News

USD 470 transportation staff recently showed appreciation to Arkansas City sanitation workers with a thoughtful gift. After a young bus rider expressed excitement about the garbage truck, the team created a miniature replica of a sanitation truck (complete with mini trash bags full of treats) and coordinated a special presentation. This gesture highlights the transportation team’s commitment to building positive connections with students and the community.

Arkansas City Middle School 8th graders are running small businesses, gaining real-world skills in customer service, design, and teamwork. From brewing 665 drinks to creating logos and websites, students are excelling in project-based learning

Roosevelt Elementary students raised over $700 to buy gifts for 12 local children, spreading holiday cheer!

C4 Elementary excelled in the No-Miss November challenge with a 3% absence rate and 63.87% of students having perfect attendance. District-wide, 37.17% of students had zero absences, an improvement from last November's 33.88% and October's 33%. These gains highlight the district's commitment to building strong attendance habits. Way to go, Bulldogs!

The ACMS KAY Club broke records with its Richard Potterton Food Drive, collecting 19,725 items to fight food insecurity. Other efforts include raising funds for a family after a fire, supporting winter clothing drives, and upcoming shopping for essentials.

The ACHS KAY Club is hosting a Toy Drive with ACPD, collecting donations at the December 10 basketball game. KAY Clubs, sponsored by KSHSAA, emphasize leadership and service, inspiring generosity across the community.

or Amanda Hadicke Schweighart, a 2003 Arkansas City High graduate, no two days at the Memphis Zoo are the same. As the Curator of Africa, Northwest Passage & Teton Trek, Amanda oversees the care of iconic animals like elephants, giraffes, and sea lions. From helping deliver a breech-born giraffe calf to leading conservation efforts in Botswana, her work is as rewarding as it is demanding. Want to know how Amanda went from volunteering as a teen to saving giraffes and working with elephants across the globe? Read the full story!

Our middle school students showcased their spelling skills at this year’s City Spelling Bee, wowing the audience with their hard work and determination. Congratulations to finalists Emma Mangold (1st, ACCA), Brooklyn Vickers (2nd), Jacquelyn Contreras (3rd), and Tyler Feste (4th, ACCA), who advance to the County Spelling Bee in January.

The YELL (Youth Empowered to Learn and Lead) program is empowering 5th-grade boys at IXL Elementary through mentorship, hands-on activities, and field trips. Recent highlights include safety lessons with local first responders and leadership sessions with Cowley College students. Future topics include cooking, health, and outdoor skills. Thank you to our community partners for supporting these future leaders!

USD 470 is proud to recognize our October Top DAWGS for their dedication and excellence!