Brittany Bates, a nurse at Willowbrook Elementary, can cure just about anything with an ice pack, band-aid and loving words.
“I realize it can be difficult for students to be away from their parents, especially when they aren't feeling well, so it's important that students feel safe and supported when they come into the health office,” she told us.
When a first grader returned from Christmas break with a diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes, the child's mom called Nurse Brittany for help.
Mom told us she remembers setting an alarm for all hours to check on her daughter. Understandably, mom and dad were scared to send their baby back to school while working through their new normal.
“Nurse Brittany was alerted to my daughter's condition, and she reached out to peers to understand how they dealt with this diagnosis and proactively began to research. On day one, I felt a level of confidence that she would take care of my child,” Mom wrote.
“Without Nurse Brittany’s efforts and my confidence in her, I likely would have stopped working,” she added.
Life is filled with change and challenges, but we’re not meant to go it alone. The people around us make all the difference. All children deserve to have a Nurse Brittany in their circle.
Thank you for going the Extra Mile, Brittany!
#whereexcellencelives
After conversations with local meteorologists, we intend to dismiss class early today. Parents who wish to check out their children by noon may do so. We will excuse your child's absence. Buses will begin running at 12:30 today for elementary school, with middle school, junior high and high school following. We will dismiss high school drivers at 1:00 p.m. Please track your child’s bus on the BusCompass app to follow their travel in real time. All evening activities are canceled tonight.
Stay safe this afternoon and evening.
Twelve years in the making! You did us proud, Class of 2025! #whereexcellencelives
The Bentonville High School men's soccer team is ranked 14th nationwide! Watch them play tomorrow when they host the Arkansas State Playoffs on their home field. BHS men will play at 1:00 p.m. on Friday. Tickets at https://gofan.co/app/school/AAA
Head Coach Mike Devaney and Assistant Coach Rick Ternes lead these young men. #whereexcellencelives
Source: https://tinyurl.com/4755rb8c
Photo Credit: Brant Turner
Congratulations to the Bentonville West High School Chamber Orchestra! They are your Arkansas State Champions after competing in the ASBOA state concert contest! The group recently competed in Jonesboro for the top honors and brought home the hardware. The BWHS Chamber Orchestra is led by Mary Kelly. #whereexcellencelives
Congratulations to the Bentonville Pride! These student musicians were invited to perform at The Midwest Clinic near Chicago in December. This international event attracts more than 18,000 attendees from all 50 U.S. States and 40 countries.
Ensembles must undergo a highly competitive application process that includes audio recordings, videos, programs and letters of recommendation.
Only a few ensembles are selected each year from across the globe, and even fewer high school bands make the cut, only FIVE this year!
Bentonville Pride Director Tim Hendrix says this invite cements a performer's legacy on a global stage! #whereexcellencelives
Congratulations to the Bentonville High School ladies' and men's track teams, who are Arkansas State Champions yet again! This is the third consecutive state championship for the ladies' coach, Randy Ramaker, and a threepeat for the men's leader, Mike Power. #whereexcellencelives
It's not goodbye, but instead, thank you for everything! We're so proud of these beautiful people retiring from Bentonville Schools after decades of service! We wish them morning coffee in the garden, slumber parties with grandkids and no alarm clocks! Thank you for leaving Bentonville Schools better than you found us! #whereexcellencelives
This is Teacher Appreciation Week across the nation! If you have a moment, encourage your child to write a note of gratitude to these superheroes who do it all! Our teachers truly make Bentonville Schools #whereexcellencelives!
It's been a long road, but three students from Bentonville West High School are the $100,000 Samsung Solve for Tomorrow grand prize recipients! Congratulations to senior Ronak Pai and juniors LalitAditya Kameshwaran and Veera Sai Joshik Unnam, along with their teacher Matthew Possehl, for their work to develop an app that detects mouth cancer.
Their app was inspired by a desire to help family members and friends with concerns about oral cancer screenings, specifically the difficulty in obtaining them. Our students worked with researchers at the University of Arkansas, internationally and local dentists to develop their app.
The $100,000 prize money will be used to purchase newer technologies to inspire future students at Bentonville West! Congratulations, gentlemen! #whereexcellencelives
One of our favorite celebrations of the year is when we stop in May to recognize our teacher of the year from each school and those who have served 20, 30 and even 40 years with Bentonville Schools! These individuals are among the best in the nation. Congratulations to Fulbright Junior High School's Alane Schultz who is the 2024-2025 Bentonville Schools' Teacher of the Year! #whereexcellencelives
Many thanks to Doug McMillon and the Junior Achievement program for taking the time to discuss financial literacy today at Washington Junior High School. Doug is the CEO of Walmart and advocates for Operation HOPE, Inc., which teaches young people the freedom that comes with saving and investing money. Every student also received a pair of bright green socks! The Green Socks Day Challenge is a nationwide movement to raise awareness about financial literacy in April. #whereexcellencelives
Big ideas start in Bentonville! Recently, our Ignite Professional Studies program hosted a product pitching competition for 32 high school students.
Competitors had just 60 seconds to pitch their idea, product or solution with no notes or slides! It took courage and bravery to leave it all on the stage!
Bentonville West High School freshman Sumukh Koundinya won $1,000 for his innovative smart glasses, which help people, especially students, focus by providing sensory help.
Many thanks to Startup Junkie and the Young Entrepreneur Institute for supporting the entrepreneurial spirit in Bentonville Schools! #whereexcellencelives
They came, they saw and they won it all! Congratulations to the Bentonville High School Chamber Orchestra for winning the top prize in a recent national competition!
The students competed against eight high schools from across the country at the Worldstrides Heritage Festival in San Diego. Our students won the competition with their stunning performance.
Director Jesse Collett leads the BHS Chamber Orchestra. #whereexcellencelives
Truly an honor today to welcome Secretary Scott Turner to Bentonville High School as part of our Distinguished Speaker Series. Mr. Turner is the 19th United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. He previously played nine years in the National Football League and served in the Texas State Legislature. He spoke to students about chasing the dreams placed in their hearts, overcoming economic challenges and standing firm in faith.
Many thanks to Congressman Steve Womack for making today's visit possible. #whereexcellencelives
Logan Misenheimer is our April Extra Mile Award recipient! Logan is a teacher at Sugar Creek Arts Academy and was nominated for this award by Sugar Creek dad Brandon Baer.
Brandon wrote that while his son Danny was in Logan's classroom last year, she still goes out of her way to ensure Danny is doing well and enjoying a great year.
Dad shared Logan has salvaged many tough days and encouraged Danny about school and learning!
Danny attended the Bentonville Schools' Board of Education Meeting, dressed in his finest, to co-present this award with his dad. The tears flowed and the smiles were plentiful as we celebrated Logan and the compassion, commitment and grace she brings to Bentonville Schools! #whereexcellencelives
The one and only Kenny Belaey put on a clinic recently for students at Apple Glen Elementary and Washington Junior High School! Kenny is a Trial Bike World Champion, an avid mountain biker and the founder of Bentonville Bike Fest. He's kind enough to share his skills with our students when he's not in the saddle traveling the globe! #whereexcellencelives
No such thing as a heavy lift for the Bentonville West High School powerlifting teams! The men's team just won its second consecutive state championship, the ladies won their first state championship and Head Coach William LaValle was named Arkansas Coach of the Year!
Powerlifting combines three exercises: squat, bench press and deadlift. Athletes get three attempts for each lift to total the most weight possible.
Congratulations, ladies and gentlemen! #whereexcellencelives
Elena Moore is our March Extra Mile Award recipient. She is a kindergarten teacher at Osage Creek Elementary School and was nominated by an Osage mom.
In her nomination, the mom shared that she recently gave birth to a new baby who had to spend a month in the NICU. Life was crazy during that time as family members took turns caring for their kindergartener so mom could be at the hospital with her new son.
She wrote, “Ms. Moore reassured me that my older child was in good hands at school, and she would help her stay on track.”
But Elena felt inclined to do more. Knowing that an extended stint in the NICU would mean added financial pressure, Elena bought a few Christmas gifts for the older child, her kindergarten student.
Elena found a Barbie set, a Disney character, board game and kinetic sand that she knew her student would love, but she says it’s the student who is the actual gift.
“This student comes to school every day ready to learn with a positive attitude. I’m so happy to have her in my class this year,” Elena told us.
Thank you, Elena, for going the Extra Mile in all you do! #whereexcellencelives
Every National Merit Semifinalist from our district is officially a National Merit Finalist! Bentonville Schools boasts more finalists than any school district in Arkansas. These high school seniors are among the most academically disciplined in the nation! Congratulations to them, their families and their teachers. #whereexcellencelives
