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!'
16 of our staff members had the opportunity to attend a Visible Learning conference in Orlando this week. We are coming into the new school year with lots of great ideas on how to best facilitate learning for our students. We are thankful for teachers that view themselves as lifelong learners, and that they are always looking for ways to sharpen their skills.
We said "see ya later, gator" to our 4th graders last week and we already miss them! The parade and clap-out was so special, and we even got to celebrate some former gators that graduated high school this year as they joined in the fun. Once a gator, always a gator!
We won't be sad it's over, we'll just be glad it happened! What an amazing year with our school family. Stay safe and enjoy your summer break!
Second grade had a visit from two retired naval officers who also happen to be CPE parents! John and Shannon Stanton thoroughly impressed us all with their amazing presentation. Thank you for your visit!
Best. Day. Ever! Field day was absolutely amazing. Thank you to all the teachers and volunteers that made it such a fun day for the students.
We can't believe how fast kindergarten went by for our kindergators ths year! They put on quite a show for us with their Bugz performance. Now for some summer fun before heading on up to first grade!
Attention former CPE students who are graduating!
Mrs. Ginger and the 4th grade students put on a show to remember! Their spectacular performance of The Jungle Book completely wowed the audience. What a talented group of students, teachers, and parents that came together to make this happen. Way to go, gators!
Parents, it's time for Field Day and we need your help! Please sign up if you are able to volunteer and join in on the fun!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4FAAA829A6FC1-central1
Mrs. Boyles got the surprise of a lifetime for Teacher Appreciation Week! Her homeroom moms arranged for former Razorback and Green Bay Packer, Brett Goode, to come talk to the first graders! Mrs. Boyles is a huge Packers fan, and couldn't have loved this surprise more! Mr. Goode is a Central Park parent, and he even brought his Super Bowl ring to show everyone. What an amazing surprise!
Coming up soon for 4th graders!
Mrs. Witt's class had a great time at kindergarten family night last night. Just look at all those word surgeons!
Spirit Day this Friday!
First graders had such a great time on their field trip to the Botanical Gardens last week!
3rd and 4th grade students will have ACT Aspire Testing this week starting Tuesday. They will test each morning. Please encourage your child to get plenty of rest and eat a healthy breakfast each day.
Tuesday, April 18th, 4th grade and kindergarten lunch times will switch for the day. Kinder will eat at 10:30 and 4th at 12:00. This will only be on Tuesday.
The Gator Run is tomorrow!
