Springdale board highlights student honors: Seal of Biliteracy, Crystal Bridges appearances and podcast awards

The Springdale School Board used its Dec. 9 meeting to recognize several student and staff accomplishments across the district.

Erin Kemp, world languages department chair at Springdale High School, told the board that Springdale has awarded the Arkansas Seal of Biliteracy to more than 8,000 students since 2018 and had 189 recipients in the fall cycle — 20 at SOI, 51 at Harbor and 118 at Springdale High School. Kemp said the seal documents proficiency in English and a second language and is useful for college and professional applications.

The board also heard from Adriana Perez, a senior who represented the district at a youth town hall hosted by Crystal Bridges where she met former President Barack Obama and moderated a conversation on democracy and hope. Jonathan Buchanan, principal of J.O. Kelly Middle School, described the district's arts integration partnership with Crystal Bridges and said the museum enabled student participation in a once‑in‑a‑lifetime event.

John Tyson Elementary's student podcast 'Tiger Talk' was recognized after winning three RCast awards from the Arkansas Podcast Collaborative, including Best Kids & Family Podcast and Best Education Podcast. Emery Johnson, a sixth grader who hosted the podcast, thanked teachers and mentors and said the experience encouraged presentation and literacy skills.

Board members applauded the students and thanked teachers and staff who supported the programs. Dr. Cleveland and others singled out staff who helped create opportunities for students to showcase leadership and arts engagement.