When White Hall High School students return from spring break, they will step into a newly upgraded cafeteria.
The district is spending nearly $400,000 toward enhancing the cafeteria at the high school campus following unanimous approval by the district board last week. AmTab of Chicago will provide furniture made with a plastic composite similar to material used to make football helmets, and positive messaging will be displayed on the walls of the cafeteria.
An addition to the cafeteria was previously made, but this will be the first time since the campus opened in 1980 the furniture has been updated, according to district child nutrition director Patsy Garner.
“With students today, you’ve got to move with the times to get them to come in (for) participation, and then make it their home,” Garner said. “That’s the break time besides learning in the classroom that they get to really enjoy each other, so we really want to make it an enjoyable time for them and enjoy the food that we serve because we have so many options that are just amazing.”
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Students have up to nine dining options for lunch inside the cafeteria, Garner said, so the district is aiming to update the hall to more of a college-like atmosphere.
Planning lasted two years, Garner said. Students, principals and cafeteria staff were invited to contribute their ideas toward how to upgrade the cafeteria.
“Students are certainly going to enjoy the new furniture and new inviting look,” WHSD Superintendent Gary Williams said. “One of the key features we want for all of our campuses is for students to get in there and eat and have a good meal. It’s amazing how the environment will help promote that. We have good participation in our cafeterias now, and we see this being a nice addition for our students to have a good place to sit, and we think this will help our participation rates as far as students having meals in the cafeteria.”
Williams said the cost for upgrades is $386,396. The district, he said, is required by state law to invest the money back into its foodservice program in order to keep a maximum of three months’ worth of operating expenses. In the WHSD, Williams said, the maximum would amount to $461,737.
“When you spend this kind of money, you want something that’s going to last for a long time,” Garner said. “I’m excited for our students and our staff to experience this. I think they’re going to own it and love it.”
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
The following accomplishments of district students were shared during the board meeting of Dec. 9:
High school students Logan Guynn and Virginia Smart attended the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America Capitol Leadership Conference Nov. 15-19 in Washington, D.C., and shared their experiences with the board.
Students were introduced to the healthcare industry and dissected a brain at a University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences career exploration seminar hosted by D.J. Stacey, college and career coach at White Hall High.
In the Dec. 4 state Special Olympics, Raymond Jenkins earned a silver and Trinity Hargrove and S.J. Herring each earned a bronze medal. Deborah Pittillo coaches the middle school Special Olympics team.
Pre-educator student Addison Prince shared her passion for art and nature at the Generation Conservation Summit sponsored by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.
On Nov. 17 the Future Farmers of America competed in sub-area leadership development events at UA-Monticello. Linsey Spurlin won first place and Christian Martinez took fourth place in the Discussion Meet. Jack Menard took first place and Jerrica Olson sixth place in Extemporaneous Speaking. Joshua Todd took first place and Josiah Witcher second in Prepared Speaking. Menard, Spurlin and Todd advanced to district competition.
The high school Quiz Bowl teams placed second and third in the Arkansas River Education Service Cooperative Quiz Bowl.
The Senior Beta Club collected 140 shelf stable meal kits and distributed them to the White Hall school families and White Hall food pantry.
The middle school band placed 52 students in the All-Region 3 Junior High Honor Band. Nine students from White Hall made the All-Region Junior High Jazz Band. Fourteen WHHS students made the high school All-Region Jazz Band and 14 earned spots in the high school concert band. The students will attend All-Region band clinics to learn songs to play for the honor, concert and jazz band concerts.
Taylor Elementary’s Gifted and Talented Education fourth-grade Stock Market team won first place in Economics Arkansas. The team will be awarded at the Jan. 22 luncheon in Little Rock.
PERSONNEL MOVE
The district accepted a letter of resignation from middle school choir teacher Ariel Williams, effective Dec. 19.