ELLEN SMITH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

📣 Big news for Conway! Conway Public Schools earns a B district rating for the 2025-2026 school year, with overall performance increasing compared to last year. Several campuses also saw notable score gains. This progress reflects the hard work of our teachers, staff, and administrators, along with the continued commitment of our students and families. We're proud of how far we've come and excited to keep building on this momentum! #TeamConway #WeAreWampusCats Read more here: https://www.conwayschools.org/article/3137990

Reminder!!

Conway Community,

You're invited to our District Wide Fall C.A.T. Forum—focused on Communication, Action, and Transparency!

Join us TONIGHT, Thursday, September 17th, from 6:00 to 7:00 PM at the Conway High School Lecture Hall. Our district leaders will share how we’re serving students, supporting our staff, and continuing to strengthen our community.

We’re also excited to provide updates on our strategic plan, Project Conway Forward (PC4W), which is dedicated to enhancing educational experiences and outcomes for all our students. You’ll hear about our initiatives, progress, and how we envision our future together.

This is a great opportunity to engage, ask questions, and be part of the conversation as we work towards our shared goals. Your voice matters, and we’d love to see you there!

Let’s come together to build a stronger Conway!

CONWAY PUBLIC SCHOOLS GIFTED & TALENTED

GIFTED & TALENTED REFERRALS ARE NOW OPEN

Fall Testing Cycle

Students currently in 3rd grade or above may be referred for Gifted & Talented consideration. A referral begins the evaluation process and does not guarantee identification.

A student may benefit from referral when they learn quickly and make meaningful connections, think deeply, creatively, or in unusual ways, show advanced reasoning, curiosity, or problem-solving, or need greater depth, complexity, or academic challenge.

No special preparation is needed. Gifted & Talented identification is based on multiple measures.

IMPORTANT DATES

Teacher Referral Deadline: September 23, 2026

Parent Referral Deadline: September 25, 2026

Parent Permission to Test Deadline: September 25, 2026

Fall Testing Window: September 28–October 9, 2026

Questions? Contact your campus GT specialist or the district GT coordinator at reynoldsa@conwayschools.info.

Parent Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe8X2PhiQYd2oc02OjXThvM242oBgSIRq_PY4g-ZC8Kbba7tQ/viewform?pli=1

National Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept 15 - Oct 15)

From September 15th to October 15th, Conway Public Schools is proud to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month! Our district is beautifully diverse, and our Hispanic students, families, and staff make Team Conway stronger and brighter every single day. Let's honor the rich history, culture, and achievements together. 💙🐾

Want to see how we’re celebrating across the district? Visit our Hispanic Heritage Month page for full event details: https://www.conwayschools.org/o/cps/page/celebrations

#WeAreWampusCats #TeamConway #ChampionsForKids

Conway Community,

You're invited to our District Wide Fall C.A.T. Forum—focused on Communication, Accountability, and Transparency!

Join us on Thursday, September 17th, from 6:00 to 7:00 PM at the Conway High School Lecture Hall. Our district leaders will share how we’re serving students, supporting our staff, and continuing to strengthen our community.

We’re also excited to provide updates on our strategic plan, Project Conway Forward (PC4W), which is dedicated to enhancing educational experiences and outcomes for all our students. You’ll hear about our initiatives, progress, and how we envision our future together.

This is a great opportunity to engage, ask questions, and be part of the conversation as we work towards our shared goals. Your voice matters, and we’d love to see you there!

Let’s come together to build a stronger Conway!

#TeamConway #PC4W #WampusCats #WeareConway

📣 Wampus Cats, it’s time to show your SPIRIT! 💙🤍

Get ready for the Conway Spirit Clinic, hosted by the CHS Cheer & Dance teams! 🎀🐾

Open to students in Grades K–5!

📅 Saturday, September 26 - Deadline: September 25
⏰ 10 AM–12 PM
💰 $35
📍 Conway High School Indoor Facility

Clinic participants will have the chance to perform with CHS Cheer & Dance during halftime on October 2! 🏈📣

It’s going to be a morning full of fun, dancing, cheering, and Wampus Cat spirit! 💙🤍

👉 Sign up using the GoFan link! - https://gofan.co/event/6794667?schoolId=AR4663

Let’s see that Wampus Cat spirit! 🐾💙

#TeamConway #WampusCats #ConwaySpirit #CHSCheer #CHSDance

Reminder for our Wampus Cat families! There will be no school on Monday, September 7th in observance of Labor Day. Enjoy the long weekend with your family and friends, and we will see everyone back on campus on Tuesday morning. Thank you for a great start to the year! 💙🐾 For more information about the school calendar, please visit: https://www.conwayschools.org/page/school-calendar.

#WeAreWampusCats #TeamConway #ChampionsForKids

CONWAY PUBLIC SCHOOLS GIFTED & TALENTED

GIFTED & TALENTED REFERRALS ARE NOW OPEN

Fall Testing Cycle

Students currently in 3rd grade or above may be referred for Gifted & Talented consideration. A referral begins the evaluation process and does not guarantee identification.

A student may benefit from referral when they learn quickly and make meaningful connections, think deeply, creatively, or in unusual ways, show advanced reasoning, curiosity, or problem-solving, or need greater depth, complexity, or academic challenge.

No special preparation is needed. Gifted & Talented identification is based on multiple measures.

IMPORTANT DATES

Teacher Referral Deadline: September 23, 2026

Parent Referral Deadline: September 25, 2026

Parent Permission to Test Deadline: September 25, 2026

Fall Testing Window: September 28–October 9, 2026

Questions? Contact your campus GT specialist or the district GT coordinator at reynoldsa@conwayschools.info.

Parent Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe8X2PhiQYd2oc02OjXThvM242oBgSIRq_PY4g-ZC8Kbba7tQ/viewform?pli=1

Hey Wampus Cats! Enter to Win a $100 Gift Card!

How to enter: Complete a 2026-2027 Free/Reduced Meal Application by September 25!

Scan the QR Code or follow the link below to complete the online application now!

https://secure.ezmealapp.com/ApplicationScreen.aspx

*Only fill out one application for all students in your household.

Welcome Back!

As students and staff return to school for another year, let’s all do our part in keeping safety at the forefront of our minds at school, at home, and on the road.

·       Watch for school buses.  Slow down and never pass a stopped school bus with its lights flashing.

·       Drive safely in school zones.  Slow down, pay attention, and watch carefully for students, parents, crossing guards, and school staff.

·       Stay alert.  It only takes a few seconds of distraction to change a life forever.

·       School safety starts when we leave our homes. It doesn’t just depend on what happens inside our school buildings.

Let’s work together to ensure every student and staff member arrives at school and returns home Safe and Sound.

The volume of traffic will increase this week. Please be patient as we work together getting back in the routine of drop off and pick up.

Welcome back, Wampus Cats!

We can't wait to see you tomorrow at our District Wide Wampus Cat Welcome Back Bash!

Join us for some fun! Map included!

When: August 8, 2026

Time: 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Where: Conway High School - Indoor Facility

What to Expect:

• Meet your Administrators

• Bounce houses

• Interactive Games

• Food Trucks (for purchase)

• Free Hot Dogs

We’re excited to see you there and kick off the 2026-2027 school year!