Siloam Springs School District

‼ Just a friendly reminder ‼ The Panther Health and Wellness Center, in partnership with Bright Futures of Siloam Springs, invites you to join us for the Health Fair this Saturday, starting at 10 AM! While registration for backpack distribution has closed, we still encourage you to come enjoy the health fair and all the exciting activities planned. 🎉 We can’t wait to see you there!

We’re proud to share that many of our building administrators are currently attending the AAEA (Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators) Conference in Little Rock—gathering alongside leaders from across the state to learn, collaborate, and grow. And this morning brought incredible news worth celebrating... 🎉

✨ Valerie King, our Director of Academic Support and Gifted & Talented, was named Administrator of the Year for the entire state of Arkansas by the Arkansas Association of Gifted Education Administrators (AAGEA)! This prestigious honor reflects Valerie’s unwavering dedication to students, tireless advocacy for gifted learners, and outstanding leadership across our district. We are beyond proud of her and grateful for the impact she makes every single day. Congratulations, Mrs. King! 🐾 #PantherNation

Starting this fall, breakfast will be free for all students—thanks to a new state law! We’re also encouraging every household to complete the Free & Reduced Lunch Application, even if you don’t believe your family qualifies. Submitting this form helps our schools in more ways than you might think.

In addition to supporting access to meals, qualifying for free or reduced-price meals can open the door to extra benefits, including:

-Discounted internet service
-Reduced ACT and SAT test fees
-Lower college application and enrollment costs
-Increased funding for student programs and services

Even if you don’t qualify, your completed application still makes a difference. The number of submitted forms helps determine the amount of funding our district receives for important student services and resources. Your information is kept confidential, and only one application per household is required. You can complete it online here:

🔗 https://secure.ezmealapp.com/ApplicationScreen.aspx

Prefer a paper copy? Paper applications will be available at each school’s Open House. Need help? Reach out to Louise Thomsen at 479-524-3191 ext. 10133 or thomsenl@gosiloam.com.

Thank you for partnering with us to support Panther students and ensure they have access to the resources they need to succeed—both inside and outside the classroom. Go, Panthers!

This past week has been full of learning, growth, and connection—for our district leaders, directors, principals, assistant principals, and our new teachers! With the first day of school just a few weeks away, the excitement in the air is hard to miss. 🥳 Throughout the many trainings and sessions, one thing stood out: LAUGHTER. Yes, there were serious conversations, powerful moments of learning, and important planning—but there was also joy. There was lightness in the room. People were smiling, joking with one another, and genuinely enjoying being together. That feeling of camaraderie and shared purpose has us walking away thinking: “This is going to be a GREAT year.”

Let’s go, Panther Nation! 🐾✨

Don’t forget! Our first Guest Teacher training has already come and gone—but there’s still one more opportunity to join us! Whether you’re between careers, a stay-at-home parent, or a retiree looking to make a difference (or earn a little extra income), we’d love to welcome you as a Guest Teacher—our term for substitute teachers. You’ll have the flexibility to choose when you work, all while making a meaningful impact in our schools and community. Don’t miss your chance to be part of the Panther Nation!

🐾 Panther Daycare is looking better than ever! 🐾One of the biggest perks of working for the Siloam Springs School District? Access to the Panther Daycare—our on-site daycare offering a significant discount compared to other local providers.

🎨 Bright classrooms
🧸 Loving staff
📚 Early learning opportunities
❤️ And peace of mind knowing your little one is just around the corner while you work!

This is more than just childcare—it's a huge benefit for SSSD staff members. If you're considering a career in education (or are already part of our Panther Nation), this is just one of the many reasons Siloam is the place to be!

📍 Come for the career.
💼 Stay for the benefits.
👶 Bring your little one with you.

☀️ Summer hours are coming to a close, and we're getting back to our regular schedule! Starting this week, all school offices and our district administration office will be open Monday through Friday during normal business hours. We’re excited to welcome everyone back and help you get ready for the new school year! 🐾📚 #PantherNation

Beginning with the 2025–2026 school year, under the new Arkansas Law ( Act 122), students will not be permitted to possess or use personal electronic devices during the school day—from the time students are required to be at school until the time students are dismissed from school. This is to ensure a productive, respectful, and safe learning environment. To learn more and see the most frequently asked questions, click here: https://www.siloamschools.com/page/belltobellnocell

Prohibited devices under this law include (but are not limited to):
-Cell phones
-Smart watches
-Pagers and beepers
-Mobile phones with internet/computing features
-Digital media players
-Portable game consoles
-Tablets, notebooks, and laptops
-Digital cameras
-Audio/video recorders
-Earbuds, AirPods
-Any Bluetooth-enabled device capable of data transmission

🚨 We're Hiring in Special Education! 🚨 Passionate about making a difference? Join the Special Education team at Siloam Springs School District! 🌟 Whether you're a seasoned educator or just starting out, we’re looking for dedicated individuals who believe in the power of inclusion, support, and student success.

🏡 Live in Oklahoma? No problem!
We’re closer than you think:
📍 11 minutes from Watts, OK
📍 20 minutes from Colcord & Kansas, OK
📍 37 minutes from Jay, OK
📍 60 minutes from Sallisaw, OK

Make a short drive for a big impact. Come join the Panther Nation! 📲 Apply today: https://siloamschools.schoolspring.com/

Happy 4th of July from the SSSD Administration Office! Wishing all our Panther students, families, and staff a safe and joyful Independence Day! ❤️🤍💙 #PantherNation

REMINDER ❗ The School Board meeting will be NEXT Thursday, July 10th, at 5:30 pm inside the admin building board room (3050 Cheri Whitlock Dr). 🟢Click here to watch live: https://www.youtube.com/@siloamspringspublicschools8802/streams

Are you between careers, a stay-at-home parent, or a retiree looking to make a difference—or even earn a little extra income on the side? We’d love to welcome you as one of our Guest Teachers (our term for substitute teachers)! With two training sessions available this summer, now is the perfect time to get involved. As a Guest Teacher, you’ll have the flexibility to choose when you work, while making a meaningful impact in our schools and community. Join us and become a valued part of Panther Nation! 🐾

2025–2026 School Supplies Update 📚 This year, things look a little different when it comes to school supplies! We are excited to announce that the majority of school supplies for students in Kindergarten through 8th grade will be provided by the district! That means families only need to purchase the few specific items listed for their child’s grade level—nothing more. We understand that “back-to-school shopping” is a special tradition for many families, and we still want you to enjoy that experience. But we also recognize that times are tough, and even with the district supplying the majority of items, it can still be a financial strain. 🎒 Need a little extra support? We encourage families to register for the Bright Futures Backpack Distribution, happening Saturday, August 2nd from 10:00 AM–12:00 PM. NOTE: Registration is required by July 21st to participate. (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSenEWQvvVJIjmd2YTSFiYenPV-j5oraQ4gaHhSuM4Ii_Wv1_g/viewform) We’re proud to support our Panther families and help every student start the school year strong! 🐾

We are thrilled to introduce the newest Siloam Springs School District team members! 👏👏👏 Please join us in welcoming them to the Panther Nation.

📣 We are actively seeking passionate, dedicated individuals to join our Special Education department. These roles are vital—and we truly need team members who are ready to make a difference in the lives of our students. 🐾 In addition to a competitive salary, Special Education teachers also receive a .10 compensation on our newly revised index scale. 🙌 Come be part of a team that values support, inclusion, and student success. #PantherNation 👉 Click here to apply and explore all open opportunities: https://siloamschools.schoolspring.com/

At last night’s board meeting, the Siloam Springs School Board of Education reorganized. This process allows the board to update leadership roles and responsibilities as they continue their commitment to serving the students, staff, and families of our district. We appreciate the dedication and service of each board member and look forward to another year of thoughtful leadership and teamwork as we move the Panther Nation forward! 🐾

At tonight’s board meeting, Dr. Joe McClung was officially approved as the new Assistant Superintendent of Operations for the Siloam Springs School District! 🐾 Over the past year, Dr. McClung has served as our Director of Assessment and Accountability, bringing a strong commitment to student success and operational excellence. We’re excited for the leadership and dedication he’ll continue to bring in this new role! #PantherNation

Mark your calendars for our Bright Futures annual Backpack Distribution ‼ Students enrolled in the SSSD who need assistance with backpack/school supplies can register to receive one at this event. Online registration deadline: JULY 21ST. Click here to register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSenEWQvvVJIjmd2YTSFiYenPV-j5oraQ4gaHhSuM4Ii_Wv1_g/viewform

Partnership alert ‼ The After School Program is thrilled to announce that they will be offering after-school care at the following locations in the Siloam Springs School District for the upcoming school year: ⭐Allen Elementary ⭐Northside Elementary ⭐Southside Elementary They are so excited to welcome these new schools into our program and look forward to serving even more families in our community! Enrollment and more information can be found on their website at www.afterschoolprog.com. If you have any questions, please feel free to call their office at 479-756-5077 or email us at info@afterschoolprog.com