State officials visit Ashdown High School to discuss innovation program

Representatives from the Arkansas Department of Education recently visited Ashdown High School to assist with the school's designation as a School of Innovation. Shown, from left, are Superintendent Casey Nichols, Crystal Beshears and Teri Lynn Day.
(Submitted photo)
Representatives from the Arkansas Department of Education recently visited Ashdown High School to assist with the school's designation as a School of Innovation. Shown, from left, are Superintendent Casey Nichols, Crystal Beshears and Teri Lynn Day. (Submitted photo)

Crystal Beshears from the Arkansas Department of Education School of Innovation and Cindy Hogue from the Department of Education recently visited Ashdown High School in order to assist and instruct AHS in being designated a School of Innovation. They met throughout the day with students, staff, administrators, school board members, community members, business partners and staff from area universities to discuss the benefits of the changes, as well as ways the program could be improved. They were treated to coffee from the AHS Serenity Cafe coffee shop and entertained by the AHS Choir. AHS students and staff discussed with the team the positive changes they have seen this year in the addition of advisory time with teachers, a 1:1 ratio of students to Chromebooks and the additions of the Lockesburg Industrial Maintenance Institute and Certified Nursing Assistant programs.

"The team from the ADE left our school with lots of positive comments about us being well on our way to having a designation site visit," AHS Principal Kay York stated in a press release. "The outpouring of support and encouragement from the students, community and staff has been over the top."

Superintendent Casey Nichols said, "Our passion is for our kids. We want to be innovative and think outside of the box in order to serve them in the best way possible to provide them all the opportunities that they will need to graduate from Ashdown High School and either continue their education in college, trade school or the workforce."

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