Celebrate National Principal Month with us as we recognize our school leader’s devotion to student success and staff development. We honor their dedication and thank them for all they’ve done.
#GSDexcellence
The Varsity Blue Dazzlers competed Saturday in their first dance competition held at Lake Hamilton. The Dazzlers placed 4th in Kick & 5th in Hip Hop. Congratulations!
The Annual Report to the Public for 2020-21 was presented to the School Board at the Oct. 14th board meeting by Mr. John Ciesla, Superintendent of Schools. To view a copy of the annual report follow this link to the website. https://bit.ly/3veniq9
#GSDexcellence
Parent Teacher Conferences for K-12 grades will be held Thursday, Oct. 21st
****No School for Students on Friday, Oct. 22nd***
Statement regarding School Lockdown this afternoon
The school lockdown regarding a possible active shooter report at Greenwood Junior High School and Greenwood High School this afternoon was initiated after a school employee reported a white van outside of the building with men in camouflage exiting the vehicle.
The active shooter response call was activated and our district security team and Greenwood Police Department responded to secure the area.
Upon investigation, it was determined that the men in question were part of a special operations assignment out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Military officials stated that the group was part of a civil contract and were scheduled to work with a local military base tomorrow. Their presence in the Greenwood community and on the school campus was outside of scheduled air and range for the operations. The group’s scheduled training exercise has now been canceled.
We appreciate the response of our school security team, our administrators, Greenwood Police Department, and our local 188th wing.
Our staff and students did a great job of securing lockdown immediately and keeping calm during this situation. Our main goal during an incident such as this is keep our staff and students safe. The delay in information to parents was a result of working through the chain of command with the involved military agencies.
At 2:55 pm this afternoon, Greenwood Jr High School and Greenwood High School campus went on lockdown due to a report of two men in camouflage on campus. Greenwood Police Department responded and determined that the campus was secure with no pending threat.
Buses were held at East Pointe, East Hills, and Westwood for about 5 minutes pending an “all clear” of the Central office campus.
Buses may run 5 to 10 minutes late today as a result of this incident
Starting Monday---ALL Home Volleyball games will now be played in the Volleyball Gym.
The Greenwood Board of Education met in Special Session this evening and voted to remove the district mask mandate due to decreased COVID case levels.
Effectively immediately, masks are recommended but not mandated.
Students are still protected from quarantine if both parties involved are correctly and consistently wearing masks. We will continue observing social distancing whenever possible, promote good hand washing routines, and do thorough cleaning of classrooms and building facilities. In addition, our staff will make every effort to accommodate students who request preferential seating for maximum social distancing in the classroom.
The goal of the Greenwood School District is to keep students at school to maximize learning, while keeping our staff and students safe. We have applied for the “Test to Stay” program and hope to be approved in the near future. This program will allow students who have been exposed to COVID at school, and are deemed “probable close contacts”, to remain on campus as long as they voluntarily wear a mask and agree to be screened daily with a rapid antigen test rather than being quarantined at home. The Board of Education has given approval for the district to move forward with that program if accepted.
More information on the “Test to Stay” program is available at this link: https://bit.ly/3iGysyV
Questions and comments should be directed to info@greenwoodk12.com.
The Greenwood Board of Education will meet in special session this evening, October 7th at 6:30 p.m. for the purpose of revising the District COVID Continuity of Services Plan and to hire personnel.
GHS Seniors recently read Fearless: The Undaunted Courage and Ultimate Sacrifice of Navy Seal Team SIX Operator Adam Brown. Fans of the book are familiar with “Billy White” who sustained life-threatening injuries when the Humvee he and Adam were riding in was involved in a roadside accident in Afghanistan. Today, Supervisory Special Agent Drew Barnett, the real Billy White, spoke on zoom with GHS students about Adam Brown, a fellow warrior and friend. His long road to healing and eventual deployment back to Afghanistan as part of a special operations unit encouraged young men and women to live a life of service for a purpose higher than themselves.
GHS Seniors recently read Fearless: The Undaunted Courage and Ultimate Sacrifice of Navy Seal Team SIX Operator Adam Brown by Eric Blehm.
Today students had the opportunity to zoom with Eric Blehm where he answered questions about the relationships he formed while interviewing the people who knew and loved Adam. He also talked about the writing process, his unique path to becoming an author, and the year he spent traveling the world after resigning as editor of SNOWboarding Magazine.
Library Program for October for students 12 years old and over.
Greenwood Public Schools Pacesetter Campaign shows 35% increase.
We are proud of the generosity of our staff and are happy to give back to a community that supports us each and every day!
#liveunited
We are SO Thankful to those men and women who work tirelessly to maintain and clean our many buildings that are used for all kinds of reasons on a daily basis.
They take care of the facilities as well as all of us, and we are Grateful for them and all they do! THANK YOU!
HOMECOMING - Oct. 1st.
Bulldogs vs. Mt. Home Bombers
Tickets can be purchased at the gates.
No online ticket sales.
We will honor tickets already purchased online.
Halloween Trail Information
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.
