PINE BLUFF, Ark. — Major calendar changes are on the way for Pine Bluff Schools.

Starting next school year, the staff and students will head back earlier in the summer, and have more breaks throughout the year.

It's a move several districts are considering.

As the junior class president, Xzaeviun Sims said he always keeps up with changes coming to Pine Bluff High School. Most recently, the big change has been a new calendar for the next school year.

"I'm happy for the new schedule. You know, it increases retention, which improves test scores. Better test scores [equals] more funding for our schools, a better school a better community," Sims explained.

Last week the school board voted on the early start schedule— choosing to create a longer school year with more breaks along the way.

"We're hoping it will help with student attendance and teacher attendance by providing more breaks," said Superintendent Jennifer Barbaree.

The district polled the community for weeks ahead of the board's decision on the new schedule.

"We got over 600 responses, which is a huge deal for us. And of the responses, the majority chose a nontraditional calendar," Barbaree explained.

However, with the positive response, also came some concerns. The school has already been working to address issues like continued food availability and child care over extended off-season breaks.

"We have worked with the child nutrition unit. And we're trying to create some types of grants," Barabree said, "We're looking to partner with our local boys and girls club in different churches to see if there's an opportunity to offer intervention-type classes at those places."

While not everyone wants summer school, others have already been warming up to the idea of it

"Let's hope it stays the same when it regards our bail schedule, but academic schedule, I'm confident," Sims added.

Students are scheduled to head back for the next school year on July 31, 2024.

HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE, Ark. — The Hot Springs Village community has been continuing to clean up after an EF-2 tornado hit last week. As they're slowly recovering, several organizations have been stepping in to help.

Grace Brunelle has seen a lot in her 99 years, but not a storm like this.

"I didn't panic or anything like that. But I thought 'what in the world?' You know, because when the trees fell on the house, it made a pretty good noise," Brunelle described.

Now, she's trying to get her house back to normal.

"Probably this whole wall will have to be redone because of the water damage," she said.

Brunelle went without power from Thursday night to Sunday night, but thankfully her daughter Sharon was able to take her in.

She also said that several others have helped her too.

"All the neighbors were called in for a meal yesterday. So that was nice. We were all sitting around the table talking and you know, enjoying the nice food, which, you know, we're not able to cook at that time," she explained.

According to a Hot Springs Village press release, the tornado impacted more than a hundred homes and 58 were left with major damage.

That's why volunteers and other disaster relief organizations are helping with the recovery.

The Red Cross set up at Balboa Baptist Church on Monday to give out supplies to those in need.

"We provide emergency supplies or cleanup kits, that include mops, shovels, work gloves, goggles, you know, cleaning supplies. All of those things to try to help aid as they get their life back as normally they could after a disaster like this," said John Brimley, Red Cross Communications Manager.

Red Cross volunteers and staff also did several damage assessments across the area.

"We're just here trying to make sure we can get an accurate count, and then do the best that we can to help them on their recovery," Brimley added.

The Red Cross encourages anyone in need of disaster relief assistance to reach out and call 1-800-Red Cross (1-800-733-2767).