WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL!

We want to welcome everyone back for the 2023/2024 school year! We are so excited about the year ahead! As we begin this school year, we ask that you please grant us patience and grace as we work to improve the District's transportation system. As you know, we are limited by roadway restrictions and space. More parents opt to bring/pick up their children the first couple of weeks of school so lines are longer than they usually will be. This process is also new for many parents of new students. We are moving the buses to the front side of campus on Hwy. 84 for elementary and middle school loading, which means rerouting car riders to Finch Rd. We are hoping this will help alleviate some of the traffic issues as we move throughout the school year. However, the first couple of weeks is a process of ensuring safety and as much efficiency as possible with a much heavier car load so we ask that you please remain patient and positive. 

Exciting news! Thanks to the generous support from Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, we're thrilled to announce that our school is one of 75 selected to create a calming room for students.  This dedicated space will provide a peaceful retreat for those in need of a moment to recharge and find inner balance. Stay tuned as we embark on this journey with our incredible students, and keep you updated on our progress!

New Online Payment Link for School Meals  

Beginning November 28^th, Bismarck Schools will be using a new online payment system for school meals.  Please go to https://linqconnect.com/ to create your account and connect any student accounts you wish to be able to add funds.  Make sure you choose Bismarck Arkansas as your district.  You will need the birthdate and grade for each student you wish to connect.

Attention families!  Does your student receive Medicaid benefits?  If so - action is required! 

What To Do Now

Our Renew Arkansas campaign is designed to make sure that all eligible Arkansans on Medicaid keep their coverage.

When Medicaid renewal letters start going out, you will need to do two things:

1. Check your mail – Arkansas Medicaid will mail you a letter about your Medicaid coverage. This letter will also tell you if you need to complete a renewal form to see if you still qualify for Medicaid.
2. Complete your renewal form – Fill out the form and return it to Arkansas Medicaid right away to avoid losing Medicaid coverage if you are eligible.

It really is that simple – Look for your Medicaid renewal form. Fill it out. Send it back. If you are still eligible for Medicaid, this will make sure you keep your coverage. If you haven’t updated your contact information with Arkansas Medicaid recently, do it now.

Make Sure Your Contact Info Is Correct

It’s important for us to have your current mailing address, phone number, and email address so we can make sure you get your Medicaid renewal letter and any other important information.

You can update your information on the phone, online, or in-person:

1. Call the Renew Arkansas hotline at 1-844-872-2660
2. Go online at access.arkansas.gov
3. Visit your local DHS county office to update your information (find your local office here)

Deadline to apply is Monday, May 1^st – Bismarck is closed on Mondays so please submit your application no later than April 28^th.

SCHOOL CHOICE ANNOUNCEMENT

This is a public announcement.  Public School Choice in Arkansas allows students to attend a public school in a district other than the one in which they reside.  Applications for students in the following counties: Clark, Grant, Hot Spring, Pike, and Saline must be made by May 1, 2023 to qualify for provisions under the Arkansas Public School Choice Act of 2013.

Pursuant to standards adopted by a non-resident school board, a non-resident district may reserve the right to accept and reject applicants based on capacity of programs, class, grade level, or school building.  Likewise, a non-resident district’s standards may provide for the rejection of an applicant based upon the submission of false or misleading information to the above listed request for information when that information directly impacts the legal qualifications of an applicant to transfer pursuant to the School Choice Act.  However, a non-resident district’s standards shall not include an applicant’s previous academic achievement, athletic or other extra-curricular ability, handicapping conditions, English proficiency level, or previous disciplinary proceedings, except that an expulsion from another district may be included pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. 6-18-510.  Priority will be given to applicants with siblings attending the district.  The non-resident district shall accept credits toward graduation that were awarded by another district and award a diploma to a non-resident applicant if the applicant meets the non-resident district’s graduation requirements. Applications must be postmarked or delivered to the Superintendent of Schools no later than May 1 for a child to be able to enroll for the fall semester.  Transfers shall be granted on a non-discriminatory basis.  Students who have been accepted and enrolled in previous years do not have to reapply as approved transfers remain valid for as long as the student attends that public school. 

Superintendents of both school districts must be notified by the parent of their school choice request. 

BISMARCK SCHOOLS

2023-2024 TRANSPORTATION FORM

PARENTS OF STUDENTS WHO WILL RIDE THE BUS TO AND/OR FROM SCHOOL - Please complete the following form for your student(s) enrolled at Bismarck Schools that will be riding the bus to and/or from school.

https://forms.gle/x1RRQ6Gr5A1frcp59

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) waiver that provided free meals to students due to the COVID-19 pandemic expired on June 30, 2022. This means that school meals will no longer automatically be free for everyone.

Did you know that it’s more than a meal? Free and Reduced lunch applications affect funding in many areas. All families are encouraged to complete the new meal benefit application to ensure continued funding to support ALL students in our district.

Qualifying for the meal benefit plan allows for two free ACT tests, a Waiver for College Admission Fees, and a Waiver for NCAA Clearinghouse.

Please submit an application to qualify for free/reduced meals at Bismarck School District during the 2022-2023 school year by clicking the following link: www.lunchapplication.com.

Once on the webpage, click "Apply Now", select "Arkansas" and "Bismarck School District", and then read the next page and click "Continue". Then, you will fill out the application entering your information. When finished, click "Submit". It will take about 5 minutes to complete the application process.

Questions or Concerns: If you have any questions, please reach out to Ronda Engle at ronda.engle@bsd-lions.net.

CLICK THE IMAGE BELOW TO APPLY