Izard County Schools

We hope you're each enjoying your summer! As you begin making plans for the upcoming school year, we hope getting a look at the 2025-2026 school calendar will help you you prepare. As always, inclement weather and miscellaneous other things could affect the calendar as the year progresses; we'll always share a new calendar if/when updates are made. Have a great weekend, Cougar Nation! #EveryChild #EveryDay #WhateverItTakes

It's time for Week 3 of the Summer Reading Challenge... and this one is perfect for these rainy days we've been having... Build your best blanket fort and read inside it! Don't forget to snap a pic and put it in the comments... we love seeing our #ReadingCougars this summer! #CougarReaders

Over 5,250 breakfasts and lunches are ready to go out tomorrow for week 3 of our free summer meal delivery program!

We have an exciting opportunity for ALL area students entering grades 1-6 for the 2025-2026 school year! Izard County STEM School is hosting SPORTS PERFORMANCE UNIVERSITY on July 7-9. It will be from 8:00-11:00 am daily. Students will gain instruction from coaches & volunteers in football/volleyball, basketball, soccer, and baseball/softball. This is for ALL area students... it's not limited to IC Stem students! It will be held at the Brockwell campus with daily dropoff being at the Cougar Den (main gym). The cost is $30 per student, and that includes a t-shirt. Registration Deadline: June 20, 2025 To register, there are 2 options: Online registration: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdStAkfQY3AYOADglCyjlNmalIOqlrVs7RikFtieHwA2s2eiQ/viewform?usp=preview Print and Return Registration: https://docs.google.com/document/d/14uMTzJ2CHEaMuLNcVuom43bLzYmpEWuOV8-loDBB7wg/edit?usp=sharing If you choose the print and return option, you may turn it in to any school office, to your lunch delivery driver, or during the first week of summer camp! If you have any questions, send us a message!

We are excited to announce that Natalie Martin will be moving from her current position at our preschool to her new role as 2nd grade teacher at Izard County STEM Elementary! Natalie will replace Meredith Cole who is joining our 5th/6th grade team as an additional teacher at Izard County STEM Middle School. Message from Mrs. Natalie: "I’m thrilled to be joining the team as a second grade teacher this year! I grew up in this area and graduated from Izard County High School. I went on to earn my bachelor’s degree from Arkansas State University and am currently working toward my master’s at Southern Arkansas University. My husband, Jon, and I have two amazing kids, Ellen and Everett, who keep us on our toes and make life so much fun. I’m passionate about creating a fun, supportive, and engaging classroom environment where every student can feel valued and thrive. I am looking forward to a fantastic school year ahead!"

We are excited to announce that we are adding two new 5/6 grade teaching positions to the Izard County STEM Middle School! This is a continuing commitment by the district to lower class sizes to allow more individualized instruction. Mesa McAnally, a State Merit Pay Recipient for the 23-24 school year, will be returning to our district. Meredith Cole, a National Board Certified Teacher, will move from our elementary to middle school. Message from Mrs. Mesa: "After six rewarding years teaching kindergarten and preschool, I am thrilled to return to Izard County STEM School in a new role as a 5th and 6th grade Social Studies and Science teacher. My passion for fostering curiosity and critical thinking in young minds has led me to this exciting transition. Holding a Master’s degree in Teaching and graduating summa cum laude, I am committed to providing students with a comprehensive education that integrates these subjects. Social Studies and Science are not just subjects; they are lenses through which students can explore the world around them. These disciplines encourage critical thinking, cultural awareness, and an understanding of the natural world—skills that are essential for informed and engaged citizenship. By integrating these subjects, I aim to create a learning environment where students can make connections across disciplines and apply their knowledge in meaningful ways. I am excited to be back in the Cougar community, working alongside my school family to inspire the next generation of learners." Message from Mrs. Meredith: "After 8 wonderful years at the elementary, I am excited to begin a new chapter as the fifth and sixth grade science teacher.  Teaching has always been a passion of mine, and I have loved helping younger students build strong, foundational skills. Now, I’m looking forward to bringing that same energy and dedication to upper elementary science, sparking curiosity, encouraging hands-on exploration, and helping students see how science connects to their everyday lives. I’m excited for the opportunity to grow alongside my students as we dive into engaging topics, ask meaningful questions, and discover the world around us together. It’s a big move, but I’m ready for the challenge and thrilled for what this new adventure holds!"

Happy Memorial Day! Remember and honor all who served.

Tomorrow's team roping has been rained out. Stay tuned for the rescheduled date!

Xander McCandlis, a 2025 Izard County graduate, has been selected to receive the Pioneer Distinguished Scholarship from North Arkansas College! The scholarship is worth $1500 per semester. It is awarded to incoming freshmen who have both excelled academically and obtained a proficient score on the ACT. Xander will play baseball at NorthArk while pursuing his dream of becoming a baseball coach. Xander, great work! We are proud of you!

As you make plans for the holiday weekend, be sure to add this event to your calendar! It's sure to be a good time!

Reminder📣 1st meal delivery of the summer goes out tomorrow (Thursday). If you will not be home but would still like delivery, please leave a cooler out for us. For more info, please call 870-258-7700 or 870-322-7229.

Cash Arnhart, Quinn Johnson and Tinley Bailey, 2025 graduates of Izard County High School, have been selected as this year's recipients of the Walker Family Scholarships. The scholarships will be selected from the senior class of Izard County High School each year and be funded by Fred and Michell Walker. These $500 scholarships are in honor of the Walkers three children - Steven, Ryan, and Andrew, all who are graduates of Izard County High School. Cash Arnhart is co-valedictorian and plans to attend Lyon College this fall. Cash is a Distinguished Governor's Scholar and plans to be a pre-med major and will also play baseball at Lyon College. Quinn Johnson is also co-valedictorian and plans to attend Arkansas State University this fall and later Pharmacy School at UAMS. Tinley Bailey is an honor graduate and plans to attend Ozarka College.

Makayla Taylor, a 2025 graduate of Izard County High School, has been selected to receive the Violet Hill Class of 1969 Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded from donations from the Violet Hill graduates of the Class of 1969. Makayla is an honor graduate and plans to attend Ozarka College this fall.

Congratulations to our Cougar Baseball players who have earned post-season honors! We are proud of you Caden, Xander, Cash, Kade, Porter, and Noah!

Post-season awards for Lady Cougar Softball have been announced! Congrats to Kallie, Megan, Reese, Quinn, Hollie, and Makensie! 🥎🐾

Megan McBride, a 2025 graduate of Izard County High School, has been selected as a recipient of the Janice Blankenship Memorial Scholarship. Janice was an ardent supporter of the ICC School District and all school activities until she passed away in 2018. This scholarship is awarded annually to an ICC senior who has performed well both academically and athletically during his or her high school career. Megan is a co-valedictorian and she will attend and play softball at Williams Baptist University this fall.

Quinn Johnson and Makensie Yancey, 2025 graduates of Izard County High School, have been selected as this year’s recipients of the Kailey Moss Memorial Scholarships. The scholarships are $1,000 each, and recipients are selected from the senior class of Izard County High School each year in memory of Kailey Moss, who was a student at ICHS before she passed away in 2008. The Kailey Moss Memorial Scholarships are for students at ICHS who, like Kailey, performed well academically and who were very active in school activities. Quinn is co-valedictorian at ICHS and plans to attend Arkansas State University this fall and later Pharmacy School at UAMS. Makensie is an honor graduate at ICHS and plans to attend Cosmetology School at UACCB.

Coach Brody and his staff have started a new tradition within the Izard County Football program... seventh grade signing day! These student-athletes will be joining the Junior High team with summer practices, and they're excited to get started. Rossi, Lincoln, JJ, and Kiki - thanks for your commitment to IC Football. We look forward to seeing the impact you'll have on our program throughout the years! Great job! #CougarNation

A BIG THANK YOU to Hayden Lewis for sponsoring lunch today at the Shaggy Cow for the show team! We appreciate you so much!

We are so proud of this group of young people! The first Saturday of summer break and they loaded up and went to a stock show. We had 10 team members compete today and they all did a great job! Here are some highlights: Hazel Burns: Champion PeeWee Cattle Showman, Grand Champion Angus Bull, and Grand Champion Red Angus Heifer. Carson Cooper: Supreme Champion Market Hog and Supreme Champion Commercial Gilt. Faith Crider: Grand Champion Junior Swine Showman, Reserve Grand Champion Market Hog, and Reserve Grand Champion Commericial Gilt. Danielle Hollingsworth: Supreme Champion Dairy Buck, Grand Champion Senior Goat Showman, Grand Champion AOB Buck, Grand Champion Nigerian Dwarf Doe, and Reserve Grand Champion Red Angus Heifer. Akynna Nielsen: Supreme Champion Bull, Grand Champion Charolais Bull, Grand Champion Shorthorn Plus Bull, and Reserve Grand Champion Charolais Heifer. Whitley Smith: Reserve Grand Champion American Heifer Payson Speake: Grand Champion Senior Swine Showman, Grand Champion Yorkshire Gilt, and Reserve Grand Champion Breeding Gilt. Ari Walters: Supreme Champion Breeding Gilt, Supreme Champion Market Barrow, Grand Champion Spot Gilt, and Grand Champion Brahman Heifer.