Wildcat Weekly

A Note from Mrs. Schuhmacher

As we head into the final few days of school, we are looking forward to two special Lower School celebrations that will help us close out an incredible year together!

On Tuesday, we will honor our fifth-grade students during their Recognition Ceremony. All fifth-grade students should wear their dress uniforms and dress shoes. The ceremony will begin at 1:30 p.m. in the Erwin Hall Performance Center and Gymnasium, and fourth-grade parents will host a brief reception in the Hussman Dining Hall immediately following the program. We are excited to recognize this wonderful group of students and mark this important milestone with their families.

If your child is in 1st–4th grades, we kindly ask that you notify your child’s teacher if you plan to check them out between 1:30–2:30 p.m. on Tuesday. We would like to avoid interrupting the ceremony during this special time for our fifth graders, so will have any students checking out during that time wait in the office.

We will wrap up the school year on Wednesday with one of our favorite traditions — Field Day! Please see the flyer below for detailed information regarding start times and what students should bring. Be sure to apply sunscreen before school, and get ready for a fun-filled morning as we finish the year together. Lower School will dismiss at 11:45 a.m., and there will be no Wildcat Club.  

Enjoy this beautiful weekend!

Catherine Schuhmacher
Head of Lower School

Field Day Information 

We can’t wait for you to join us on Wednesday, May 20, for Field Day! 

• PreK - 1st: 8:00am-9:30am
• 2nd-5th: 9:30-11:45am

 

Please Pickup Your Child's Medication 

Please remember to pick up your child’s medication from the health room before noon on May 20. Inhalers, Epi Pens, and medications will be destroyed if they are not picked up by noon. I will be out at Field Day with a cart, so look for me if you have not picked up your meds prior to Field Day. 

Have a great summer! - Nurse Rawn 

Chapel News 

In Community Chapel this week we celebrated our last chapel of the school year with Holy Eucharist.  

In our final PreK and Kindergarten chapels we listened to the book Be You by Peter H. Reynolds and reflected on how we were courageous, kind, and adventurous this school year.

Grace & Peace, 

Michelle Moore 
Lower School Chaplain 

Pride Patrol - May 18-20

Pride Patrol is a leadership opportunity for our 4th and 5th grade students. These students should arrive by 7:30 am, help open car doors, welcome students, and walk our youngest Wildcats to their classrooms. Pride Patrol student leaders next week include:

• Parker Easley
• Alexander Eubanks
• Ford Fontes
• Rowan Gaillard
• Max Gutierrez
• Annalise Hargrave
• Wyatt Hilbun
• Theo Howell
• Vivian Kalkbrenner

Congrats, ChessCats!

On Saturday, May 9, 2026 (photos), the Episcopal Collegiate ChessCats competed in their final tournament of the season at the Central AR CPR & LR Knights chess tournament and earned the event’s 3rd Place Team trophy. Leading our team was Willa Dalvi, who went undefeated through 4 out of 4 matches, finishing with a perfect 4/4 record in Beginner Division II. Close behind was Graham Newbolt, who scored an impressive 3/4 in Beginner Division I. Additional strong performances came from Vivian Rudofsky (2.5/4) in Beginner Division II, followed by Thomas McNulty (2/4), Lincoln Wirges (3/4) and Mark Dementyev (2/4) in their divisions. Sam Coon (2/4) and Andrew House (1/4) also contributed in Intermediate Division II, helping round out the ChessCats’ overall team score. It was another outstanding showing by our Episcopal ChessCats team, with every point contributing toward the team’s 3rd Place finish.

Please congratulate these students on their strong performances and another successful tournament season for the ChessCats.

2026 Summer Reading 

Don't forget to keep "Finding Your Voice, Finding Your Place"  with our summer reading!  These hand-selected texts are more than just assignments; they are a bridge to the fall, designed to keep analytical skills sharp while sparking genuine curiosity...and we think you'll really enjoy them!

Visit the Episcopal Website to find:

• Required Reading: Specific assignments for each grade level.

• Teacher Previews: Video/written insights on why we chose these stories.

• Optional Enrichment: Extra deep dives for the eager reader.

Mark Your Calendars

• May 19 | 5th Grade Recognition Ceremony, 1:30pm
• May 20 | Field Day, 11:45am Dismissal, No Wildcat Club

Helpful Links

Lower School Live Morning News 

Wildcat Parent Hub 

A Note from Dr. McCormick 

Dear Families,

This Wednesday, we held our transition chapel celebrating our amazing eighth graders,and students and teachers had class together one last time for this school year. At eighth grade chapel, student Henry Oberste spoke brilliantly on behalf of his fellow eighth graders and allowed me to share his remarks with the greater middle school community. Ms. Negeen Ghasedi, our eighth grade English teacher, offered closing remarks at the service, and I have her permission to include them here.

Semester Exam Preparation

This is a very helpful guide that Catherine Radtke, our Director of Learning Support Services, sent out to all students recently regarding exam prep. I am also including the text of her third and fourth week instructions here.

Week of May 11 – 15: TEST YOURSELF (RETRIEVAL PRACTICE & TARGET WEAKNESSES)

You’ve done the heavy lifting, now see what you really know. This is the highest-impact week because retrieval practice strengthens memory far more than re-reading notes.

• Create and take practice tests: turn study-guide questions into Quizlet sets, make your own blank tests, or use past quizzes without looking at answers first.
• After testing, you’ll clearly see what you don’t know. Highlight and label those sections in your notes so you can find them quickly later.
• Recall is different from recognition. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking “this looks familiar, so I know it.” Force yourself to retrieve the information without cues.
• We remember things most effectively when we attach meaning and make connections. For every fact you review, ask “Why does this matter?” or “How does it connect to the bigger idea/unit?” This elaboration is proven to create stronger long-term memory pathways.
• If you are allowed a notecard (or formula sheet), create it after you have tested yourself—only include the things you actually struggled to recall.
• For subjects testing later in the week (Math on the 18th, English on the 19th, Science on the 20th), keep doing quick retrieval checks even after May 14 so the information stays fresh.

Final Exams: May 14 – 20

Exam week is here! Your goal is to stay sharp without burning out.

• Review lightly in the afternoons—focus on the next day’s subject(s) rather than re-cramming everything you already tested.
• Take intentional breaks to relax and recharge (a short walk, time with friends, or a hobby actually helps your brain consolidate what you’ve learned).
• Get to bed early every night—sleep is when memories are strengthened.
• Eat a healthy breakfast each exam morning.
• Consider a quick mindfulness practice (deep breathing or a 2-minute body scan) right before the test; research shows it reduces anxiety and improves focus.

You’ve got this! If you follow this spaced, chunked, retrieval-focused plan, you will walk into every exam feeling prepared and confident. Reach out anytime if you need help adjusting your personal schedule or creating practice tests. We are here to support you. Happy studying!

— Mrs. Radtke and Ms. Melissa

Class Day

Class Day, a program in the Championship Gym that recognizes middle and upper school students in the various disciplines, is Friday, May 15, in the morning. If your child will be receiving an award, you should have been notified by their advisor or teacher. Please do not share this information with your student, as we would like to keep this a surprise! Students must wear formal dress uniform for this event and should report to their advisor’s rooms at the usual 8am hour. The program begins at 8:30am, and parents are welcome to attend. The program should conclude by 11am, and students may depart campus at this time. Teachers will host office hours for students following the program until 12 noon. 

Exam Week

As per usual, students will report to their advisory locations in regular school dress at 8am. They will turn in their phones with their advisors, then at 8:15am proceed to exam locations to take their exams. At 10:30, students need to depart campus unless they are meeting with a teacher. Lunch is not provided except for students taking a world language exam on Thursday, May 14. Students must return their chromebooks and chargers following their last exam on Wednesday, May 20. Please see the below schedule for exam start and end times.

Exam Schedule

 

A Note from Our Nurses

Dear Parents,

As you prepare for the upcoming school year, here are a few important health-related items that can be completed over the summer.

Immunization Requirements
Please make sure your child’s immunizations are up to date. Additional immunization requirements for school attendance, along with Health Services information, can be found on the School Website under Quick Links: Health Services.

• PreK students are required to have two Hepatitis A vaccines.
• Students who are turning 11 years old on or before September 1 are required to receive a Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccine on or after their 11th birthday.
• All students entering 7th grade are required to receive a meningococcal vaccine. Most students receive this at the same time as their Tdap vaccine.
• Upper School students who are turning 16 years old on or before September 1 are required to receive a second meningococcal vaccine.

All immunization exemption letters should be submitted by the first day of school.

If your physician’s office is outside of Arkansas, please provide a copy of updated immunization records to the Health Room in an envelope addressed to Nurse Rawn or Nurse Lenna.

Healthcare and Action Plans
Please update your student’s Individual Healthcare Plan, Allergy Action Plan, and/or Asthma Action Plan as needed.

If your child uses albuterol, an epinephrine auto-injector, insulin, and/or glucagon, an updated action plan is required. Plans are typically valid for one to two years. Please email completed forms to nurses@episcopalcollegiate.org or bring them to the Health Room the week before school begins.

If there have been any changes to allergies, medications, or medical conditions, please update your information in Veracross. Directions can be found on the School Website under Quick Links: Health Services.

Medication Permissions in Veracross
Please check Veracross to confirm whether you have given permission for your child to receive Ibuprofen and/or Tylenol at school according to label directions.

To verify or update this information:
Parent Portal → My Household → Update Family Profile → Medical Profile

Medication Reminder for the First Day of School
All medications must be brought to school by a parent in the current, original container and accompanied by the appropriate paperwork. Students are not permitted to bring or carry medication at school unless approved for emergency medications by a physician. The nurse’s office must be aware of all approved emergency medications being carried by students.

Please refer to the Community Handbook for additional information regarding medication policies and required forms.

Have a wonderful summer!

Thank you,
Nurses Whitney Rawn and Lenna Hopkins
nurses@episcopalcollegiate.org

A Note from Dr. Graham

This morning at our annual Class Day ceremony, we are proud to recognize many Middle and Upper School students for their outstanding achievements in academics, arts, service, and athletics. The truth is that all of our students deserve credit for their hard work, determination, and character and making 2025-26 a year to remember. 

We are especially thrilled to celebrate the graduating Class of 2026. Our baccalaureate service is set for 5:00 pm this afternoon at Trinity Cathedral. Tomorrow morning at 9:30 am in the Championship Gym, we will gather for Commencement, which marks our seniors’ official graduation from Episcopal Collegiate School. 

Our 9th-11th graders will finish the school year next week, with semester exams on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Wednesday, May 20th is the last day of school for Upper School students.

This is my last note to you until later in the summer. My teammates and I appreciate your collaboration, and we cherish the gift of working with your children.

Thank you & see you out there!

Kellen

Updates, Reminders, & Action Items 

PSAT Information

Dear Parents,

Scores for the April PSAT 8/9 and PSAT 10 administrations are available online through the College Board. Students age 13 and older can access scores through their College Board accounts. We encourage students to use their school email when creating or accessing accounts.

Please note: the PSAT 8/9 and PSAT 10 are practice assessments designed to help students prepare for future PSAT and SAT testing. Scores are not reported to colleges. 

If you have questions please contact Dr. Kathleen House at khouse@episcopalcollegiate.org. 

Summer Reading & 2026-27 Course Schedules

You can find your child’s summer reading assignments here. On Monday, July 7th, I will email you my annual back-to-school message, which will include your child’s course schedule for next year. 

End-of-Semester Exam Support

[Written by Paige London, Upper School Learning Specialist]

Final exams are quickly approaching! To give students a strong game plan, I have put together an Exam Prep Timeline filled with practical, research-based tips such as breaking material into manageable chunks and spreading out study sessions across several days instead of cramming. Upper School students received this timeline on April 29th during a dedicated final exam prep Advisory, so they have a clear week-by-week breakdown tailored to the May exam schedule. Exam season is a great opportunity for students to flex those growing independence muscles and to attend extra help sessions. Thank you for partnering with us in your child’s success.

Spring 2026 Semester Exam Schedule

Thursday, May 14

• 8:30-10:30 am - History Exams
• 11:30 am-12:30 pm - Lunch (for students taking an afternoon World Language Exam)
• 12:30-2:30 pm - World Language Exams 

Friday, May 15

• *No Exams - Middle School/Upper School Class Day 

Monday, May 18

• 8:30-10:30 am - Math Exams 

Tuesday, May 19

• 8:30-10:30 am - English Exams 

Wednesday, May 20

• 8:30-10:30 am - Science Exams

Coming Up Next Week...

Semester Exams

• Please see the schedule above.

Last Day of School

• Wednesday, May 20th is the last day of school for US students.

Reusable Textbook Drive

 

A Note from Our Nurses

Dear Parents,

As you prepare for the upcoming school year, here are a few important health-related items that can be completed over the summer.

Immunization Requirements
Please make sure your child’s immunizations are up to date. Additional immunization requirements for school attendance, along with Health Services information, can be found on the School Website under Quick Links: Health Services.

• PreK students are required to have two Hepatitis A vaccines.
• Students who are turning 11 years old on or before September 1 are required to receive a Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccine on or after their 11th birthday.
• All students entering 7th grade are required to receive a meningococcal vaccine. Most students receive this at the same time as their Tdap vaccine.
• Upper School students who are turning 16 years old on or before September 1 are required to receive a second meningococcal vaccine.

All immunization exemption letters should be submitted by the first day of school.

If your physician’s office is outside of Arkansas, please provide a copy of updated immunization records to the Health Room in an envelope addressed to Nurse Rawn or Nurse Lenna.

Healthcare and Action Plans
Please update your student’s Individual Healthcare Plan, Allergy Action Plan, and/or Asthma Action Plan as needed.

If your child uses albuterol, an epinephrine auto-injector, insulin, and/or glucagon, an updated action plan is required. Plans are typically valid for one to two years. Please email completed forms to nurses@episcopalcollegiate.org or bring them to the Health Room the week before school begins.

If there have been any changes to allergies, medications, or medical conditions, please update your information in Veracross. Directions can be found on the School Website under Quick Links: Health Services.

Medication Permissions in Veracross
Please check Veracross to confirm whether you have given permission for your child to receive Ibuprofen and/or Tylenol at school according to label directions.

To verify or update this information:
Parent Portal → My Household → Update Family Profile → Medical Profile

Medication Reminder for the First Day of School
All medications must be brought to school by a parent in the current, original container and accompanied by the appropriate paperwork. Students are not permitted to bring or carry medication at school unless approved for emergency medications by a physician. The nurse’s office must be aware of all approved emergency medications being carried by students.

Please refer to the Community Handbook for additional information regarding medication policies and required forms.

Have a wonderful summer!

Thank you,
Nurses Whitney Rawn and Lenna Hopkins
nurses@episcopalcollegiate.org

 

Rowing Summer Camp! 

New Athletics App! 

We’re excited to introduce our new Athletics App, a convenient, mobile-friendly way to stay connected to Wildcat athletics. Designed to complement our website and existing communications, the app puts schedules, scores, team information, and athletics news all in one place. Users can also opt in to push notifications for weather delays, game changes, and important reminders—so you never miss a moment.

We encourage all athletes, parents, and community members to download the app and start using it today. Instructions are included below.

Go Wildcats!

 

Concessions

Parents, please check the sign up and grab your spot(s) to help support our winter sports. We still have lots of opportunities to volunteer for gate or concessions that we would love to fill. If your middle or high schooler needs service hours, bring them along. Thank you in advance! Also, a huge thank you to all of our December volunteers! (Volunteer Sign-up )

Thank you.

Laura Schnackenberg and Mary Margaret Wippo

Varsity Athlete Letterman Jacket Orders

Parents and Athletes,

Here is the order form for varsity athletes to order letterman jackets for all fall and winter athletes. These jackets are optional and you should be able to customize them on the website. Letterman's Jacket Link

Student-Athlete Recognition Updates 

Dear Parents,

I hope your family is off to a great start this school year. I want to share an update regarding how we will recognize and celebrate our student-athletes moving forward. Beginning this year, athletic recognitions will take place during the school day in special assemblies, replacing the traditional evening sports banquets. 

We believe this new format will create a more meaningful and spirited experience for the students, and here’s why:

• Improved Attendance: Holding the event during the school day ensures that all student-athletes are present.

• Celebrated by Their Peers: Recognizing our teams and athletes in front of classmates allows the entire student body to share in their accomplishments. 

• Fewer Conflicts: Moving away from evening events reduces scheduling challenges with family obligations, extracurricular activities, and other school commitments. 

Each season will have its own recognition assembly for the Fall, Winter, and Spring, celebrating our athletes in grades 7-12. While the setting has changed, the level of recognition for our students remains the same, and the focus will be on making the experience spirited, inclusive, and student-centered. Thank you for your continued support of our athletic program and student-athletes. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. 

Go Wildcats!
Micah Marsh

Digital Ticketing System 

Dear Parents,

I hope this message finds you well. I want to share an important update regarding our digital ticketing system for athletic events.

Beginning this school year, we will be transitioning to GoFan as our exclusive platform for purchasing tickets to all home athletic events. This change is part of our ongoing efforts to improve the game-day experience for our families and fans.

Here’s why we’re making the switch:

• User-Friendly: GoFan offers a more streamlined and user friendly experience for purchasing and accessing tickets.

• Widespread Adoption: Over 90% of schools using digital ticketing in Arkansas currently use GoFan, making it easier for families to use one platform for both home and away games.

• Consistency with AAA: The Arkansas Activities Association (AAA) utilizes GoFan for all postseason events, so aligning with this system creates a consistent experience throughout the season and into playoffs

Season Tickets and events are ready to purchase when you are ready. You'll receive step-by-step instructions on how to access and use GoFan with your purchase. We’re confident this transition will benefit everyone involved and we appreciate your continued support.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Please note this link also includes individual game tickets. 

GoFan Ticket Link

Go Wildcats!
Micah Marsh, Director of Athletics 

Episcopal Wildcats Hudl Page 

Wildcat Athletics has moved live streaming to the Episcopal Collegiate Hudl Fan Page. This page includes a live stream of events as well as highlights, team schedules, and rosters.

Episcopal Wildcats Hudl Page

Please note, we will no longer be using the Episcopal Athletics Youtube Page.

The Hudl Fan App is supported by Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and Android TV.

Go, Wildcats!

Summer at the E

The countdown to Summer 2026 has officially begun! Enrollment opened on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. Please head to our Summer at the E webpage for additional information. 

New Spring Supersessions Now Available!!

Supersessions are now LIVE! Sign up via Homeroom. 

Pick-Up for Super Sessions

Should you have a student in a session please park and walk up to the LS Main Office Entrance for pick-up. We kindly ask that session pick-ups do not sit in the carpool lane in order to avoid congesting the lane for WCC pick-ups. Should you need a student early from a session please then call (501)-804-6649, notify what session your student is attending and a member from our team will go get them. 

Faculty Members

Want to meet this year’s 2025-26 Wildcat Club Faculty Members? Check out the full list right here! 

Reminders

Daily use of carpool signs is required — this is crucial for the safety and security of our students. We must be able to quickly and clearly identify every vehicle in the line. Please see the "Pickup Protocols" section below for additional information. 

As we continue to fine-tune our program, here are a few important reminders for the weeks ahead:

Tuesday Pick-Ups - On Tuesdays, we share our carpool lane with Chorale students, who are released at 4:15 PM. Please be mindful as we merge both groups.

Homework Time in WCC - Each day, we dedicate 20–30 minutes to homework, adjusting based on grade level and student needs. We also stay in touch with homeroom teachers to help reinforce any focus areas from class. Soon, a few of our middle and upper school Wildcats will also be joining us to lend a hand — another layer of support we’re excited to roll out!

Here's What's Happening this Year 

STEAM Fun Every Week
Each week, we’ll dive into an exciting, hands-on project that sparks curiosity and creativity.

Monthly Big Events
One Friday each month, we’ll go big with an interactive, themed event for all students to enjoy.

Fun Fridays
Every Friday we’ll celebrate the week’s hard work and positive behavior with a sweet treat. (We will have alternative options for students who have allergies or dietary restrictions)

For our Busy Bees in Activities

If your child participates in sports, dance, gymnastics, baseball, or any other extracurriculars that require them to change clothes and head out promptly, please let us know their schedule in advance. When we have those details ahead of time, we can make transitions smoother and help ensure our students arrive on time and ready to shine.

Pickup Protocols 

For any and all pick-ups please call the WCC phone number located on either entrance of the Lower School, (501)-804-6649, notify the team of who you are picking up and wait at the door for our arrival. 

• Daily use of carpool signs is required — this is crucial for the safety and security of our students. We must be able to quickly and clearly identify every vehicle in the line.
• PK–1st Grade: Picked up at the Main Entrance.
• 2nd–5th Grade: Picked up at the Gym Entrance.
• Siblings in Multiple Grades: All siblings will be picked up at the Main Office Entrance for convenience.

May 15, 2026

May 8, 2026

May 1, 2026

April 24, 2026

April 17, 2026

April 10, 2026

April 2, 2026

March 20, 2026

March 13, 2026

March 6, 2026

February 27, 2026

February 20, 2026

February 12, 2026

January 30, 2026

January 23, 2026

January 16, 2026

January 9, 2026

December 12, 2025

December 5, 2025

November 21, 2025

November 14, 2025

November 7, 2025

October 31, 2025

October 24, 2025

October 17, 2025

October 8, 2025

October 3, 2025

September 26, 2025

September 19, 2025

September 12, 2025

September 5, 2025

August 29, 2025

August 22, 2025

May 9, 2025

May 2, 2025

April 25, 2025

April 17, 2025

April 11, 2025

April 4, 2025

March 21, 2025

March 14, 2025

February 28, 2025

February 21, 2025

February 13, 2025

February 7, 2025 

January 31, 2025

January 24, 2025

January 17, 2025

January 10, 2025

December 13, 2024 

November 22, 2024

November 15, 2024

November 8, 2024

November 1, 2024

October 18, 2024

October 9, 2024

October 4, 2024

September 27, 2024

September 13, 2024

August 23, 2024

August 16, 2024