January 27–January 31: The last full week in January has been designated by the Arkansas Legislature as Holocaust Education Week in Arkansas.

On Monday, January, 27, Goza Middle School Eighth-Grade Social Studies Teacher and current Arkadelphia Public Schools Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Meridith Armstrong, was recognized as the 2025 Arkansas Holocaust Education Award Donation Fund Teacher Award Recipient at a ceremony in Little Rock. The AHEAD Fund is dedicated to supporting teachers and their ambitions who go above and beyond in teaching the powerful lessons of the Holocaust. As the AHEAD Teacher Award Recipient, Mrs. Armstrong was given a $5,000 grant to purchase educational Holocaust materials and resources to instruct on the history and tolerance through the lessons of the Holocaust. She has some great plans for our students.

Congratulations to Mrs. Armstrong on receiving this recognition and grant! You have gone above and beyond.

Mrs. Armstrong awarded hefty grant for Holocaust studies

Mrs. Meridith Armstrong receives her $5,000 stipend from the AHEAD Fund team members. The check was presented to her by, from left, David Ronnel, Chairman of the AHEAD Fund, Mrs. Armstrong, Representative Keith Brooks, and Arkansas Secretary of Education Jacob Oliva.

Play — Students who got to see Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief musical were, front row from left, Kate Marie Benjamin, Siobhan Haddox, Vivian Neal, Cami Thompson, Alonso Larious, and Jodan Hughes. Back row from left, Mrs. Cotton (GT teacher), Beatriz Carter, Graham Qualls, Lucas Feller, Morgan McAllister, Will Howard, Alex Hughes, and Garrett Hasley.

Stock market — Mrs. Cotton and Kate Marie Benjamin were invited to the Clinton Library for an awards luncheon to recognize Kate Marie and her teammate, Alice McDaniell, for being the winning team for Region 2 in the Stock Market Game.

8th graders experience cold Atlantic waters

Goza's 5th-grade students visited Peake Elementary to teach students about plant needs and recycling through building terrariums.

6th graders rewarded with campfire party

Thank goodness for good weather! The 6th-grade team was finally able to celebrate students with good behavior from the 2nd 9-weeks. Who doesn't like a laid-back afternoon of campfires and S’mores? Fire pits were built and students were able to make S'mores with graham crackers, toasted marshmallows, and chocolate bars. They also got bottles of water.

The students who were able to attend the campfire party must not have received ISS or OSS for the whole 2nd 9 weeks of school.

We have lots of Thank Yous to give out!

Thank you to all the parents who donated graham crackers, marshmallows, chocolates, and water bottles. The reward party would not have been possible without your support. A special thank you to the parents who were able to attend and supervise the festivities as well. Your presence helped create a fun-loving atmosphere for all involved. Parents donating their time were Kent Malcom, Scott Speights, Keith Calhoun, Tim Harrell, Carmen Clark, Bridgett Catlett, Stacy Warner, Randy Windham, and Marena Malcom.

We would also like to thank Arkadelphia Fire Department for helping ensure all fires were extinguished properly before the day's end.

A big thank you to the sixth-grade team for making this happen. They are, Mrs. Kaki Forthman, Mrs. Misty Smith, Mr. Jeremy Smith, Ms. Jalisa Bowers, and Mrs. Anita Malcom.

Last but not least, thank you Mr. Jeremy Smith for organizing the S'mores award party. The 6th graders were so appreciative of your hard work.

Parents, please enjoy and tag the photos from the day. It is definitely something to remember! We are so proud of these kiddos!

FALL HONOR ROLL

We had LOTS of Goza Middle School students make the Fall Honor Roll this year. They were awarded certificates for their excellent grades during a lunch ceremony when we got back from the holiday break. Here's their group photos, then students' names.