Elementary principal Airl Cheek challenged his students two years ago and renewed the challenge last year that if the students scored at least 86% proficient or advanced on the Arkansas Benchmark Exam, he would do something crazy with his hair. On last spring's tests, the elementary students surpassed the 86% goal.  Cotter Elementary has the highest 3-6 Benchmark scores in the area, so it was time for Principal Cheek to follow through as promised.  The picture shows the results of the kids' outstanding effort and achievement.

Warrior of the Month:

This year at Amanda Gist Elementary School I have chosen to teach our character education around the theme, “What is a Warrior?”  There will be a word of the month posted each month on the 1^st.  August’s word was “Respectful.”  The teachers and staff observe students, and when they catch them displaying good character -  in this case being respectful - they send the student’s name to me and I give them an award and enter their name in a drawing for a grand prize.  In August I was able to give away free bowling passes to Riverlake Bowling Lanes in Mountain Home, and, as a grand prize, a free meal at El Chico in Mountain Home. 

Pictured below is our Warrior of the Month for August.  This student is from Mrs. Rodger’s Kindergarten class. 

September’s word of the month is “Listener.”