Smart Start Academy

We sure love a good dress up day! We had so much fun celebrating Dolly’s legacy!

This Friday is 9/25 (Nine to Five 😉) we will be reading all day, have special books about Dolly and dress up in our fanciest Western Wear in honor of Dolly Parton and her impact on early childhood literacy.

We’ve had several teachers and parents ask about ASL classes after our guest reader Mr. Larry came and read to us. Here’s a great introduction to ASL for kiddos!

**9/22 UPDATE: Unfortunately, our Kids ASL Classes have been cancelled until we find a new ASL teacher.**

If you, or someone you know, is interested in teaching ASL to kids (ages 4 to 12 & their families) on a weekly basis, please send an email to our Children's Librarian at [email protected]

How fun! One of our initiatives is to cook more with students this year! Today we’re making pink lemonade and dissecting fruits and vegetables. We’ve been practicing with “baking” some craft pastries and so much more. Check out this fun class to continue the adventure outside of school.

There are many ways that parents bond with their kids. One fantastic way is through baking! Dietetics and Nutrition Therapy students in the UCA College of Health & Behavioral Sciences are ready to walk you and your child through the preparation of various baked dishes of the apple and pumpkin variety. Go to uca.edu/outreach/bake-it-happen/ for details and to register!

Check out this special newsletter in honor of Dolly Parton and her Imagination Library! Reading packets available in the Lobby

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

https://canva.link/ug1szjv8y8pb087

Community is built by accomplishing shared goals. Today’s goal: excavate “big mama” (the big rock they found) from the ground with a kitchen spoon 😂😂😂😂 Child-led learning sometimes leads to unexpected places!

Just a reminder that we are closed 9/7/2026

Some games are timeless. Can you guess what we’re playing?

Our community grows when we celebrate each other! Liam stepped up this summer as a leader within our school age group. We were so impressed with him we invented an award to honor him! He was the recipient of our Leadership award, given to a student of high character and for exhibiting leadership among his peers.

Connecting with Community also happens when we connect with our history! The Historic Arkansas Museum was so much fun! We learned how to make wagon wheels, how to use a printing press, be a blacksmith, and learned about ways to preserve food without refrigeration. This is a great resource to connect with the history of who we are as Arkansans!