Students have been learning all about Finland in Global Connections! For their project, they recreated the beautiful Northern Lights using chalk. So cool!
Our 2nd-4th graders had the opportunity to sing the National Anthem at the Natural's baseball game last weekend. They sang so well under Mrs. Ginger's direction, and so many of our school families enjoyed a great night at the ballpark.
There are so many fun learning opportunities happening in PE this year! Popcorn with the parachute is working on teamwork, communication, with a splash of discussion on wavelength, pressure, friction, and force. Tunnel of Doom is an activity that works on getting our heart rate up (cardiovascular exercise) by chasing (taggers) and fleeing (non taggers) and the activity also works on agility (feet work) when they run through the hula hoops. Trash Wars is an activity that works on teamwork by working together to make sure their side of the gym has less balls than the opposite side. It also works on throwing and kicking.
Look at all the collaboration happening in fourth grade! Our oldest gators are working hard to exemplify our learner profiles including being a community collaborator. We define that as "someone who actively participates in their classroom, school, and community." Way to go gators!
Spirit Day this Friday!
4th grade students were given a challenging task on Friday. They used critical thinking, problem solving, design principles, and perseverance to attempt constructing a ring out of Pringles. It is way harder than you might think!
If you'd like to volunteer at school in any capacity, you will need to attend volunteer training. Our first training is combined with the PTO meeting tomorrow evening. See you there!
We'd like to send a huge thank you to Bentonville Schools Foundation for supporting our students and staff! Because of the foundation's support, Central Park teachers were able to work with a Visible Learning coach to learn more about strategies proven to increase student learning and achievement. We are very excited about our Visible Learning journey, and can't wait to share more about the impact this has on our students.
PTO fundraiser happening today!
The halls are buzzing with excitement as we start another wonderful school year here at Central Park! We are ready for new learning, new friendships, and new memories. Let's go!
We want to send a big thank you to Burn Boot Camp - Bentonville, AR for surprising our staff with these awesome water bottles! We appreciate support from community partners so very much!
We have one more new teacher to introduce today! Please welcome Paige Moss to the second grade team!
"My name is Paige Moss, and I am so excited to join the Central Park Elementary School community! I have dreamed of being a teacher since I can remember, and I have worked many different roles in education since high school. I started as a classroom intern and spent a few years as a preschool teacher, paraprofessional, and classroom teacher ranging from 2nd grade to middle school. I have two beautiful children (Alder, who is 18 months, and Juniper, who is 3), and my family just relocated to Northwest Arkansas from California. I attended college at Southern Oregon University with a degree in early childhood development and received my master's of education at National University. I like mountain biking, backpacking, and traveling in my free time! I love adventure! I am so excited to meet everyone and have an amazing school year! "
Meet our administrators! Principal Karrie Bradshaw and Assistant Principal Allison Smith are so excited to welcome everyone to the 2023-2024 school year at Central Park!
Ms. Bradshaw is beginning her 23rd year in education, and 16th year in administration. She has twin daughters who are both seniors in college this year. She loves spending time outdoors, and can be found hiking in Colorado on summer vacation. She has an adorable schnauzer named Oliver.
This will be year 18 in education for Mrs. Smith. She and her husband Mike have four boys. They will be in kindergarten, third grade, sixth grade, and tenth grade this year. Mrs. Smith loves being in the stands cheering on the boys and their teammates as they play football, baseball, basketball, and soccer. The Smiths have a rescue pup named Trixie and a sheepadoodle named Benny.
Both ladies are thankful for the opportunity to serve the students, families, teachers, and staff of Central Park. It's going to be a fantastic year!
We'd like to introduce you all to another new team member, Lisa Drewry. Please welcome her to Central Park!
"My name is Lisa Drewry and this is my 21st year with Bentonville Schools! I am the math coach at Central Park and Osage Creek Elementary. I am a proud momma of an 18 year old and twins starting fifth grade at Ardis Ann. You can find me on the football field, basketball court, or in my garden! We love to play fetch with Mary Kate, our Aussie, and Tug of War with Maggie May, our Great Pyrenees."
Let's start the day with another teacher introduction. New to our school and the 4th grade team is Mrs. Hargis. Please give her a big gator welcome!
"My name is Jacy Hargis and I am so excited to join the Central Park family! I have been a teacher for 6 years in Little Rock and have loved my time there, but am happy to be back in my hometown! I went to college at The University of Central Arkansas in Conway where I met Clint, my husband of 7 years. I was a cheerleader and he was the mascot at UCA! We now have a daughter named Eden who is 11 months old and she is the cutest and happiest little baby! We do have a fur baby as well. She is a Russian Blue cat and her name is Ember. I can’t wait to meet everyone and have the best school year!"
Our next introduction is for a teacher who moved all the way across the country to join us at Central Park! Please welcome Ms. Molly Shade to the second grade team!
"Hi y'all! (I love that I can say 'y'all' whenever I want now that I am living in the south!) My name is Molly Shade and I just moved here from Seattle, WA. About 6 weeks ago, I fell in love with Bentonville when visiting my best friend. I knew that I had to make this place my forever home as soon as possible. My job search began on the plane ride back to Seattle. Soon thereafter, I was fortunate to accept a 2nd grade position at the BEST school there is!
I have been teaching for 7 years and have my Masters in Curriculum Design & Instruction. I have such a passion and love for children and their education. I come from a long line of masterful educators and feel incredibly blessed that the 'teaching gene' was passed down to me. My life has always centered around all things school/teaching/learning. My parents knew I was destined to be a teacher when I opened a white board and expo markers on Christmas morning one year--tears streamed down my face and I asked to sleep with them in my bed! Whether it was opening teacher-related gifts on Christmas or furthering my education post-college, I have always felt a beautiful calling to education.
In my free time, I love to do anything creative that involves my hands, whether it's journaling, crafting, calligraphy, puzzles, coloring, painting, etc. When I am not crafting away at my kitchen table, you can find me out and about with my wonderful dog, Lola June or with my two favorite people, my beloved mama and my best friend, Majestic.
Thank you for welcoming me into this special community. I am so excited to meet my precious 2nd graders and their families!"
Next up is our fabulous new PE teacher! Please give a warm gator welcome to Mrs. Lunsford!
"Greetings! I am Ashlee Lunsford. I grew up in NWA my whole life and it has been interesting watching how the area has changed since I was little. In December of 2021, my husband Drew and I were blessed with our first child, Clayton. It has been fun and exciting watching him learn how to do everything. I have coached archery for the past 10 years and out of those 10 years I have taken teams to the national level for the last five years.
I have been teaching for 11 years and all of those years were at Cooper Elementary. That is where it all started for me, but I am super excited to be on this new adventure at Central Park Elementary with all of you! I have a Bachelors of Science in Physical Education and Health K-12 and a Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction. Being a PE teacher is what I LOVE to do and I am ready to bring my passion to all at Central Park!"
Please welcome another member to the gator family! Katie Brockmeyer has a total of 11 years of teaching experience in grades 2-6. Nine of those years have been here in the Bentonville School District. She is married to her husband Hank and has three children: Tryp (15), Audrey (12), and Emery (5). She loves teaching group fitness classes when she isn't busy driving kids to sports. She is so excited to be a Central Park Gator this year!
Next up, please welcome Mrs. Trisha Grayson to our Central Park family! She is joining us with over 20 years of experience in education, and we couldn't be happier to welcome her to our second grade team.
"I was born and raised in Miami, Oklahoma, but NWA has been my home since 1992. I just celebrated my 30th wedding anniversary with Heath and we have an awesome son, Jacob who just turned 24. We are about to get a daughter in law, Lindsey in May of 2024. I love crafting, biking and spending time at the beach in the summer.
I graduated with my bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Arkansas, and completed my ESOL certification from John Brown University. I began my teaching career at Salem Lutheran School in 1999 teaching many different grade levels. I moved to public school in 2010 teaching 2-5 grades in Rogers. I knew I wanted to be a teacher when I was in 6th grade. Mrs. Walker was an amazing, caring educator. I love teaching and building relationships with my students and co-workers. I also love to have fun and be a part of activities at school and away. I can’t wait to teach 2nd grade this year at Central Park!! It’s going to be an amazing year!"
We would love to introduce you to our amazing Central Park staff! We will start with teachers that are new to our gator family this year. First up, let's welcome Mrs. Lauren Gleghorn!
"Hi Gators! My name is Lauren Gleghorn and I am a new 3rd grade teacher at Central Park. My husband and I have two children (Maggie 4 and Hutton 2) and we love going fishing and being outdoors in our spare time. We recently moved back home to Bentonville after being out of state for the past 10 years. I taught 2nd grade the last 7 years in Michigan and was a 3rd grade teacher in both Rogers and in the Houston area prior to that. I went to the University of Arkansas for my undergrad and masters degree. Go Hogs! I am passionate about student engagement and making learning meaningful and accessible to all! I can't wait to meet all of you and to start my 13th year teaching!'
