GREENWOOD PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Congratulations to the Greenwood FFA students!!

The Greenwood Education Hall of Honor reception will be held in the Student Union (High School cafeteria) starting at 5:30, Friday, October 1st. The reception is open to the public. Honorees: Donnie Whitson Michael Lejong JoElla Skaggs

JoElla Skaggs attended Greenwood High School where she was a member of the Beta Club, sang in the choir, was in the Greenwood High School Hall of Fame, and named 1974 Girl of the Year. She was always involved in high school as the Annual Staff Co-Editor, President of Future Homemakers of America, and Senior Homecoming Maid. Upon high school graduation in 1974, JoElla moved to Brownwood, Texas, to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree from Howard Payne University, then it was on to Texas A and M University/Commerce for her Masters in Educational Administration. Immediately after college graduation, JoElla took a job in Sherman, Texas. During that time she taught economics, government and history, and served as student council sponsor, volleyball coach, cheer sponsor, and principal. After teaching in Texas for 13 years, JoElla came home to Greenwood in 1992, and the Greenwood School District has NEVER been the same. Ask anyone in the Greenwood Public School system, and they will tell you that Ms. Skaggs is a force. Her zeal for excellence in all things GHS is inspiring, her laughter echoing, and her spirit indomitable. For 29 years, JoElla has fostered a culture of service and excellence in Greenwood Schools, especially in Greenwood High School. Many in attendance will remember the two years Ms. Skaggs served as Student Council sponsor or the five years she was GHS Varsity Volleyball coach. No doubt most will remember her 25 years as Junior Class Sponsor whereby she rivals Carolyn Tarver for most Junior/Senior proms attended. Perhaps she is best known in her role as Beta Club Sponsor for the past 29 years. Every student here has felt the impact of her dedication to the tenets of achievement, character, leadership, and service. As a classroom teacher instilling a sense of patriotism, duty, and integrity was always central to her curriculum as she taught US History, World History, Economics, Sociology, Psychology, Freshman, Junior, and Senior English. Her dedication to students and community has been recognized through numerous awards: In 2003 she was named Arkansas Veterans of Foreign Wars Teacher of the Year. She was 2004 Walmart teacher of the year and has the vest to prove it. In 2010 JoElla was Greenwood Citizen of the Year, was 2013 Arkansas Beta Club Sponsor of the Year, and was recognized in 2017 as National Beta Club Sponsor of the Year. What her awards cannot capture is the culture she cultivates at Greenwood High School. You know you are an administrator at Greenwood High School when you are signing off on a bus request from Ms. Skaggs to travel one thousand eight hundred twenty three miles across the country to Washington, D.C. with a bus load of students. You know you are a teacher when successes come with the expectation of a celebratory Beta Waffle Breakfast and you anticipate the Big Beta Breakfast. And you know you are a GHS student when the epitome of trust is to be a Skaggs aide and you have the t-shirt to prove it! Her favorite Beta activity is organizing the Community Veterans Day Assembly where she has instituted a tradition of issuing Greenwood High School challenge coins to veterans and active members of the military. Even when COVID shut down all in-door assemblies, Ms. Skaggs found a way to continue the Community Veterans Day tradition with a drive-by parade. JoElla embodies the indomitable Bulldog Spirit in her refusal to quit. Walls are climbed, paths are forged, and obstacles are overcome as she trains the younger generation to step up to life’s challenges. Since 2003 JoElla has served as the Executive Director of the Greenwood Education Foundation where she ensures that Greenwood School’s legacy of excellence will translate through generations yet to walk the hallowed halls. The Skaggs family was large by any standard with six girls and two boys. Because of the wide range of ages, a Greenwood school bus stopped in front of the Skaggs family homestead for 36 years until the final Skaggs sibling graduated from Greenwood High School in 1984. Her siblings and their spouses have filled her life with nieces and nephews, all of whom are convinced they are Aunt Jo’s favorite. The love of a large family has sustained her through the years, and she now lives in the house that raised her. JoElla is an active member of First Baptist Church where she is involved with the music program as pianist, choir, and praise team member. She is humbled by the love and grace extended by her church and school family and grateful for their support throughout the years. JoElla has made us all a family. Reception for the Hall of Honor Inductees will be Friday, Oct. 1st at 5:30 in the Student Union. Induction will take place prior to the Homecoming game.

Michael Lejong graduated from Greenwood High School in 1990 and the University of Arkansas Fay Jones School of Architecture in 1996. From there he began a distinguished and noted career. His professional impact on the community, state and national scale will be long remembered through the structures he built. His personal impact on the community, state and national scale will long be remembered through the relationships he built. He is remembered for his dedication, kindness, generosity and passion. While attending the UA architecture school, Lejong studied at the University of Arkansas Rome Center in Italy and was in the founding studio of the University of Arkansas Community Design Center. He was recognized in 2019 by the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design as a John G. Williams Fellow. He also served as a member of the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design Dean’s Circle. In 2020 Michael served as chair of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Small Firm Exchange and was also selected to the AIA National Leadership Academy, a three-year focused leadership program. He was one of 19 members elected out of nearly 100,000 members to serve as a strategic councilor of the Gulf States Region of the AIA. Michael was presented with the Dick Savage Memorial Award by the Arkansas Chapter of the American Institute of Architects during the organizations’ 2016 State Convention. The award is presented for notable and significant contributions to AIA and the architecture profession through outstanding leadership, service, and commitment. Michael was appointed by Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson in 2017 to represent the citizens of Arkansas on the State Board of Architects, Landscape Architects, and Interior Designers. Some of his work included the Windgate Studio and Design Center on the University of Arkansas campus. In addition to actively representing the AIA, Michael served as the City of Greenwood, Arkansas' Economic Development Commission Chair. He was a board member for the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce, Greenwood Education Foundation, Greenwood Parks Department Trails Committee, University of Arkansas Fort Smith College of Applied Science and Technology Advisory Board, Western Arkansas Rails to Trails Board and the Western Arkansas Workforce Development Board. Lejong was the principal-in-charge of construction and chief financial officer for Fort Smith based MAHG Architecture and practiced architecture with the firm since 1999. In 1996, Lejong married the love of his life, Katie (Cox), also a GHS graduate. The Greenwood community became home to them and their children, Abbey and Emerson. Continuing the Bulldog legacy, Abbey graduated from GHS in 2015 and Emerson in 2020. Driving to high school softball and soccer games became a prominent part of Michael’s life during his daughters’ high athletic careers and extended to their college careers as Abbey played softball at Drury University and Emerson currently plays soccer at Hendrix University. Though he was a dedicated architect, Michael’s family always took priority over work. The love for his family extended through his passion for architecture for the Greenwood community. Michael believed in giving back to communities and individuals. He was named ‘Citizen of the Year’ by the local Chamber of Commerce in 2018. Michael’s leadership and influence are evidenced by his work with the walking trail that winds through Greenwood, the Bell Park Wilkinson Pavillion, the Greenwood Police Station, and Greenwood High School. He was “hands-on” with several Eagle Scout projects and other organizations who called on him for assistance with special projects, generous with both his time and his talents. HIs latest project with the Greenwood Education Foundation was to create a map of the high school campus to mark all the Class Sidewalks to provide direction to alumni as they return to campus searching for their sidewalk. His most recent work included the Center for Art and Education in Van Buren and renovations to Northside High School in Fort Smith. He was the epitome of a Citizen Architect. Words like inspirational, effective leader, talented, mentor, encourager and “trail-maker” are accurate descriptions of Michael and rightfully place him in the 2021 Hall of Honor Class for the Greenwood Education Foundation. Michael passed away July 19th following his election into the Hall of Honor. His family has since established the Michael Lejong Memorial Scholarship in his honor. Reception for Hall of Honor Inductees will be at 5:30 in the Student Union and Induction will be prior to the Homecoming game, Oct. 1st.

Scott-Sebastian Library starting a new program for students 12 and older.

Donnie Whitson After graduating from Ozark Public Schools, where he excelled as an athlete, Donnie Whitson became a life-long educator following his graduation from Arkansas Tech. Coach Whitson demonstrated success in every stage of his career as an educator. His first job as a football coach was in Pocahontas before moving to Greenwood in 1980 to become a football coach and health and physical education teacher. Though an excellent coach, Donnie Whitson is best known for his leadership and direction at East Hills Middle School. In late 1988 he was named as the first principal of the new East Hills Middle School in Greenwood, where he would spend the next 10 years until his retirement. At the time there were only a handful of middle schools in the state, and it was up to Donnie to plan and organize how Greenwood’s new Middle School would best serve the District’s 5th-7th graders. He dedicated thousands of working hours to ensure the vision he saw for the new middle school would come to fruition and to ensure all staff members were thoroughly trained in the Middle School Model. He spent many hours in the summer prior to the school’s opening working on building a playground. He was often seen hauling supplies in “ole red” to complete jobs as well as physical labor to get things done. In August 1999, East Hills Middle School opened to 778 students. He continually “tweaked” things to make it better for kids and had a talent at reaching kids with his contagious smile. Donnie believed in kids and they knew it. HIs door was always open for teachers and students and the respect always flowed both ways. Donnie’s vision was to ensure all students received the highest quality of education possible and all had the same opportunities. His vision grew into “The Special Education Integrated Model” to integrate special education students into mainstream classrooms. Donnie developed this model and presented it at the state Administration Conference and Middle School conferences both state and national. This model is still used in our middle school today as well as all across the state. Donnie served on the Arkansas Association of Middle Level Educators Board as well as the Arkansas Association of Middle Level Administrators Board. In 2005, East Hills Middle School received the Arkansas Middle School of the Year/The Shannon Wright Award under Donnie’s leadership. He thrived as a mentor to children regardless of their backgrounds. He had an amazing ability to connect with the students who struggled as well as the students who thrived. Donnie coined the FINAO (Failure Is Not an Option) Assembly. Using grants that Donnie wrote himself, students were awarded cash and various prizes based on grades, behavior and hard work. He insisted on finding a reason for all students to be a part of receiving these prizes in order to motivate their education and promote their participation and admiration of school, including having 800+ water balloons thrown at him and being Duct Taped to a wall. Donnie’s knowledge of kids was an art. He cared about their education and he made it look cool. In 2009, he was named AAMLA Principal of the Year. He retired from administration in 2011 after being in education for 32 years. He attended Arkansas Tech on a football scholarship and it was there that he met Carol, his wife of 43 years. Their two children, Josh and Sarah (Brownfield) greatly valued their dad’s friendship, listening skills and sense of humor. Following retirement, Donnie's new passions would become grandkids and music. He absolutely adored his grandbabies and loved teaching them to build things, singing with them and playing all kinds of games. Donnie was truly one of a kind, and his influence was widespread. The stories that he told became indelible memories and there was always something buried in his words. The Greenwood Education Foundation is very proud to induct Donnie Whitson into their Hall of Honor Class of 2021. Following his death in 2020, a scholarship in his honor was established with the Foundation for a GHS graduating senior. Induction reception will be held Friday, October 1st at 5:30 in the Student Union. Presentation into the Hall of Honor will be prior to the game.

The Greenwood Education Foundation announces Hall of Honor Inductees and reception.

Greenwood Jr. High game. Check out the Band!!

Flu Season

Thank you parents and students for all you do to help curb the spread of COVID-19! Keep up the good work! Here is a link to some Frequently Asked Questions for your reference! https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/880661/COVID-19_Q___A_for_Parents__2_.pdf

Today is I.T. Professionals Day! Thank you to our I.T. department-we appreciate you! #GSDexcellence

Information on Thursday, September 23rd football game with Parkview at War Memorial Stadium. Kick off at 7:00 p.m. Tickets will be sold at gate #1, beginning at 5:45 P.M. All tickets are $5.00 for school age and adults. The gates for fans to enter the stadium will be open at 6:00 P.M. All fans will sit on the east side of the stadium. Parkview fans will sit on the south side of the 50 yard line and Greenwood fans will sit on the north side of the 50 yard line. Greenwood’s band will sit in sections number 1 & 2. Greenwood’s football team will dress in the home team locker room on the west side of the stadium. Greenwood’s football team will warm-up on the north end of the stadium and be on the press box sideline during the football game. Passes accepted are AAA Lifetime, AAA 2021-2022, Little Rock School District Employee ID and Little Rock District Family Passes. War Memorial Stadium has a clear bag policy that will be enforced. Stadium seats and umbrellas are allowed. All persons entering the stadium may be scanned by the stadium security staff. A clear bag policy will be enforced when you enter the stadium. Press box passes are for the third floor of the press box. The concession stand will only be open on the east side of the stadium.

Military Family Forum Meeting Information.

Greenwood students assisting at Sebastian County Boys and Girls Club - United Way Day of Caring event. #GSDexcellence

Ticket Information: All Tickets for home games will be purchased at the Gates until further notice. Tickets already purchased online will be honored Thank you!

Congratulations to the Jr. High Girls Cross Country team for also placing 1st in the Fort Smith Invitational!! Way to go! #GSDexcellence

Congratulations to the cross country teams!! 1st place for the Senior High Girls and for the Jr. High Boys team! 📸 Holly Williams

Sept. 11th

Bus Drivers Needed! Now Hiring for drivers and substitute drivers.

Honors Physics Cardboard Regatta Teacher Loren Kennedy GHS Physics Students were tasked with building a cardboard boat to compete in the GHS Physics 1st Annual Boat Regatta at Vache Grasse. Special thank you to Vache Grasse (Gina Metz) for hosting the event & Alpha Packaging for donating the cardboard for the event.