Summer School Begins!

Summer School began yesterday at Lepanto Elementary. We had a great turn out despite hurricane Dennis dumping wind and rain on us. I think some of the kids swam in. The teachers and paraprofessionals worked hard and made sure everyone was where they needed to be. I really appreciate this. I am still learning where each room is located as well as the teachers' names. I noticed immediately how well mannered the children were. The hours are 8:30 to 11:30.

I have a meeting in Little Rock the 13th and 14th, but will be back in my office on Friday.

Yes, That Is Mrs. Misty With a Boston State Trooper!

This is a pic of Mrs. Misty trying to find a taxi to take us to our hotel. (After our Tahoe stalled and the police took us to their barracks. That is what the troopers in Boston call their police station.) Trooper Deary was helping us by telling us where the motel was located. He kept saying "Wobun". The area was actually Woburn. Remember, in Boston there are no "r's". It took several tries before we realized what he was actually saying.

Arlington Cemetary

Christal Craft poses at John F. Kennedy's gravesite.

Arkansas Teachers at Mount Vernon

Christal Craft, Misty Gates, Wendy Mathis, Lisa Tennyson and Lisa Honey pose from the "back yard" of Mount Vernon.

Ray Simon, Deputy Director Of Education

Misty Gates, Lisa Honey, Ray Simon, Christal Craft, Lisa Tennyson and Wendy Mathis in the big city of Washington D. C.

A New Week, A New Job!!!

I've just returned from an eight day trip to the East Coast. Several friends (teachers from Weiner- Lisa Honey, Christal Craft, Misty Gates and Wendy Mathis) and I took a "road trip" to Washington D.C., New York City, Boston and Niagra Falls. It was a trip of a lifetime. It was quite eventful. While in Washington D. C., we met with Ray Simon, Deputy Director of Education. He was kind enough to squeeze us into his very busy schedule. We had a nice visit and were given the VIP tour of the 7th floor of the U.S. Department of Education. While in Washington D.C., we stayed with Misty Gates' aunt. She lives in Mt. Vernon and is within walking distance of the historic home of President Washington. New York was great! I did find out that the hot dog vendors on the street make over $100,000 a year. That may be my second career after I retire. Boston has the nicest State Troopers in the world. Our vehicle stalled in the middle lane of I 93 North. We called 911 and were immediately assisted by Trooper Billy Deary. We got a ride in the Massachusetts State Trooper squadcar. Trooper Deary called a tow truck and a taxi for us. We had a little trouble with the language barrier. People from Boston, REALLY don't say their "r's". Russell Steinbeck(garage owner) replaced the fuel pump, not once, but twice in our Tahoe. The second time was after we decided to rent a vehicle and continue our trip. We rented a Dodge Durango and drove on to Niagra Falls. It was breathtaking. There are too many memories to mention, but it was truly a time I will cherish the rest of my life. A special thank you to Charlotte Wright for loaning us the Tahoe for the trip. She was my superintendent for five years at Weiner and is indeed a great friend on whom I still depend.

I'm currently sorting through seven years of accumulated paperwork. My new office is beginning to take shape. I have met several of the teachers as well as many of the community members of Lepanto. I look forward to creating lifetime friends in Lepanto just as I have in Weiner.