We are currently working with our local team and officials at JBU to determine the best ways to maximize the available space in the arena while maintaining a safe and well-organized environment for our graduates and their guests. One step many school districts take in situations like this is requiring tickets for admission, and we plan to implement a similar process this year. Graduation will be held on May 17 at 2:00 p.m., and anyone attending will be asked to present a ticket for entry.
GHS will send a letter home with each senior on Monday to begin determining how many tickets each graduate will request. Additional tickets will be available through the High School Office once initial needs are identified, and we will communicate when those become available.
We are sharing this information early with the community because we know graduation is a meaningful event for many people, and we want families and supporters to have time to plan ahead—even if you do not currently have a senior graduating.
For questions, contact the GHS office at 479-736-2667. Thank you.
We are excited to announce that our district has launched an upgrade to the phone system designed to make it easier and faster for you to connect with the people and departments you need.
Many of you may have already noticed the change when calling our schools or district offices. This upgraded system provides clearer options and more direct routing to staff members. We encourage you to listen carefully to all available menu options so you can be quickly connected to the right person.
As part of this upgrade, we’ve also incorporated our district’s radio commercials as hold music. While you wait, you’ll hear highlights that celebrate the incredible opportunities, achievements, and programs that make our school district such a special place to learn and grow.
This improvement reflects our commitment to maintaining the strongest and most effective lines of communication with our families, staff, and community partners. Clear communication is essential to supporting our students and ensuring a positive experience for everyone we serve.
A special thank you goes out to our outstanding Technology Department for their hard work, planning, and dedication in making this upgrade possible. Their efforts behind the scenes help keep our district running smoothly every day.
Here is a quick reference list for you when contacting our schools and offices:
Gentry Primary School: 479-736-2380
Gentry Intermediate School: 479-736-2252
Gentry Middle School: 479-736-2251
Gentry High School: 479-736-2667
Operations Office: 479-736-2254 (Transportation, Food Service, Maintenance, Custodial, District Nurse, Technology)
Central Administration Office: 479-736-2253
We appreciate your patience during this transition and look forward to continuing to serve you better than ever. As a final reminder, you can also visit us at www.gentrypioneers.com anytime for contact information for staff across our district.
Frank enjoys working with students and sharing life experiences as they learn new ideas and concepts. Outside the classroom, he and Nancy enjoy reading, traveling, and being active in their church. His hobbies include LEGO building, visiting quilt shops, supporting missions, and mentoring youth and adults—while joking that he works to support his wife’s quilting habit.
Pioneer Community,
We are excited to share an update on our two major capital projects, the Middle School Classroom Addition and the new Pioneer Arena!
Over the past several months, our district team, stakeholder design committee, preconstruction managers, and architectural and engineering partners have been working together to finalize the design details and prepare for the next steps. We are happy to share that the building plans have now been submitted to state agencies for final review and approval, a process that typically takes 4–6 weeks.
Once final approvals are received, the projects are expected to move into the bid phase in mid-Spring, with the goal of breaking ground in late Spring. While current estimates suggest that construction may take approximately a year, a number of factors, including weather, market conditions on bid day, and State review outcomes can impact not only the final timeline but also the scope of the project and may result in adjustments along the way.
We are grateful for the continued support of our families, staff, and community. These projects represent an exciting investment in our students and programs, and we look forward to sharing updates as progress continues.
🚨 School Closure – Friday, the 30th 🚨
After careful consideration, school will be closed tomorrow, Friday the 30th.
As weeks like this progress, closure decisions often become less obvious and more challenging, especially later in the week. Conditions can vary widely from one area to another, which is why decisions between districts may differ. Each district must weigh many variables and make the best decision based on what is being seen across its own roads and communities.
Administrators spent several hours today driving district roads to inform this decision. Two-wheel drive was used in many areas, similar to how most cars and buses operate, and we experienced sliding and stalling on hills. Even when switching to four-wheel drive, there were still areas where stopping, starting, and maintaining traction was difficult. Photos are attached for reference and were taken after most of today’s melting had already occurred, reflecting the conditions expected tomorrow morning with likely refreezing.
While limited bus routes are available, those routes are optional for families who may not feel safe traveling, which is another factor considered in the decision-making process. So ultimately, when balancing all of these variables together, we did not feel the potential benefit of being in session outweighed the safety concerns.
These decisions require constant evaluation and balance, and when that balance shifts toward increased risk, our philosophy is to err on the side of caution when student and staff safety is involved.
🏀 Athletics Update
Decisions regarding athletic events and practices will be communicated directly by coaches. Please wait for an official announcement from your coach before assuming practices or events are on or off.
If a practice or event does move forward, students will not be penalized for missing due to weather or road conditions. Safety comes first. Families should communicate directly with coaches if travel is not safe in their area, and flexibility will be provided.
🍎 Snack Pack Pickup
For families who already receive weekly snack packs, schools will be open tomorrow from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for pickup for those who are able to come. Due to limited supplies, this is available only to families who currently receive snack packs. If your family is experiencing a hardship related to this closure, please reach out and we will do our best to help or connect you with someone who can.
A detailed explanation about make up days will come later but you can view the District calendar by visiting www.gentrypioneers.com.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support as we work to keep everyone safe.
