Looking back over the past couple of months reveals a Christmas and New Year season filled with fun activities, school improvements, contests, concerts, and parades. Our high school newspaper and yearbook staff has compiled a list of the highlights. We hope you enjoy this glimpse of life at Cookson Hills.
The season started with putting up Christmas trees in the school atrium. The students each made a decoration to brighten up the tree. Madi said, “I love that I can be artistic and creative while making my ornament.”
Our 3rd annual door decorating contest at the school had a new theme this year. Each class had the opportunity to participate. Mrs. Myrick said, “The theme this year was to represent a Christmas card with a Bible verse.” The top three door entries were high school science, yearbook, and 7th grade boys. The 7th graders worked hard to earn the coveted pizza and pop party for their door decoration!
The music program also had some holiday fun this year. On December 7, the Cookson Hills Percussion Ensemble performed in the Siloam Springs Christmas parade with their island-themed float, featuring special guest “Island Santa,” aka Grandpa Pletcher. Many other students also participated by walking alongside the float, passing out candy, doing flips, and greeting the parade crowd.
The parade was followed by a Christmas concert on December 16. The preschool students began the program (and stole the show) with songs and a Bible verse with motions. The 1-3 grade played handbells, sang solos and group songs, and performed sign language.
The 4-5 grade entertained with recorders and voice. Our newly formed middle school band performed several melodies. The percussion ensemble filled the community room with music, and the high school vocal ensemble performed five harmonious selections to close out the evening. Mr. Kelly, our music director, said, “I’m proud of the kids and excited that they all performed well.”
This season, the boys’ team has greatly improved, all thanks to Coach Javier Gutierez and the boys’ hard work. The team captain, Micah, helps make sure the team stays positive and encouraged. One of our seniors, Lucas, has also been a great leader for our boys. The basketball season is nearing the end, with a tournament here at the school this week.
Our new library system, Libib, is a great improvement for Cookson Hills students. Libib is a library database website and has replaced the old library system, which had been in use since the late 1990s. Mrs. Green, our librarian, said, “Hopefully we will have the new system for a long time; it really meets all of our needs, and we won’t have to buy any updates.”
Library personnel has added over 8,000 books and 137 videos to the catalog; however, the library is still adding adult and junior non-fiction. Mrs. Green has had several library helpers in the past nine months including students Jennifer, and Claudia, Grandma Wilkinson, and Mrs. Asbury. Mrs.Green’s goal was to have all of the books added by the end of 2019.
On the new system, when the librarian scans or types the ISBN number, all book details are automatically added. On the Libib website students can search subjects, series, etc. which makes Libib a lot more user-friendly. “Everything is better on Libib,” said Mrs. Green. The new system saves the school time and money. Cookson Hills is very thankful for all of the volumes that have been donated and given in the past, which is more than half the library. The students enjoy the continuous addition of new books. Mrs. Green keeps an updated library wish list of books on Amazon and generous supporters donate books on a regular basis.