What an amazing first week back! Our hearts are full and we are headed into the weekend with such thankfulness for our school family. Get some rest gators, and we'll see you back on Monday!
Get ready gators...we have a new PE teacher! Please welcome Coach Hicklin to the fam!
"Hello Gators!! My name is Josh Hicklin and I am joining Central Park Elementary this year as the new Physical Education teacher! This is my nineteenth year working in the schools but my first with Bentonville School District. I was raised in Arkansas and I am an alum of the University of Arkansas. My wife, Casey, and I have two wonderful girls - Landry (12) and Emery (7). I’m SO excited to work with you and your children this year!"
We have another awesome addition to our special education team! Please welcome Ms. Tara Howard!
"Hello Gators! My name is Tara Howard, and I am thrilled to be joining Central Park Elementary! This marks my 14th year as a Special Education Teacher. I have had the privilege of teaching in Oklahoma and Texas, and I am excited to return to my home state! I can't wait to cheer on the HOGS alongside the Central Park family. My husband and I are proud parents of three boys, and our youngest, Ellison, will be joining me as a 4th grader at Central Park. When I'm not at school, you can find me on a baseball or football field during my free time. I love spending time outdoors with my family and our two dogs. I am eagerly looking forward to beginning this school year and making this the best year ever!"
Gators, please welcome Ms. Flemister to the Park!
"Hi! My name is Amanda Flemister and I am joining Central Park Elementary this year as the new Speech Therapist! This is my twelfth year working in the schools and second with Bentonville School District. I was born and raised in Arkansas and am a proud alum of the University of Arkansas. My husband, Matthew, and I have two wonderful little girls - Wilson (4) and Frances (14 months) plus a Boston Terrier named Ruthie! I’m SO excited to work with you and your children this year!"
Please give a warm welcome to Ms. Andrea Rife who will be joining our stellar special education team!
"Hello everyone! I’m Andrea Rife, and I’m excited to start my first full year as a Special Education teacher (I started mid-year last year). I hold a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and am set to graduate with my master’s this December. Originally from Mississippi and raised in New Hampshire, I moved to Arkansas with my late husband in 2018. I have an 8 year old son named Orion. I’m looking forward to a wonderful year ahead and am eager to make a positive impact on our students' lives!"
Please give a big gator welcome to our new instructional assistant, Ms. Amber Hayes!
"Hi! My name is Amber Hayes and I’m excited to be joining the CPE family as an Instructional Assistant this year! I have been in education for 11 years, 8 as a second grade teacher and most recently as a part time instructional assistant in Rogers. My husband, Josh, and I have been married for ten years and have one daughter, Alexa, who will be starting Kindergarten this year! We are huge fans of the Oklahoma Sooners and Dallas Cowboys, and we also enjoy playing games as a family and going out on the lake. I can’t wait for another fun school year!"
We have another familiar face returning to Central Park this year. Please welcome back, Ms. Melissa Tomblin!
"Hello! My name is Melissa Tomblin, and I am so excited to make Central Park Elementary my new school home! This will be my 6th year in Bentonville Schools as an ESL teacher and before this I was a classroom teacher in Texas where I gained experience working in multiple grade levels. I attended Texas A&M University and earned my degree in education with an ESL endorsement. Currently I have been working on my masters degree and have just completed my dyslexia endorsement from the University of Arkansas. I am married to my college sweetheart and we have three children in Bentonville that will be in 9th, 7th and 4th grade. We love hiking and biking as a family! I am so excited to meet everyone and have the best school year!"
Let's give a big gator welcome to one of our new ESL teachers, Ms. Hannah Mahner!
"Hello! I am so excited to join the Central Park team. I have been in education for 9 years, and am thrilled to be starting a new role as an ESL teacher. I just celebrated my two year wedding anniversary to my husband who also works for Bentonville Public Schools. I am an avid traveler, love learning, and love art! I can’t wait to meet you all. Go Gators! "
You'll soon be seeing a new face in the coziest, most inviting, adventure-filled place at CPE! Please welcome our new library aide, Ms. Lauren Remias!
"Hello Gators!!! My name is Lauren and I’m so excited to be joining the wonderful Mrs. Hedstrom in the library, as the library aide. I cannot wait to work alongside the terrific Central Park team and enjoy this new adventure with all the students. My husband and I have been married 12 years and have 2 boys. Levi is going into 1st grade and Joshua will be close by, starting 5th grade. In my free time you’ll find me cheering on my boys during their sports games, taking group fitness classes and reading the newest suspense thriller!"
Ms. Kori Hollis is joining our third grade team this year! Welcome to CPE!
"Hi Gators! My name is Kori Hollis and I’m excited to be a 3rd Grade teacher at CPE this year! I have my bachelors degree in Elementary Education from the University of Arkansas and have taught both 3rd and 2nd grade previously. Last summer I married my husband, Jayton. We have a Bernedoodle puppy named Kona and we love calling Bentonville home! I’m looking forward to joining the CPE family and welcoming my 3rd graders to my class! "
Next, please welcome a new member to our counselor team!
"My name is Paige Eggimann. I am so excited to be joining the Bentonville School District! I will be a counselor at both Central Park and Evening Star Elementary!. I have a bachelors degree in elementary education from Evangel University and a masters in school counseling from Arkansas State. My husband, Zane, and I have a beautiful one year old baby girl, Kaisyn. We are so excited for this new adventure and to make Bentonville our home!"
Please welcome another new kindergarten teacher, and a familiar face to many of our students, Ms. Hope Newkirk!
"Hello! I'm “newish” to Central Park Elementary. Last year, I had the chance to student teach here at CPE while completing my Masters in Education at the University of Arkansas. I am incredibly excited and grateful to officially join Central Park's Kindergarten team this year! I was raised in a small town in Central Arkansas and am the oldest of four. Growing up, we often visited NWA to cheer on the Razorbacks, so I'm thrilled to now call this area home. I can't wait for the new and exciting adventures this year will bring with my kindergarten kiddos!"
Next up, please join us in welcoming Brandi Shoptaw to our school family!
"Hello! My name is Brandi Shoptaw and I am so excited to be an Instructional Assistant at Central Park this year! I was a fourth grade teacher for many years before becoming a stay at home mom. I subbed at Central Park last year and I have served on the CPE PTO board the last two years. I have been married to my husband, Jared, for 17 years and we have two daughters that attend Central Park. Avery will be in first grade and Paislee will be in third grade. I am a huge sports fan and love going to games, especially college basketball, with my family! Go Hogs!"
We want to start introducing the new members of our Central Park team! First up is kindergarten teacher, Lindsay Reinert!
"I am a recent UCA graduate, taught 4th grade virtually in the spring, and am so beyond thrilled to join the CPE Kindergarten team!! I was born and raised in NWA so Bentonville holds a special place in my heart. I have a sweet husband, Alex, and a golden doodle named Maggie. I can’t wait to finally see my first classroom filled with love, learning, and memories with my kinder family. "
Central Park was recognized as the second Visible Learning School in Arkansas last week at the Annual Visible Learning conference in San Diego! Some of our team members had the opportunity to present a session to educators from all over the country. It was a wonderful opportunity to spread the word about all the amazing things happening at Central Park! Teachers look forward to continuing the work with Visible Learning strategies, so that all of their students will be best prepared to be the drivers of their own learning.
Here is an option for ordering school supplies and having them delivered to school in the Fall.
https://1stdayschoolsupplies.com/kits.php?sid=4767
Free Meals for Kids
It's the last day ya'll, see ya next Fall! So glad we get to say "see ya later, gator!" to our sweet students today. We are wishing you all a wonderful summer!
Mrs. Benson was awarded a grant from Bentonville Schools Foundation this week! She will have a brand new amplification system in her classroom next year. Thank you to the foundation for supporting teachers and students!
Let's celebrate everyone's hard work this year with a baseball-themed spirit day!
