Siloam Springs School District

Today, we had the absolute honor to host the Western Benton County Partnership at Allen Elementary! The WBCP works collaboratively with municipalities, elected officials, school districts, and businesses to foster an environment that attracts investment, creates jobs, and enhances the quality of life for the residents of Western Benton County. They wrapped up their time together with a tour of our Panther Daycare, which is an opportunity for SSSD staff members to have high-quality care at half the price of comparable daycare facilities. Thank you to all of our local representatives, city leaders, and community members for coming today! #Limitless

The Siloam Springs School District is closely monitoring meteorological reporting systems and upcoming winter weather. At this time, schools and bus routes will operate on a normal schedule today, Friday, January 23, 2026. If conditions change, families and staff will be notified promptly. We will continue monitoring weather conditions throughout the weekend and will communicate any potential impacts for next week.

If you believe you may have accidentally blocked or stopped receiving our mass communication messages through SchoolStatus, simply text START to 939393 to resubscribe. Please note: If you have recently changed your phone number and have not yet updated it with your child’s school, this option will not work. The resubscribe feature only applies to phone numbers already on file in our system.

It’s still National School Board Appreciation Month ‼️ And we want to once again shine a spotlight on these five exceptional individuals. Each month, they tour our schools, sit down to enjoy a school meal together, learn firsthand what our students are being taught and how they’re being taught, and lead school board meetings where critical decisions are made to move our district forward.

Our district offers the opportunities and resources of a larger school system—especially compared to others along Highway 59—while still holding tight to the hometown values that make our community special. This board truly reflects that spirit. We’d bet most of our board members know you, your kids, and your mama and daddy. (ha!)

We are incredibly thankful for this dedicated group. Please join us in celebrating them! Thank you, Heath, Chris, Aric, Brian, and Mary Ann. 🎉 #Limitless

Heads up! We are rescheduling a few games due to impending winter weather.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Standing ovation worthy! If you’re looking for something fun to do this weekend, we highly encourage you to catch SSHS’s Junie B. Jones: The Musical. It’s laugh-out-loud funny, perfect for all ages, and a true crowd-pleasing classic. The next show times are:

- Today, Friday, Jan 16th - 7pm
- Saturday, Jan 17th - 7pm
- Sunday, Jan 18th - 3pm

Click here to buy tickets (Adults $10, Children $5): https://osp.osmsinc.com/SiloamSchools/BVModules/CategoryTemplates/Detailed%20List%20with%20Properties/Category.aspx?categoryid=PH703

Couldn't have said it better ourselves. We are taking a moment (while the weather is still nice) to remind parents of our Inclement Weather procedures. This time last year, we had already had several snow days and were enjoying hot chocolate in bed! With Arkansas weather, you just never know what's around the corner. Things to remember if snow/ice hits:

- Our Superintendent and other Directors start assessing roadways as early as 4:30 am sometimes. They each take a section of our city and start driving (any and every road). They keep in mind that buses have to drive it, high school students, staff, and parents. They also keep a close eye on the weather stations and the advice that is given.
- Calling a snow day is never easy. Half of the town will say, "I used to walk 5 miles, up and down hills both ways. The roads are fine. Send them!" While the other half is thankful for the caution and safety.
- As soon as Superintendent Patrick assesses everything, hears back from other leaders, and takes in what the weather stations are saying, parents will be notified via our school's communication platform within 10 minutes by text message/email. We then post on our websites, socials, and update news stations.
- May 26th - June 1st are our already built in make up days, if we end up needing to use them. We encourage parents not to schedule summer vacations that start after the typical last day of school (May 22nd). Arkansas weather is unpredictable - we could have several snow days we need to make up.

Yesterday, our school board members toured Allen Elementary, starting at Panther Daycare—an on-site, discounted childcare option for employees that truly brings the smiles! They also visited classrooms to see learning in action, where our teachers engage students by meeting them at their level and making learning fun. 🥳 The day wrapped up with the monthly school board meeting, where Allen Elementary students with perfect attendance led the Pledge of Allegiance, and we recognized our Employees of the Month, Liz Fuentes and Michele Markovich. The board also unanimously approved the names of our two middle schools for next year: the current Siloam Springs Middle School will become Middle School South, and Siloam Springs Intermediate School will become Middle School North, aligning with our Northside and Southside Elementary schools. #Limitless

Today is National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day! 🚔 Our School Resource Officers are so much more than an added layer of safety in our schools. They are trusted listeners, friendly faces, quick with a joke or a smile, and a steady, reassuring presence for our students and staff. And sometimes, they even come with a fuzzy, wiggly head to pet (we 💙 you, K9 Cyber!). If you see any of these outstanding gentlemen today, please take a moment to say thank you. Our schools—and our entire district—are stronger because of the incredible support of our Police Department and dedicated SROs. #Limitless

Sergeant Josh Fritz – SRO Supervisor
Officer Jon Herrington
Corporal Jeremy Brown
Officer Tyler Underwood and K9 Cyber
Officer Francisco Bonilla
Corporal Dan Newton
Officer Tyler McVay

January is National School Board Recognition Month, and today we pause to say thank you to the leaders who help guide our district forward.

What makes a school district truly great is not only the dedication of its staff but also the leadership that supports, challenges, and believes in them. We could not continue making meaningful strides for our students without the guidance and commitment of our School Board of Education. Each of these individuals brings something unique to the table, but one thing remains constant: a shared commitment to doing what is best for our children. That will never change.

A big thank you to Heath, Chris, Aric, Brian, and Mary Ann for your leadership, service, and unwavering support of our students, staff, and community. We appreciate you—big time. 🐾 #Limitless

REMINDER ❗ The School Board meeting will be NEXT Tuesday, January 13th, at 5:30 pm inside the admin building board room (3050 Cheri Whitlock Dr). 🟢Click here to watch live: http://bit.ly/4o4sjM1

Today may look different for each member of our school community. For some, it’s a day of Christmas traditions and celebration. For others, it may be a quiet winter day or a time to honor different cultures and beliefs. 😊No matter how today is observed, we hope it brings rest, peace, and moments of connection with those who matter most to you. Our school is strengthened by the diversity of traditions, backgrounds, and perspectives represented by our students, families, and staff.

Wishing our entire Panther Nation warmth, kindness, and care! We will see you in the 2026 new year 🥳 #Limitless

From the desk of Superintendent Patrick.

🎄 Holiday Break Reminder 🎄As we head into the festive season, we want to remind our families that Christmas Break begins December 22 and continues through January 6. Students will return to school on Wednesday, January 7.

Please note that all school and district offices will be closed from December 22–January 2. Offices will reopen on Monday, January 5.

We hope you enjoy a safe, restful, and joyful holiday season with your loved ones! ✨

At tonight’s School Board meeting, the Board approved three major motions:
✔️ Transition to the Neighborhood Schools Model
✔️ Move forward with Proposal 1 for Elementary and Middle School zoning (linked here: https://bit.ly/4j57dfr)
✔️ Authorize the Superintendent to sign documentation to purchase the DaySpring Cards, Inc. property on behalf of the Siloam Springs School District

“The school board approval is a collaborative milestone for Siloam Springs and for DaySpring. The facilities have been home to a brand rooted in faith and care; seeing them continue to serve local students is deeply meaningful. As we shared in January, DaySpring is transitioning from a standalone subsidiary to a brand within Hallmark’s portfolio. The facilities decision doesn’t change our timing to transition operations from DaySpring to Hallmark in mid-2026. We’re grateful to the district for months of planning that aligned our respective needs and timelines. This outcome supports DaySpring’s continued mission while we look toward an exciting chapter within Hallmark, one that allows us to keep inspiring and uplifting people.” Attributed to: Jeff Nichols, General Manager, DaySpring

As we move forward with the transition to neighborhood schools, we appreciate your patience and partnership. More details—including additional in-person parent meetings—will be shared soon. In the meantime, we encourage families to talk with their students and explore the transition resources on our website. Thank you for your continued support as we take these important steps together. #Limitless

Yesterday, our Administration Team had the opportunity to learn from Damon Donnell, District Coordinator of Student Support Services for Springdale School District, who spoke with us about 5-Star Customer Service. While this training has been offered before, we believe it’s essential to continually revisit what matters most—because the values that define us should always stay at the forefront of our work.

This visit also highlighted the power of partnerships. Education is not about competition between districts; it’s about coming together to share knowledge, learn from one another, and strengthen our collective impact. When we collaborate, our staff grows stronger—and our students benefit most.

We recognize there is always room to grow, and we embrace that opportunity. What matters is our commitment to said growth: seeking feedback, reflecting on our practices, and continuously working to improve. We’re grateful for the opportunity to learn, connect, and keep moving forward. #Limitless

Our Leadership Is Learning! 🎓 This week, members of our School Board of Education and Superintendent Patrick are in Little Rock attending the 72nd ASBA Annual Conference. This annual gathering is an important time for board members from across Arkansas to connect, collaborate, and learn more about how to be even more impactful in their roles serving students, staff, and the community.

A BIG SHOUTOUT to our School Board President, Chris Whorton, for earning at least 50 hours of board development training — a major achievement. 👏

We are grateful for the leadership, commitment, and heart our board continues to invest in the Siloam Springs School District. Panthers rise when leaders lead with purpose! 🐾#Limitless

REMINDER ❗ The School Board meeting is scheduled for NEXT Thursday, December 18th, at 5:30 p.m. in the Board Room at the Administration Building (3050 Cheri Whitlock Dr).

At this meeting, our School Board will vote “yes” or “no” on adopting the Neighborhood Schools Model and will then determine which school zone to implement. This is a significant moment in SSSD history, and we strongly encourage you to join us—either in person or via our YouTube livestream (https://www.youtube.com/@siloamspringspublicschools8802/streams ).

If you’d like to review information about the Transition to Neighborhood Schools, please visit this section of our website (https://www.siloamschools.com/page/strength-in-schools-success-in-children ).

📢 The December edition of Supt’s Scoop is now live! Click here to view: https://app.smore.com/n/nu5wx

Check it out today and stay connected with what’s happening across our district! #Limitless

From the desk of Superintendent Patrick.