Mrs. Otten’s students made amazing relief sculptures using cardboard.
They explored different types of sculptures while learning the value of reusing everyday materials to create art. ♻️
Using updated rosters from FC Barcelona and Real Madrid (two of Spain’s biggest rivals), students asked and answered questions about jersey numbers — all in Spanish!
A great way to combine language learning with culture and a little friendly competition
Check out this video Sylvan Hills Middle School did on AVID Day last week. 🎥➡️ https://youtu.be/GQvNB4ABA2Q
Here’s how you can join the fun:
🎓 Rock your favorite college tee
💼 Suit up in your dream-career shirt
📸 Pose for a pic and tag us #PCSSDproud #ServeAll
🎂 At least 18 years old
🏠 An Arkansas citizen
🪪 Present a state-issued ID
🎂 At least 18 years old
🏠 An Arkansas citizen
🪪 Present a state-issued ID
Be the Type to save a life by participating in Student Council's Blood Drive on Tuesday, September 16th from 9:00 a.m to 2:00 p.m. We invite members of the community to donate!
and opportunity. Pulaski County Judge Barry Hyde honored PCSSD by declaring September 12, 2025, as “AVID Day” in Pulaski County, Arkansas. Read more about it here: https://www.pcssd.org/article/2414479 #PCSSDproud #ServeAll #myAVIDwhy #AVIDDay
We are proud to celebrate Chef Appreciation Week, a time to honor the chefs who bring passion, creativity, and care to every meal they prepare for our students. At PCSSD, we have a pair of chefs who transform food into celebration, comfort, connection, and community – Chartwells' Executive Chef King Joseph and Chef Sarah Montgomery, who prepare meals in our cafés & caterings for district staff; help train our kitchen staffs; conduct in-café programs with our students; and so much more. Thank you, Chef King & Chef Sarah, for all you do for the students of PCSSD!
Students are practicing precise language by designing Lego sets and writing instructions for their partners to rebuild. Such a fun (and valuable!) way to sharpen communication skills.
This hands-on pathway, part of the Academy of Engineering, equips students with real-world skills for future construction careers right here in our community.
Our Life & Fitness Nutrition classes are growing their own veggies with a Tower Garden — including fresh lettuce 🥬.
These harvests will be featured in the annual Burger Wars Competition this spring 🍔🔥.
Real-world lessons, right here at Sylvan Hills!
Tomorrow, PCSSD students and staff—let’s turn the hallways into a runway of college and career readiness! Every shirt you wear tells your story of where you've been or where you want to be.
🎓 Rock your favorite college tee
💼 Suit up in your dream-job attire
📸 Snap a pic & tag us
What is AVID?
PCSSD is implementing AVID in every grade level at all elementary, middle and high schools across the district. Our AVID teams are eagerly promoting this system which increases student engagement, promotes classroom collaboration and activates deeper levels of learning in their classrooms with practical, immediately useful tools and instructional strategies. Teachers who participate in AVID professional learning begin to shift their beliefs about teaching and learning, allowing them to cultivate a growth mindset both for themselves and their students.
AVID Mission Statement
AVID’s mission is to close the opportunity gap by preparing all students for college and career readiness and success in a global society.
AVID for Elementary Schools
Putting future leaders on an early path to success in school
AVID Elementary engages young learners and provides them with the critical skills to become confident, independent thinkers who have a thirst for learning. Teachers use AVID strategies to provide students with:
Proven ways to succeed in school
Writing to learn, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization and Reading to learn
Note-taking and time management skills
Best ways to work together inside and outside of the classroom
AVID for Secondary Schools
Moving future leaders toward college success and beyond
AVID’s teaching strategies and curriculum build positive teacher-student relationships to ensure student success schoolwide. AVID Elective students:
Proven ways to succeed in school
Enroll in advanced courses (AP®)
Receive academic instruction and tutorial support
Strengthen their writing skills
Improve study and organization skills
Gain “college knowledge”
Visit colleges and explore careers
The AVID Advantage
Reduces variation in classroom instruction.
Leverages grit and determination of students.
Emphasizes rigorous coursework, relevance of instruction and relationships.
Raises expectations of educators, students and their families.
Re-energizes the staff on campus and in the district.
✅ Before school tutoring: Every day
✅ After school tutoring: Tuesdays & Thursdays
A great way to boost your confidence, improve your scores, and thrive in class. Come join us starting September 15, 2025. 💪
🚀 Our incredible volunteers gave over 10,000 hours of their time to students last school year, and they’re ready to level up for 2025-2026!
📚 Today, ladies from the UAPB Alumni Association kicked off a monthly Book Club with our third graders at College Station and Harris Elementaries. Kids also had a friend scavenger hunt where they had to get signatures from the other school's scholars.
💖 Want in on the fun? Become a PCSSD volunteer and help spark young minds. Sign up here: https://securevolunteer.com/Pulaski-County-Special-School-District/home
🔒 Safety first: Anyone who wishes to volunteer at a PCSSD school must first complete a volunteer application. This includes a background check conducted online at no cost to the volunteer.
#PCSSDproud #ServeAll #CSESonFire #PantherProud #BetterTogether
