Friday, May 29, 2020

Friday Highlights 5.29.20

Important Dates
May is: 

Foster Care Month
Lupus Awareness Month
National Blood Pressure Month

Older Americans Month

Tuesday, June 2, 2020 - Prospective Board Member Zoom Meeting
5:30 p.m.




LRSD's Top Employees, Including Teacher of the Year,
Awarded Cash Prizes During Virtual Celebration


The Little Rock School District named its top teacher and top classified employee for 2020 during a virtual celebration this week. Forest Heights STEM Academy specialist Amber Harbin was named Little Rock School District Teacher of the Year and Child Nutrition staff member Porchia Jordan was selected as Classified Employee of the Year.


This was the first year that classified employees were honored alongside teachers of the year at an annual event that is timed to coincide with the observance of National Teacher Appreciation week. The District would normally host a 600-person gala at the Statehouse Convention Center to recognize campus teachers of the year, from whom the overall Teacher of the Year is selected. However, due to COVID-19 concerns, LRSD opted for a virtual ceremony streamed live on the District's Facebook page, lrsdtv.org and broadcast on its cable channels (Comcast Channel 4 and U-verse 99).

Sixty-eight teachers were selected by their peers and after a vote at each campus, the finalists then applied for the top educator spot in the District. That teacher undergoes a rigorous application process before ultimately being selected by a panel of judges as the winner and recipient of the Dr. Marion G. Lacey Educator of the Year Award. The late Dr. Lacey, for whom the award is named, was a beloved educator and administrator in the LRSD and until her death, would attend the gala.

Lacey award-winner, Harbin, is a thirteen-year science educator who is pursuing her doctorate. She is a respected teacher-leader at Forest Heights and throughout the country for her expertise in the area of STEM education. As LRSD Teacher of the Year, Harbin will now have an opportunity to pursue the state title in two weeks. Harbin follows in the footsteps of 2019 LRSD Teacher of the Year, Jeff Whitlow, Don Roberts Elementary, who was a top four finalist at state, and Stacey McAdoo, Little Rock Central High School, who was selected 2019 Arkansas Teacher of the Year.
Level winners included: Tari Anderson, Otter Creek - Elementary Teacher of the Year, Jackie Scott, Mann Magnet - Middle School Teacher of the Year, and Lynn Smith, Parkview Arts and Sciences Magnet - High School Teacher of the Year.
Among classified staff, Porchia Jordan earned the highest district distinction after being recognized as an employee who consistently went above and beyond the call of duty and who always "put kids first," according to her supervisor. Jordan was also described as an ideal employee.
Other classified staff members were honored in their particular areas of responsibility:
  • Kevin Murry - Custodian of the Year
  • Elisha Nelson - Safety and Security Officer of the Year
  • Donn Francart - Paraprofessional of the Year
  • Jennifer Fisk - Physical Therapist of the Year
  • Jodi Pullen - Occupational Therapist of the Year
  • Kamela Rowland - Speech Therapist of the Year
  • Lisa Holliday - Maintenance Employee of the Year
  • Tina Robinson - Transportation Employee of the Year
  • Neva Johnson - Secretarial and General Support Staff Employee of the Year
    First Student, Inc. employees were also recognized for their transportation support to LRSD students and families:
  • Tanya Bell - Employee of the Year
  • James Hayes - Bus Driver of the Year
Thanks to generous sponsors, all of the referenced employees received trophies and cash prizes, and will be featured in an ad in the high profile section of the statewide newspaper this Sunday. The Little Rock School District wishes to express its sincere appreciation to the business partners who made this tribute possible, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic caused a change in the original celebratory plans scheduled for May 11.
  • First Student, Inc.- Returning Presenting Sponsor
  • US Bank - Platinum Sponsor
  • Nabholz - Returning Gold Sponsor
  • VALIC - Returning Gold Sponsor
  • Little Rock Education Association - Silver Sponsor
  • LRSD will evaluate the possibility of a future reception honoring all 2020 teacher and classified winners, as health guidelines allow.
Congratulations, again, to all Teacher of the Year and Classified Employee winners.

Be sure to watch for the ad in this Sunday's Arkansas Democrat Gazette - High Profile section.  

LRSD Seeks to Fill Vacancy for Zone 6
Community Advisory Board Position


If you are interested in serving, please click on the link below to complete the application:

Plus -  It's Time to Make Plans for an
Elected Board
To Participate:  Watch Facebook Live, Comcast Channel 4 and U-verse 99, or lrsdtv.org

Don't Forget to Weigh In
First, please take a few minutes to complete the survey linked below.  We are making reentry plans for Fall 2020 and welcome your feedback on AMI and instructional delivery during COVID-19 school closures. As parents, your voice and experiences during this time are important to us.  You will also find a space to volunteer to participate in focus group discussions about the plan for fall instruction.  These meetings will be held virtually over the month of June and will help shape how school will look this fall. 

Here are links to the survey in English and Spanish:

Parent Online Learning Evaluation (English)
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7PWLZHQ

Parent Online Learning Evaluation (Spanish)
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DFY2QVG


Teachers are also encouraged to participate in the survey.
We also appreciate your feedback:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/W728MFP

Friday, May 22, 2020

Friday Highlights 5.22.20

Important Dates
May is: 

Foster Care Month

Lupus Awareness Month

National Blood Pressure Month

National Hamburger Month

Older Americans Month
Monday, May 25, 2020 - Memorial Day (No Classes and Offices Closed)
Tuesday, May 26, 2020 -Virtual Teacher of the Year and Classified Employee of the Year Celebration



Virtual TOY Celebration This Tuesday on Facebook
Virtual Celebration with some live elements:
5:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 26, 2020
Announcement of Classified Staff of the Year
Announcement of Campus, Level and Overall Teachers of the Year
Door Prize Opportunity for all other non-cash prize winners

You are encouraged to:
Join/Share our Facebook Watch Party opportunity with family and friends
Get social across multiple platforms and share celebratory messages, videos and photos, using both #LRSD2020TOY #LRSDPowerofUS
No Facebook Account? Watch livestream on LRSDTV.org or TV- Comcast Channel 4 and U-verse Channel 99





Please enjoy the message above  to Arkansas teachers  - our very own Victory Jackson bookends the video.



Hope You Enjoyed Our Graduation Watch Parties!

To see the individual ceremonies for each school, click on the following links:
You may continue to upload graduation photos to social media using #LRSD2020Grad
Congratulations, again, to all the seniors!


Even The Youngest Graduates Are Celebrating
 Their Special Day





Top Scholars Recognized by Public Ed Foundation 
and Sponsors
The Little Rock School District is proud to join the Little Rock Public Education Foundation and sponsors in congratulating the 2020 Academic Signing Day Class.  These students represent the District's top-performing seniors, academically, at all five high schools.  A special thanks to the sponsors who  made the recognition of the students possible in the High Profile section of the Sunday, May 17, 2020, edition of the Arkansas Democrat Gazette:
Polk Stanley Wilcox
Nabholz
Cromwell
WER Architect Planners


Please click on this link to see the  full-size ad featuring students along with the special symbols underneath each student’s name, which denote their specific recognitions.  Congrats, again, ASD Class of 2020 - your LRSD family is proud of you!


Congrats to the Stephens Awards Winners from LRSD!
The City Education Trust
2020 Stephens Outstanding Student Award Recipients

Kelvin Kang                                                                    Central High School
Parents: Ping Kang and Shenyang Li

Anne Li                                                                           Central High School
Parents:  Hui Zhang and Xuyang Li
  
Mohammad Raja                                                             Parkview High School
Parent:  Saima Raja

Rachel Zhang                                                                  Central High School
Parents:  Xiaomin Zhang and Ying Zhong

Taylor Zhang                                                                  Central High School
Parents: Xiaomin Zhang and Ying Zhong


The City Education Trust
2020 Stephens Outstanding Teacher Award Recipients
  

Mr. Samuel Meredith - McClellan High SchoolBand, Choir     
                         















Ritu Shekhawat -McClellan High School  Chemistry, Environmental Science





Selfless Service
" Masks Off " in lieu of "Hats Off" to LRCH's  own Ms. Annitha Harris.
She was working with UAMS to make masks for first responders.
Ms. Harris made SIXTY (60) masks that she donated to this cause.  Way to go, Ms. Harris!

Celebrating LRSD-Medical Community Partnerships
Take a look at Brady Elementary



Special Thanks to Community Partners who
Continue to Make Meals Possible for Students

No meal service Sunday -Monday, May 24-25, due to Memorial Day Holiday; however, extra meals will be provided Saturday, May 23 and Tuesday May 26th
For more information on meals for students, to volunteer or to make donations, visit

Friday Highlights 5.8.2020





Important Dates
May is: 

Foster Care Month

Lupus Awareness Month

National Blood Pressure Month

National Hamburger Month

Older Americans Month



Friday, May 8, Registration deadline for June SAT and ACT

Sunday, May 10, Mother’s Day

Monday, May 11, AP Exams

Tuesday, May 12, AP Exams



Tuesday, May 19, Graduations: J.A. Fair, 6:00 p.m.; Hall, 8:30 p.m.

Wednesday, May 20, Graduations; Parkview, 6:00 p.m.; McClellan, 8:30 p.m.

Thursday, May 21, Graduation: Central, 6:00 p.m.



Monday, May 25, Memorial Day

Friday, May 29, LRSD official last day of school


(For Additional Dates - see LRSD Calendar or LRSD.org)


Highlights/Events

Day Camp Donation

Special thanks to all who are supporting the LRSD/UAMS day camp partnership. LRSD's April Rike and UAM's Teletha Leonard received a generous donation of hand sanitizer from a community partner.

Celebrating our 2020 Graduates!

As you are aware, due to COVID-19 related guidelines, all LRSD high schools will host virtual graduation ceremonies this year.  All virtual graduation ceremonies will stream on LRSD’s Facebook page on their originally scheduled date and at their originally scheduled time.  The ceremonies will also be available on the schools’ respective webpages and on-demand on LRSDTV.org.  Below is a reminder about graduation dates:


Tuesday, May 19, 2020 – J.A. Fair- 6 PM; Hall – 8:30 PM

Wednesday, May 20, 2020 - Parkview – 6 PM; McClellan – 8:30 PM

Thursday, May 21, 2020 – Central – 6 PM


The District is exploring the possibility of an in-person celebration this summer, if circumstances allow.  We will keep you updated.

Census Contest Winner!
Congrats to our winner of the fan fav 2020 census photo contest - Khaya Bridgeforth from King Elementary. Khaya will be awarded a gift certificate. Thanks for helping bring awareness to the census message, Khaya; and thanks to all who participated! Your photos will be included in a District promotional video reminding our LRSD family of the importance of participating in the census. #LRSDCounts!





Help us spread the word to encourage Little Rock families to participate in the 2020 Census. Completing the census is quick and easy, and helps determine how many federal dollars flow to cities and states – directly impacting education.



In the Community…

Friday Highlights 4.17.2020





Important Dates
April is: 

National Humor Month

Keep America Beautiful Month

National Poetry Month

Stress Awareness Month

Lawn and Garden Month


Highlights/Events
LRSD has a lot to tout, shout and be proud of!  Below are some outstanding accomplishments that we want to share and invite you to celebrate with us!





Garrett Hatfield 
Connors State Cowboys
Black and Orange
Jeff and Allison Hatfield

CJ Price
Crowder College Rough Riders
Black and Blue
James and Danielle Price

Rusty Passini

Head Baseball Coach
Quarterback Landon Rogers 6’4.5” 215 has been offered to play football by the University of Arkansas on 4/16/20.  He verbally committed to Coach Pittman on the phone today.  Landon was an All-State, All-Conference player last year.  He Threw for 1974 yds 19 TD 763 rushing 10 TD.  His hands are 11.5” from thumb to pinky.  Bigger than any NFL QB right now. He has some unreal athletic ability:
4.56 - forty
4.06 - shuttle
37” - Vertical
305 lb Power Clean 
305 lb bench 

450 lb squat 






AHA Virtual Heart Walk
AHA Virtual Heart Walk
- Saturday, April 25, 2020; 9:00 – 10:00 am
- Register at Log on through AHA Social Media Page at 9:00 on Saturday, April 25th
- Watch the videos on the link from the AHA social media page .
-  Go walk on your own. Take selfie videos and pics and post with #ARHeart and #ARHeartAtHome
- Watch closing ceremony at 10:00 a.m.
-  Fundraise from your page your page to reach your goal until June 30th. Our goal is $2500.
Join or support a team today!




In the Community…



Friday Highlights 4.10.2020





Important Dates
April is: 

National Humor Month

Keep America Beautiful Month

National Poetry Month

Stress Awareness Month

Lawn and Garden Month



(For Additional Dates - see LRSD Calendar or LRSD.org)





Highlights/Events
Tiger Power Twice over!

The sentiment echoed by LRCH Principal Nancy Rousseau and shared by the greater LRSD family upon learning that juniors, Kate Jackson and best friend Samuel Lu, earned a perfect "36" on the ACT! Parents say the two have been friends since early childhood - what an awesome academic bond to now share! Congrats Kate and Samuel! #TigerPride


And then There Were Three…

Beyond ecstatic to share that we have yet another perfect score on the ACT by way of LRCH student, Joseph Parker. Joseph received word that he also scored a "36", joining his peers, Kate Jackson and Samuel Lu! Is there something in the water at Central, Nancy Lucker Rousseau? A junior, Joseph plans to attend Emory or Baylor and major in mathematics when he graduates.
Congratulations, Joseph!


LRSD Outstanding Media Awarded

The District's library program has been selected as recipient of the Arkansas Association of Instructional Media's (AAIM) Outstanding Media Program Award for 2020! 


The Outstanding Media Program Award is given to a member or members of AAIM who have initiated and/or promoted an outstanding media usage program in a school, a district, an academic institution, a public library, or a community. Congrats, to all of our media specialists/librarians and their teams.