The November edition of Inside Southside - the newsletter for parents and the community is now available.
Visit southsideschools.org
Visit southsideschools.org
Blue & Gold Showcase and Arena Dedication! 🏀
Join us Saturday, November 7, as we celebrate Southside basketball and officially dedicate our new Southside Arena! (See the full schedule below.)
The afternoon and evening will feature our youth teams, junior high and senior high players taking the court, along with two pie and cake auctions and a special Arena Dedication Ceremony at 5:00 p.m.
Here's the schedule:
2:00–4:30 p.m. | Next Gen (Youth Games)
• 2:00 – 4th Grade Girls
• 2:25 – 4th Grade Boys
• 2:50 – 5th Grade Girls
• 3:15 – 5th Grade Boys
• 3:40 – 6th Grade Girls
• 4:05 – 6th Grade Boys
4:30 p.m. | 1st Pie & Cake Auction
5:00 p.m. | Arena Dedication Ceremony
5:30–6:30 p.m. | 7th Grade Games
• 5:30 – Girls
• 6:00 – Boys
6:30 p.m. | 2nd Pie & Cake Auction
7:00–9:00 p.m. | Basketball Showcase
• 7:00 – JH Girls
• 7:30 – JH Boys
• 8:00 – SH Girls
• 8:30 – SH Boys
(Game times are approximate.)
Admission is $5. Shirley's Kitchen concessions will also be available!
Come out, support our Southerners, and help us celebrate this exciting milestone for Southside Schools and Southerner Basketball. We look forward to seeing you at the Arena!
Southside Arena | Southside, Arkansas
Saturday, November 7
Join us Saturday, November 7, as we celebrate Southside basketball and officially dedicate our new Southside Arena! (See the full schedule below.)
The afternoon and evening will feature our youth teams, junior high and senior high players taking the court, along with two pie and cake auctions and a special Arena Dedication Ceremony at 5:00 p.m.
Here's the schedule:
2:00–4:30 p.m. | Next Gen (Youth Games)
• 2:00 – 4th Grade Girls
• 2:25 – 4th Grade Boys
• 2:50 – 5th Grade Girls
• 3:15 – 5th Grade Boys
• 3:40 – 6th Grade Girls
• 4:05 – 6th Grade Boys
4:30 p.m. | 1st Pie & Cake Auction
5:00 p.m. | Arena Dedication Ceremony
5:30–6:30 p.m. | 7th Grade Games
• 5:30 – Girls
• 6:00 – Boys
6:30 p.m. | 2nd Pie & Cake Auction
7:00–9:00 p.m. | Basketball Showcase
• 7:00 – JH Girls
• 7:30 – JH Boys
• 8:00 – SH Girls
• 8:30 – SH Boys
(Game times are approximate.)
Admission is $5. Shirley's Kitchen concessions will also be available!
Come out, support our Southerners, and help us celebrate this exciting milestone for Southside Schools and Southerner Basketball. We look forward to seeing you at the Arena!
Southside Arena | Southside, Arkansas
Saturday, November 7
❤️ Red Ribbon Week at Southside! ❤️
Our Spanish Club helped spread the message of making healthy choices by delivering Red Ribbon Week goodie bags to students! Thank you to our Spanish Club members for helping make the week special.
We also had some creative competition with our Red Ribbon Week Door Decorating Contest! Congratulations to our winners:
🥇 1st Place: Mrs. Cloninger – Pizza Party sponsored by Spanish Club!
🥈 2nd Place: Mrs. Gillmore – Sonic Drinks sponsored by FBLA!
🥉 3rd Place: Ms. Roa
A special thank-you to Spanish Club and FBLA for sponsoring the prizes and to everyone who participated in decorating a door.
Our Spanish Club helped spread the message of making healthy choices by delivering Red Ribbon Week goodie bags to students! Thank you to our Spanish Club members for helping make the week special.
We also had some creative competition with our Red Ribbon Week Door Decorating Contest! Congratulations to our winners:
🥇 1st Place: Mrs. Cloninger – Pizza Party sponsored by Spanish Club!
🥈 2nd Place: Mrs. Gillmore – Sonic Drinks sponsored by FBLA!
🥉 3rd Place: Ms. Roa
A special thank-you to Spanish Club and FBLA for sponsoring the prizes and to everyone who participated in decorating a door.
❤️ Red Ribbon Week ❤️
Our students showed up in red to take a stand for a healthy, drug-free future! We’re proud to see our Southerners making a difference and spreading the message that being drug-free is always in style.
Make a Difference. Be a Hero. Be Drug Free!
Our students showed up in red to take a stand for a healthy, drug-free future! We’re proud to see our Southerners making a difference and spreading the message that being drug-free is always in style.
Make a Difference. Be a Hero. Be Drug Free!
Save the date, Southerners!
Basketball comes to the new Southside Arena on Saturday, November 7! Join us for the Blue and Gold Basketball Showcase starting at 2:00 p.m., then stay for the official Arena Dedication at 5:00 p.m., celebrating the history of Southside basketball with our former coaches, superintendents and board members.
Admission: $5
Shirley’s Kitchen concession stand will be open
Don’t miss our fundraising pie auction!
Bring your family, invite a friend and help us celebrate a new chapter in Southside basketball.
Basketball comes to the new Southside Arena on Saturday, November 7! Join us for the Blue and Gold Basketball Showcase starting at 2:00 p.m., then stay for the official Arena Dedication at 5:00 p.m., celebrating the history of Southside basketball with our former coaches, superintendents and board members.
Admission: $5
Shirley’s Kitchen concession stand will be open
Don’t miss our fundraising pie auction!
Bring your family, invite a friend and help us celebrate a new chapter in Southside basketball.
October is National Principals Month, and we are celebrating George Sitkowski! 💙💛
George brings leadership, dedication, and a passion for Southside athletics to everything he does. Thank you for supporting our coaches and student-athletes and helping create opportunities for our Southerners to grow both on and off the field!
George brings leadership, dedication, and a passion for Southside athletics to everything he does. Thank you for supporting our coaches and student-athletes and helping create opportunities for our Southerners to grow both on and off the field!
October is National Principals Month, and we are celebrating Kristin Luetschwager! 💙💛
Mrs. Luetschwager brings compassion, advocacy and a deep commitment to our students and families to her work each day. Thank you for making sure our students have the support they need to learn, grow, and fulfill their potential!
Mrs. Luetschwager brings compassion, advocacy and a deep commitment to our students and families to her work each day. Thank you for making sure our students have the support they need to learn, grow, and fulfill their potential!
October is National Principals Month, and we are celebrating Brad McGhee! 💙💛
Mr. McGhee brings experience, energy and a commitment to helping our high school students make the most of their years at Southside. Thank you for supporting our students and staff as they prepare for what comes next!
Mr. McGhee brings experience, energy and a commitment to helping our high school students make the most of their years at Southside. Thank you for supporting our students and staff as they prepare for what comes next!
RED RIBBON WEEK | October 26–30
Make a Difference. Be a Hero. Be Drug Free.
Red Ribbon Week is coming to Southside! Our students will celebrate throughout the week with fun dress-up days and activities that remind us that being drug free is a superpower!
MONDAY | Red Ribbon Day
Students will receive a red ribbon or bracelet to kick off the week.
TUESDAY | Twin Day - Better Together
Twin with a Friend to show that you’re stronger together and committed to being drug free.
Preschool joins the Red Ribbon Week fun on Wednesday.
WEDNESDAY | Steak Day & Wear Red Day
Enjoy Steak Day for lunch and Wear Red to show you stand strong against drugs!
THURSDAY | Hat Day - Tip Your Hat to Being Drug Free
Wear your favorite hat and celebrate everyone who chooses to live drug free.
FRIDAY | Be the Hero!
Middle & High School: Rise to the Gold Standard — wear blue and gold or your favorite Southside gear.
Elementary & Intermediate: Every Superhero Needs a Disguise — wear your Halloween costume or favorite Southside gear.
Preschool: Dream Big, Stay Drug Free — wear your favorite pajamas!
Make a difference. Be a hero. Be drug free!
Let's make Red Ribbon Week a powerful reminder that every student has the strength to make healthy, positive choices.
Make a Difference. Be a Hero. Be Drug Free.
Red Ribbon Week is coming to Southside! Our students will celebrate throughout the week with fun dress-up days and activities that remind us that being drug free is a superpower!
MONDAY | Red Ribbon Day
Students will receive a red ribbon or bracelet to kick off the week.
TUESDAY | Twin Day - Better Together
Twin with a Friend to show that you’re stronger together and committed to being drug free.
Preschool joins the Red Ribbon Week fun on Wednesday.
WEDNESDAY | Steak Day & Wear Red Day
Enjoy Steak Day for lunch and Wear Red to show you stand strong against drugs!
THURSDAY | Hat Day - Tip Your Hat to Being Drug Free
Wear your favorite hat and celebrate everyone who chooses to live drug free.
FRIDAY | Be the Hero!
Middle & High School: Rise to the Gold Standard — wear blue and gold or your favorite Southside gear.
Elementary & Intermediate: Every Superhero Needs a Disguise — wear your Halloween costume or favorite Southside gear.
Preschool: Dream Big, Stay Drug Free — wear your favorite pajamas!
Make a difference. Be a hero. Be drug free!
Let's make Red Ribbon Week a powerful reminder that every student has the strength to make healthy, positive choices.
October is National Principals Month, and we are celebrating Torey Hanna! 💙💛
Mrs. Hanna brings steady leadership, encouragement and a genuine commitment to our middle school students and staff. Thank you for being there for our students during some of their most important years of growth and change!
Mrs. Hanna brings steady leadership, encouragement and a genuine commitment to our middle school students and staff. Thank you for being there for our students during some of their most important years of growth and change!
💙💛 GO BIG BLUE! 💙💛
It’s a Southside Homecoming tradition! Each year, our players deliver some new Southside gear to our #1 fan, Judy Presley! A lifelong Southerner fan, Judy’s spirit is unmistakable - and she’ll always remind you to GO BIG BLUE! 🏈💙
It’s a Southside Homecoming tradition! Each year, our players deliver some new Southside gear to our #1 fan, Judy Presley! A lifelong Southerner fan, Judy’s spirit is unmistakable - and she’ll always remind you to GO BIG BLUE! 🏈💙
October is National Principals Month, and we are celebrating Mandy Blevins! 💙💛
Mrs. Blevins brings enthusiasm, encouragement and a strong commitment to our students and staff at Southside Intermediate. Thank you for making these important years of learning a positive and meaningful part of our students’ journey!
Mrs. Blevins brings enthusiasm, encouragement and a strong commitment to our students and staff at Southside Intermediate. Thank you for making these important years of learning a positive and meaningful part of our students’ journey!
🚒🔥 Fire Safety Week at Southside Preschool! 🔥🚒
The Southside Fire Department paid a special visit to Southside Preschool Wednesday, giving students a fun, hands-on look at fire safety!
Students operated some of the firefighters’ equipment, climbed aboard the fire truck, visited with firefighters and learned more about staying safe in an emergency.
A big thank-you to Southside firefighters for taking the time to make Fire Safety Week both fun and meaningful for our youngest Southerners! ❤️💙
The Southside Fire Department paid a special visit to Southside Preschool Wednesday, giving students a fun, hands-on look at fire safety!
Students operated some of the firefighters’ equipment, climbed aboard the fire truck, visited with firefighters and learned more about staying safe in an emergency.
A big thank-you to Southside firefighters for taking the time to make Fire Safety Week both fun and meaningful for our youngest Southerners! ❤️💙
October is National Principals Month, and we are celebrating Alicia Skipper! 💙💛
Mrs. Skipper brings energy, encouragement, and a genuine love for students to Southside Elementary. Thank you for creating a school where our young students feel supported, challenged, and excited to learn!
Mrs. Skipper brings energy, encouragement, and a genuine love for students to Southside Elementary. Thank you for creating a school where our young students feel supported, challenged, and excited to learn!
Happy National Custodian Day!
Our custodians do so much more than take care of our buildings. They help make sure our schools are ready each day for students to learn, teachers to teach and staff to work.
Their work happens behind the scenes, but its impact is felt throughout every building on every campus. We appreciate the time, care and pride they put into our schools every day.
Today, we’re proud to recognize and thank all our Southside custodians! 💙💛
Thank you for all you do to get Southside ready for school every day!
Gayline Burnett
Joshua Carlson
Dee Dee Clark
Michael Collins
Sherry Davis
Patty Duncan
Peggy Franks
Diana Gann
Sharon Harris
Robin Lacy-Mickle
Nicky Laster
Samantha Medley
Geraldine Reeves
Kim Sample
David Studdard
Trena Williford
Our custodians do so much more than take care of our buildings. They help make sure our schools are ready each day for students to learn, teachers to teach and staff to work.
Their work happens behind the scenes, but its impact is felt throughout every building on every campus. We appreciate the time, care and pride they put into our schools every day.
Today, we’re proud to recognize and thank all our Southside custodians! 💙💛
Thank you for all you do to get Southside ready for school every day!
Gayline Burnett
Joshua Carlson
Dee Dee Clark
Michael Collins
Sherry Davis
Patty Duncan
Peggy Franks
Diana Gann
Sharon Harris
Robin Lacy-Mickle
Nicky Laster
Samantha Medley
Geraldine Reeves
Kim Sample
David Studdard
Trena Williford
The October edition of Inside Southside - the newsletter for parents and the community is now available.
Visit southsideschools.org
Visit southsideschools.org
October is National Principals Month, and we are celebrating Lisa McGhee! 💙💛
Mrs. McGhee brings patience, heart, and a whole lot of care to our youngest Southerners. Thank you for helping make Preschool a place where little learners feel welcomed, supported, and ready to grow!
Mrs. McGhee brings patience, heart, and a whole lot of care to our youngest Southerners. Thank you for helping make Preschool a place where little learners feel welcomed, supported, and ready to grow!
Southside Charter High School has been recognized by the University of Arkansas Office for Education Policy (OEP) for outstanding student growth on the 2026 ATLAS assessments.
The OEP’s Outstanding Educational Performance Awards highlight Arkansas schools whose students demonstrated strong academic growth in Math, English Language Arts, and Science. The 2026 report looks at student growth over time, reflecting how much students improved compared with what was predicted based on their previous achievement.
Southside Charter High School earned four Top-10 statewide and four Top-3 Northeast Region rankings among Arkansas high schools:
Overall Growth - #2 in State, #1 Northeast Region
Math Growth - #3 in State, #1 Northeast Region
ELA Growth - #6 in State, #3 Northeast Region
Science Growth - #2 in State, #1 Northeast Region
The high school was also recognized for:
High Overall Growth (Statewide)
High Math Growth (Statewide)
High ELA Growth (Statewide)
High Science Growth (Statewide)
High Overall Growth (Northeast region)
High Math Growth (Northeast region)
High ELA Growth (Northeast region)
High Science Growth (Northeast region)
These recognitions reflect the academic growth of our students and the work of the teachers, staff, and families who help students continue to move forward.
We are proud to see Southside students’ growth recognized across all three academic areas!
The OEP’s Outstanding Educational Performance Awards highlight Arkansas schools whose students demonstrated strong academic growth in Math, English Language Arts, and Science. The 2026 report looks at student growth over time, reflecting how much students improved compared with what was predicted based on their previous achievement.
Southside Charter High School earned four Top-10 statewide and four Top-3 Northeast Region rankings among Arkansas high schools:
Overall Growth - #2 in State, #1 Northeast Region
Math Growth - #3 in State, #1 Northeast Region
ELA Growth - #6 in State, #3 Northeast Region
Science Growth - #2 in State, #1 Northeast Region
The high school was also recognized for:
High Overall Growth (Statewide)
High Math Growth (Statewide)
High ELA Growth (Statewide)
High Science Growth (Statewide)
High Overall Growth (Northeast region)
High Math Growth (Northeast region)
High ELA Growth (Northeast region)
High Science Growth (Northeast region)
These recognitions reflect the academic growth of our students and the work of the teachers, staff, and families who help students continue to move forward.
We are proud to see Southside students’ growth recognized across all three academic areas!
Southside 4-H Food Drive Collects More Than 3,300 Items
The Southside 4-H Club’s GO...FIGHT...WIN AGAINST HUNGER Food Drive brought the Southside School District and community together to support the local food pantry.
During the one-week drive, students and staff collected an impressive 3,354 food items to help provide assistance to families in our community.
It was a close competition between district buildings, with Southside Intermediate School coming out on top after collecting 979 items. The Southside 4-H Club presented the building with a traveling trophy to recognize the students and staff for their generous contributions.
Seven students also received autographed Gage Wood baseball cards for their generous contributions to the food drive: Andrew Richmond, Brody Holmes, Gage Furrow, Adelyn Conard, Ben Smith, Jace Furrow, and Eleanor Draper.
The Southside 4-H Club appreciates everyone who donated and helped make this year’s food drive a success. The generosity of our students, staff and families will help make a difference for friends and families in our community.
The Southside 4-H Club’s GO...FIGHT...WIN AGAINST HUNGER Food Drive brought the Southside School District and community together to support the local food pantry.
During the one-week drive, students and staff collected an impressive 3,354 food items to help provide assistance to families in our community.
It was a close competition between district buildings, with Southside Intermediate School coming out on top after collecting 979 items. The Southside 4-H Club presented the building with a traveling trophy to recognize the students and staff for their generous contributions.
Seven students also received autographed Gage Wood baseball cards for their generous contributions to the food drive: Andrew Richmond, Brody Holmes, Gage Furrow, Adelyn Conard, Ben Smith, Jace Furrow, and Eleanor Draper.
The Southside 4-H Club appreciates everyone who donated and helped make this year’s food drive a success. The generosity of our students, staff and families will help make a difference for friends and families in our community.
We are proud to announce that Southside Charter High School has been recognized as a 2025-2026 Arkansas Gem School by the Arkansas Department of Education!
Southside Charter High School showed significant Strong Academic Growth and is recognized for:
Growth of All — Top 5%
Growth by Content Area — Mathematics
Growth by Content Area — ELA
Growth by Content Area — Science
This achievement is made possible by the hard work and commitment of our students, teachers, staff, families, and community.
#ArkansasGemSchool
Learn more about Arkansas Gem Schools here: https://dese.ade.arkansas.gov/Offices/public-school-accountability/school-performance/arkansas-gem-school-recognition-program.
Southside Charter High School showed significant Strong Academic Growth and is recognized for:
Growth of All — Top 5%
Growth by Content Area — Mathematics
Growth by Content Area — ELA
Growth by Content Area — Science
This achievement is made possible by the hard work and commitment of our students, teachers, staff, families, and community.
#ArkansasGemSchool
Learn more about Arkansas Gem Schools here: https://dese.ade.arkansas.gov/Offices/public-school-accountability/school-performance/arkansas-gem-school-recognition-program.
