GREENWOOD PUBLIC SCHOOLS

State Bound! 🎶🎵🥁🎺 Congratulations GHS Band.

🏀🏀🏀MARK YOUR CALENDARS! 📅📅

Greenwood Public Schools will be holding School Safety and Security forum meetings for parents, or students, and community members on Thursday, October 17th. These meetings will cover essential information to ensure the safety and security of our school community. Greenwood Director of School Security, Mr. Jim Caudle, will highlight our School Response Plan during the forum. Additionally, participants will have the opportunity to meet members of our School Security team. Meeting times and locations are as follows: GHS Science Lecture Hall – 4:00 PM East Hills Library – 5:30 PM We encourage all to attend and be part of this important discussion.

Congratulations to GHS students, Tegan Stimac and David Coggin, who were honored at the October School Board meeting for their incredible achievement of scoring a perfect 36 on the ACT! 🎉📚 Their hard work and dedication paid off, and we couldn't be more proud to present them with plaques recognizing this outstanding accomplishment. 👏

Congratulations to the GHS Band for their incredible Lake Hamilton Power Band Invitational performance this weekend! 🎉🥁 In the Class 6A preliminaries, they brought home these amazing awards: 🏆 Outstanding Color Guard 🏆 Outstanding Visual Performance 🏆 Outstanding Music 🏆 Outstanding General Effect 🏆 Class Champions And Division 1 Color Guard Division 1 Percussion Division 1 Band Well done, GHS Band! Your hard work and talent continue to shine! 🌟🎶

Just a reminder! 😉 Parent-Teacher Conferences and Fall Break

“Pink looks good on us! We kicked off the day with an awesome pep rally with @tmobile. We need YOUR help to win this contest! Here’s how you can help: Watch our video:  https://www.instagram.com/reel/DA6V5TISl58/?igsh=MTg1cHo5OGc3NGJzbw== LIKE it to show your support! Share it on social media so others can see it and like the video on our school’s Instagram page! Your vote could be the difference! Let’s show the world why Greenwood is the heart of Friday Night Lights! Go Bulldogs!

Greenwood Fans! Because of your Bulldog Spirit, Greenwood High School is one of the 16 finalists for the T-Mobile Contest! The winning high school will receive a stadium renovation valued at over $2,000,000—and we want to make sure that Greenwood gets that chance. But instead of focusing on what we don’t have, we’re celebrating what makes our town special. We believe we have the best Friday Night Lights experience in the country! Now, we need YOUR help to make it even better. Here’s how you can help: Watch our video: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DA6V5TISl58/?igsh=MTg1cHo5OGc3NGJzbw== LIKE it to show your support! Share it on social media so others can see it and like the video on our school’s Instagram page! Your vote could be the difference in Greenwood taking the next step toward transforming our beloved stadium, and continuing our winning tradition for years to come. Let’s show the world why Greenwood is the heart of Friday Night Lights! Go Bulldogs!

FALL BREAK 🍂🍂🍂 No School for Students 🏫 Friday, Oct. 18th-Monday, Oct. 21st See you back on Tuesday! 😃

Congratulations!👏🏻 What an exciting week for the FFA Showteam at the 2024 Arkansas Youth Expo! Late nights and early mornings paid off, leading to some remarkable achievements.🌟 A huge congratulations to Norah Kirkpatrick and her family on having the Overall Grand Champion Market Barrow! This incredible accomplishment is a testament to the thousands of hours of hard work, dedication, and commitment they've invested over the years. Norah also exhibited the Champion AOB Gilt. Brooklyn Crites had a fantastic week as well, winning two market classes with her lambs. Given the high level of competition, each class win is a significant achievement. Drake Slate made his mark with two fourth-place finishes with his market goats and showcased his market lamb. Mazzy VanLare also exhibited her market lamb. Katie Pettigrew proudly showcased her market steer. The commitment and hard work of all our members truly shine through in their accomplishments! Congratulations to everyone for a successful expo!

UPCOMING EVENT: Parent-Teacher Conferences for students Kindergarten - 12th grade.

"🎉 October is National Principals Month! 🎉 We appreciate the incredible principals who lead, inspire, and make a positive impact every single day! They work tirelessly to create safe, supportive, and enriching environments for students, teachers, and staff. Thank you!

"🎉 October is National Principals Month! 🎉 We appreciate the incredible principals who lead, inspire, and make a positive impact every single day! They work tirelessly to create safe, supportive, and enriching environments for students, teachers, and staff. Thank you!

Happy National School Custodians Day! 🎉 Today, we celebrate our dedicated maintenance team who work tirelessly to maintain our schools. Keep our schools clean, safe, and welcoming. Thank you for all you do behind the scenes to create a welcoming environment for students and staff. Your dedication doesn't go unnoticed! 🙌🏫

"🎉 October is National Principals Month! 🎉 We appreciate the incredible principals who lead, inspire, and make a positive impact every single day! They work tirelessly to create safe, supportive, and enriching environments for students, teachers, and staff. Thank you!

🎉 The Greenwood Education Foundation is thrilled to welcome three incredible individuals into the GEF Hall of Honor: Jim Bynum, Drucilla Hughart, and Dr. Aaron White! These outstanding leaders have made a lasting impact on the Greenwood School District, our community, and the state. Join us in celebrating their achievements at a special reception on Friday, October 4th, in the GHS Student Union. The reception kicks off at 5:30 PM, with the induction ceremony set to follow the 2024 Football Homecoming Court coronation at 6:45 PM (pre-game). 🏈 Let's come together to honor these amazing contributors to Greenwood. Everyone is welcome!

Greenwood High School is pleased to announce Ryan Casalman has been assigned as the Head Coach for the Girls Basketball team for the 2024-2025 season. Coach Casalman brings extensive experience, having previously coached at Westark Community College, Greenwood High School, and County Line High School. He most recently served as Greenwood's 9th-grade Boys Basketball Coach. Ryan Casalman's deep ties to Greenwood and his proven success in building competitive basketball teams make him a natural fit to step into this leadership role. The Greenwood School District looks forward to the continued success of the Girls Basketball program under his guidance. We are excited to have Coach Casalman leading our Girls Basketball program for the upcoming season.

The Greenwood Education Foundation is proud to induct three new members into the GEF Hall of Honor: Jim Bynum, Drucilla Hughart, and Dr. Aaron White. A school and community-wide reception honoring these three inductees will be held Friday, October 4th in the GHS Student Union beginning at 5:30 with the induction ceremony at 6:45 (Homecoming pre-game) following the coronation of the 2024 Football Homecoming Court. Everyone is invited to attend the reception honoring these three individuals. Dr. Aaron E. White, son of Lavon and Billie White, is a lifelong resident of Greenwood. He began his education in Greenwood Public Schools as part of the inaugural kindergarten class and graduated as valedictorian from Greenwood High School in 1989. During his time in school, he was part of the 1984 History Day National Championship and the 1985 State Champion teams. Dr. White also achieved the rank of Eagle Scout with historic Troop 54. He attended the University of Arkansas, where he played trombone in the Razorback Marching Band and the Hogwild Band, even performing at President Bill Clinton's inauguration. Initially aiming to become a wildlife biologist, Dr. White spent summers working with the US Forest Service, where he tracked and banded spotted owls. Dr. White graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Zoology and a minor in environmental science in 1993 and was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. In 1997, Dr. White entered medical school at UAMS, graduating in the top 10% of his class in 2000 and earning induction into the Alpha Omega Alpha National Medical Honor Society. After residency, he became a diplomate of the American Board of Family Medicine and moved back to Greenwood in 2003 to start his medical practice. Over the past 21 years, Dr. White has conducted over 100,000 patient visits. In 2012, he received the Degree of Fellow from the American Academy of Family Physicians, recognizing his dedication to family medicine and community service. He is a member of various medical organizations, serves as a certified medical examiner and holds a faculty position with the Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine, where he mentors third- and fourth-year medical students. Beyond medicine, Dr. White volunteers extensively in his community. He provides free physicals for Scouts, has led medical mission trips to Central America, and serves as a deacon at Greenwood First Baptist Church. He has served on various church committees and teaches a life group while playing trombone in the praise band. Dr. White remains active in the Greenwood School District. His legacy lies in his commitment to excellence in his profession and service to God, leaving an enduring impact on the Greenwood community.

The Greenwood Education Foundation is proud to induct three new members into the GEF Hall of Honor: Jim Bynum, Drucilla Hughart, and Dr. Aaron White. A school and community-wide reception honoring these three inductees will be held Friday, October 4th in the GHS Student Union beginning at 5:30 with the induction ceremony at 6:45 (Homecoming pre-game) following the coronation of the 2024 Football Homecoming Court. Everyone is invited to attend the reception honoring these three individuals. Drucilla Hugart’s story is one of perseverance, humility, and service—a true reflection of the spirit of a GEF Hall of Honor member. Her journey began with a difficult decision: leaving high school in the eleventh grade to get married. Though life moved forward, the thought of not finishing her education weighed heavily on her. She had always dreamed of becoming a nurse and earning her diploma, but as she focused on raising her family, she found that many opportunities were just out of reach. Determined to change that, Drucilla took action when her son, Bob, was attending the University of Arkansas and her daughter, Connie, was in the 10th grade. She approached Arl McConnell, principal of Greenwood High School, about taking correspondence courses. Instead of just offering an alternative, McConnell encouraged her to do something bold—come back to school. So, in the fall of 1966, at 40 years old, Drucilla walked through the doors of Greenwood High as an 11th grader. It was one of the hardest things she had ever done, but the moment she crossed the football field in 1969 to receive her diploma, 23 years after leaving, she knew it was one of the happiest days of her life. That diploma opened up doors she had never imagined. She went on to enroll at Sparks Hospital School of Nursing, graduating as an LPN, and began a fulfilling nursing career that lasted 28 years. But Drucilla’s impact extended far beyond her profession. She became deeply involved in her community, serving six years on the Greenwood City Council, stepping up as Interim Mayor, and being selected for the Board of Directors for the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce. She often said her life truly began at 40. Drucilla’s commitment to service didn’t stop with Greenwood. She served on the Board of Directors for the Sebastian-Scott County Economic Development, represented Greenwood in the LRA’s closing of Fort Chaffee, joined the Arkansas Municipal League Advisory Council, and was elected president of the Sparks Hospital Women’s Board. One of her proudest contributions was writing a column for the Greenwood Democrat for 30 years. Through her words, she shared hometown memories, local stories, and profiles of community members, making her writing a cherished part of Greenwood’s history. Her dedication even earned her special recognition during the Fort Smith Veterans Day ceremonies for raising funds to expand the National Cemetery. Her passion for nature led her to work on the committee that brought the Nature Center to Fort Smith, where she helped secure Wells Lake as its location. For her 1,000 hours of volunteer service, she was honored with the Red Fox Award from the Fish and Game Commission. Drucilla’s deep-rooted knowledge of Sebastian County made her an invaluable volunteer for numerous organizations. She lent her time to the Cancer Support House, Miss Laura’s Visitor’s House, and the University of Arkansas Vision 2010 Committee. In 2006, she was honored as Mother of the Year by Fort Smith Mayor Ray Baker and was later recognized by UAFS for her 50 years of nursing service. Even in retirement, Drucilla remains active, though at a gentler pace. She continues to serve as a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, a lifetime member of the Sebastian County Historical Society, a member of the River Valley Nurse Honor Guard, and a volunteer for the Baptist Hospital Auxiliary. Reflecting on her journey, she says, “I would have never accomplished these things had I not gone back to Greenwood High School and received my diploma. I am so thankful that Greenwood Schools gave me that opportunity.” For her unwavering commitment to education, her lifetime of service, and her enduring impact on the community, the Greenwood Education Foundation is honored to recognize Drucilla Hugart as a member of the 2024 Hall of Honor.

The Greenwood Education Foundation is proud to induct three new members into the GEF Hall of Honor: Jim Bynum, Drucilla Hughart, and Dr. Aaron White. A school and community-wide reception honoring these three inductees will be held Friday, October 4th in the GHS Student Union beginning at 5:30 with the induction ceremony at 6:45 (Homecoming pre-game) following the coronation of the 2024 Football Homecoming Court. Everyone is invited to attend the reception honoring these three individuals. Jim Bynum was born and raised in the small town of Wister, OK, spent his school years in both Arkoma and Spiro, graduating in 1972. For 48 wonderful years, he’s shared his life with his wife, Cheryl. Together, they have two children, Stephen Bynum and Danielle Durbin, both proud graduates of Greenwood High School. Today, Jim and Cheryl are doting grandparents to five grandchildren and great-grandparents to two little ones. Their move to Greenwood in 1981 was a heartfelt decision to give their kids the best education possible. Their roots in the community deepened through their active involvement at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, where Jim has been honored to serve as a Sunday School teacher and Elder. Jim’s journey with Greenwood Public Schools began in 1988, after years in the shipping and trucking industry. Starting in the bus garage, he found his calling in serving the school system. By 1997, he took on the role of Transportation Supervisor, and in 2000, he was named Director of Transportation. Just two years later, he became the Director of Operations, a role he embraced wholeheartedly until his retirement in 2016. During his 28 years with Greenwood Schools, Jim witnessed and played a pivotal role in the district’s growth. From renovations at the former North Main Campus, Greenwood High School, the old Rock Gym, the High School PE Gym, Visitor Locker Rooms at Smith Robinson Stadium, and the conversion of the old PE Gym to the current Volleyball Gym. Mr. Bynum also supervised the construction of the GMAC and PAC Phases 1 and 2, Safe Rooms at GHS, East Hills, and Westwood, the GHS Agri, Construction Tech, and Student Union buildings, new press boxes and concession stands at the baseball and softball field complexes, and the addition of turf to the football field at Smith Robinson Stadium. Jim had his hand in almost every project. The completion of the state-of-the-art Freshman Center and the beautiful exterior renovations at the GHS Campus marked the final chapter of his career. Every corner of Greenwood Schools today reflects Jim’s dedication and hard work for the Greenwood School District. Looking back, Jim fondly reflects, “Working for Greenwood Schools was more than a job—it was a blessing. It was my true honor to serve the students, staff, and the Greenwood community.” If you've ever met him, you know that his laugh is absolutely contagious. It's the kind of laugh that fills a room, making everyone around him smile, no matter the situation. He’s the type of person who never has a bad word to say about anyone, always seeing the best in people and lifting them up with his kindness. Humble to the core, he leads by quiet example, serving others without seeking recognition or praise. He embodies what it means to be a true servant, always putting others before himself and doing so with grace, warmth, and a heart full of love. His presence is a blessing to everyone who knows him too. Jim Bynum’s induction into the 2024 GEF Hall of Honor is definitely deserved.