GREENWOOD PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Michael Lejong graduated from Greenwood High School in 1990 and the University of Arkansas Fay Jones School of Architecture in 1996. From there he began a distinguished and noted career. His professional impact on the community, state and national scale will be long remembered through the structures he built. His personal impact on the community, state and national scale will long be remembered through the relationships he built. He is remembered for his dedication, kindness, generosity and passion. While attending the UA architecture school, Lejong studied at the University of Arkansas Rome Center in Italy and was in the founding studio of the University of Arkansas Community Design Center. He was recognized in 2019 by the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design as a John G. Williams Fellow. He also served as a member of the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design Dean’s Circle. In 2020 Michael served as chair of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Small Firm Exchange and was also selected to the AIA National Leadership Academy, a three-year focused leadership program. He was one of 19 members elected out of nearly 100,000 members to serve as a strategic councilor of the Gulf States Region of the AIA. Michael was presented with the Dick Savage Memorial Award by the Arkansas Chapter of the American Institute of Architects during the organizations’ 2016 State Convention. The award is presented for notable and significant contributions to AIA and the architecture profession through outstanding leadership, service, and commitment. Michael was appointed by Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson in 2017 to represent the citizens of Arkansas on the State Board of Architects, Landscape Architects, and Interior Designers. Some of his work included the Windgate Studio and Design Center on the University of Arkansas campus. In addition to actively representing the AIA, Michael served as the City of Greenwood, Arkansas' Economic Development Commission Chair. He was a board member for the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce, Greenwood Education Foundation, Greenwood Parks Department Trails Committee, University of Arkansas Fort Smith College of Applied Science and Technology Advisory Board, Western Arkansas Rails to Trails Board and the Western Arkansas Workforce Development Board. Lejong was the principal-in-charge of construction and chief financial officer for Fort Smith based MAHG Architecture and practiced architecture with the firm since 1999. In 1996, Lejong married the love of his life, Katie (Cox), also a GHS graduate. The Greenwood community became home to them and their children, Abbey and Emerson. Continuing the Bulldog legacy, Abbey graduated from GHS in 2015 and Emerson in 2020. Driving to high school softball and soccer games became a prominent part of Michael’s life during his daughters’ high athletic careers and extended to their college careers as Abbey played softball at Drury University and Emerson currently plays soccer at Hendrix University. Though he was a dedicated architect, Michael’s family always took priority over work. The love for his family extended through his passion for architecture for the Greenwood community. Michael believed in giving back to communities and individuals. He was named ‘Citizen of the Year’ by the local Chamber of Commerce in 2018. Michael’s leadership and influence are evidenced by his work with the walking trail that winds through Greenwood, the Bell Park Wilkinson Pavillion, the Greenwood Police Station, and Greenwood High School. He was “hands-on” with several Eagle Scout projects and other organizations who called on him for assistance with special projects, generous with both his time and his talents. HIs latest project with the Greenwood Education Foundation was to create a map of the high school campus to mark all the Class Sidewalks to provide direction to alumni as they return to campus searching for their sidewalk. His most recent work included the Center for Art and Education in Van Buren and renovations to Northside High School in Fort Smith. He was the epitome of a Citizen Architect. Words like inspirational, effective leader, talented, mentor, encourager and “trail-maker” are accurate descriptions of Michael and rightfully place him in the 2021 Hall of Honor Class for the Greenwood Education Foundation. Michael passed away July 19th following his election into the Hall of Honor. His family has since established the Michael Lejong Memorial Scholarship in his honor. Reception for Hall of Honor Inductees will be at 5:30 in the Student Union and Induction will be prior to the Homecoming game, Oct. 1st.

Scott-Sebastian Library starting a new program for students 12 and older.

Donnie Whitson After graduating from Ozark Public Schools, where he excelled as an athlete, Donnie Whitson became a life-long educator following his graduation from Arkansas Tech. Coach Whitson demonstrated success in every stage of his career as an educator. His first job as a football coach was in Pocahontas before moving to Greenwood in 1980 to become a football coach and health and physical education teacher. Though an excellent coach, Donnie Whitson is best known for his leadership and direction at East Hills Middle School. In late 1988 he was named as the first principal of the new East Hills Middle School in Greenwood, where he would spend the next 10 years until his retirement. At the time there were only a handful of middle schools in the state, and it was up to Donnie to plan and organize how Greenwood’s new Middle School would best serve the District’s 5th-7th graders. He dedicated thousands of working hours to ensure the vision he saw for the new middle school would come to fruition and to ensure all staff members were thoroughly trained in the Middle School Model. He spent many hours in the summer prior to the school’s opening working on building a playground. He was often seen hauling supplies in “ole red” to complete jobs as well as physical labor to get things done. In August 1999, East Hills Middle School opened to 778 students. He continually “tweaked” things to make it better for kids and had a talent at reaching kids with his contagious smile. Donnie believed in kids and they knew it. HIs door was always open for teachers and students and the respect always flowed both ways. Donnie’s vision was to ensure all students received the highest quality of education possible and all had the same opportunities. His vision grew into “The Special Education Integrated Model” to integrate special education students into mainstream classrooms. Donnie developed this model and presented it at the state Administration Conference and Middle School conferences both state and national. This model is still used in our middle school today as well as all across the state. Donnie served on the Arkansas Association of Middle Level Educators Board as well as the Arkansas Association of Middle Level Administrators Board. In 2005, East Hills Middle School received the Arkansas Middle School of the Year/The Shannon Wright Award under Donnie’s leadership. He thrived as a mentor to children regardless of their backgrounds. He had an amazing ability to connect with the students who struggled as well as the students who thrived. Donnie coined the FINAO (Failure Is Not an Option) Assembly. Using grants that Donnie wrote himself, students were awarded cash and various prizes based on grades, behavior and hard work. He insisted on finding a reason for all students to be a part of receiving these prizes in order to motivate their education and promote their participation and admiration of school, including having 800+ water balloons thrown at him and being Duct Taped to a wall. Donnie’s knowledge of kids was an art. He cared about their education and he made it look cool. In 2009, he was named AAMLA Principal of the Year. He retired from administration in 2011 after being in education for 32 years. He attended Arkansas Tech on a football scholarship and it was there that he met Carol, his wife of 43 years. Their two children, Josh and Sarah (Brownfield) greatly valued their dad’s friendship, listening skills and sense of humor. Following retirement, Donnie's new passions would become grandkids and music. He absolutely adored his grandbabies and loved teaching them to build things, singing with them and playing all kinds of games. Donnie was truly one of a kind, and his influence was widespread. The stories that he told became indelible memories and there was always something buried in his words. The Greenwood Education Foundation is very proud to induct Donnie Whitson into their Hall of Honor Class of 2021. Following his death in 2020, a scholarship in his honor was established with the Foundation for a GHS graduating senior. Induction reception will be held Friday, October 1st at 5:30 in the Student Union. Presentation into the Hall of Honor will be prior to the game.

The Greenwood Education Foundation announces Hall of Honor Inductees and reception.

Greenwood Jr. High game. Check out the Band!!

Flu Season

Thank you parents and students for all you do to help curb the spread of COVID-19! Keep up the good work! Here is a link to some Frequently Asked Questions for your reference! https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/880661/COVID-19_Q___A_for_Parents__2_.pdf

Today is I.T. Professionals Day! Thank you to our I.T. department-we appreciate you! #GSDexcellence

Information on Thursday, September 23rd football game with Parkview at War Memorial Stadium. Kick off at 7:00 p.m. Tickets will be sold at gate #1, beginning at 5:45 P.M. All tickets are $5.00 for school age and adults. The gates for fans to enter the stadium will be open at 6:00 P.M. All fans will sit on the east side of the stadium. Parkview fans will sit on the south side of the 50 yard line and Greenwood fans will sit on the north side of the 50 yard line. Greenwood’s band will sit in sections number 1 & 2. Greenwood’s football team will dress in the home team locker room on the west side of the stadium. Greenwood’s football team will warm-up on the north end of the stadium and be on the press box sideline during the football game. Passes accepted are AAA Lifetime, AAA 2021-2022, Little Rock School District Employee ID and Little Rock District Family Passes. War Memorial Stadium has a clear bag policy that will be enforced. Stadium seats and umbrellas are allowed. All persons entering the stadium may be scanned by the stadium security staff. A clear bag policy will be enforced when you enter the stadium. Press box passes are for the third floor of the press box. The concession stand will only be open on the east side of the stadium.

Greenwood students assisting at Sebastian County Boys and Girls Club - United Way Day of Caring event. #GSDexcellence

Military Family Forum Meeting Information.

Ticket Information: All Tickets for home games will be purchased at the Gates until further notice. Tickets already purchased online will be honored Thank you!

Congratulations to the Jr. High Girls Cross Country team for also placing 1st in the Fort Smith Invitational!! Way to go! #GSDexcellence

Congratulations to the cross country teams!! 1st place for the Senior High Girls and for the Jr. High Boys team! 📸 Holly Williams

Sept. 11th

Bus Drivers Needed! Now Hiring for drivers and substitute drivers.

Honors Physics Cardboard Regatta Teacher Loren Kennedy GHS Physics Students were tasked with building a cardboard boat to compete in the GHS Physics 1st Annual Boat Regatta at Vache Grasse. Special thank you to Vache Grasse (Gina Metz) for hosting the event & Alpha Packaging for donating the cardboard for the event.

Due to technical difficulties, tickets for this week's games will be sold at the gates. Tickets already purchased online will be honored. Thank you!

Advanced Ticket Sales - for the Greenwood at Northside Football game. Friday, Sept. 10th at Mayo Thompson Stadium CASH ONLY - all tickets are $5.00 Available at the Greenwood Administration Office

NO School today Happy Labor Day! See you Tuesday.