By DAVID COOKE Special to the NEA Courier The Blytheville Primary School students and, for that matter, the teachers look forward every year to mid-November because that’s when Brian and Terri Kinder and their music program come to the Multi-Purpose Building. The program this year was Nov. 22, and the pre-kindergarten-second grade students filled the... READ MORE >

By DAVID COOKEBlytheville Schools PR Director Administrators, teachers, employees and students for the Blytheville School District came together recently to contribute nonperishable foods, including cereal and crackers, which were then donated to the Blytheville Area Food Pantry for its efforts in helping feed area citizens. In all, the pantry received... READ MORE >

Cody Wyatt, director of the Parks and Activities office for the city of Blytheville, spends lunch with her “lunch buddy” Camiyah Johnson. Wyatt has three lunch buddies every Friday at Blytheville Elementary School and spends nearly two hours talking with them. The “Lunch Buddy” program, created by Lena Pierce and Shayla Adelowo, is a way for concerned citizens to... READ MORE >

Members of the Blytheville High School Class of 1984 posed last Oct. 12 for a group photo during their reunion just before entering the Valley View-Blytheville homecoming game at Haley Field that evening. BHS Student Council sponsor Dasnee McChristian stated that reunions by the classes of 1979, 1984, 1989, 1991, 1994, 1999, 2005 and 2009 have already scheduled... READ MORE >

Members of the Blytheville School District’s 2019-20 Child Find Committee are (front, from left) Reyna Cunningham, Jean Cole, Shirley Byrd, (in back, from left) Patricia Smith, Renee’ Craig, Allison Turner, Christina Nicklson, Trudy Landry, Tiffany Townsend, (not pictured) Melissa Moriarty, Sarah Russell, Lisa Stovall, Julie Ponce, Joanna Mier and Tamika Harris.By... READ MORE >

Students from the Blytheville School District who accounted for either first or second place in the local and state competitions for their poster achievements in the 2018-19 JAC contest were (from left) Destiny Jackson, Shy'Eris Weaver, Jaiden Taylor, Alyssa Warren, Teyton Williams, Selena Salazar and Jelisa McNeary.By DAVID COOKEBlytheville Schools PR... READ MORE >

Much appreciation is expressed to the employees at 5-Star Hydraulics for their contribution to the BPS Backpack Program. Pictured are (from left) program coordinator Paula Pitts, BPS teacher/program supporter and volunteer Tracy Plunkett, Hydraulics employee Diane Bailey, school Speech Language pathologist and due process coordinator Melissa Moriarty and (not... READ MORE >

First-year teachers at Blytheville Middle School include (front, from left) Ebony Wells-Brown of Blytheville, Erica Weathers of Jonesboro, Krisner Smith of Helena-West Helena, Danielle Speirs of Paragould, Ruby Vaden of Luxora, (in back, from left) Justin Gavito of Ward, Scott Corbin of New York, BMS principal Mike Wallace, Timothy Johnson of Paragould and Danny... READ MORE >

State and federal guidelines require that all special education due process forms and records be destroyed within six years after a student leaves the school district’s special education or speech therapy program. The parent or legal guardian has the right to view and obtain his or her child’s due process records, which are available at the Blytheville School... READ MORE >

Construction on the brand-new 2,200-seat Chickasaw Arena by Baldwin & Shell employees continues on the Blytheville High School campus. In fact, construction is 75-percent finished, and once the windows are completed and the air conditioning is installed, the arena will be ready for the flooring and bleachers. Supt. Bobby Ashley stated that Chickasaw and Lady... READ MORE >

Dylan Buckner hammers one of the yardage signs into the turf of the Blytheville High School practice field, with Demetrius Goings holding the sign steady for him. Buckner, a sophomore trumpet player with the Chickasaw Marching Band and also a member of Boy Scout Troop 95, gathered all the materials for his Eagle Scout project of making yardage signs for the band’s... READ MORE >

Registration at Blytheville Elementary School will be July 15-17, each day at the main office from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. During those times student contact and transportation information must be updated. READ MORE >

Marsha McClain of the Blytheville office of the Northeast Arkansas Chapter of the American Red Cross and other Red Cross associates on May 15 talked to the Blytheville Elementary School fourth-graders about the importance of the Pillowcase Project and natural disasters, especially fire and tornadoes. Pictured are (from left) Ignatius Griffin, Sherry Griffin, Kandy... READ MORE >

For parents, family members and friends of the Blytheville High School 2018-19 graduates, parking spaces for the May 14 Effie Lee Terrell Awards Ceremony at the BHS Gym and the May 17 BHS graduation (at either Haley Field or the BHS Gym) may be scarce because of construction to the new multi-purpose arena. For the awards ceremony seniors should park near... READ MORE >

Germantown head coach Chris Smith is a 2005 graduate of Blytheville High School and a former Blytheville resident.By the NEA CourierGermantown High School Head Coach Chris Smith has been announced as the 2018 winner of the prestigious Rex Award, honoring an outstanding Memphis area football coach.The award, which is presented by the National Football Foundation... READ MORE >

Camille Garner (right) earned second place and a trophy at the Level 1 French Vocabulary Bee during the March 30 AFLTA World Language Competition, and Nekyia Williams finished third with a trophy at the Level 2 French Vocabulary Bee. Eleven BHS students were part of the 847 persons who participated in the competition. By DAVID COOKEBlytheville Schools PR Dir. ... READ MORE >

The “big frame” of steel beams on the site of the brand-new Blytheville High School multi-purpose arena has been erected, says district director of Operations Randy Jumper. The next item to be completed will be the roof, and Jumper added that 2019-20 basketball games could begin at the arena by November, and certainly by January.By DAVID COOKEBlytheville Schools PR... READ MORE >

Travis Adams (second from right), a 2008 Blytheville High School honor graduate and member of the Chickasaw football team, on April 4 was the special guest speaker at the annual “Pride of the Chickasaw Tribe” Banquet at the BHS cafeteria. With Adams are (from left) BHS teachers Ashley Moore, Kristy Brasfield, assistant principal Jennifer Blankenship, teacher... READ MORE >

By DIANE HAY Special to the Courier News Students from the Blytheville Public Schools again stood out at the March 30 state competition of Odyssey of the Mind at North Little Rock, and when the World Finals competition at East Langston, MI, begins in approximately five weeks, the Blytheville Elementary School team will be a big part of that event as well as the... READ MORE >

Members of the “Boyz II Men” mentoring program at Blytheville Elementary School pose for a photo during a Tuesday afternoon session in the BES Gym. The program is led by directors Cashmere Sharpe and Charles Hobbs, and they have had ample support from men such as Curtis Walker, Jr., Steven Savage and Carlos Wells. Savage and Hobbs are pictured in the far row, at... READ MORE >

Blytheville High School teachers Dr. Paula Williams (left) and Kristy Brasfield will be two of the presenters at the New Tech Annual Conference July 15-19 in Orlando. Williams’ presentation will be “Project Theater - Designed for Microsoft Access”. Brasfield will have two presentations, “PBL and AP: An Uncommon Combination” and “Effective Project Planning”.By DAVID... READ MORE >

Members of the Blytheville High School Odyssey of the Mind team wearing the medals they earned for winning in Division III "Structure Toss" at the Greene County Tech basketball arena March 2 at Paragould include Gatsby Langston Brown (kneeling) and (from left) Connor Frazier, Shamari Cooper, Wills Gullic, Katelyn Pruett, Jacob Pruett and Diamond Henry. The coaches... READ MORE >

Members of the Odyssey of the Mind team from Blytheville Elementary School, who will compete March 2 in the Northeast Regional Division I “Classics” at Greene County Tech Intermediate School in Paragould, are (front, from left) Steffond Blankenship, Jace Vincent, Emmaly Allen, Markia Lea, Rico Moore, (in back, from left) coach Megan Trucks, Ayden Allen, Rezo... READ MORE >

By DAVID COOKEBlytheville Schools PR Dir. Considering the efforts students do on a daily basis every day for most of the school year, at times a little creativity is necessary. At least that’s what Deborah Patterson believes, and allowing her students to engage more in their “Bingo” writing challenges has helped them to become better writers and tap into their... READ MORE >

Leaders and members of “Girls Reaching All Concepts of Excellence” on Oct. 18 listened as community volunteer Rhonda Hodges (middle) talked to the girls about domestic violence. Also pictured (at right) is GRACE program director Ashley Moore. GRACE is a mentoring and youth development program, and its mission is to empower girls to become the “best versions of... READ MORE >

Some of the chairpersons responsible for the Blytheville School District’s campaign drive for the United Way of Greater Blytheville are pictured with United Way executive director Mary Helen Moody. The school district provided $3,569.45 to the local United Way. The chairpersons are (seated, from left) Tiffany Snyder of Food Services, Moody, Johnetta Orr of the... READ MORE >

Bridgette Branson, a third grade teacher at Blytheville Elementary School, works with a few of her students, helping them to “feel” the sound as they learn certain parts of words. Branson and seven other BES teachers are trained in CONNECTIONS, which helps the students to spell words because their hands are “constantly touching and moving”, hence, remembering.By... READ MORE >

Mississippi County District Court judge Shannon Langston has a little fun with a few students, talking with them in an imaginary court scenario which includes (from left) “prosecuting attorney” Micah Dawkins, “judge” Katelyn Johnson, “defendant” Leville Whitley and “defense attorney” Terrian Handy. Langston, a 1983 BHS graduate, talked to the sixth-graders Nov. 12... READ MORE >

Beth McGrain helps Keunitae Dye (left) and Eddie Garner during the reciprocal reading portion of Historical Writing. According to McGrain, reciprocal reading emphasizes teamwork and supports independent comprehension skills.By DAVID COOKEBlytheville Schools PR Dir. Blytheville Middle School teachers Beth McGrain and Sarah Harden are in their first year of... READ MORE >

From the Blytheville School District's Dept. of Safety and Security, and approved by superintendent Bobby Ashley. 1. 1 p.m.: Individuals interested in tailgating can begin marking (chalk, small stakes, etc.) where they want to set up, on the grassy area located between the middle school and 6th Street (grassy area only, not the parking lot or any area with... READ MORE >

Members of the Blytheville High School Class of 1980 posed last Oct. 6 for a group photo during their reunion just before entering the Greene County Tech-Blytheville homecoming game at Haley Field that evening. BHS Student Council sponsor Casey DeFord stated that reunions by the classes of 1978, 1988, 1993, 1996 and 1998 have already scheduled reunions, which will... READ MORE >

From the Blytheville School District's Dept. of Safety and Security and approved by Supt. Bobby Ashley. For individuals and groups interested in 'tailgating' prior to Oct. 12 Chickasaws' homecoming game with Valley View: • 1 pm - persons interested in tailgating can begin marking (chalk, small stakes, etc.) where they want to set up, on the grassy area located... READ MORE >

Third-graders in Felice Williams’ classroom (bottom photo) mimick the process of pollination with their lily flowers and bees during their study of plant life cycles.By DAVID COOKEBlytheville Schools PR Director Blytheville Elementary School third-graders are studying inheritance and variation of traits as their first science unit. This is done in preparation for... READ MORE >

Members of the Blytheville School District’s Child Find Committee include (front, from left) Lisa Stovall, IDEA secretary/bookkeeper; Jean Cole, director of Behavior Support/Special Education; Nicole Turney, parent/special education teacher; (in back, from left) Patricia Smith, due process assistant; Hannah Rogers, speech therapist; Renee Craig, speech therapist;... READ MORE >

Blytheville Primary School first-graders from Bridget Jones’ classroom who so far have donated the most coins for “Coins for a Cause” include (left photo, from left) Degrick Evans, Warren Moriarty and Johnny Partee, Jr.By DAVID COOKEBlytheville Schools PR Dir. Blytheville Primary School’s first-quarter community involvement project, “Coins for a Cause”, is off to... READ MORE >

Monte Hodges (center) is pictured with Blytheville Middle School eighth-graders who are part of Paula Lipscomb and Veda Struble’s block one American Studies class. Hodges, a 1990 graduate of Blytheville High School, is in his third term as the District 55 State Representative for Northeast Arkansas.By DAVID COOKEBlytheville Schools PR Dir. It would seem Monte... READ MORE >

State and federal guidelines require that all special education due process forms and records be destroyed within six years after a student leaves the school district’s special education or speech therapy program. The parent or legal guardian has the right to view and obtain his or her child’s due process records, which are available at the Blytheville School... READ MORE >

BHS students collaborate during Lena Pierce’s “Birthday Book Project”, a real world authentic project New Tech leaders encourage.By DAVID COOKEBlytheville Schools PR Dir. Blytheville High School’s New Tech Network is beginning its sixth year, and Matthew Swenson said that as eager as he is to help BHS instructors continue to push their instruction towards... READ MORE >

Student Handbook 2018-2019 available here! READ MORE >

Saundra Harms distributes Ole’ Frijole’s Dip to the third-graders in Courtney Flood’s classroom during their May 9 “Kids in the Kitchen” lesson at Blytheville Elementary School. Harms, nutrition educator with the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service’s Division of Agriculture, just completed her third year at BES teaching students about healthy... READ MORE >

Members of the Blytheville Elementary School team that earned fifth place in the 2018 World Finals at Iowa State University in May are (seated, from left) Ryley Walker, Elliana Davis, (second row, from left) RyAnne Davis, Marley Rand, McKinley Walker, (standing, from left) Tyrone Davis, coaches Curtis Walker, Jr., and Curtis Walker, Sr., and Hayden Cornwall.By... READ MORE >

BMS principal Mike Wallace proudly holds the ESGR PATRIOT Award that was presented to him May 4 by Lt. Col Gil Fowler of Jonesboro. Also pictured is Wallace’s wife Dee Wallace and Chris McCormick (right), who nominated Wallace for the honor.By DAVID COOKE Blytheville Schools PR Director Blytheville Middle School principal Mike Wallace was honored May 4 with... READ MORE >

Johnny Appleby is forgewelding the handle of a soldering iron for tinsmithing work at "This is the Place" Heritage Park in Salt Lake City, Utah, in April 2016. Appleby, an art teacher at Blytheville Primary School, was recently chosen as a member of a "distinguished group of craftspeople that are listed in the 2018 Directory of Traditional American Crafts" in the... READ MORE >

The persons involved with the decision to add new playground equipment to the recess area at Blytheville Primary School are (from left) project coordinator Paula Pitts, PTO president Sherrie Clay and playground committee chairperson Melissa Logan. The plan is for the Primary School to add some new equipment for the playground because, said principal Jana Wilson,... READ MORE >

Members of the Blytheville High School/Blytheville Middle School Odyssey of the Mind team that earned first place in Division III, Animal House at the Arkansas State OM competition April 7 in Springdale are (from left) Jacob Pruett, Gatsby Langston Brown, Jasmine Johnson, Diamond Henry, Shamari Cooper, Conner Frazier, Wills Gullic, (not pictured) coaches David... READ MORE >

By DAVID COOKE Blytheville Schools PR Director Blytheville School District employees and representatives from Baldwin & Shell Construction in Little Rock and Brackett Krennerick Architects in Jonesboro on Jan. 18 participated in groundbreaking ceremonies for what will be a 50,000 square-foot arena that will be used for Blytheville Chickasaw basketball games... READ MORE >

Blytheville School District and Mississippi County Department of Health employees and BPS student ambassadors pictured include (standing, from left) Tracy Plunkett, Josiah Anderson, Ayden Allen, Melissa Moriarty, Javeon Adams, Ethan Tate, Stacey Hines, John Whitaker, (front, from left) Sy’Rah Maynor, Alyssia Hopkins, McKinley Walker, Kangana Shaw, Taniyah Bas and... READ MORE >

Members of the Blytheville School District’s Odyssey of the Mind team from Blytheville High School that earned a World’s Finals championship in 1989 were (from left) Crystal Strickland, Michael Strickland, Tommy Long, coach Michele McLeod, Harriett Hammett, first-grader Matthew McLeod and Rebecca Moore. With all of the district teams that have reached and finished... READ MORE >

Ebony Wells, third grade teacher at Blytheville Elementary School, guides her students as they try to calculate net force during their study of “Forces and Interactions” in late February. The students learned about net force through an imaginary tug-of-war.By DAVID COOKE Special to the Blytheville Courier As part of the Next Generation Science Standards,... READ MORE >

By DIANE HAY Special to The Courier News Students and volunteers from the Blytheville School District again stood out at the March 3 Northeast Regional competition of Odyssey of the Mind in Pocahontas. Three teams represented the district this year, and two will move on to the state competition April 7 in in Springdale. The structure problem this year... READ MORE >

Mark Morrison, director of District and School Development from the New Tech Network, recently met with district and school leaders from Blytheville High School New Tech as part of a visit to multiple New Tech districts around the United States. Morrison was the founding Napa New Tech High principal and, more recently, Napa Valley Unified School District executive... READ MORE >

Megan Trucks, third-year third grade instructor at Blytheville Elementary School, posts e-mails from November in the teachers’ lounge regarding “Brag on Your Buddy” for the rest of the employees to read.By DAVID COOKEBlytheville Schools’ PR Dir. One of Blytheville Elementary School’s teachers has come up with a program that is designed to help fellow employees... READ MORE >

Chairpersons of the individual schools at the Blytheville School District who are responsible for collecting the contributions to the United Way of Greater Blytheville are (seated, from left) Johnetta Orr, United Way executive director Mary Helen Moody, Tiffany Snyder, (in back, from left) Carolyn Barnes, Michael Davis, Diane Jenkins, David Cooke, (not pictured)... READ MORE >

Tiffany Snyder last month was sworn in as president of the Arkansas School Nutrition Association. Snyder, who has worked for the Blytheville School District for 13 years, was sworn in by outgoing president Elizabeth Butler.By DAVID COOKEBlytheville Schools PR Dir. As director of Food Services for the Blytheville School District, Tiffany Snyder has spent years... READ MORE >

Representatives of “Helping Our Teens Elevate Their Potential”, who are in charge of BHS students touring historically black colleges and universities, are (from left) Shayla Adelowo, Michelle Sims, Alisha Williams, Jacquin Benson, Jr., and (not pictured) Nina Watson. Through HOTEP seniors and juniors may attend weekend trips to these universities so that they can... READ MORE >

The following are Blytheville School District employees who were members of the United States Military, including the person’s branch of military, rank, years served and occupation today with the district: Blytheville High School Veterans Bill Brandon - United States Air Force, Captain, 1968-74, Vietnam War veteran, BHS math teacher; Angie Burnside - United States... READ MORE >

Chris McCormick (left) before engaging in an activity for the Arkansas Army National Guard.By DAVID COOKEBlytheville Schools PR Dir. Chris McCormick has seen more than his share of hardships and trials just in the last 14 years since enlisting in the Arkansas Army National Guard. And if he was pressed to tell of his experiences helping others, it would be to... READ MORE >

Donatrus Mbonu, a Computer Numeric Control machinist working at Nibco, is pictured with Blytheville Primary School teacher Detris Poole and students in her second grade classroom. By DAVID COOKE Blytheville Schools PR Director Students in Detris Poole’s second grade classroom at Blytheville Primary School listened to Donatrus MBonu for about an hour Nov.... READ MORE >

Blytheville Schools photo/David Cooke Bobby Ephlin, task force officer for the FBI, on Oct. 25 spoke with BHS seniors and juniors about his experiences with people who are addicted to opiates immediately after the students watched "Chasing the Dragon", an hour-long documentary about various individuals who have continued to fight their attraction to drugs.By DAVID... READ MORE >

Blytheville Schools photo/David CookeMembers of Blytheville Middle School’s Robotics team, the Imaginators, are (front, from left) Blane Howard, Beau Raines, Omarion Harvey, Dalton Parrot, Dusty Luttrull, coach Dasnee McChristian, (in back, from left) coach Elizabeth Williams, Jacob Clapp, Cody Andrews, Tristan Payne, Ashton Jackson and Dylan Buckner.By DAVID... READ MORE >

By DAVID COOKEBlytheville Schools’ PR Director Students and teachers of the Blytheville School District contributed enough food in September for the Blytheville Area Food Pantry that, even if not enough to sustain the pantry for the rest of the year, provided representatives with a good head start on helping individuals who really need the help. The district set... READ MORE >

Blytheville High School principal Bobby Ashley (second from left) and the teachers who presented at the Sept. 26-27 Educational Innovation Summit in Little Rock include (from left) Tyler Isbell, Amanda Haynes, New Tech director Robin Sneed and Michael Davis.By DAVID COOKEBlytheville Schools PR Dir. Administrators and teachers from the Blytheville School District... READ MORE >

Blytheville School District students who on Sept. 19 were honored by members of the Charlevoix Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution for earning first place in the Junior American Citizens’ local and state competitions, along with their parents, include (from left) Maurice Watson and father Jerry Marshall, Addyson Ward and parents Jeremy and Heather... READ MORE >

Several members of graduating classes from Blytheville High School will be among those who will meet to grill and cook prior to Homecoming right outside Blytheville Middle School. Pregame ceremonies will begin Friday at 6:30 p.m., and the Greene County Tech Golden Eagles and Chickasaws will then square off in what will be a critical AAAAA-East game afterwards. Any... READ MORE >

Blytheville Schools photo/David Cooke Members of the Blytheville High School Class of 1981 posed last Oct. 14 for a group photo during their reunion just before entering the Greene County Tech-Blytheville homecoming game at Haley Field that evening. BHS Student Council sponsor Michelle Hardy stated that reunions by the classes of 1987, 1992 and 1997 have already... READ MORE >

Wills Gullic and participants in the National Youth Leadership Forum: Explore STEM camp, which was July 17-July 22 at Emory University in Atlanta. Gullic is in the extreme upper right corner, back row, second from the right.By DAVID COOKEBlytheville Schools PR Dir. When Wills Gullic was nominated to attend the National Youth Leadership Forum: Explore STEM back in... READ MORE >

In addition to viewing the afternoon solar eclipse, ALE students in Donald Hunt’s BMS science classes created a 100-foot replica of the Solar System, drawing and naming the Sun and the nine planets that revolve around it.By DAVID COOKEBlytheville Schools PR Director Prior to students throughout the nation participating in last week’s solar eclipse, Donald Hunt... READ MORE >

Blytheville Schools photo/David CookeBaldwin-Shell employees put finishing touches on the retaining wall that now encompasses Haley Field. It was the second of a five-step phase that will result in artificial turf being laid all around the field thanks to the passing of the millage in June that will result in substantial improvements to the athletic facilities and... READ MORE >

Members of the Blytheville School District's Child Find Committee include (front, from left) Tameka Harris - parent, Jean Cole - Special Services/Behavior-Discipline Director, (standing, from left) Reyna Cunningham - Due Process/Discipline Specialist BMS, Patricia Smith - Due Process Specialist/Parent Center Director, Allison Turner - Community Development... READ MORE >

Parents may view and/or obtain their child's Special Education or Speech Therapy due process records through Aug. 31 at the Blytheville School District's administration building any weekday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Records which are not picked up by Aug. 31 will be destroyed Sept. 1. State and federal guidelines require that all Special Education Due Process forms and... READ MORE >

Members of the BES OM team that performed for the Kiwanians are (from left) Ja’Shawn Brown, Tyrone Davis, Shamari Cooper, Gatsby Langston, Marley Rand, McKinley Walker and Ryle Walker. The coaches are Curtis Walker, Sr., (in back, middle) and Curtis Walker, Jr. Not pictured is Diane Hay, director of the district's Gifted and Talented Program that includes OM.By... READ MORE >

Blytheville Primary School students contributing their donation of aluminum can tabs for the Ronald McDonald House.Since the beginning of the school year Blytheville Primary School students have been in a competition to see which class could donate the most aluminum can tabs. These tabs were donated to the Ronald McDonald House of Memphis, which houses families who... READ MORE >

Blytheville Middle School students Asiah Aldridge and Chante Primas show fifth grade students an ammo box that was part of the Civil War scrapbook given to the BES students that teachers hope will help them educationally when they become part of BMS New Tech in two years.By DAVID COOKEBlytheville Schools PR Dir. Eighth-graders at Blytheville Middle School spent... READ MORE >

Blytheville High School student Seane Clifton tries out the BHS Virtual Reality system during recent training, with Calup Hedger watching what Clifton is doing from the computer. Meanwhile, BMS eighth-grader Cody Myers (not pictured) prepares to “travel through a museum” on one of the apps downloaded to the school’s VR system.By DAVID COOKEBlytheville Schools PR... READ MORE >

The Arkansas Department of Education is seeking parental input. Our goal is to get feedback from as many parents as possible on or before April 2, and we need your help! Please help us share this parent survey by:1. Sharing our Facebook post to your school district’s Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/arkansased/posts/10155619803597788:02. Posting a... READ MORE >

Marty Granderson (left) is holding the trophy the Blytheville Chickasaws won for finishing first in the AAAA-East in 1990 with a 10-0 record for the third consecutive season, and Fred Haynes, Rickey Jackson and Barry Jackson are all holding conference, state and Overall trophies earned by the 1989 Chickasaws. Behind them is Paul Fowler, who joined the Chickasaws in... READ MORE >

Members of the Blytheville Elementary School Odyssey of the Mind team that earned an OM Northeast Regional championship in Division I “Ready, Set, Balsa!” at Greene County Tech in Paragould are (in front, from left) Gatsby Langston, Shamari Cooper, McKinley Walker, Ryle Walker, Marley Rand, (in back, from left) coach Curtis Walker, Jr., Ja’Shawn Brown, Tyrone Davis... READ MORE >

Stephanie Manning-Patton (left) and Michelle SimsBy DAVID COOKEBlytheville Schools PR DirectorStephanie Patton and Michelle Sims talked to students at Blytheville High School on Feb. 23 about what will be waiting for them when their high school days are over, and both agreed that for several of the students, furthering their academic careers at Grambling State... READ MORE >

Lisa GuyBy DAVID COOKEBlytheville Schools PR DirectorLisa Guy uses her abilities as an artist to help promote Black History Month inside Blytheville High School because, as she says, that may be the only way some students receive that type of education. It is also a way for Guy to give back to the school district that has been so good to her.Guy, a paraprofessional... READ MORE >

Robin Sneed, director of Blytheville High School New Tech, listens as educators from Arkadelphia revise their leadership structure during a panel discussion that was part of BHS’ “Take Me to Your Leader” New Tech Site Institute on Jan. 26 inside the school’s library. In addition to Sneed, the Institute was hosted by New Tech educators Michael Davis, Amanda Haynes,... READ MORE >

Two Blytheville Middle School students work with the Briggs & Stratton motor, with one examining the teaching manual, during the "Tinkering" makerspace activity that is part of the seven new makerspace stations inside the BPS library.By DAVID COOKEBlytheville Schools PR DirectorBlytheville Middle School librarian Melisa Rutherford's latest contribution to... READ MORE >

Members of the Blytheville Primary School's "Operations" committee that is responsible for the school's incentives program includes (front, from left) assistant principal Eileen Garris, Naomi Duff, Danna Mattingly, (in back, from left) Amy Wright, Omia Clay, Ronda Hood, Brooke Hall, (not pictured) Jennifer Bennett, Dettris Poole, Diane Jenkins, Tabitha Hartgen,... READ MORE >

Jared Swenson (seated), biology instructor at Blytheville High School, talks with Arkansas Northeastern College life sciences professor Lance Morris about Swenson’s students who particpated in the school’s College Readiness Science Fair near the end of the first semester. Students from all 22 science classes participated, displaying their topics Dec. 15. Instructor... READ MORE >

The Blytheville School District employees contributed $3,683.71 for the United Way of Greater Blytheville during their most recent campaign that ended in mid-December. Pictured are United Way executive director Mary Helen Moody (seated, second from left) with chairpersons (from left) Johnetta Orr, Nicole Turney, Tiffany Snyder, (in back, left) David Cooke, Michael... READ MORE >

Recognizing that education is of paramount importance to the future of Arkansas and the Nation, Governor Asa Hutchinson along with the State Board of Education have officially declared the month of January, 2017 as School Board Member Recognition Month.The Blytheville School District is proud to recognize our dedicated Blytheville School Board members. Our board is... READ MORE >

One of Blytheville Primary School’s second-graders takes a tray of food from a Food Service employee during the “Offer vs. Serve” choice, which began Nov. 28 after school resumed following the Thanksgiving break. The second-graders seemed very happy about being able to have choices with their lunch, much like the rest of the students at the district’s other... READ MORE >

BHS principal Bobby Ashley talks with Jason Lloyd about his and wife April Lloyd’s visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo to ultimately adopt their son Samuel and bring him back to the United States. Through photos the Lloyds told teacher Candie Groves (right) and students in her French IV class how poverty-stricken the DNC is despite it being so wealthy in... READ MORE >

Blytheville High School student ambassadors for the 2016-17 school year include (front, from left) Lydia Lewis, K’najra Buckley, Maya Wells, Hollis Abner, Katie Beth Pankey, (in back, from left) C.J. Bell, Reginald Amerson, Kentrell Bobo, Mahogany Wells, (not pictured) Brooke Childs, Shynecia Hughes and Brandon Harvey. The Student Ambassador program was started by... READ MORE >

Joanne Mier (in front, right), an English Language Learner tutor, is pictured with Blytheville Middle School teacher Dennis Camp and a parent at the school’s Nov. 10 parent-teacher conference, translating the conversation from English to Spanish. This is a service provided by the Blytheville School District and available to any of the district’s families.By DAVID... READ MORE >

Blytheville Elementary School’s annual literacy night will be Nov. 14 throughout the campus, beginning at 5 p.m.Media specialist Felicia Dogan stated that a variety of games and activities will be scheduled including the Readers’ Theater, in which students will be acting out the books they are reading. She said that the individual teachers will be responsible for... READ MORE >

The Blytheville Middle School eighth grade Gifted and Talented students who attended the U.S. Space and Rocket Center program from Oct. 5-7 included (from left) T.J. (crew trainer), Jacob Pruett, Carzlon Ford, Rushanti Taylor, Shakeyiah Fountain, Grant Langston, GT director Diane Hay, Carlos Wells, Brian Jones, Dylan Casinger, Anayiah Byrd, Shannon Page, Drake... READ MORE >

Courtesy photoBlytheville residents (from left) Amanda Haynes, Dasnee McChristian, Brooke Siegler and DeAndre Ruffin prior to going through the doors to the National Museum of African-American History and Culture. The four were among the first-ever public visitors to the museum, which opened on Sept. 24.By DAVID COOKEBlytheville Schools PR DirectorAmanda Haynes,... READ MORE >

The Blytheville Chickasaws will entertain the Valley View Blazers for homecoming on Oct. 14, and Blytheville School District director of safety and security Brandon Harper, after consulting with athletics director David Hixson and Blytheville Middle School assistant principal Louise Davis, has determined the tailgating activities for the game:Persons interested in... READ MORE >

Darlene Robertson, retired teacher from Masterson Elementary School in Kennett, talks with Blytheville Primary School students about the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, which prompted her and her students to write the book “Sept. 12: We Knew Everything Would Be Alright”. Robertson discussed with the children that even though outward situations might have been... READ MORE >

Blytheville Elementary School students relax while reading in the library and sitting in the school’s “Flexible Seating” furniture. Felicia Dogan said that students who enjoy reading are more successful in school and will remain in school longer. And when students are more comfortable, they will become more engaged in what they’re doing.Blytheville Elementary... READ MORE >

The six students from Blytheville Elementary School who were recognized on Sept. 20 for their efforts in the 2015-16 Junior American Citizens contest sponsored by the Daughters of the American Revolution’s Charlevoix Chapter are (front, from left) Diamond Hall, Kaylee Kimble, Chance Oliver, Joshua Sanchez, (in back, from left) Hayden Culbreath and Khia Sims.By... READ MORE >

The Blytheville Chickasaw Marching Band performed exceptionally well in their ratings at a competition in Jonesboro on Oct. 1, with members earning first place in drum major and percussion, and senior Megan Jenkins receiving the "Outstanding Soloist" award.The band competed in Class AAA (classification determined by the number of musicians), and the members... READ MORE >

Blytheville Schools photo/David CookeHeather Hester, new developmental coach for Blytheville Middle School New Tech, pauses for a photo with (from left) BMS principal Mike Wallace, Blytheville High School New Tech director Robin Snead and assistant principal Louise Davis. Hester, from Indiana, will make four more trips to BMS during the school year.By DAVID... READ MORE >

Blytheville Schools photo/David CookeMembers of the Blytheville School District’s Child Find Committee include (front, from left) Kristy Clark, Joanna Mier, committee leader Jean Cole, Amy Harmon, (standing, from left) Jeanette Nolden, Renee Craid, Julie Ponce, Allison Turner, Rhonda Hodges, Melissa Moriarty, Reyna Cunningham, (not pictured) Shirley Byrd, Chandlor... READ MORE >

Blytheville Schools photo/David CookeFelicia Turner, computer lab technician at Blytheville Elementary School, watches as a fifth-grader performs a math activity on a Google Chromebook last week. The students’ chromebooks are just one of the district’s technological advancements.To the teachers and administrators of the Blytheville School District, absolutely all... READ MORE >

The Blytheville High School Drama Club’s production of “Hairspray” was truly meaningful to the school in that it showed general supporters that the Drama Club indeed does exist and performs quality plays for the public. It also resulted in more club membership, the addition of students for the opening and closing ceremonies at The Orpheum and an increased number of... READ MORE >

By DAVID COOKEBlytheville Schools PR DirectorBeginning with football, which commences for the Blytheville Chickasaws on Sept. 2, the school is now gearing up in athletics for the 2016-17 school year. Meanwhile, the Arkansas Activities Association has honored the entire Blytheville High School with its Sportsmanship Award for the 2015-16 year.The letter, addressed... READ MORE >

The Blytheville School District is pleased to announce the district will participate in the Community Eligibility Provision during the 2016 – 2017 school year providing meals, regardless of eligibility category, at NO CHARGE for all students. This is made possible through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Special Assistance Certification and... READ MORE >

Blytheville High School students who participated in the April 1 state science fair at the University of Central Arkansas include (front, from left) Madison Groves, BHS chemistry instructor and science fair coordinator Virginia Andrews, Kendle Berry, Lasi McGhee, Jamie Hooks, (in back, from left) Caleb Gleason, Megan Jenkins, Amber Deason, A’kyia Cannon and Alycia... READ MORE >

Paul Hamilton, Construction Technology instructor at BHS, is pictured with William Snead (left), Detrell Davis and (not pictured) Drew Carnell, who are competing at the SKILLSUSA Arkansas Challenge at Hot Springs.Blytheville High School will be represented by three students at the “SkillsUSA Arkansas Challenge”, and SkillsUSA advisor Paul Hamilton believes all... READ MORE >

Six students from Blytheville High School were chosen this year as the first-ever Tobar Leadership Scholars, and will receive scholarships and/or all-expenses-paid trips to schools that Whiquitta Tobar spent several years at.Two seniors - Khrishona Hill and John Allen Guyton III - each received $500 scholarships. Two juniors - Marlene Soto and Timara Rogers - were... READ MORE >

The Blytheville High School ninth grade Junior Lady Chickasaws wound up fourth in a track meet at Marion on April 5 with 65 points. Nettleton won the meet and Jonesboro MacArthur finished runner-up.Laurissa Campbell earned first place in the individual events with a throw of 75 feet in the discus throw, and Alindavia Lockett was first in the high jump with a leap... READ MORE >

By DIANE HAYSpecial to the Courier NewsFour teams from the Blytheville School District participated at the competitive level at the state Odyssey of the Mind competition on April 2 at Arkansas State University’s campus at Beebe. Of those four teams, squads from Blytheville High/Middle School and Blytheville Elementary School will advance to the World Finals in May.... READ MORE >

Special to The Courier NewsSix Odyssey of the Mind teams from the Blytheville School District participated at the competitive level during the March 5 Northeast Regional in Pocahontas, and when all was said and done Blytheville High School, Blytheville Middle School and Blytheville Elementary School will each have teams advancing to the state level, scheduled for... READ MORE >

Three schools in the Blytheville School District will benefit from grants presented to the school’s libraries from Kinder-Morgan. Blytheville High School’s library received a $5,000 grant from Kinder-Morgan, and presenting the grant was assistant terminal manager Ronnie Taylor. Media specialist Karen Ashley said that the library will use the grant to purchase more... READ MORE >

Zetta Elliott has had a love of reading for many, many years, and her appearance on Nov. 3 at Blytheville Elementary School was to share that love of reading with the students with the hope that it would rub off on them. As Cynthia McCustion noticed, the students were not the only ones who caught that love of reading; a lot of the teachers did too.Dr. Elliott,... READ MORE >