Graduation is drawing near, and we want to remind you of some important upcoming senior events!  🎓 Senior Signing This Friday at 9:00 AM 📍 A.L. Hutson Memorial Center Seniors will sign with their college, trade school, or military branch of choice. This event will be livestreamed, and all are invited to attend.  ⛪ Baccalaureate Service Sunday at 4:30 PM 📍 Crossroads Baptist Church Open to all graduating seniors (cap and gown required) and their families. All are welcome.  🏅 Senior Reception 📅 May 7 at 6:00 PM 📍 A.L. Hutson Memorial Center Local scholarships and department awards will be presented. All are welcome.  🎉 Graduation Friday, May 8 at 7:00 PM 📍 A.L. Hutson Memorial Center This event will also be livestreamed. All are welcome.   We look forward to celebrating the Class of 2026!
Congratulations to Highland Middle School on being named the Bronze Winner in the Middle School Education category for the 2026 edition of Northeast Arkies Best! 🏆❤️🤍🩶  This publication celebrates the businesses, people, and places that Northeast Arkansas communities love most, as chosen by local voters.  Community members nominated their favorites across key categories including Agriculture, Eat & Drink, Education, Health & Beauty, Home & Garden, Law, Motors, Real Estate, Services, Shopping, and Things to Do. More than 3,700 businesses, individuals, and organizations from 14 counties were nominated and appeared on this year’s ballot, with winners representing Baxter, Clay, Craighead, Fulton, Greene, Independence, Izard, Jackson, Lawrence, Mississippi, Poinsett, Randolph, Sharp, and Stone counties.  Highland Middle School continues to be a place where students are supported, challenged, and encouraged to succeed—we are proud to celebrate HMS and all that they do for our students each day! 🎉
Congratulations to Cherokee Elementary School on being named the Gold Winner in the Elementary Education category for the 2026 edition of Northeast Arkies Best! 🏆❤️🤍🩶  This publication celebrates the businesses, people, and places that Northeast Arkansas communities love most, as chosen by local voters.  Community members nominated their favorites across key categories including Agriculture, Eat & Drink, Education, Health & Beauty, Home & Garden, Law, Motors, Real Estate, Services, Shopping, and Things to Do. More than 3,700 businesses, individuals, and organizations from 14 counties were nominated and appeared on this year’s ballot, with winners representing Baxter, Clay, Craighead, Fulton, Greene, Independence, Izard, Jackson, Lawrence, Mississippi, Poinsett, Randolph, Sharp, and Stone counties.  We are proud to see Cherokee Elementary recognized in such an outstanding way! 🎉
Join us as our selected student artists showcase their work from the 2025–2026 school year at the Highland School District Art Show! ❤️🤍🩶  This event will take place on Tuesday, April 28, from 5:00–7:00 PM at the A.L. Hutson Memorial Center. All are invited to attend.  Come out to support our students and see firsthand just how talented and creative they are—we hope to see you there! 🎨
SENIORS - IMPORTANT DATES
The Arkansas Teaching and Learning Assessment System (ATLAS) is the state’s required K–12 summative assessment, first introduced in spring 2024. It measures student learning and helps guide instruction while monitoring progress toward goals outlined in the LEARNS Act.  Students across grade levels will participate in ATLAS Summative Testing:  Grades K–2: Students will take state-mandated summative assessments in literacy and math. These end-of-year tests measure foundational skills such as phonological awareness, decoding, number sense, and basic computation.  Grades 3–8: Students will be assessed in English Language Arts (Reading/Writing), Math, and Science.  High School: (Grades 9–10) English Language Arts (Reading/Writing). In addition, students will take End-of-Course (EOC) exams in Algebra I, Geometry, and Biology.      🗓️ Testing Dates  K–2 ATLAS Summative (Literacy & Math): April 20 – 24  Cherokee Elementary School (CES) & Highland High School (HHS): April 27 – May 1  Highland Middle School (HMS): May 4 – May 8  Students in grades 3–10 will test Monday through Thursday each week, completing one subject per day (Reading, Writing, Math, and Science).      🏫 Attendance Matters  We strongly encourage all students to be present on their scheduled testing days. The best testing environment is when students are able to test alongside their classmates, following the planned schedule.      🌟 Our Focus: Student Growth  At the Highland School District, we have placed a strong emphasis on student growth this year. ATLAS provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate how much they have learned and grown over the course of the year.  We encourage all students to give their best effort and take pride in their progress.      🏡 How Families Can Support  You play an important role in helping your child feel prepared and confident:  Ensure a good night’s sleep before testing days  Provide a healthy breakfast each morning  Help your child arrive on time and ready to start the day  Encourage a positive mindset  A simple reminder can go a long way: 👉 “This is your chance to show what you know.” 👉 “You don’t have to be perfect—just do your best.”
HMS is excited to host a Family Game Night on April 21st from 5:30–7:00 PM in the Middle School cafeteria! ALL students and their families in grades 5–8 are invited to attend. This special evening is a wonderful opportunity for families to spend quality time together while engaging in fun and interactive games. At HMS, we believe that strong family connections are an essential part of student success, and we value the role families play in our learning community. Throughout the event, students will take the lead by presenting games, explaining strategies, and making connections to skills and concepts they’ve learned throughout the school year. It’s a great chance to see their learning in action! We look forward to seeing you there!
Our parapros are the heart of so many classrooms across Rebel Nation—supporting students, assisting teachers, and making a difference in ways that often go unseen but are always felt. From lending a helping hand to offering encouragement and care, they play a vital role in helping every student succeed. We are grateful for your patience, dedication, and the positive impact you make each and every day. Thank you for all you do for our students, our staff, and our district. Happy National Paraprofessional Day!
Highland School District Teacher of the Year
The Highland School District is seeking a Family Support Specialist for the Highland Home Visiting Program — an opportunity to work with the youngest Rebels in our community and make a lasting impact on families during the most important early years of a child’s development.  The Family Support Specialist will build and maintain a caseload of families with children ages 0–5 and conduct in-home educational visits that emphasize:  ⭐ Parent-child interaction ⭐ Development-centered parenting ⭐ Family well-being and support  This position plays a vital role in helping families grow strong foundations for learning and success while supporting early childhood development across our community.  If you are passionate about working with young children and supporting families, we encourage you to apply and become part of the Rebel Nation team!
❤️🤍🩶 One of our favorite weeks at Cherokee Elementary School is coming up NEXT week — Read Across America Week! 🩶🤍❤️  We are excited to celebrate this national week dedicated to reading, imagination, and the joy of learning. Throughout the week, students and staff will take part in fun activities across the building that encourage a love of books and help make reading come alive for everyone.  Be sure to check out the flyer attached to this post for all the exciting details — and don’t forget to join in the fun by participating in the daily dress-up themes! We can’t wait to see our Rebels show their creativity and school spirit while celebrating the power of reading.  Let’s make it a great week at CES! 📚
Donkey basketball is coming to HHS soon! Check out the flyer for information.  Tickets may be purchased in advance from any FFA member or at the high school office.  The night of the game we will have concessions and a silent auction.  See you there!
Form Link: https://forms.gle/r57wgbecYgZ4tXXc8
🔥 ATTENTION PARENTS OF THE CLASS OF 2026! 🔥 It’s time to shine the spotlight on your senior in the 2026 Rebel Yearbook! 📘✨ Celebrate their hard work, memories, and milestones with a Senior Recognition Ad that shows just how proud you are.  Don’t wait—these moments deserve their time in the spotlight! 🎓 Create and purchase your senior’s spotlight here: 👉 https://www.jostens.com/yearbooks/students-and-parents/yearbook-ads  ❤️🖤 Once a Rebel, always a Rebel. Go Rebels! 🖤❤️
Mrs. Bev Rogers is a publish author with her article in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette
School Board members pose with 5th grade students
8th Grade Social Studies
School Board Recognition Month
Veterans Day
School Board