20 Jul 2020 A new school year: Goodbye to seniors and looking ahead
by Jessica Duff
The Pulaski County Special School District serves nearly 12,000 students in Pulaski County, with almost 3,000 students attending schools in the Maumelle feeder zone. The Maumelle feeder within PCSSD includes three elementary schools (Crystal Hill, Oak Grove and Pine Forest), one middle school (Maumelle Middle) and one high school (Maumelle High School).
As we prepare for a new school year, we want to give a final shout out to the graduating class of 2020. The following message is from the principal, Jeff Senn, to the class of 2020. Additionally, we want to take a quick look at what we can expect in the 2020-2021 school year.
Reflecting on seniors
Dear MHS Seniors ‘20,
As you step into this next adventure of your life, I wanted to take a moment to wish you well, to wish you the best life has to offer and to wish you continued blessings.
Each step you took as a student at Maumelle High School will carry lifelong memories for you. I hope as you look back, you can say this time in your life had a positive impact, and you will carry each memory with you wherever you go. It was my pleasure being your principal and helping to guide your high school journey through each grade.
Needless to say, I, along with my staff, am disappointed in how the school year came to an end. I can only imagine how your emotions and thoughts went on a wild ride. We all experienced the same thing. We knew we had to take the necessary steps to keep everyone safe. You were always in our thoughts. This experience will never be forgotten. Hopefully, by going through it, you can take it and let it make you stronger.
In closing, imagine yourself stepping into the world with someone who believes in you. I am certainly that person. You are ready. Life keeps moving forward, and we all have to put each foot in front of the other going up, going down, going on with passion toward each step of life. You are MHS strong!
Yours truly,
Mr. Jeff Senn, Principal
Looking ahead
The Pulaski County Special School District is excited about providing equity and excellence to all students in the 2020-21 school year. Entering his third year as superintendent, Dr. Charles McNulty continues to shift to improving education, opportunities and collaboration across the district.
PCSSD will continue to enhance initiatives that started last year in the upcoming 2020-21 school year in a blended learning approach for those in the traditional classroom and those participating in the virtual classroom.
Two of these initiatives include AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) and PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports). AVID increases student engagement, promotes classroom collaboration and activates deeper levels of learning with practical, useful tools and instructional strategies. PBIS assists our schools with enhancing our school climates and provides additional support to all students.
Maumelle High School will also continue its third year of DRIVEN, which is an exceptional opportunity for students who thrive in a blended learning environment. Students in this environment have to be willing to assume ownership and control of their education. They must be willing to work with teacher-mentors and demonstrate the self-discipline needed to take full advantage of the flexibility offered to them.
We look forward to seeing what the 2020-21 school year will bring us. Every day in PCSSD, we are working to find solutions to continue to provide a quality education, equity and excellence to our students.
The Pulaski County Special School District spans more than 600 square miles in Central Arkansas and requires highly skilled and passionate personnel to adapt educational policies and personalization to 25 schools. Every school is accredited by the Arkansas State Board of Education. PCSSD has served schools across Pulaski County since July 1927.
PCSSD is committed to creating a nationally recognized school district that assures that all students achieve at their maximum potential through collaborative, supportive and continuous efforts of all stakeholders.
