The Teachers and Staff of SLC and RCVA would like to give a huge Thank You to the sponsors that helped make Teacher Appreciation Week so special for all of us. We greatly appreciate your support and kindness!
Mo's Grill & Co.
Sarah Morrison & Dwayne Webb
Upperroom Barbershop
Elloise Florals
Centennial Bank
Brown's Catfish
Taco Villa
Kuroki Bakery
Just Dessert
Logan's Layers / Croissanterie
Venezia's Italian Restaurant
Los Munchies Taqueria
Congratulations to Ms. Deborah Starr for being named the 2025/2026 Teacher of the Year for the SLC / RCVA Campuses.
"Deborah is the kind of person who is always willing to step in and help wherever she is needed, such as accepting the challenge of testing coordinator. Her love for her job and for working with kids is evident in everything she does. I truly enjoy working with her and appreciate the encouragement, teamwork, and care she brings to our school and team each day." - Mrs. Wrightam
See flyer for details about the upcoming Summer Meal Program.
2026 Graduates of the SLC:
The Secondary Learning Center (SLC) wants to recognize and congratulate all the Seniors from our 2025/2026 school year. We are so proud of you all and wish you the best as you head out into the world to continue your journeys!
* Daisy Beltran
* Ramiro Blanco-Calvario
* Chris Bonilla
* Tommy Black
* An'Trenece Collins
* Wyatt Hill
* Bella Morrison
* Ruby Perez-Maxil
* Fernando Reyes
* Julio Roque
* Jeremyah Ross-Thompson
* Jackson Smith
* Trashuan Thomas
2025/2026 Diamond Award Recipient for SLC
The Secondary Learning Center (SLC) is excited to recognize the accomplishments of one of our 9th - 12th students.
Haidan Williams was selected as a Student Diamond Award recipient by the Arkansas Association of Alternative Educators (AAAE). This is a statewide recognition awarded through a competitive, teacher-nomination process and honors students who demonstrate significant academic growth, perseverance, leadership, and personal responsibility within alternative education settings.
Haidan’s selection reflects both his individual determination and the impact of the support provided through our ALE program. His growth and progress strongly represent the purpose and promise of Alternative Education.
Congratulations, Haidan, on such a great accomplishment.
Staff Member of the Month (May 2026)
The Secondary Learning Center (SLC) is excited to announce our Staff Member of the Month for May, Coach Meza (SLC/RCVA PE & Health Teacher).
Students of the Month (May 2026)
The Secondary Learning Center (SLC) is pleased to announce our Students of the Month for May, Lucas Gutierrez (9th - 12th) and Arturo Andraca (6th - 8th). Great Job! Keep up your hard work!
Hello SLC families!
At a special Board Meeting last night, revisions to the 25-26 School Calendar were approved. In order to make up lost time due to snow days, beginning Monday, March 2nd, 2026, school start time will be consistent Monday-Friday.
There will be no SmartStart Mondays for the remainder of the school year. There will also be 10 minutes added to the end of each school day. Transportation/drop off & pick up schedules will be adjusted accordingly.
Thank you for your flexibility and continued support as we prioritize student learning and instructional time.
❄️ Weather Update ❄️
Due to winter weather conditions, all RSD schools will be closed tomorrow, Friday, January 30, 2026.
The safety of our students and staff remains our top priority. Please stay safe and warm.❄️
❄️ Weather Update ❄️
Due to winter weather conditions, all RSD schools will be closed tomorrow, Thursday, January 29, 2026.
The safety of our students and staff remains our top priority. Please stay safe and warm.❄️
❄️ Weather Update ❄️
Due to winter weather conditions, all RSD schools will be closed tomorrow, Wednesday, January 28, 2026.
The safety of our students and staff remains our top priority. Please stay safe and warm.❄️
❄️ Weather Update ❄️
Due to winter weather conditions, all RSD schools will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
The safety of our students and staff remains our top priority. Please stay safe and warm.❄️
❄️ Weather Update ❄️
Due to winter weather conditions, all RSD schools will be closed tomorrow, Monday, January 26, 2026.
The safety of our students and staff remains our top priority. Please stay safe and warm.❄️
Employee Of The Month (November / December):
The Secondary Learning Center (SLC) is excited to announce our Staff Member of the Month for November / December, Ms. Carol Patterson (History Teacher).
Here are some of the comments she received:
"I nominate Mrs Patterson, she has always been kind and helps me whenever I need help. Mrs Patterson always has a great attitude and overall is a great teacher."
"Ms.Patterson stands out because they go above and beyond to ensure every student understands the material and feels valued. "
"Ms. P is the best history class there is. She waits for you and makes you do your work. If it wasn't for her, I would not have passed her class last year. I really thank her and appreciate her for pushing me."
"She is so nice and respectful."
"Ms. Patterson is so sweet and kind. I really do think she deserves this reward because she's an amazing teacher. She explains everything softly and easily to the class, and if you don't understand, she sits down and helps you. She never gets mad if you need extra help. Ms. Patterson really does deserve this; she's the best. Thank you."
School Choice Application and Information
Russellville School District will accept School Choice applications from January 1 through May 1, 2026.
Applications may be submitted in the following ways:
By mail
By email
In person at the Russellville School District Central Office
📅 Please note: The Central Office will reopen on January 5, 2026.
For questions or additional information, please contact:
Jeff Holt, Deputy Superintendent
📞 479-968-1306
🔗 Click here to find the application: https://files-backend.assets.thrillshare.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/120/District/5b16fb5c-1259-4691-90c4-cefebc877379/School-Choice-Updated-Form.pdf?disposition=inline
Fall Regional AAAE Conference
Northwest and Northeast ALE Programs visited Russellville for the 2025 Regional Fall Conference hosted by the Secondary Learning Center. The Conference was held in the Back Box Theatre of the Center for the Arts on October 27th, and consisted of a day full of ALE specific PD.
ALE Advisors, Dr. C.W. Gardenhire and Darrell Farmer, and Director Jared Hogue, attended the conference to provide updates, details and strategies from the Arkansas Department of Education.
Other activities included a Keynote Session with Mr. Brad Coffman, a Community Partner Spotlight with Amy Mellick from Community Services Inc., and a Moderated Panel Discussion about "Supporting Students in Alternative Education".
Lunch was sponsored by Centennial Bank and catered by the local Russellville McAlister's Deli.
We want to take a moment to thank these individuals, as well as everyone else who helped, participated, and joined us for this year's conference. We truly appreciate you all.
Biology Labs at SLC
Students in Ms. Guiltner's Biology Class are trying to answer the Experimental Question:
"How does soap affect water's surface tension?"
Students developed a hypothesis, and experimented by counting the number of water drops that can fit on a penny. They then repeated the experiment with soapy water.
The Secondary Learning Center (SLC) is proud to announce our Student of the Month for September, Ruby Perez-Maxil. Keep up the AMAZING job!
Here are some of the nomination comments from her teachers:
"Ruby has come to SLC determined and focused on her future. She has put herself in a place to be able to graduate early. Very proud of her hard work and perseverance. "
" Ruby demonstrates many qualities of a successful student. She is very positive, mature and responsible. She has also been very pleasant, polite and respectful in her interactions with adults, as well as her peers. I am very appreciative of all these characteristics she displays."
"Ruby always has a smile on her face. She is polite, kind, and engaging. She has a plan for her future and sees what an education can do for her. "
The Secondary Learning Center (SLC) wants to announce our Staff Member of the Month for September, Mr. Micah Bennett (Business/JAG/English Teacher).
Here are some of the nomination comments:
"I picked Mr. Bennett because his way of teaching makes me understand the hardest topics, he is also very patient and understanding."
"Mr. Bennett is enthusiastically nominated for Teacher of the Month due to his exceptional dedication and ability to make learning both fun and inspiring. he also actually gives out a good understanding of the topics being spoken in the class lessons."
"I voted for Mr. Bennett because he always motivates us and gives us advice."
"I enjoy being in Mr. Bennett's class because he has given me more career advice than anyone has, so I appreciate him for taking that extra time to sit down with me to make sure that I understand the work. I really look forward to having his 6th period every day because he doesn't discourage me for being who I am, and he is someone who I feel like I can trust to talk to."
