Southside School District

Summer Meals begin Wednesday, May 20!

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

Southside School District announced an important leadership transition following Monday night’s special board meeting.

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 Southside School District will hold a special board meeting tonight at 5:30 p.m. in the Central Office.

🎓 Congratulations to the Class of 2026! 🎓
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.

Due to the timing of the approaching inclement weather it may be necessary to dismiss our bus riders a little later than normal this afternoon. As always we want to do our best to insure the safety for our students and staff both on campus and as they travel to and from school. If you choose to pick up your child(ren) early, please do so as early as possible. If we are placed under a tornado warning they cannot be permitted to leave a saftey shelter. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

Attention Athletic Families!
FREE athletic physicals are coming up on May 5–6!
If your student plans to participate in summer or 2026–27 sports, a current physical is required.
✅ Physicals will be held in the Main Gymnasium
📅 May 5–6
📋 The required form MUST be completed BEFORE these dates
Please don't miss this opportunity - if your student is unable to attend, you will need to schedule a physical with your own provider.
Complete the required form here 👉 https://arcare.jotform.com/210705598388164

Our Special Olympics athletes showed up and showed out! 💙
We are so proud of your determination, hard work, and the way you represented our school. You inspire us all!

Eggs were hidden. Baskets were ready. And our Preschool and Kindergarten friends were ON THE CASE! 🐣🔍 Watching the excitement, the squeals of delight, and the pure joy of a basket full of colorful eggs made for one of our favorite days of the year. We are so grateful for these amazing little learners and the families who share them with us. Wishing everyone a wonderful and Happy Easter!

Reminder -
There will be No School on Friday, April 3rd.
Registration for 2026-2027 Kindergarteners is April 7th.

Do you have a child starting Kindergarten next year?
Kindergarten Registration for the 2026–2027 school year will be held April 7th from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Elementary campus.
We look forward to meeting our future Kindergarten students!

⚽️Athletic Signing Day!
Congratulations to Joel Busby on signing to continue his soccer career with Lyon College!
Joel’s dedication has paid off, and we’re proud to cheer him on as he takes his athletic and academic journey to the next level!
Join us in congratulating Joel and wishing him the best as he begins this exciting new chapter with the Scots!

Save the Date! Kindergarten Registration is coming soon!
Families of incoming 2026–2027 Kindergartners may register on April 7th between 8:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. at the Elementary campus.
We look forward to welcoming our newest students!

🎓 Our seniors picked up their caps and gowns and are ready for Graduation on May 7th.
We can’t wait to celebrate all their hard work and achievements!

📅 Upcoming Dates at a Glance:
• March 20 – Staff Development Day (No School)
• March 23–27 – Spring Break
• April 3 – Good Friday (No School)
• April 7 – 2026-27 Kindergarten Registration
• May 7 – Southside Charter High School Graduation
• May 19 – Last Day of School (revised for snow days)
Thank you for taking note of the updated Last Day of School - we appreciate your understanding!

Happy School Maintenance Appreciation Day!
Today we recognize the dedicated maintenance professionals who keep our schools safe, clean, and running smoothly.

Their work creates welcoming environments where students and staff can learn, grow, and do their best.

We sincerely appreciate their commitment, attention to detail, and the steady support they provide to our school every day.

The Jobs for Arkansas Graduates (JAG) program prepares students for success after high school by building leadership skills, employability, and career readiness through hands-on experiences and real-world connections.

Courses May Include:
Job Shadowing
Interview Preparation
Industry Internships
Mike Rowe Work Ethic Certification

Students Learn:
• Resume writing and interview skills
• Professional communication and teamwork
• Goal setting and career planning
• Leadership, responsibility, and accountability
• Workplace expectations and employability skills
• How to navigate postsecondary education, training, or the workforce

Career Pathways:
College and Technical Training
Skilled Trades & Certifications
Workforce Entry & Career Advancement
Long-term Career Growth

JAG empowers students to graduate prepared, confident, and connected - ready to succeed in whatever path they choose after Southside Charter High School.

Southside Junior High students are exploring future opportunities through our Exploration of Skilled Trades course.

This introductory Skilled Trades course exposes students to a variety of hands-on career pathways such as construction, electrical systems, plumbing, welding, and automotive basics. Students learn fundamental safety practices, proper tool use, and basic technical skills while completing small projects. The course emphasizes problem-solving, teamwork, and real-world applications to help students explore trade careers and develop practical life skills.

In this course, students are developing skills such as:
✔ Safe tool operation and workplace safety practices
✔ Introductory construction and trade skills
✔ Problem-solving through project-based learning
✔ Collaboration and teamwork

This course helps prepare students for high school Skilled Trades and Industrial Technology pathways, where they can continue developing advanced skills and explore careers such as construction, welding, electrical work, and automotive technology.

At Southside, our CTE programs help students discover interests, build confidence, and develop skills that prepare them for future success.