We Need Your Vote, Wampus Cat Family!
We are so excited to share that Conway Public Schools has been named a Top 5 Finalist in AY Magazine’s Best of 2026!
This recognition is a direct result of the incredible support from our staff, students, families, and community—and we’re proud to say this isn’t our first time! Conway Public Schools was also honored as AY’s Best School in 2024, and we would love to earn that top spot again with your help!
Now it’s time for the final round of voting, and we need your help to bring it home!
Voting is open now through March 11 at AY MAGAZINE! Click the link and scroll down to Public Schools!
AY reaches millions of Arkansans each year, and this is a great opportunity to showcase the amazing things happening in our district. Let’s make sure the entire state sees the excellence of Conway Public Schools!
Vote. Share. Repeat.
Encourage your friends, family, and community members to vote and help us take the top spot!
Thank you for always showing up and supporting our schools. Let’s go, Wampus Cats!
💙🐾 Community Support in Action: Thank You, Wampus Cat Pantry Partners! 🐾💙
We are so grateful for the continued generosity shown to the Wampus Cat Pantry at Conway Public Schools! Thanks to the support and awareness from our community, donations are still coming in—and making a real difference for our students and families.
A special thank you to Modern Woodmen of America Chapter 18269 and local agent Heston Coon for their generous donation of food and hygiene products to the Wampus Cat Pantry. This incredible contribution is part of their statewide Packs of Purpose initiative, which is focused on helping children feel equipped, supported, and seen.
Modern Woodmen chapters across Arkansas are giving back in meaningful ways, and we are so thankful they chose to invest in our students right here in Conway. Your commitment to strengthening communities from the inside out truly makes an impact!
We also want to thank Karen Farley and everyone involved in coordinating this donation. Your kindness and dedication are deeply appreciated.
Because of partners like you, the Wampus Cat Pantry continues to be a valuable resource for our students and families. 💙
📸 Pictured: Our CPSD School Social workers Laney and Claudia with the donation from Modern Woodmen of America.
You can help us make a difference in one of the following ways:
Donate Food:
Purchase items from our list and drop them off at Courtway Middle School or Ida Burns Elementary School.
Shop Online:
Order directly from our Amazon Wish List and have items shipped straight to the pantry. https://www.amazon.com/.../ls/1SH1E5CFQYSKT/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex
Give a Monetary Donation:
Mail tax-deductible donations to:
Conway Public Schools
Attn: Wampus Cat Pantry
2220 Prince St.
Conway, AR 72034
(Make checks payable to “Conway Public Schools” and write “Wampus Cat Pantry” in the memo line.)
Pantry Wish List Includes:
Mac & cheese, pasta, ramen, canned meats and soups, breakfast items, peanut butter, jelly, snacks, and more!
For additional information or questions about how to donate, contact Claudia Courtway (courtwayc@conwayschools.info) or Laney Doan (doanf@conwayschools.info).
Read more about the launch of the Wampus Cat Pantry and how it’s serving our Conway families here: https://www.conwayschools.org/article/2530644
#WampusCatPride #CommunityStrong #ThankYou #PacksOfPurpose #ChampionsForKids
🔧❄️💙 Thank You, Maintenance Team! 💙❄️🔧
Today’s cold, chilly weather has us thinking back to the snow and ice week we experienced just a few weeks ago and the incredible efforts it took to get our campuses ready to safely welcome everyone back. The work didn’t stop when the snow melted. Our maintenance team has continued cleanup efforts over the past several weeks making our campuses beautiful again.
During that time, these individuals on the Conway Public Schools maintenance team went above and beyond, coming in throughout the week in dangerous conditions, being away from their families, and doing whatever it took to clear campuses and ensure a safe return for students and staff.
Abe Bahena
Austin Denton
Adam Gray
Allen Gwatney
Jacob Hendricks
Archie Hoskins
Dan Lassiter
Stephen McLaren
Todd Mitchel
Tim Odom
Darren Siria
Jacob Smith
David Vint
Thorpe Breashers
Ben Garza
Mark Kirpatrick
Steven Nigh
Geoff Ross
Jessie Wimberly
We cannot thank you enough for your dedication, resilience, and heart for our district. Your work made all the difference!
We also want to extend a continued shoutout to our incredible community partners at the City of Conway and Faulkner County for their help in cleanup efforts across our community.
It takes all of us working together and we are so grateful. We are looking forward to the warmer weather! 🐾
Staff Committed to Excellence: three of our music teachers presented professional development sessions for fellow music educators across the state this past weekend at the Arkansas All-State Music Conference in Hot Springs.
Casey Buck (orchestra teacher at Conway High School and Carl Stuart Middle) led a session titled "The Science of (Sight-) Reading" for the Arkansas chapter of the American String Teachers Association. The session included strategies for developing more fluent music readers, based on the latest research and the statewide Science of Reading initiative. Mr. Buck also represented instrumental music students across the state at several board meetings of the Arkansas School Band and Orchestra Association, and was reelected Arkansas State Orchestra chair, a position he has held since 2019.
Elementary music teachers Bart Dooley (Marguerite Vann) and Felix Guzman (Ellen Smith) co-presented a session entitled "Unlocking the Recorder: More than B-A-G." They shared their expertise to a room full of fellow general music teachers on behalf of the Arkansas Music Educators Association, the state chapter of the National Association for Music Education.
Incredible educators at CPSD!! Thank you all for your commitment to excellence! #WampusCat #CPSDmusic #CPSD #WeareCPSD #6legs4life #LittleCats #Championsforkids
As you plan your week, plan to Join us at our 4th Annual Conway School District Career Fair on Saturday, February 28th, 2026, from 9am to 11am at Buzz Bolding Arena! Address: 2300 Prince St. Conway, AR
Open to ALL!
Whether you're an educator, a healthcare professional, a bus driver, or a maintenance expert, we have a place for you on our amazing team! Positions include teachers, paraprofessionals, secretaries, substitutes, nurses, custodial staff, food service, bus drivers, bus aides, maintenance, and mechanics. Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to explore rewarding career options and make a difference in our community! See you there! #ConwaySchoolDistrict #CareerFair #JoinOurTeam #ChampionsForKids
It’s time to start a new chapter for your little learner! Kindergarten registration for the 2026-27 school year is officially OPEN. We can’t wait to see the Class of 2039 write their own success stories at Conway Public Schools.
Plot Details:
🎂 Age Check: Students must be 5 by August 1, 2026.
💻 The Setting: Register online at conwayschools.org/newreg.
🗓️ A Date to Remember: School buildings will begin processing your child’s "story" (registration) starting March 2nd.
Help us get the word out! Share this post or tag a friend who has a future Wampus Cat ready to start their first big adventure. 🐾📚 #ConwayLittleCats #LittleCats #WampusCat #ChampionsForKids
A TOTAL CONWAY TAKEOVER!
History was made at the Arch Ford Regional Elementary Quiz Bowl Tournament! For the first time EVER, all four Conway Middle School Quiz Bowl teams swept the semi-finals and finals. That’s right—Conway vs. Conway for the top spots!
Huge shoutout to our incredible scholars:
Champions: Carl Stuart Middle School (The "Core Four" did it with just 4 students!)
2nd Place: Ruth Doyle Middle School
3rd Place: Simon Middle School
4th Place: Courtway Middle School
Everyone is coming home with hardware, but the journey isn't over! Carl Stuart and Ruth Doyle have officially qualified for the Finals on March 12th.
Way to represent, Wampus Cats!
#CPSDProud #QuizBowl #StudentSuccess
Theodore Jones Elementary Principal, Carise Echols, recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to advocate for public education on Capitol Hill. Mrs. Echols met with U.S. Senators, Representatives, and congressional staff to ensure the voices of elementary and middle-level principals and the students they serve are represented in national conversations.
In her capacity as the upcoming NAESP State Representative for Arkansas, she joined education leaders from across the country to advocate for policies that directly support students, educators, and schools nationwide.
During her visit, she engaged in discussions with members of Congress regarding:
• Increased special education funding
• School-based health supports
• Expanded access to early childhood education
• Educator retention efforts
• Mental health resources for educators and students
“Every decision made at the federal level eventually impacts our state and our classrooms. I wanted to ensure the voices of our students, educators, and community were represented in those conversations. My role is to make sure our students and staff have the support they need to thrive each day, and that responsibility does not stop at the doors of our school. Any opportunity to speak on behalf of our schools whether locally or nationally is simply an extension of that commitment to the children and families we serve.” - Mrs. Echols
We are proud of Mrs. Echols for representing our district, our state, and most importantly our students at the federal level!!
The official documents are here!! We’re proud to highlight Ida Burns Elementary for being recognized by the Office for Education Policy (OEP) at the University of Arkansas for outstanding student growth and Beating the Odds on the ATLAS assessment. Student growth is one of the strongest indicators of the impact our schools are making, and Ida Burns continues to shine.
Congratulations to Principal Amy Howell and the entire Ida Burns Elementary team for earning the following OEP honors based on 2025 data:
Beating the Odds – High ELA Growth (Statewide & Central Region)
Beating the Odds – High Overall Growth (Statewide & Central Region)
Way to go, Ida Burns!
Today we celebrate and recognize the incredible School Resource Officers who serve our students and staff across Conway Public Schools on SRO Appreciation Day!
Our SROs do so much more than provide security — they build relationships, mentor students, support staff, and help create safe, welcoming environments where learning can thrive. From greeting students each morning to responding in times of need, their presence makes a meaningful difference on every campus.
We are grateful for the strong partnerships we share with the Conway Police Department and all of the agencies who help support our schools and our community.
To our SROs — thank you for your dedication, your care for our students, and your commitment to keeping Wampus Cats safe every single day. We appreciate you today and every day! 🐾💙
#SROAppreciationDay #WampusCats #SafeSchools
Snow Day Make-up and Schedule Adjustments effective Tuesday February 17, 2026 Information:
We want to provide an update regarding snow day make-up plans and schedule adjustments across our district. All adjustments outlined below will take effect on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
Elementary Schools
There are no schedule adjustments and no additional days to make up for elementary campuses.
Middle Schools
Middle schools have adjusted their schedules but Start and Stop time remain the same. All Middle school campuses will not have any additional days to make up.
Conway Junior High School (CJHS)
CJHS has adjusted its schedule and will not have any days to make up.
9th Grade Start Time: 7:55 a.m.
9th Grade Dismissal Time: 3:35 p.m.
8th Grade Schedule: No changes
Conway High School (CHS)
CHS has adjusted its schedule and will have one make-up day on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.
1st Bell: 7:50 a.m.
1st Period Start Time: 7:55 a.m.
Dismissal Time: 3:35 p.m.
There are no changes to bus routes for any campuses.
We appreciate your flexibility and support as we make these adjustments to ensure instructional time is maintained for all students.
Check out our February 2026 CPSD School Board Meeting Recap with great Wampus Cat Pride celebrations and district information!
🐾 Important Schedule Reminder, Wampus Cats! 🐾
Here’s what the schedule looks like for next week:
📘 Monday, Feb. 9 – School in Session
📝 Tuesday, Feb. 10 – Teacher Work Day (No School for Students)
👨👩👧 Wednesday, Feb. 11 – Parent/Teacher Conferences (No School for Students)
❄️ Feb. 12–16 – Holiday Break (No School for Staff or Students)
We look forward to seeing everyone back on Tuesday, February 17!
🔹 Parents – please check with your child’s campus for specific details about Parent/Teacher Conferences.
🔹 For more district calendar information: conwayschools.org/calendar
The district is now accepting parent referrals for Gifted & Talented services for the spring testing cycle.
GT services are designed to support students who demonstrate advanced learning needs in areas such as
reasoning, problem-solving, and creativity. Identification is based on multiple measures and is not something
students need to study or prepare for.
🗓 Parent Referral Deadline: March 9
📄 Parent Referral Form: https://forms.gle/h7Lz51cMTfAjUres7
Please note: Teachers have been sent a separate referral link via email. Teacher Referral deadline is March
6th.
If you have questions about the GT referral or identification process, feel free to contact your campus or the GT
coordinator: reynoldsa@conwayschools.info. You may also visit the website for more information.
Thank you for helping us ensure all students receive the services they need to grow and thrive!
The Conway Public Schools 2026–2027 Academic School Calendar has been approved and is now available.
The calendar can be viewed and downloaded on our district website at:
Have a great day! Thank you!
Conway Public Schools
What’s next after high school?
The Conway High School Annual Transition Fair helps students and families explore community, employment, education, and independent living resources—all in one place. Get answers, make connections, and start planning for the future. Don’t miss it!
February 11, 2026 - Conway High School - Main Building - 4:30pm to 6:30pm
For more information please contact: mckinneyj@conwayschools.info or hammettl@conwayschools.info
Join us at our 4th Annual Conway School District Career Fair on Saturday, February 28th, 2026, from 9am to 11am at Buzz Bolding Arena! Address: 2300 Prince St. Conway, AR
Open to ALL!
Whether you're an educator, a healthcare professional, a bus driver, or a maintenance expert, we have a place for you on our amazing team! Positions include teachers, paraprofessionals, secretaries, substitutes, nurses, custodial staff, food service, bus drivers, bus aides, maintenance, and mechanics. Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to explore rewarding career options and make a difference in our community! See you there! #ConwaySchoolDistrict #CareerFair #JoinOurTeam #ChampionsForKids
CPSD Return to School Update
We are excited to welcome students and staff back to school on Monday, February 2nd, 2026, after a week of closures caused by the recent snow and ice storm.
All schools will operate on normal start times; however, snow bus routes will be in effect to ensure safe transportation for students. Families are encouraged to review snow route information prior to Monday morning.
🔗 Snow Bus Route Information:
CPSD Snow Routes
Our teams have continued working to prepare school campuses for a safe return. They have done a great job with sidewalks but please utilize caution in shaded areas. Also, a big shout out to the City of Conway, Faulkner County, and groups who were also a part of the clearing process. We can not thank you all enough for the hard work!
We will provide updates regarding snow make-up days as soon as that information becomes available.
Thank you for your understanding and support. We look forward to a smooth return to school on Monday.
February is Black History Month! 🎉✨
Throughout the month, Conway Public Schools will be highlighting celebrations and learning experiences happening across our campuses as we honor the history, achievements, and contributions of Black Americans. From student projects and classroom learning to special activities and events, we’re proud to recognize and celebrate the impact of Black history in meaningful ways.
Be sure to follow along as we share stories, moments, and campus highlights all month long!
#BlackHistoryMonth #CPSDCelebrates #WampusCatPride #HonoringHistory
