftime of the girls game. Varsity boys play following the girls. Go Jackets! #YJNation
