Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/1465312
24 – 2022 Westside Community Guide ■ GRAvETTE: A community supports its students and educators An essential component to the success of Gravette schools is the community support for its students and educators. One example of this support was the Teacher Appreciation event that took place to kick off the 2021-22 school year last August. On August 13-15 last year, Gravette teachers attended training and seminars to get them geared up for the school year. And the business community stepped up to say 'thanks' to those educators who are entrusted with the task of preparing the youth for the challenges of tomorrow. "e Chamber of Commerce basically sponsored a three-day teacher appreciation event," Steve Harari, Gravette Chamber of Commerce President said. "We provided lunch to the teachers on all three days, Gravette businesses provided door prizes on Wednesday and ursday, and on Friday we had a grand extravaganza to send them off." Ozarks Community Hospital (OCH) and R & R Solutions provided lunch to the group on Wednesday and ursday. And Friday's 'grand extravaganza' was underwritten by Arvest, Bank of Gravette and Grand Savings. "ese banks really stepped up," Steve noted. "ey actually conceived of the idea themselves. ey provided the barbecue lunch the last day, plus many of the raffle gis given away and the final event." On Friday, the teachers had been in an all-day nationally based Zoom meeting when they walked out into the auditorium to see the stage filled with prizes. "e prizes were really a big deal, too," Steve added. "More than just your Starbucks gi card. ere were barbecues, roasters, we even had two $1,000 cash prizes given out!" "e outpouring of community support was overwhelming," said Gravette School Superintendent Maribel Childress. "e Gravette community is extraordinarily generous and supportive. Our teachers felt so much love and appreciation from the community. ere are no words adequate enough to thank all of the business who donated prizes." Every kid deserves a bright future Another way the community comes out to support the schools in Gravette is a program the Gravette School District kicked it off a few years ago called Bright Futures to help the underserved students of Gravette. roughout the year, Bright Futures provides students with snack packs for the anksgiving, Christmas, and Spring breaks, a denim drive to ensure every student has new jeans for the school year, and provides for other needs of the students, including new shoes and winter coats. "Bright Futures has a very simple, but loy mission: to see a need and meet a need'" said Superintendent Childress. "Bright Futures helps the children of our community with any and every need and usually within 24 hours. Bright Futures steps in to meet the basic needs of children, so all Hours: Monday 8-6, Tuesday 7-6, Wednesday & Thursday 7-5, Friday 7-3 Roberts-Philpott Eye Associates has been your since 1974 Reta Wilkins Off ice Manager Melanie Yeager Billing Manager Greg Philpott, O.D. Leah Cate, O.D. Jordan M. Netzel, O.D. 960 South Mt Olive Suite A Siloam Springs, AR 479-524-5161 • 888-736-2020 1008 1st Ave. Gravette, AR 479-323-7005 We offer you HIGH QUALITY in a timely and courteous manner. • Eye Exams • Frames • Lenses • Contacts • Computerized Frame Fitting Leading Team for Eye Care