🔬 Joe T. Robinson High School’s Health Science Pathway toured the Arkansas Department of Health’s Glen F. Baker Public Health Laboratory on Thursday.
Students got a behind-the-scenes look at how Arkansas stays healthy, safe, and prepared. From tracking outbreaks to ensuring clean water, they discovered what and who it takes to run a state-of-the-art facility.
💼 Careers on Display
🦠 Clinical & Microbiology: Medical Laboratory Scientists (MLS) and Microbiologists testing for infectious diseases and foodborne illnesses.
🧪 Chemistry & Toxicology: Chemists analyzing environmental samples and screening for chemical hazards.
👶 Newborn Screening: Specialists performing life-saving tests for every baby born in Arkansas to detect genetic disorders early.
🧬 Genomics: Bioinformatics Specialists using high-tech DNA sequencing to track virus variants.
💧 Environmental Health: Laboratory Technicians testing our state's public drinking water for safety.
📋 Support & Leadership: Quality Assurance Officers, Laboratory Directors, and Lab Assistants who keep the facility running at peak performance.
A huge thank you to the Arkansas Department of Health for hosting our Senators! #WeAreTheSenators #PCSSDproud #ServeAll #LabScience

about 11 hours ago, PCSSD
Joe T. Robinson High School Health Science Pathway tuberculosis. Many sudents are listening to a man in the foreground.
Joe T. Robinson High School Health Science Pathway is learning about bacteria from a a woman in a lab coat holding a glass jar.
Joe T. Robinson High School Health Science Pathway are learning about ticks by holding a sample vial and referencing a booklet.
Joe T. Robinson High School Health Science Pathway are learning about lab testing from a a man in a lab coat, ballcap, and ear phones.
Joe T. Robinson High School Health Science Pathway are learning about testing food for diseases.
Joe T. Robinson High School Health Science Pathway are learning about the Arkansas Department of Health. They are sitting in a classroom setting.
Joe T. Robinson High School Health Science Pathway student is holding a vial of tick larva in her hands
Joe T. Robinson High School Health Science Pathway students are learning about testing done for newborn children. A long line descends into the background of the photo.
Joe T. Robinson High School Health Science Pathway students learn about public water testing.
The Glen F. Baker Public Health Laboratory building at the Arkansas Department of Health
🎶 Joe T. Robinson High School Choral Director Edmond Hampton was named Arkansas' Distinguished Director of the Year by the Arkansas Choral Directors Association during last weekend’s All‑State Choir Conference. 🎼

To be eligible for this statewide honor, recipients must have served as a choral director in Arkansas for at least five years and earned Division I ratings at Choral Performance Assessment for at least three of the last five years, among other requirements.

Hampton reflected on the recognition, saying, “All I can really say is thank you… especially to the state of Arkansas for the continued friendships and the positive musical interactions over the years.” #PCSSDproud #ServeAll #GoSenators
1 day ago, PCSSD
Edmond Hampton holding his choral director of the year award. Another man is beside him and students are in the background.
Edmond Hampton holding his choral director of the year award with two students on either side of him smiling.
LaTanya Cheatham and Washam Washam were both awarded the People Committed to Serving Scholars Daily (PCSSD) Inspiration in Education Award for February during the regular meeting of the PCSSD Board of Education. Cheatham was the classified awardee, and Washam was the certified awardee.
7 days ago, PCSSD
Feb Inspiration in Education winners

We are very proud of our Maumelle High School 9th grade AVID I students showcasing AVID tutorial strategies for all secondary principals and AVID coordinators in the district. Great leadership in action by Mason Ward, Isaac Warrior, Earl Graham, Kayli Bone, Khenedi Purley, and Jackson Bishop.

7 days ago, PCSSD
Maumelle High student standing at whiteboard with five other students seated
Maumelle High student standing at whiteboard with five other students seated

REMINDER: School is closed today for parent-teacher conferences. Parent teacher conferences will be held at each school from 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. Students will return to classes tomorrow. District offices will remain open.

11 days ago, PCSSD
Alt text: A dark blue PCSSD announcement graphic with chalk‑style school doodles, including a globe, laptop, pencil, paper, apple, music note, and stars. Large red and white text reads “Parent/Teacher Conferences” and “Schools Closed Monday, February 16.” The PCSSD logo appears at the top.

School will be out on Monday, February 16, for parent-teacher conferences. Parent teacher conferences will be held at each school from 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. Students will return to classes on Tuesday, February 17. District offices will remain open.

13 days ago, PCSSD
Alt text: A dark blue PCSSD announcement graphic with chalk‑style school doodles, including a globe, laptop, pencil, paper, apple, music note, and stars. Large red and white text reads “Parent/Teacher Conferences” and “Schools Closed Monday, February 16.” The PCSSD logo appears at the top.
Robinson Wrestling is building a powerful legacy under Coaches Keilan and Grant Patterson — the only all-Black high school wrestling coaching staff in Arkansas. Their leadership has helped propel Robinson athletes to the State Wrestling Tournament, which begins tomorrow. 💪🏽🤼‍♂️

Read a special submission from PCSSD parent Kelly Bittle about their impact on and off the mat: https://www.pcssd.org/article/2705335

#BlackHistoryMonth #PCSSDproud #ServeAll #GoSenators
14 days ago, PCSSD
A photo shows two people sitting close together and smiling at an event. A quote is displayed beside them from Keilan Patterson, Joe T. Robinson High School wrestling head coach, saying their goal is to build athletes’ character beyond winning medals. The graphic includes the PCSSD web address and a “Find Out More” prompt.
We are very proud to announce these students who auditioned and were selected to the All-State Instrumental Ensembles:

All-State Orchestra:
🎻 Mills High School - George Belt, 8th Chair Viola
🎻 Mills High School - Iris Rodriguez, 1st Alternate Violin

All-State Band -
🪈 Sylvan Hills High School - MaKeira Curtis - Concert Band Clarinet - Chair 26
🥁 Sylvan Hills High School - Hailey Middaugh - Concert Band Percussion - Chair 3

All-State Jazz Band-
🎷 Maumelle High School - Khollin Franklin - 2nd Jazz Band, 1st Chair Tenor Saxophone
🎺 Maumelle High School - Adam Csege - 2nd Jazz Band, 4th Chair Trumpet

They will perform at the Hot Springs Convention Center on Saturday, February 21st.
2nd Jazz Band performs at 10:45 a.m., orchestra performs at 10:45 a.m., and Concert Band performs at 1:00 p.m.
15 days ago, PCSSD
A green and black graphic reads “Congratulations! All‑State Instrumental Ensembles” at the top. Three sections list selected students: for 2nd Jazz Band, Khollin Franklin on tenor saxophone as 1st chair and Adam Csege on percussion as 4th chair; for Concert Band, MaKeira Curtis on clarinet as 26th chair and Hailey Middaugh on percussion as 3rd chair; for Orchestra, George Belt on viola as 8th chair and Iris Rodriguez on violin as 1st alternate. Musical symbols and school logos appear beside each section.

🎶 We are very proud to announce the following choir students who auditioned and were selected for the Arkansas All‑State Choirs! 🎶

🎩 Robinson High School
• Claire Ridlon — Soprano I
• Lila Cross — Soprano II
• Kate Mitchell — Alto II
• Cadence Garbett — Bass I

🐻 Sylvan Hills High School
• Katie Griffin — Soprano I
Adriana Diaz — Soprano II
• Lilaina Harrell — Soprano II
• Taylea Madden — Alto I
• Baylee Brooks — Alto I

🔰 Mills High School
• George Belt — Bass I — 2nd Alternate

🎼 Congratulations to these talented and hard-working singers who are representing their schools and our district with excellence! They will perform at the Hot Springs Convention Center on Saturday, February 21, at noon.

17 days ago, PCSSD
graphic displays “Congratulations! All‑State Choir” at the top. Three school logos appear beside lists of selected students. Under the Robinson High School logo, four names are listed by vocal part: Soprano I Claire Ridlon, Soprano II Lila Cross, Alto II Kate Mitchell, and Bass I Cadence Garbett. Under the Sylvan Hills bear logo, six students are listed: Soprano I Katie Griffin; Soprano II Adrean Diaz and Lilaina Harrell; Alto I Taylea Madden and Baylee Brooks. Under the Mills High School logo, Bass I George Belt is listed with “2nd alternate” noted. Musical notes decorate the background.
🏅 As the Winter Olympics open today during Black History Month, we’re celebrating one of PCSSD’s own Olympic champions: Jeff Henderson.

A 2007 graduate of Sylvan Hills High School, Henderson made history at the 2016 Rio Olympics, winning gold in the men’s long jump with a distance of 27.49 ft! He remains the only American to win the sport at the Olympics in more than twenty years.

What makes his story even more meaningful for PCSSD is how he has come back home—visiting our schools, speaking with students, and showing them what discipline, humility, and belief in yourself can build. 🐻 #PCSSDproud #BlackHistoryMonth #GoBears #OlympicGold
20 days ago, PCSSD
Olympian Jeff henderson holds his long jump gold medal
Olympian Jeff Henderson with PCSSD elementary students
Olympian Jeff Henderson with PCSSD elementary students

✍️ Yesterday, more than a dozen student‑athletes signed to continue their academic and athletic careers. Congratulations to all of our student‑athletes. Your hard work, discipline, and dedication have brought you to this moment, and PCSSD is proud to support you as you take the next step.

These signees add to the group of athletes who committed during the early signing periods last semester. A special shout‑out to Deuce Williams, one of our early signees, for stepping behind the camera and capturing the moment at Joe T. Robinson High School. #PCSSDproud #SigningDay2026

22 days ago, PCSSD
A Joe T. Robinson footbal player signing to play at Northwest Missouri State
A Maumelle Hornet football player sits at a table with his family smiling. The table says "Hornets". He is about to sign to play at Henderson State University
A football player shaking someone's hand. He is dressed in a University of Arkansas at Monticello shirt
A Maumelle Hornet football player sits at a table with his family smiling. The table says "Maumelle High School". He is about to sign to play at a college
Nine student football athletes and their coach stand together shoulder to shoulder smiling in a basketball arena
A smiling Joe T. Robinson football player pointing at the camera.
A smiling football player sitting at a table. He is wearing UAPB Golden Lions clothes and his jersey is on the table.
A Maumelle Hornet football player sits at a table with his family smiling. The table says "Maumelle High School". He is about to sign to play at a college
Three teammates put arms over shoulders smiling for a picture
A Maumelle Hornet football player sits at a table with his family smiling. The table says "HORNETS". He is about to sign to play at Arkansas Tech University.
All PCSSD schools and offices will be open and operating on a normal schedule for Tuesday, February 3. After-school activities are expected to resume, but please contact your individual school for confirmation. We know that some students may still be unable to safely travel to school. If your student will be absent, you should contact the school registrar or attendance clerk.

Our maintenance and transportation teams have worked diligently for several days removing snow and ice at our facilities, as well as assessing neighborhood routes for our buses. We have identified several bus routes that will be impacted due to lingering hazardous road conditions. A separate communication will be shared at approximately 6 p.m. for families on impacted bus routes. All other transportation routes will operate normally. Thank you for your incredible support and patience during this latest round of winter weather.
24 days ago, PCSSD
Tuesday, February 3. Pulaski County. Schools and offices are OPEN.
All PCSSD schools will be closed on Monday, February 2. Our maintenance crews have made great strides in clearing walkways and parking lots at our facilities, as well as monitoring travel on city and county roadways, and we appreciate their hard work. Due to continued concerns about hazardous road conditions, schools will remain closed. PCSSD Central Office staff and some district employees will return to work. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we make these difficult decisions. We plan to continue monitoring the weather and will provide future updates as needed.
25 days ago, PCSSD
Monday, February 2. Pulaski County. Schools will be closed. Central Office open.
With a dominant 19–1–1 record and a 4A championship run, Todd Eskola has been selected as NFHS Section 6 Girls Soccer Coach of the Year. Only one coach receives across Arkansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Read more: https://www.pcssd.org/article/2666524
28 days ago, PCSSD
Article cover for Todd Eskola selected as Coach of the Year. The image shows Eskola holding his award certificate
All PCSSD schools and district offices will be closed on Friday, January 30, due to continued hazardous road and weather conditions. All events and activities are canceled or will be rescheduled. The increased temperatures and sunlight have helped to thaw roadways, and our maintenance crews continue to make progress clearing sidewalks and parking lots at our facilities. Even with these improvements, many of our students and employees would still face potentially dangerous travel conditions. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we make these difficult decisions. We plan to continue monitoring the weather and will provide future updates as needed.
29 days ago, PCSSD
Friday, January 30. Pulaski County. Continued Hazards. Closed.

Cooking at home while the ice melts? You may have a sous chef to chip in. Many elementary students have participated in cooking activities as recently as last week, thanks to Apple Seeds, Inc. #PCSSDproud #ServeAll

29 days ago, PCSSD
Students cutting at a table with kale in the foreground
Students at a table with cutting vegetables
A close up of a student cutting a sweet potatoe
A student dumping her cut vegetables into a skillet
A student placing his cutting board in water
A close up of a student peeling garlic
A recipe card for a sunrise skillet
A close up of a student using measuring spoons with paprika
An Apple Seeds worker engaging with students at a table
Students measuring out salt and using a lemon squeezer
All PCSSD schools and district offices will be closed on Thursday, January 29, due to continued hazardous road and weather conditions. All events and activities are canceled or will be rescheduled. While our maintenance crews have made significant progress on clearing sidewalks and parking lots, and main roads and arteries throughout the county have been cleared, many of our neighborhood streets and secondary roads are still covered in thick sheets of ice. These conditions create potentially dangerous travel conditions to our facilities. We will continue to monitor weather conditions and provide updates as they become available. Thank you for your continued support of PCSSD.
30 days ago, PCSSD
Thursday, January 29. Pulaski County. Hazardous Conditions. Closed.

The Arkansas State Board of Education unanimously approved the district conversion charter application for the DRIVEN School of Opportunity. Read more about what happens next: https://www.pcssd.org/article/2660696

30 days ago, PCSSD
Article cover for DRIVEN School of Opportunity earning its state approval. The image shows four PCSSD members standing before a sign that says Leadership Support Service

All PCSSD schools and district offices will be closed on Wednesday, January 28, due to hazardous road and weather conditions. All events and activities are canceled or will be rescheduled. We will continue to provide updates as they become available. Thank you for your continued support of PCSSD.

about 1 month ago, PCSSD
Wednesday, January 28. Pulaski County. Inclement Weather. Closed.

All PCSSD schools and district offices are closed Monday and Tuesday, January 26, and January 27, 2026, due to inclement weather conditions. All events and activities are canceled or will be rescheduled. We will continue to provide updates as they become available. Thank you for your continued support of PCSSD.

about 1 month ago, PCSSD
Monday, January 26 and Tuesday, January 27. Inclement Weather. Closed.