It’s almost time to Meet the Southerners! Come out this Friday and kick off the 2026–27 school year with Southside Athletics!
📅 Friday, August 14
📍 Southerner Stadium
⏰ 6:00–8:00 PM
🎉 6:00–7:00 PM
Enjoy games, activities, and time to visit with our supporting businesses represented at the event!
📣 7:00–8:00 PM
It’s time to MEET THE SOUTHERNERS! We’ll introduce and announce our athletes as we get ready for another great year of Southside Athletics!
💧 WATER DONATIONS NEEDED!
We are asking for donations of cases of water to help keep our athletes hydrated throughout the season. If you’re able to donate, we would greatly appreciate your support!
Bring the family, bring your Southside pride, and come help us kick off the year! 💙💛
LET’S GO, SOUTHERNERS!
Need a little last-minute back-to-school information?
We’ve got you covered! Our Back-to-School Hub has important information to help families get ready for the new school year- all in one place.
Check it out before the first day!
https://www.southsideschools.org/o/southside-schools/page/back-to-school
We can’t wait to welcome our students back
Our staff kicked off the new school year in their brightest neon for today’s professional development theme: “Your Future Story Is So Bright!”
Guest speaker Jack Berkemeyer of Jack Berkemeyer Consulting challenged our staff to embrace optimism and focus on the possibilities ahead, even in the face of challenges.
We’re ready to shine, grow, and make this a great year!
The future is bright. And we can’t wait to see what’s ahead! 💛💙
Back-to-School Bus Questions? We're Here to Help!
As the first day of school gets closer, we know many families have questions about bus routes, pickup and drop-off times, and other transportation details.
The best way to reach our Transportation Department is by emailing:
bus@southsideschools.org
Our transportation staff monitors this email and can provide the most up-to-date information based on your student's transportation needs.
We're looking forward to a great school year and can't wait to welcome everyone back!
A big thank you to Steve Stallins, General Manager of Independent Stave Company–Batesville, for the generous donation of mulch, and to Billy Reeves for delivering it to our campus.
We appreciate your generosity and your continued support of our schools!
A special thank you to First Community Bank for generously providing lunch and to The Station for preparing the wonderful meal. We truly appreciate your support in helping us welcome our new educators.
Welcome to Southside! We can't wait to see all you'll accomplish this school year.
Orientation & Open House Dates & Times
The times for this year's Orientation sessions and Open House have been set!
Check the schedule below for your student's event.
Orientations includes a scheduled presentation and is designed for students transitioning to a new school building. It provides an opportunity to become familiar with their new campus before the first day of school.
Open House is a drop-in event where students and families can meet teachers and visit classrooms.
We look forward to welcoming everyone back for another great year at Southside!
August 6th Orientations (presentation)
3rd - 5:30 *Location Change - Southerner Gym (between Middle School and Intermediate School)
6th - 5:30 Middle School Cafeteria
9th and 10th - 5:30 Last Name A-L High School Auditorium
9th and 10th - 6:30 Last Name M-Z High School Auditorium
August 10th Orientations (presentation)
Kindergarten - 5:30 Last Name A-L Elementary Cafeteria
Kindergarten - 6:30 Last Name M-Z Elementary Cafeteria
4th - 5:30 *Location Change - Southerner Gym (between Middle School and Intermediate School)
7th - 5:30 Middle School Cafeteria
August 11th Open House (drop in)
Preschool - 4:30-6:30
1st, 2nd, 5th - 5:00-7:00
8th, 11th, 12th - 5:30-7:30
Required signatures of registered voters must be submitted to the Independence County Clerk by August 1, 2026.
The selected applicant will be appointed by the current sitting members of the School Board and will serve until the position is up for re-election in March 2032.
We’re hiring Paraprofessionals who are passionate about helping young children learn and grow.
A CDA, Certificate of Proficiency, or Associate of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education is required and may be obtained while employed.
Ready to make a difference? Apply today:
https://southsideschools.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5795309
Southside School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
As Southside Schools begins our new grade-level configuration this year, we're offering Orientation for students who are transitioning to a new campus. These sessions are designed to help students and families become familiar with their new building, meet staff, and start the school year with confidence.
Orientation
• August 6: Grades 3, 6 & 9
• August 10: Grades K, 4, 7 & 10
Open House
• August 11: Preschool, Grades 1, 2, 5, 8, 11 & 12
First Day of School
August 13
We look forward to welcoming everyone back for another great year at Southside! We can't wait to see our students as they begin this exciting new chapter together.
June 22 – July 5
In compliance with Arkansas Activities Association (AAA) regulations, all Southside athletic facilities will be closed during the mandated dead period.
No student-athletes may use Southside athletic facilities during this time, with or without coaches present.
Activities Resume July 6
Thank you for your cooperation and support in helping us remain in compliance with AAA regulations.
Please join us in welcoming Brad McGhee as Principal of Southside Charter High School and Mandy Blevins as Principal of Southside Intermediate School.
Mr. McGhee brings a strong commitment to student success and educational excellence as he begins this new role at Southside Charter High School. Mrs. Blevins, who has served as Assistant Principal at Southside Middle School, will now lead the reconfigured Intermediate campus as Principal, continuing her dedication to students, staff, and families.
We are excited for the future of both campuses and look forward to the leadership, vision, and enthusiasm these educators will bring to their new positions.
Congratulations, Mr. McGhee and Mrs. Blevins! We wish you both a successful and rewarding year ahead.
Families can begin preparing for the upcoming school year. We’re looking forward to another great year of learning, growth, and success! 💙💛
Kindergarten
Plastic Nap Mat
Tissues
1 package of pencils*
Disinfectant Wipes
Backpack
Change of Clothes
1st Grade
2 boxes of 24 count crayons
Tissues
Hand Sanitizer
Disinfectant Wipes
Backpack
Change of Clothes
2nd Grade
Backpack
Ziploc bags (quart or gallon)
Hand Sanitizer
Disinfectant Wipes
Change of Clothes
3rd Grade
2 packages of pencils*
Tissues
Disinfectant Wipes
Backpack
4th Grade
2 packages of pencils*
Tissues (Girls)
Disinfectant Wipes (Boys)
Filler Paper
Backpack
5th Grade
2 packages of pencils*
Disinfectant Wipes
Plastic Zipper Baggies (qt or gal)
Backpack
6th - 8th Grade
Tissues
2 packages of pencils*
2 packages of college ruled paper
Disinfectant Wipes
Backpack
9th - 12th Grade
2 packages of pencils (10 count or more)*
4 packages of college ruled filler paper
12 blue/black ink pens
Backpack
Supply recommendations:
*Ticonderoga pencils are preferred but not a required brand to purchase.
**Plastic zipper baggies: Boys buy quart size and girls buy gallon size.
The June Southside School District board meeting has been rescheduled to June 15th.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony marks a significant milestone in campus growth and student investment. Join us at 9 a.m. on Thursday, May 21. Community members, school supporters, families, and local leaders are invited to attend and tour the new facilities.
Features include new classrooms, advanced science and technology labs, upgraded athletic facilities, a fine arts suite, expanded cafeteria and dining areas, arena seating, concession spaces, and community safe room.
Breakfast and lunch are available for all children 18 years and younger.
Meals will be served in the Southside High School and Southside Elementary cafeterias:
Monday–Friday
Breakfast: 7:30–8:30 a.m.
Lunch: 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Families also have the option to pick up 5 days of complete breakfast and lunch meals each Tuesday from 9:00–11:00 a.m. at Southside Elementary for children who are unable to eat on site.
For more information about Summer Meals, visit:https://www.fns.usda.gov/meals4kids
Superintendent Dion Stevens will retire at the conclusion of the 2026-2027 school year after years of dedicated service and leadership that helped guide Southside through continued growth, campus expansion projects, and new opportunities for students and staff.
The Board of Education has named Jimmy Hodges as Superintendent-Elect for the 2026-2027 school year. Mr. Hodges currently serves as principal of Southside Charter High School and has served Southside students and families for the past 10 years in multiple leadership roles. During this transition year Mr. Hodges will work alongside Mr. Stevens in preparation for assuming superintendent responsibilities.
Please join us in thanking Mr. Stevens for his leadership and congratulating Mr. Hodges on his new role.
The May edition of Inside Southside is here!
Stay up to date with the latest news, events, and celebrations happening in our schools.
👉 Read it here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KaBPGZls9BRHjyqZ8f56Bj0BRR9hEGfX/view?usp=sharing
We proudly celebrate our graduates and their accomplishments.
For those unable to attend in person, the Class of 2026 Graduation Ceremony will be livestreamed on Thursday, May 7, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.
Watch live: https://www.youtube.com/live/PLQXG34F1hU?si=Ckhtqa-FyFm__Guf
Best wishes to our graduates as they begin the next chapter.
