Oct. 29, 2025
Rogers Heritage High School
Volume III, Issue I
Heritage High School Makes History With School Grade
Fraire
English teachers help to better support and educate students leading to greater success, therefore improving the school grade.
Pullen
Talon Editor-in-Chief Heritage High School received a B grade on the school report card for the first time in school history. The school grade is based on four factors that are taken into account. The first one being if students are achieving high levels on state assessments, secondly if students are achieving their individualized
growth targets, thirdly if the lowest 25 percent of students are growing, and finally if students are graduating and entering either enlistment, enrollment or employment. “Growth is our number one focus as a whole always, because we know that when we grow we’re going to continue to see higher achievement,” said Assistant Principal Janya Moffit. “But I give all the credit to our students [and] our
teachers, because they’re the ones who are in the trenches doing this work and they’re doing a great job.” Arkansas law has required annual school report cards along with a school grade. However, unlike the traditional grading system, the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) recently began to grade on a 900 point scale. At the high school level they consider 0-348.89 as a F, 348.90-385.95 as a D, 385.96-
457.10 as a C, 457.11-531.99 as a B, and 532.00-900.00 as an A. For the year 2023-2024 Heritage was graded 450.5 which classifieds as a C. All years prior have also been graded a C. However, for the academic year of 2024-2025 Heritage High School has been graded 492.5 which is considered a B. This is a
Grade continued on p. 2
“Bell to Bell, No Cell” Calls for Change at Heritage
Pullen
Talon Editor-in-Chief Arkansas Act 122 of 2025, also known as The “Bell to Bell, No Cell” Act, is a new state law that prohibits students in public schools from using personal electronic devices during the entire school day, from the first bell to the last bell. This includes cell phones, smartwatches, tablets, laptops, and Bluetooth-enabled devices, such as Air Pods. This law was put into effect at the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year and states that devices may not be used in classrooms, hallways, restrooms, cafeterias or study areas. This includes having a phone on your body during the day and it is even preferred that the
devices remain in students’ backpacks or off campus. The only exceptions to device usage are during emergency situations approved by school administration or for medical needs and IEP/504 plans. Of course, school-issued devices are acceptable. Overall, many teachers have reported positive improvements in student engagement and participation since the implementation of the Act. “My students in the classroom don’t even pull [their phones] out and are more engaged,” said English teacher Deanna Reed. She went on to say how the ban has even positively impacted students outside the classroom. “There’s less drama because someone is not on
Heritage Football Wins Game p. 3
[social media talking] about how someone did something to someone else. [Also] people are talking more in the hallways; there is more one on one communication.” While this law was passed with the expectation of said improvements, teachers are also realizing the reality of such a ban on technology. “It’s been a learning experience. I’ve had to stop saying ‘get out your phone and take a picture’, [so] it has slowed down the teaching process some. But more students are engaged because they don’t have that option to take a picture and move on. But it’s been an adjustment for teachers and students,” said math teacher Jami Bice. As it has been over two months
Never Skipping a Beat p. 4
since the start of the school year, administration reports an overall positive response. Admin even specifically noted the amount of push back from students is less than they were expecting. Heritage’s disciplinary plan for students caught with devices includes 4 levels. The first step is a written warning telling the student to put their device away. The second step is having the phone confiscated in the office for the student to receive at the end of the day. The third step is having the phone in the office for the student’s parent/ guardian to receive at the end of the day. The final step is the student being sent to in-school suspension (ISS).
Bell to Bell continued on p. 2
Autumnal Activities p. 7
“I love Heritage because I feel like I have more of a purpose.” -Daut in “Never Daut Yourself” p.5