
This week, we had the privilege of publicly recognizing several outstanding educators and staff members whose dedication, compassion, and commitment make a lasting difference in the lives of our students every day.
Please join us in congratulating our 2026 District Teacher of the Year, Amy Gil, and our 2026 Classified Employee of the Year, Angie Newsom!
We also proudly recognized our 2026 Building Teachers of the Year:
🍎 Gentry High School: Loren Babcock
🍎 Gentry Middle School: Cliff Smith
🍎 Gentry Intermediate School: Amy Gil
🍎 Gentry Primary School: Halee Tennison
These individuals represent the very best of Gentry Public Schools. They inspire students, support their colleagues, and help fulfill our mission of being a place where all students connect, learn, and succeed.
To each of these remarkable educators and staff members: thank you for your passion, your servant leadership, and the countless ways you make our schools stronger. Your impact reaches far beyond the classroom, and our students are better because of you.
Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition! ❤️🤍
#GoPioneers #PioneerFamily #TeacherOfTheYear #ClassifiedEmployeeOfTheYear #GentryPublicSchools #ThankATeacher #NWArkansas






One of the greatest strengths of Gentry Public Schools is our people. In fact, as Dr. Broyles says, our people are our culture -- and we have the best!
Every school year, dedicated teachers, administrators, support staff, and employees invest their time, talent, and hearts into helping our students connect, learn, and succeed. On Tuesday, we had the privilege of recognizing employees who have reached significant milestones in their careers serving students and families.
🍎 5 Years
Alecia Arnold
Amanda Dobbs
Doel Frazier
Anthony Herbaugh
Coleman Jarvis
Natasha Hagood
Johnna Baggett
Courtney Barnett
Taylor Ervin
Rhonda Nelson
Angela Newsom
Megan Smith
Destiny Knight
🍎 10 Years
James Clelland
Hannah Davis
Janae Fairchild
Nicholas Goodman
Erica Jones
Scott McCollum
Walter Austin Millsap
Courtney Millsap Place
Chris Thompson
Brittany Ellison
Wendy Jackson
Joanna Jones-Beck
🍎 15 Years
Christina Jones
Agnes Bailey
Tahmara Coones
Michelle Jech
Mark Hawbaker
Lissa Hillis
Jamie Johnson
Justin Rasnick
Clifford Smith
Elizabeth Wieneke
Laura Neville
Misty Curran
🍎 20 Years
Devon Conrad
Nellia Philopott
Lindsay Wilks
Jennifer Pierce
Justin Blanchard
Jason Barrett
Allison Blanchard
Tonya Sweeten
Leanna Floyd
Robert Savage
Jacque Smith
🍎 25 Years
Melissa Bond
Christine Bunce
Andrea Folger
Jennifer Hinterhuer
Kristen Smartt
Tracey Barnes
Angela Evans
Amy Davis
Melinda Ramsey
🍎 30 Years
Richard Davies
Jennifer Lundholm
🍎 35 Years
Joni Wilson
🍎 40 Years
Linda Johnson
Roger Davis
Collectively, these remarkable employees represent hundreds of years of service to Gentry Public Schools and Education in general. Their dedication has impacted generations of students, strengthened our schools, and helped make Gentry a place where all students connect, learn, and succeed.
Please join us in congratulating these outstanding members of the Pioneer family and thanking them for their commitment to our students and community!
❤️🤍 #GoPioneers #PioneerFamily #GentryPublicSchools #ThankATeacher #ThankYouStaff







Our Gentry Public Schools Transportation Team is usually spread across hundreds of miles each day, safely transporting students to and from school. But before the first day of school, we had the opportunity to gather all of our incredible bus drivers together for training and a team photo.
Our bus drivers are often the first school employee a student sees each morning and the last one they see each afternoon. They do so much more than drive a bus: They greet students with a smile, build relationships, provide a safe ride, and help set the tone for a successful school day.
As we prepare to welcome students back on Wednesday, August 12, we're grateful for this outstanding team and their commitment to keeping our students safe every single day.
Please join us in thanking our Gentry Public Schools Transportation Team for everything they do!
Need information about bus schedules or anything else to do with the beginning of the school year? Check out our Back to School Guide here: https://www.gentrypioneers.com/page/back-to-school
❤️🚌 #GoPioneers #SchoolBus #BusDrivers #GentryAR

CJ is excited to be part of Gentry Public Schools and appreciates the warm welcome and kindness he has received from the staff. He values working alongside respectful, caring people who are dedicated to serving students and the community.
Outside of work, CJ is passionate about ministry, which is an important part of his life. He enjoys encouraging and serving others through his faith and looks forward to making a positive impact both on and off the bus.

Thanks to our Ready Day One program established by our School Board, every Gentry Public Schools student will receive the school supplies they need AT NO COST this school year! That means no shopping lists and no out-of-pocket cost for classroom supplies.
Students will receive teacher-approved, high-quality supplies featuring trusted brands like Ticonderoga, Crayola, and Elmer's, because our students deserve the very best! And don't forget, breakfast and lunch are provided this school year at no cost as well.
📍 Here's when students will receive their supplies:
🏫 Gentry Primary School
📅 Open House: Friday, Aug. 7
🕔 5:–7 p.m.
🏫 Gentry Intermediate School
📅 Open House: Monday, Aug. 10
🕔 5–7 p.m.
🏫 Gentry Middle School & Gentry High School
🎒 Supplies will be distributed on the first day of school, Wednesday, Aug. 12.
Ready Day One is all about making sure every Pioneer walks into the classroom prepared to learn from Day One while helping make back-to-school a little easier for ALL Gentry families.
We can't wait to welcome everyone back next week! ❤️
Questions: Contact your child's school directly or you can reach out to Mark Scott, Director of Community Engagement, at mscott@gentrypioneers.com.
#ReadyDayOne #GentryPioneers #BackToSchool #GentryAR #NWArkansas

👋 Hey Parents/Guardians!
📚 Did you know you can easily check your child’s grades, attendance, and other important school information online? Gentry School District uses Home Access Center (HAC) to help you stay connected.
📧 Families with students in grades 6–12 will receive an email with a unique access code to create their HAC account during the coming week. 👀 Be on the lookout for it! If you do not receive your access code, please contact your child's school for assistance.
🎓 HAC is only available for students in grades 6–12. If you have a student in grades 6–12 as well as a student in another grade, you may see your younger student's profile in HAC, but no information will appear because HAC is not used for those grade levels.
❓Check out the FAQ link in the comments!

Open house starts this week! Check out the Back-to-School Guide on our website! The Back-to-School Guide is your one-stop resource for everything you need to start the school year, including bus information, traffic flow maps, and more.




Originally from Lamar, Arkansas, Haley is excited to join Gentry Public Schools because its close-knit community reminds her of home. She recently became engaged to her fiancé, Carson, and relocated to the area to begin this new chapter. Outside of school, she enjoys shopping and spending time with family and friends, and she looks forward to building relationships with her students and the Gentry community.

Gina is excited to join Gentry Public Schools because of its welcoming, small-town community and friendly atmosphere. She and her husband, who is also a teacher, have four grown daughters, two sons-in-law, and a Maltipoo named Ruby. Outside of school, she enjoys gardening, reading, writing, singing, playing the piano, and serving through her church's women's and hospitality ministries. She looks forward to building meaningful relationships with students and their families.

Looking for a nursing career that offers purpose, meaningful relationships, and a schedule designed to support a healthy work-life balance?
School nursing provides a unique combination of professional fulfillment and a predictable schedule that allows you to make a difference each day while maintaining time for the people and priorities that matter most.
At Gentry Public Schools, you'll care for our youngest students while enjoying benefits that many professionals value throughout every stage of life.
✅ Monday through Friday daytime schedule with evenings and weekends free
✅ 185-day contract with summers off
✅ School holidays and scheduled breaks, including one week at Thanksgiving, two weeks at Christmas, one week for Spring Break, and additional holidays throughout the year
✅ A schedule that often aligns with your children's school calendar or simply provides more time outside of work
✅ Leave work at work with a consistent, predictable schedule and healthy work-life balance
✅ Arkansas Teacher Retirement benefits
✅ Comprehensive health insurance, plus dental, vision, and additional voluntary insurance options available through payroll deduction
✅ Build lasting relationships with students, families, and staff while making a meaningful difference every day
If you're looking for a rewarding nursing career in a supportive school community with a schedule that allows you to thrive both professionally and personally, we'd love to hear from you.
📍 Apply today at GentryPioneers.com or contact:
Mary Bailey, District Nurse
📞 479-736-2254 (Option 6)
📧 mbailey@gentrypioneers.com
Come make a difference with Gentry Public Schools. Go Pioneers! ❤️

Preston is excited to join Gentry Public Schools and become part of its growing community. He looks forward to contributing to the district's success and building relationships with students, families, and staff. Outside of work, he enjoys camping, spending time outdoors, and making memories with his family.

Students who plan to drive to school this year must obtain a parking permit before parking on campus. Permits are free and help us maintain a safe parking environment by ensuring student drivers are licensed and insured while allowing us to identify vehicles on campus if needed.
📧 A Google Form to apply for a parking permit has been sent to GHS family email addresses. We'll also have tables set up during GHS Open House where students can complete the application and receive their parking decal.
Thank you for partnering with us to help keep our campus safe.
Go Pioneers! ❤️

The season is underway, and we can't wait to cheer on our Pioneer golfers! Be sure to follow the Gentry Golf Facebook page and stay tuned for updates, highlights, and results throughout the season.
Go Pioneers! ❤️

We're looking for parents, family members, and community supporters who would like to help launch the Gentry Volleyball Booster Club. If you're interested in getting involved and supporting our student athletes, we'd love to have you! For more information or to join, please contact Coach Hannah Hankins at hhankins@gentrypioneers.com.
Go Pioneers! ❤️

Gentry High School welcomed its newest students Thursday night for Freshman Orientation, giving incoming freshmen the opportunity to get familiar with their new school before the first day of classes.
Students explored classrooms, the library, and activity areas while learning everything they need to know to get off to a great start at GHS. While parents attended a session designed just for them, freshmen rotated through sessions covering topics like getting involved and making a difference, maintaining a strong GPA, exploring all the resources available through the library, and reviewing the student handbook — including important information about bell schedules and student expectations.
The evening was hosted by GHS principals, counselors, and school leaders, with help from FFA upperclassmen who guided students through the building and helped make the transition to high school a little easier.
We can’t wait to see these students become part of the Gentry High School Pioneer family! ❤️
Students and families are invited to return for the GHS Open House on Thursday, Aug. 6, from 5-7 p.m. The first day of school is Wednesday, Aug. 12.
#GentryPioneers #ReadyDayOne #Classof2030 #GentryAR









Bailey says that she is excited to be part of a district known for its strong community and positive culture. Outside of work, she enjoys horseback riding, kayaking, camping, and gardening with her family.




From the Operations Team: Join Us at Our 2026-2027 Open House Events!
The start of another school year is just around the corner, and we can't wait to welcome our Pioneer families back to campus!
Our Open House events are a wonderful opportunity to meet teachers, visit classrooms, and get ready for an exciting school year. In addition, several of our district support departments will be available to answer questions and help families prepare for the first day of school.
During each Open House:
🚌 Transportation Department Leaders will be available in the school cafeteria to answer bus route questions, review transportation information, and assist families. If your student's bus number is changing this year, we'll be happy to help you review those updates. (Please see the attached Bus Number Changes flyer for details.)
🍎 Child Nutrition Department Leaders will also be in the school cafeteria and are excited to share that all Gentry Public Schools students will receive breakfast and lunch at no cost this school year through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) Program. Stop by to learn more about this exciting benefit and have any school meal or previous account balances questions answered.
❤️ School Nurses will be available in their campus health offices to visit with families, discuss student health needs, medications, and answer any health-related questions before school begins.
🚧 Exciting Construction Progress! As you visit our campuses, you'll notice several construction projects underway as we continue investing in the future of Gentry Public Schools. We appreciate your patience with temporary construction traffic and work areas. The safety of our students, staff, and visitors remains our highest priority, and all construction zones have been securely separated from student and public areas throughout the process. We can't wait to welcome our students into these outstanding new facilities once construction is complete!
Whether you have questions or simply want to stop by and say hello, we'd love to visit with you. Our goal is to make sure every family feels prepared and confident as we begin the 2026-2027 school year.
Please see the attached Open House Schedule and Transportation Update Flyer for additional information. We look forward to seeing everyone soon.
Go Pioneers!





