Watson Chapel Junior High

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Staff, I am writing to provide an important update regarding the earlier safety situation near our high school campus. Local law enforcement agencies have completed their sweep of the area, and the high school has been cleared. Based on guidance from authorities, we have resumed normal school operations and schedules. While the situation occurred off campus and there were no injuries reported, we will continue to maintain precautionary safety measures throughout the day out of an abundance of caution. Our administrative team will remain in close communication with local law enforcement and will monitor the situation closely. Please know: -All students and staff remain safe and accounted for. -The campus has been officially cleared by law enforcement. -Instruction has resumed on a normal schedule. -Additional safety precautions will remain in place. We appreciate your patience, understanding, and support as we worked to ensure the safety of everyone in our school community. As always, the safety and well- being of our students and staff is our highest priority. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the school office. Thank you for your continued trust and partnership.

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Staff, I am writing to inform you of a situation that occurred near ourr high school campus today. Reports were received of shots being heard in the surrounding neighborhood. I want to be clear that this incident did not occur on school grounds, and at this time, there are no reported injuries connected to our school community. Out of an abundance of caution, we immediately implemented our active shooter safety protocols. All students and staff were secured safely inside the building, and we are working closely with local law enforcement, who are actively investigating the situation and monitoring the area. At this time: -All students and staff are safe and accounted for -The incident remains off campus -Law enforcement is present and providing guidance -We will maintain heightened safety procedures until authorities advise otherwise. We understand that situations like this can cause concern, and we are committed to keeping you informed. The safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our highest priority. We will provide updates as more information becomes available. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school office. Thank you for your continued trust and support. Sincerely, Dr. Keith McGee Superintendent of Schools

Watson Chapel Junior High Cheer Team is having a Food Sale on Friday, April 17th. Please see attached flyer for more information.

It is with great pride and appreciation that we recognize and celebrate our 2025–2026 Classified Employees of the Year. These outstanding individuals exemplify excellence, dedication, and a deep commitment to serving our students, staff, and community every day.

Each of these individuals plays a vital role in the success of our district. Their daily contributions, often behind the scenes, ensure that our schools run smoothly and that our students are supported, safe, and ready to learn.

We thank them for their unwavering commitment and for representing the very best of Watson Chapel School District.

Please join in congratulating this year's honorees!

Thank you to our wonderful assistant principals at Watson Chapel! We appreciate all you do each and every day!

We are beyond excited to announce that WCSD Child Nutrition Director Paula Bailey has been selected for the Chef Ann Foundation’s 2026 Healthy School Food Pathway Fellowship! This program is dedicated to one of her biggest passions: bringing more fresh, scratch-cooked meals to our schools. Over the next 13 months, she will be deepening her knowledge of scratch-cooking, sustainable food systems, and equitable school food reform alongside 22 other changemakers from across the country.

We are honored for her to be part of this important movement, and can’t wait to see her bring these transformative ideas back to Watson Chapel. To learn more about the program and the cohort of Fellows, check out: https://www.chefannfoundation.org/what-we-do/healthy-school-food-pathway/fellowship/

Together, they are working to create a more delicious and nourishing future for our nation’s students. Let’s get cooking!

Watson Chapel Junior High School will conduct scoliosis screenings for 6th- and 8th-grade girls and 8th-grade boys on Monday, April 13, and Tuesday, April 14.

If you prefer that your student not participate in the screening, please submit a written request at least three days prior to the scheduled screening date. Please note that phone requests cannot be accepted.

If your child is currently receiving treatment for a back-related condition, kindly provide this information in writing.

Additional information will be distributed to students on Tuesday, April 7, through their science classes. Please ask your student to provide you with the parent notification letter from the school nurse, Mrs. Reeves.

Join us as we honor Employees of the Year for the Watson Chapel School District! Tickets are $25 and available for purchase April 1. More information coming soon!

Congratulations to the newest members of the cheer and stepper teams!

Announcing the principals for the 2026-2027 school year!

We are pleased and honored to announce that the Watson Chapel School District has 2 award-winning art students in the Arkansas Art Educators 2026 Southeast Arkansas Regional Art Exhibit.

Shayla Gardner of 8th grade is the first place winner for all Southeast Arkansas. Her work will also go forward on to the Arkansas state art show and contest through the Arkansas Art Educators.

James Belle, of 6th grade, is the third place winner for all Southeast Arkansas. His work is on display to be viewed as well as the other 8 students representing Watson Chapel Junior High School art program.

The awards reception will be held at 2:30 p.m. on March 29th at the Spencer Gallery of the University of Arkansas at Monticello.

Please see the attached images for information about junior high cheer tryouts.

This is a reminder that Watson Chapel Junior High will host the 2nd Nine Weeks Awards Ceremony tomorrow, Friday, March 6th. Invitations for award recipients were distributed on Tuesday, March 3rd, and Wednesday, March 4th. Check with your student to see if they received one. Please refer to the flyer for additional information.

Watson Chapel Junior High students are taking the ATLAS Interim ELA Writing test tomorrow. Please make sure your student gets a good night's rest, eats a healthy breakfast, and arrives on time for school. Kindly remind them how important it is to do their best on the test. Also remind them how important it is to do their best on the test. We appreciate your help in supporting your student’s success.

Watson Chapel Junior High will host the 2nd Nine Weeks Awards Ceremony on Friday, March 6th. Invitations for award recipients will be distributed on Tuesday, March 3rd, and Wednesday, March 4th. Check with your student to see if they received one. Please refer to the flyer for additional information.

Watson Chapel Junior High students are taking the ATLAS Interim ELA Reading test tomorrow. Please make sure your student gets a good night's rest, eats a healthy breakfast, and arrives on time for school. Kindly remind them how important it is to do their best on the test. Also remind them how important it is to do their best on the test. We appreciate your help in supporting your student’s success.

Watson Chapel Junior High students are taking the ATLAS Interim Science test tomorrow. Please make sure your student gets a good night's rest, eats a healthy breakfast, and arrives on time for school. Kindly remind them how important it is to do their best on the test. Also remind them how important it is to do their best on the test. We appreciate your help in supporting your student’s success.

Please help us better serve YOU! Take this short Technology Night survey so we can customize our parent night to your needs.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdskbbi4qN7UnDCfzZoMmNBU4BaI8q4j1rkmWZPmOmynrye4w/viewform

Watson Chapel Junior High students are taking the ATLAS Interim Math test today. Please make sure your student has a good breakfast and arrives on time for school. Also remind them how important it is to do their best on the test. We appreciate your help in supporting your student’s success.

Watson Chapel School District gives notice that is has filed a Motion for Unitary Status for the district. Written objections or comments must be postmarked or emailed no later than March 19, 2026. Forms and a copy of the notice are linked below and available at Central Office.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LO0YkdgfhljJ-FawZdc1KJ39SXTCv6Qd/view?usp=drive_link

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Er-ybGW81iZt26613GTbV69PAsYjqEpG/view?usp=drive_link