Thumbs column

OPINION

As local denizens move forward into the fourth month of this new year, they will be reminded of the old saying that originated in the United Kingdom, "April showers bring May flowers."

After the recent spate of soggy and stormy days here and throughout Arkansas, we patiently await brighter days on the horizon. But, when gray skies persist, good reads by the likes of Jacqueline Winspear, Sally Hepworth, David Baldacci and C.J. Box will help pass the time.

It's only fitting though that we begin today's digit doings column on a positive note by giving a "Thumbs-up" to the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund, which awarded 383 endowments for the spring semester.

Totaling just under $400,000, the stipends also included mentoring and financial planning and a support system to help low-income single parents stay in school, graduate with a degree or certificate, and start a professional career with higher wages.

The Hot Springs awards ceremony was held on March 6 and the next scholarship applications are due April 15 to June 15 for the fall semester. Single parents are eligible for the ASPSF scholarships if their household income is not more than 250% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, if they maintain a 2.0 GPA, and have not previously earned a bachelor's degree, among other requirements.

Here's a "Thumbs-up" to the Jessieville School District's Boundless Learning Co-Teaching initiative that promotes "inclusion in the classroom."

Representatives from Johns Hopkins University School of Education Center for Technology in Education and the Arkansas Department of Education recently went to Jessieville High School to observe the program at work. The Arkansas Co-Teaching Project collaborates with Johns Hopkins and offers a yearlong professional development plan designed "to assist schools in creating sustainable and effective co-teaching programs."

The project involves a classroom teacher and special education teacher, both of whom share responsibility for planning, delivering and evaluating instruction for a group of students, some of whom have exceptional needs.

ADE Co-Teaching Director Debbie Fleming called Jessieville "a forward-thinking school" where educators understand the importance of inclusion and how it is best for students -- especially those with disabilities.

Still on the topic of education, another "Thumbs-up" goes to Preston Rideout, a Lakeside High School sophomore who won first place in the Music Competition of the EAST Conference recently held at Bank OZK Arena.

According to a March 22 story in the hometown newspaper, the aforementioned competition "is an opportunity for students who enjoy creating music to share their talents with other EAST (Education Accelerated by Service and Technology) students." The conference was highlighted by the presentation of awards in 13 competitive categories for which there were 361 submissions.

Rideout, a Lakeside band student who plays in the percussion section, used the music-making software FL Studio to compose his award-winning production entitled "Chip." He competed against his classmate and other finalist, Eli Jordan, whose production was called "Joyride Through the Stars."

Kudos to both students for their imaginative creations.

Meanwhile, "Thank you" and "Thumbs-up" to County Judge Darryl Mahoney's announcement of a May 6 countywide cleanup during which participants will remove litter from county and city-maintained roads in all 13 justice of the peace districts.

As Mahoney recently told the Litter Task Force, "This is for all of Garland County. The city of Hot Springs is part of it as well."

Given the ongoing penchant of litterbugs to trash our streets and roads with paper, plastic and other refuse, a plan to organize such a cleanup is indeed most welcome. May 13 will be an alternate date for a clean sweep day should there be a rainout on May 6. However, the judge said, "If it's raining on that day, we will pick up trash in the rain."

Turning to the city side of things, "Thumbs-up" and best wishes to William "Billy" Hrvatin, new chief of the Hot Springs Police Department.

Hrvatin served as interim chief the last two months, having joined the department in 1997. He became patrol division captain in June 2016 and was named assistant chief in August 2020. A member of the SWAT team since 1999 and incident commander since 2016, he has more than 3,600 hours of law enforcement training. He also helped oversee the crime reduction strategy that contributed to the 7% drop in last year's crime rate.

A dozen candidates applied for the job, six from out of state. Other finalists were Capt. Jeff Michau and Dustin Ivy.

The Thumbs Column appears in The Sentinel-Record on the first and third Wednesday of each month. The newspaper welcomes readers' comments and suggestions, which should be submitted in writing with a telephone number and home address for verification and contact purposes. This information is kept confidential.

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