Young readers and security team members in the Pine Bluff School District were honored last week for their demonstration of self-discipline and respect.
Each honoree received a Showing Your Stripes certificate from Superintendent Jennifer Barbaree during a PBSD board meeting. “Stripes” refers to self-discipline, trustworthiness, respect, innovation, patience, empathy and synergy.
Jace Moore, a student at 34th Avenue Elementary School, read the highest number of words from Oct. 7 to Dec. 20 with 72,875, which assistant superintendent Phillip Carlock called a demonstration of self-discipline. Jace also recorded the second-highest number at 33,793.
Southwood Elementary student Kameron Rogers was honored as a top reader on campus with 155,597 words read.
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“He has shown what it takes to earn his stripes and helped to show why Southwood Elementary School is a great place to learn,” Carlock said.
Broadmoor Elementary’s Cali Reed, Pine Bluff Junior High’s Aelya Abram and Pine Bluff High’s Karlie Thomas also received Stripes honors.
Aelya serves as an ambassador for PBJH’s Nemesis House and shows respect to everyone she encounters, Carlock said.
“Aelya is also a team player. She lends a hand anywhere she can,” Carlock said. “Her inquisitive personality shows in all she does. It is evident she wants not only the best for herself, but her classmates as well.”
Karlie raises and lowers the school flags and correctly folds and stores them each day, according to Carlock. Cali was honored for being a “respectful student leader.”
District security staff, directed by Foster Baker, were acknowledged for their show of trustworthiness, patience and respect. Security officers include Yolanda Scott, Ashley Brazell, Cornovious Branch, Natae Johnson, Dalton Rankin, Antoine Walker, Kenneth Ellis, Jaleesa Harroway, Jeffery Cannady, Sheunta Johnson, Theophilus Smith, Terry Cogshell, Donna Stubbs, Julia Robinson, Jeffery Fuller, Marilyn Smith, Brandon Deshazier, Gail Battles, Curtis Bailey, Jonah Israel, Tim Collins, Courtney Fox and Artis Bacon.
Three community members received awards as well: George Cannon for supporting scholars and teachers per request and assisting with the Z-Train Drumline and the 21st Century Community Learning Center at 34th Avenue; Pine Bluff Ward 3 Councilman William Fells III for sharing a message on respect, honesty and helpfulness with the Southwood Gentlemen’s Club; and Virginia Heisler for providing career and character development lessons to career and technical education students at PBHS.
NEW CALENDAR
The PBSD board approved the 2025-26 calendar, which will begin with staff professional development days July 21-25 and the first day of class July 28.
The upcoming school year will be the second in which the district enacts a year-round slate. The calendar was chosen after a vote among students and staff members conducted by the Personnel Policy Committee.
Other important dates in the upcoming calendar:
Sept. 1-5: Labor Day break;
Oct. 6-10: Fall break;
Nov. 21-Dec. 1: Thanksgiving break;
Dec. 22-Jan. 2: Christmas and New Year’s break;
Jan. 5-6 and June 8: Staff professional development days;
Jan. 19: Martin Luther King Day;
Feb. 16-20: Winter Break;
March 20 and April 6: Flex professional development days;
March 23-27: Spring break;
June 5: Last day of class.
Pine Bluff Junior High student Aelya Abram poses with PBSD assistant superintendent Phillip Carlock, who presents to her a Showing Your Stripes certificate. (Pine Bluff Commercial/I.C. Murrell)