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Springdale recognizes Champions for Kids partnership after holiday giveaways and reading incentives
Summary
School leaders described a multi-school partnership with Champions for Kids that provides reading incentives, holiday gifts and an annual “Polar Express” event; district officials read a proclamation and the nonprofit announced plans to expand to more area schools and move the event to the Rogers Convention Center.
Springdale School District board members on Tuesday recognized Champions for Kids for a multi-year partnership that supplies reading incentives, holiday event boxes and community support for several district schools.
District staff said Champions for Kids began working with Springdale schools several years ago and now partners with six district schools as part of a larger northwest Arkansas program that serves 16 schools across the region. The organization provides incentives tied to reading goals, holiday gift boxes and an annual event described by principals as a “Polar Express” experience that distributes toys, food and family activities to participating students and their families.
"If we can rally the supplier community and the Walmart community and the business community ... and come beside our schools with great incentives and rewards, guess what happens? Attendance goes up because the kids see it," said a Champions for Kids representative during the meeting, describing the group’s strategy of working with local businesses to support school-based incentive programs.
Principals from participating buildings described activities that included reading-goal competitions, attendance and behavior incentives, and holiday boxes distributed to families. One principal said the school received roughly 164 donated toys at its event this year and that the incentives — including above-and-beyond awards — generated enthusiasm and improved student engagement.
Superintendent Doctor Cleveland and the board read a proclamation recognizing Champions for Kids as "a true friend of the Springdale School District" and praised the nonprofit’s work in pairing community resources with school goals. The organization’s representative told the board Champions for Kids plans to expand from 16 to about 20 participating schools this year and move the main holiday event to the Rogers Convention Center because the Springdale venue had outgrown capacity.
Board members and principals emphasized the experiential value of the program, saying some students had never attended events or seen the types of festive experiences larger communities often take for granted. A principal described a child who said he would “eat like a rich man” at the event, and several principals spoke about families leaving with boxes of toys and groceries.
Ending: The board presented a district proclamation and thanked Champions for Kids for its partnership; the nonprofit said it will add more schools this year and shift the event to a larger venue to accommodate growth.
