Greetings Cougar Nation,
Please come out and celebrate with our CHS Seniors tomorrow night for Senior Night, February 12, 2026, starting at 5:30. We hope to see you all there.
Please come out and celebrate with our CHS Seniors tomorrow night for Senior Night, February 12, 2026, starting at 5:30. We hope to see you all there.
Good Evening, Helena-West Helena School District Families and Staff,
Due to the recent winter weather disruption, we are making a small adjustment to our district calendar. The updated calendar is linked below to ensure our students have the instructional time they need to be successful on this year’s ATLAS assessments.
Our previously scheduled early release days on February 11, February 25, and March 11, 2026, will now be full instructional days for students. This change will help us recover some of the lost time and better prepare our scholars for the upcoming testing cycle.
You can view this year’s district testing calendar for the ATLAS testing cycle, linked below. Please take a moment to review the dates so you can plan and help ensure students are present, rested, and ready to do their best.
Thank you for your continued flexibility, support, and partnership as we keep our focus on what matters most—student learning and growth.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/18wn7fqBTbFuQ-Mgp-hXz7AiwVWRgKa6E/view
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1STS6JtKd0oqSr_-u8YjyGDzjOkpSHJC8/view
With appreciation,
Xavier M. Hodo, Sr.
Due to the recent winter weather disruption, we are making a small adjustment to our district calendar. The updated calendar is linked below to ensure our students have the instructional time they need to be successful on this year’s ATLAS assessments.
Our previously scheduled early release days on February 11, February 25, and March 11, 2026, will now be full instructional days for students. This change will help us recover some of the lost time and better prepare our scholars for the upcoming testing cycle.
You can view this year’s district testing calendar for the ATLAS testing cycle, linked below. Please take a moment to review the dates so you can plan and help ensure students are present, rested, and ready to do their best.
Thank you for your continued flexibility, support, and partnership as we keep our focus on what matters most—student learning and growth.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/18wn7fqBTbFuQ-Mgp-hXz7AiwVWRgKa6E/view
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1STS6JtKd0oqSr_-u8YjyGDzjOkpSHJC8/view
With appreciation,
Xavier M. Hodo, Sr.
Good Morning Cougar Nation,
We are excited to announce the launch of our Mascot Naming Vote—an opportunity for students, staff, families, and community members across the Helena-West Helena School District to help shape a lasting symbol of our school pride and unity.
Voting Ends:
February 11, 2026
Voting Link:
https://forms.gle/rWtY2zZ8YrjJNADW9
We encourage everyone to take part in this fun and meaningful process. Your voice matters, and together we can select a mascot that truly represents the spirit of our district and the pride we share in our schools.
Thank you for your continued support and for helping us strengthen the sense of community that defines Helena-West Helena!
We are excited to announce the launch of our Mascot Naming Vote—an opportunity for students, staff, families, and community members across the Helena-West Helena School District to help shape a lasting symbol of our school pride and unity.
Voting Ends:
February 11, 2026
Voting Link:
https://forms.gle/rWtY2zZ8YrjJNADW9
We encourage everyone to take part in this fun and meaningful process. Your voice matters, and together we can select a mascot that truly represents the spirit of our district and the pride we share in our schools.
Thank you for your continued support and for helping us strengthen the sense of community that defines Helena-West Helena!
Good Afternoon Helena-West Helena School District,
I want to begin by apologizing for the late notice this morning. Given that I was still on a bus assessing road conditions at the time, I was unable to provide a more detailed explanation of my decision to close school today. My top priority is the safety and well-being of every student who attends the Helena-West Helena School District, and because this responsibility weighs heavily on me, I take it very seriously. If there is ever a situation where I must, proverbially, gamble with the well-being of your most prized possessions, you can rest assured that I will always err on the side of caution.
To that end, we are fully prepared to receive our scholars tomorrow, Thursday, February 5, 2026, at normal time. Please see pictures of our campuses linked below. Additionally, please note that we will be utilizing an Alternate Bus Pickup plan, which is linked below.
To provide additional context for the decision to implement an alternate bus pickup, the grooves or passages worn into the roadways on most of the less-traveled streets only allow one vehicle to pass at a time. If a driver encounters another vehicle coming from the opposite direction, one would be forced to move into the areas of the road that have not been worn down by vehicle travel—areas that remain covered in ice and snow. You can see examples of these conditions in the pictures linked below.
Furthermore, these grooves are made by cars and trucks—not by school buses. The average width of a car is approximately 5.8 feet, and the average width of a pickup truck is approximately 6.3 to 6.8 feet. In contrast, the width of a standard school bus is approximately 8 to 8.5 feet. This means that on roads like those previously mentioned, the bus wheels would be forced to travel in the areas of the road that have not been worn down by regular vehicle traffic, creating an unsafe condition that could cause the bus to slide or lose control.
Again, I want to thank you for your commitment and understanding during these challenging times. See you tomorrow morning.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1jNls1e5CU4wj64H-5fGPTyiA8XTIO5PT
https://drive.google.com/file/d/16pLiaq7NJuSXUwUL26X6pUfHzm9bLPXy/view
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1LRpP3iCQco27eN4TWtjQGNcZDjIkJd_1
Cordially,
Xavier M. Hodo, Sr.
I want to begin by apologizing for the late notice this morning. Given that I was still on a bus assessing road conditions at the time, I was unable to provide a more detailed explanation of my decision to close school today. My top priority is the safety and well-being of every student who attends the Helena-West Helena School District, and because this responsibility weighs heavily on me, I take it very seriously. If there is ever a situation where I must, proverbially, gamble with the well-being of your most prized possessions, you can rest assured that I will always err on the side of caution.
To that end, we are fully prepared to receive our scholars tomorrow, Thursday, February 5, 2026, at normal time. Please see pictures of our campuses linked below. Additionally, please note that we will be utilizing an Alternate Bus Pickup plan, which is linked below.
To provide additional context for the decision to implement an alternate bus pickup, the grooves or passages worn into the roadways on most of the less-traveled streets only allow one vehicle to pass at a time. If a driver encounters another vehicle coming from the opposite direction, one would be forced to move into the areas of the road that have not been worn down by vehicle travel—areas that remain covered in ice and snow. You can see examples of these conditions in the pictures linked below.
Furthermore, these grooves are made by cars and trucks—not by school buses. The average width of a car is approximately 5.8 feet, and the average width of a pickup truck is approximately 6.3 to 6.8 feet. In contrast, the width of a standard school bus is approximately 8 to 8.5 feet. This means that on roads like those previously mentioned, the bus wheels would be forced to travel in the areas of the road that have not been worn down by regular vehicle traffic, creating an unsafe condition that could cause the bus to slide or lose control.
Again, I want to thank you for your commitment and understanding during these challenging times. See you tomorrow morning.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1jNls1e5CU4wj64H-5fGPTyiA8XTIO5PT
https://drive.google.com/file/d/16pLiaq7NJuSXUwUL26X6pUfHzm9bLPXy/view
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1LRpP3iCQco27eN4TWtjQGNcZDjIkJd_1
Cordially,
Xavier M. Hodo, Sr.
Good morning Cougar Family,
After going out again this morning to reassess the bus routes, it was discovered there’s a thin layer of ice that has formed overnight, so out of an abundance of caution for the safety of our students and staff, we have decided to close school today. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
After going out again this morning to reassess the bus routes, it was discovered there’s a thin layer of ice that has formed overnight, so out of an abundance of caution for the safety of our students and staff, we have decided to close school today. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
Good evening Cougar Nation,
HWHSD will resume regular operations on Wednesday, February 4, 2026. We look forward to seeing all of you bright and early tomorrow morning.
Good afternoon Helena-West Helena School District,
I want to begin by assuring you that I am deeply concerned about the safety of our students and staff and will always err on the side of caution when making weather-related decisions. After a thorough assessment of road conditions across the district, it has been determined that only about 65% of our bus routes are safely passable. This does not meet my threshold to feel comfortable with our students and employees traveling to and from school tomorrow, Tuesday, February 3, 2026.
Several neighborhood areas still have a substantial amount of thick ice, particularly at certain bus stops. In addition, some portions of our campuses are on hills, and the remaining slick spots create a risk of vehicles sliding, which could potentially lead to accidents in our parking lots and driveways. These are risks I am not willing to take with the lives and well-being of our school community.
The encouraging news is that warmer temperatures are expected tomorrow, along with conditions that should help melt the remaining ice. With that in mind, we will cancel school for tomorrow, Tuesday, February 3, 2026, and plan to resume normal operations on Wednesday, February 4, 2026.
I know these decisions impact families, work schedules, and routines, and I do not make them lightly. Thank you for your understanding, flexibility, and continued commitment to our students. Please stay safe, and know that every decision made is with your safety and the safety of our children at the forefront.
Cordially,
Xavier M. Hodo, Sr.
I want to begin by assuring you that I am deeply concerned about the safety of our students and staff and will always err on the side of caution when making weather-related decisions. After a thorough assessment of road conditions across the district, it has been determined that only about 65% of our bus routes are safely passable. This does not meet my threshold to feel comfortable with our students and employees traveling to and from school tomorrow, Tuesday, February 3, 2026.
Several neighborhood areas still have a substantial amount of thick ice, particularly at certain bus stops. In addition, some portions of our campuses are on hills, and the remaining slick spots create a risk of vehicles sliding, which could potentially lead to accidents in our parking lots and driveways. These are risks I am not willing to take with the lives and well-being of our school community.
The encouraging news is that warmer temperatures are expected tomorrow, along with conditions that should help melt the remaining ice. With that in mind, we will cancel school for tomorrow, Tuesday, February 3, 2026, and plan to resume normal operations on Wednesday, February 4, 2026.
I know these decisions impact families, work schedules, and routines, and I do not make them lightly. Thank you for your understanding, flexibility, and continued commitment to our students. Please stay safe, and know that every decision made is with your safety and the safety of our children at the forefront.
Cordially,
Xavier M. Hodo, Sr.
From the Desk of Superintendent Xavier M. Hodo, Sr.
Good Afternoon Helena-West Helena Community,
Thank you for your continued patience, understanding, and support during this unusual stretch of winter weather. Today, our team conducted a thorough assessment of road conditions across the district. While many of the main roads are passable, a significant number of neighborhood streets remain covered with ice, creating unsafe travel conditions for buses, student drivers, and staff.
Because student and staff safety is our top priority, and out of an abundance of caution, school for Monday, February 2, 2026, is canceled. We know this is not the news many of you were hoping for, but we refuse to compromise when it comes to the well-being of our children and employees.
The good news is that temperatures are expected to rise tomorrow, and we are hopeful that the direct sunlight and warmer conditions will help melt the remaining ice in those areas of greatest concern. Our team will be back out monitoring conditions and preparing our campuses so that, as soon as it is safe, we can welcome our students and staff back to school.
And because we could all use a smile right now, please take a moment to enjoy this light-hearted photo of your superintendent doing everything he can to get us ready for school—with a very small shovel and a very big determination. You can view the image link below (smile)...
We will provide another update to our families and staff by 4:00 p.m. tomorrow. Thank you for your flexibility, your partnership, and for trusting us to make decisions that keep our students and community safe.
From the Desk of Superintendent Xavier M. Hodo, Sr.
Good evening, Helena-West Helena School District Community,
The purpose of this communication is to provide you with a clear State of the District regarding the impact of the recent winter weather, directly from the Office of the Superintendent of Schools. First, I would like to thank each of you—families, staff, students, and community members—for your patience, understanding, and flexibility during these challenging times. It is during times like these that we must come together to support one another, and I am deeply grateful for the way our community continues to do just that. I also want to extend a special thank-you to our Maintenance Department for their diligent work to ensure that areas surrounding our buildings are safe and accessible. Pictures are linked below. In addition, we have walked through each building, and the heat has been set to 75 degrees and maintained, which means our facilities remain warm and comfortable for our eventual return to classes.
I want to be fully transparent that we are doing everything in our power to ensure that our schools are ready to open as soon as it is both safe and compliant to do so. I will provide an additional update to the community by Sunday, February 1, 2026, no later than 4:00 p.m., to inform you whether we will be able to hold school on Monday, February 2, 2026. Thank you again for your continued support, patience, and understanding. Please remain warm, stay safe, and know that the well-being of our scholars and staff remains our top priority.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1lgVqLrYCjLFovKBwVjkGvQCyWMWC9cKt
Good evening, Helena-West Helena School District Community,
The purpose of this communication is to provide you with a clear State of the District regarding the impact of the recent winter weather, directly from the Office of the Superintendent of Schools. First, I would like to thank each of you—families, staff, students, and community members—for your patience, understanding, and flexibility during these challenging times. It is during times like these that we must come together to support one another, and I am deeply grateful for the way our community continues to do just that. I also want to extend a special thank-you to our Maintenance Department for their diligent work to ensure that areas surrounding our buildings are safe and accessible. Pictures are linked below. In addition, we have walked through each building, and the heat has been set to 75 degrees and maintained, which means our facilities remain warm and comfortable for our eventual return to classes.
I want to be fully transparent that we are doing everything in our power to ensure that our schools are ready to open as soon as it is both safe and compliant to do so. I will provide an additional update to the community by Sunday, February 1, 2026, no later than 4:00 p.m., to inform you whether we will be able to hold school on Monday, February 2, 2026. Thank you again for your continued support, patience, and understanding. Please remain warm, stay safe, and know that the well-being of our scholars and staff remains our top priority.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1lgVqLrYCjLFovKBwVjkGvQCyWMWC9cKt
From the Desk of Superintendent Xavier M. Hodo, Sr.
Good evening, Helena-West Helena School District Community,
The purpose of this communication is to provide you with a clear State of the District regarding the impact of the recent winter weather, directly from the Office of the Superintendent of Schools. First, I would like to thank each of you—families, staff, students, and community members—for your patience, understanding, and flexibility during these challenging times. It is during times like these that we must come together to support one another, and I am deeply grateful for the way our community continues to do just that. I also want to extend a special thank-you to our Maintenance Department for their diligent work to ensure that areas surrounding our buildings are safe and accessible. Pictures are linked below. In addition, we have walked through each building, and the heat has been set to 75 degrees and maintained, which means our facilities remain warm and comfortable for our eventual return to classes.
I want to be fully transparent that we are doing everything in our power to ensure that our schools are ready to open as soon as it is both safe and compliant to do so. I will provide an additional update to the community by Sunday, February 1, 2026, no later than 4:00 p.m., to inform you whether we will be able to hold school on Monday, February 2, 2026. Thank you again for your continued support, patience, and understanding. Please remain warm, stay safe, and know that the well-being of our scholars and staff remains our top priority.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1lgVqLrYCjLFovKBwVjkGvQCyWMWC9cKt
Good evening, Helena-West Helena School District Community,
The purpose of this communication is to provide you with a clear State of the District regarding the impact of the recent winter weather, directly from the Office of the Superintendent of Schools. First, I would like to thank each of you—families, staff, students, and community members—for your patience, understanding, and flexibility during these challenging times. It is during times like these that we must come together to support one another, and I am deeply grateful for the way our community continues to do just that. I also want to extend a special thank-you to our Maintenance Department for their diligent work to ensure that areas surrounding our buildings are safe and accessible. Pictures are linked below. In addition, we have walked through each building, and the heat has been set to 75 degrees and maintained, which means our facilities remain warm and comfortable for our eventual return to classes.
I want to be fully transparent that we are doing everything in our power to ensure that our schools are ready to open as soon as it is both safe and compliant to do so. I will provide an additional update to the community by Sunday, February 1, 2026, no later than 4:00 p.m., to inform you whether we will be able to hold school on Monday, February 2, 2026. Thank you again for your continued support, patience, and understanding. Please remain warm, stay safe, and know that the well-being of our scholars and staff remains our top priority.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1lgVqLrYCjLFovKBwVjkGvQCyWMWC9cKt
Dear Faculty and Staff,
Due to inclement weather impacting our region, the Helena-West Helena School District has decided to cancel school for all students on Friday, January 30, 2026.
We have made this decision out of an abundance of caution to protect the safety of our students, staff, and families. However, please stay tuned to our official communication channels for any updates or changes regarding the reopening of schools.
As always, thank you for your assistance as we work to ensure the safety and well-being of our entire HWHSD community.
Sincerely,
Xavier M. Hodo, Sr., Superintendent of Schools
Due to inclement weather impacting our region, the Helena-West Helena School District has decided to cancel school for all students on Friday, January 30, 2026.
We have made this decision out of an abundance of caution to protect the safety of our students, staff, and families. However, please stay tuned to our official communication channels for any updates or changes regarding the reopening of schools.
As always, thank you for your assistance as we work to ensure the safety and well-being of our entire HWHSD community.
Sincerely,
Xavier M. Hodo, Sr., Superintendent of Schools
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Due to inclement weather impacting our region, the Helena-West Helena School District has decided to cancel school for all students on Thursday, January 29, 2026.
We have made this decision out of an abundance of caution to protect the safety of our students, staff, and families. However, please stay tuned to our official communication channels for any updates or changes regarding the reopening of schools.
As always, thank you for your partnership as we work to ensure the safety and well-being of our entire HWHSD community.
Sincerely,
Xavier M. Hodo, Sr., Superintendent of Schools
Due to inclement weather impacting our region, the Helena-West Helena School District has decided to cancel school for all students on Thursday, January 29, 2026.
We have made this decision out of an abundance of caution to protect the safety of our students, staff, and families. However, please stay tuned to our official communication channels for any updates or changes regarding the reopening of schools.
As always, thank you for your partnership as we work to ensure the safety and well-being of our entire HWHSD community.
Sincerely,
Xavier M. Hodo, Sr., Superintendent of Schools
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Due to inclement weather impacting our region, the Helena-West Helena School District has decided to cancel school for all students on Wednesday, January 28, 2026.
We have made this decision out of an abundance of caution to protect the safety of our students, staff, and families. However, please stay tuned to our official communication channels for any updates or changes regarding the reopening of schools.
As always, thank you for your partnership as we work to ensure the safety and well-being of our entire HWHSD community.
Sincerely,
Xavier M. Hodo, Sr., Superintendent of Schools
Due to inclement weather impacting our region, the Helena-West Helena School District has decided to cancel school for all students on Wednesday, January 28, 2026.
We have made this decision out of an abundance of caution to protect the safety of our students, staff, and families. However, please stay tuned to our official communication channels for any updates or changes regarding the reopening of schools.
As always, thank you for your partnership as we work to ensure the safety and well-being of our entire HWHSD community.
Sincerely,
Xavier M. Hodo, Sr., Superintendent of Schools
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Due to inclement weather impacting our region, the Helena-West Helena School District has decided to cancel school for all students on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
We have made this decision out of an abundance of caution to protect the safety of our students, staff, and families. However, please stay tuned to our official communication channels for any updates or changes regarding the reopening of schools.
As always, thank you for your partnership as we work to ensure the safety and well-being of our entire HWHSD community.
Sincerely,
Xavier M. Hodo, Sr., Superintendent of Schools
Due to inclement weather impacting our region, the Helena-West Helena School District has decided to cancel school for all students on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
We have made this decision out of an abundance of caution to protect the safety of our students, staff, and families. However, please stay tuned to our official communication channels for any updates or changes regarding the reopening of schools.
As always, thank you for your partnership as we work to ensure the safety and well-being of our entire HWHSD community.
Sincerely,
Xavier M. Hodo, Sr., Superintendent of Schools
Saddle up, Cougars- the Homecoming 2025 Nominees are here. Campaign Week kicks off September 2-5 2025. Good luck to all our cowboys and cowgirl-may the best roar win!!.