Please join us in celebrating two incredible members of our Simon family who make a difference every single day.
🍎 Teacher of the Month: Ms. Larson
Ms. Larson has embraced her new role with enthusiasm, humility, and dedication. Whether she’s setting high expectations for her students, seeking out best practices, or stepping up as a true team player, she proves what it truly means to be #SimonStrong in everything she does!
✨ Employee of the Month: Ms. Angela
Known as the official "Queen of Clean," Ms. Angela goes above and beyond to keep our campus safe, healthy, and pristine. Dependable, compassionate, and quick to lend a helping hand to students and staff alike, she is a true gem of the SMS crew!
Thank you both for your hard work, positive energy, and commitment to excellence. We are so lucky to have you! 💙
#SimonStrong #WeAreSimon
Get ready to dress up and show your school spirit with our upcoming Hat Days and PJ Days! Check out the schedule and guidelines below:
🎩 HAT DAYS
Dates: Dec 11 | Jan 8 | Mar 5 | May 7
⚠️ Note: Standard hats only! Scarves, bonnets, durags, or similar head coverings will not be permitted.
💤 PJ DAYS
Dates: Oct 9 | Nov 13 | Jan 22 | Feb 12 | Apr 16
⚠️ Note: Keep it cozy, but keep it classic! All pajamas must be school-appropriate.
Which theme are you most excited for? Drop a comment below! 👇
🌟 Huge congratulations to our 7th Grade Students of the Month! 🌟
📚 Asle brings focus, determination, and thoughtful ideas to class every single day. Her love for reading and passion for learning shine through in everything she does!
⭐ Jihad leads by example with his incredible work ethic and positive attitude. Always kind, attentive, and patient, he truly embodies the Simon Standard every day!
We are so proud of you both! 👏🎉
#SimonStrong #WeAreSimon
#WeAreWampusCats #TeamConway #ChampionsForKids
#WeAreWampusCats #TeamConway #ChampionsForKids
Happy National Instructional Coaches Day! Today we are celebrating our phenomenal Instructional Coaches. They work side by side with our educators, sharing creative strategies and tools to help our classrooms thrive.
Pictured here are just a few of our amazing instructional coaches in action! Thank you for leveling up our game plan and being true champions for kids on Team Conway! 📋💙
#WeAreWampusCats #TeamConway #ChampionsForKids
Our students are taking a deep dive into literary analysis by breaking down the core elements of a variety of complex stories. But they aren't just filling out worksheets—they are bringing these narrative worlds to life! 🧠💡
Working in collaborative groups, students have stepped into the roles of literary analysts, project managers, and creative directors. Swipe to see them hard at work planning, sketching, and building their dynamic plot diagrams! 🗺️🎨
🏈 Monday (10/26) – Team Up Against Drugs: Wear your favorite sports jersey or gear!
😎 Tuesday (10/27) – Meme Day: Dress like a favorite (school-appropriate) meme or viral trend!
🦸 Wednesday (10/28) – Superhero Day: Wear superhero gear or dress like an everyday hero!
🪩 Thursday (10/29) – Throwback Day: Rock your favorite decade (70s, 80s, 90s, or 2000s)!
🐾 Friday (10/30) – Wampus Cat Pride Day: Show your SMS spirit in blue & white or school gear!
Make a difference, be a hero, and stay drug free! 💙❤️
Huge congratulations to our two stellar 6th graders for setting such a fantastic example at Simon Middle School! 🎉
💙 Kaliyah excels both as an athlete and as a student. She leads with integrity and makes thoughtful choices every day. She works diligently to achieve all that is asked of her.
💙 Tylan brings a curious mind and an amazing work ethic to class every day. He takes his studies seriously, shares his ideas enthusiastically, and shows us all what it truly means to be Simon Strong!
We are so proud of you both! Keep shining!
Get ready, 5th, 6th, and 7th graders! Come out to play or watch our Girls Football Game and Boys Volleyball Tournament!
🗓 Date: October 16th
⏰ Time: 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM
📍 Location: SMS Fields & Gym
🍿 Concessions for sale! Play for your grade level or come cheer on your friends!
⚠️ Eligibility Note: Students must meet SMS behavioral expectations to attend (no ISS, OSS, or Saturday School assigned on October 16th).
See you there! 🎉
🦀🔎 A Treasure Hunt with a Classroom Twist! 🗺️✨
Ms. Jackson’s class went on an exciting scavenger hunt inspired by their newest classroom pets—hermit crabs! 🐚
The story goes that the hermit crabs stayed up all night wandering around the school in search of water, shells, and even report cards! Along the way, they hid treasures for students to discover. Students used a key filled with symbols to decode clues and navigate their way through the hunt.
What a creative way to turn a classroom pet into an adventure filled with problem-solving, teamwork, and learning! It looks like our students had a shell of a good time! 🦀💙
#WeAreSimon #SimonStrong #SimonStandard #LearningIsAnAdventure #WampusCats
Ms. Larson’s 6th-grade ELA students combined STEM, social skills, and reading standards to design 3D "Plot Roller Coasters" to map out story elements. Learning is definitely a wild ride in 6th grade! 💡✨
#WeAreSimon #SimonStrong #SimonSTEM
These results represent more than numbers, they represent students learning, teachers teaching, and schools growing together. We are grateful to our students, teachers, administrators, and families for their continued commitment to excellence.
Theodore Jones Elementary: +67 points (less than 1 point away from a B)
Conway High School: +46 points (including a 12-point gain in literacy)
Simon Middle School: +44 points (moved from a C to a B)
Marguerite Vann Elementary: +42 points (moved from a D to a C)
Jim Stone Elementary: +36 points (moved from a C to a B)
Woodrow Cummins Elementary: +29 points (moved from a C to a B)
We are so proud of this growth and excited for what is ahead! #WeAreWampusCats #TeamConway
LOCATION CHANGE FOR TONIGHT'S REGION CHOIR CONCERT
Please note that tonight’s (Sept. 25) Junior High and Middle School Region Choir concert has been moved to a new venue on the UCA campus.
New Location:
Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts
2150 Bruce Street, Conway, AR 72035
(Located on the corner of Bruce St. and Donaghy St.)
Schedule:
Doors Open: 6:00 PM
Concert Starts: 6:30 PM
Maps and parking details: https://uca.edu/windgate/about/maps-and-directions/
Come out and support our incredible student performers tonight!
Please join us in celebrating Leah S. and Kameron C.!
🎓 Leah S. — Leah is a model student who comes to class prepared, respectful, and ready to learn. Her positive attitude, kind heart, and best effort make her a true joy to have in class.
🎓 Kameron C. — Kameron brings outstanding responsibility and enthusiasm every day. He is always eager to lend a helping hand to teachers and peers while making sure everyone feels included in our classroom family.
We are so proud of you both—keep shining bright! 👏✨
#WeAre Simon #SimonStrong
🎉 WE DID IT, SIMON MIDDLE SCHOOL FAMILY! 🎉
We are thrilled to officially announce that Ray & Phyllis Simon Middle School has improved from a "C" to a "B" letter grade rating! 💙✨
This incredible milestone is a direct result of the dedication, hard work, and relentless effort of our entire community:
👏 To our amazing Students: Thank you for showing up every day ready to learn, push your boundaries, and do your best!
🍎 To our outstanding Staff & Teachers: Thank you for your tireless commitment, passion, and belief in every student who walks through our doors.
💙 To our dedicated Parents & Families: Thank you for your ongoing partnership, support, and encouragement at home.
Growth takes teamwork, and together, we are proving what makes Simon Middle School so special. Let’s keep this momentum going! 🚀📊
#Simon Strong #WeAreSimon #RaisingtheStandard
📣 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
Staff Shoutout!
🎉 Huge congratulations to Ms. Richardson, our incredible Employee of the Month! 👏
As a 1-10 classroom paraprofessional, Ms. Richardson brings patience, dedication, and endless heart to our school every single day. Whether she’s providing tailored one-on-one support or keeping the whole classroom running smoothly, her impact on our students and staff is truly unmatched. We are so grateful for everything she does!
🍎 Big news! Huge congratulations to Ms. Barber, our amazing Teacher of the Month! ✨
From making math actually make sense, to creating a classroom where every student feels confident tackling tough problems, Ms. Barber goes above and beyond every single day. We are so lucky to have her inspiring our students!
Leave a comment below with a ❤️ or a message to help us celebrate these well-deserved recognition!
#StaffAppreciation #SimonStrong #WeAreSimon
