Friday Highlights 6.19.20

Important Dates
June is: 
Juneteenth - June 19th National Zoo and Aquarium Month

Men’s Health Month

 National Camping Month

PTSD Awareness Month

National Dairy Month

National Safety Month

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

Highlights/Events

B-Ball Coach Hits Slam Dunk!

Congrats to LRCH Coach Brian Ross - Arkansas Democrat-Gazette All-Arkansas Preps Boys Basketball Coach of the Year! Ross was recognized during a special virtual ceremony. #TheBallisinYourCourt!

Pinnacle View Principal Named

LRSD welcomes Takecia Campbell as the new Principal at Pinnacle View Middle School! Ms. Campbell, who most recently served as 7-8th grade middle school principal in North Little Rock, brings a wealth of experience to the role at PVMS. She has served as principal, assistant principal, Curriculum and Instruction leader, math facilitator and teacher. Her career not only includes work in NLR, but Jacksonville and Pulaski County districts also.

We hope you will join us in sending congratulatory wishes to Ms. Campbell as she joins the LRSD family!

2020 Retirees

Montgomery "CAPS" Careers!

LRSD’s Shameka Montgomery, Metro Career Tech Administrator, represented the District in a special podcast promoting the work LRSD is doing as part of the Center for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS) network.  The next generation career center provides professions-based learning and has inspired a national CAPS Network that includes more than 60 school districts, including LRSD.

Important Reminder About CAB Board Vacancy

https://adedata.arkansas.gov/caba/

Link Town Hall Related to Upcoming School Board Election
https://vimeo.com/425964419
Additional Town Halls to be Announced

A Tip from the CDC…

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.

King Elementary's Khaya Bridgeforth has a message for you:

And, here's the full reminder video:  https://vimeo.com/430508159

In the Community…

Do you know a teacher who makes learning fun and inspires students? Well, we want to hear about him or her!


Nominations are now open for the Little Rock Family Amazing Educator Awards, presented by Delta Dental, in which we honor four central Arkansas teachers who have made a difference in the lives of their students.


Whether it’s your child's favorite teacher, your wonderful coworker or a great friend who deserves recognition, we want your nomination! You just have to tell us what makes that teacher an “Amazing Educator” by filling out the entry form here.


In our eighth annual Amazing Educators program, we'll recognize one winning teacher in four categories: Elementary School, Middle/Junior High School, High School and Special Needs.


Winners will be featured in the January 2021 issue of Little Rock Family. Along with the feature, they'll each receive an incredible prize package (including a cash prize!), made possible in part by our sponsor Delta Dental.


Private and public school teachers in Benton, Bryant, Jacksonville, Little Rock, Maumelle, North Little Rock and Sherwood are eligible. The deadline to submit your nomination is Sept. 4, 2020.

In the Community...

Juneteenth is today. A combination of the words June and 19th, the holiday marks the freedom of enslaved Black people in the US.

Important Message from Our
National Park Service Partners

The post below is a photo only - to access link to tours click here:  https://www.nps.gov/chsc/planyourvisit/guidedtours.htm

Friday Highlights 6.12.2020

Important Dates
June is: 
National Zoo and Aquarium Month

Men’s Health Month

 National Camping Month

PTSD Awareness Month

National Dairy Month

National Safety Month

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

_________________________

Highlights/Events

It's So Hard to Say Goodbye

Coach Marcus Davis retiring after nearly 40 years with LRSD.  See story here.  

Humanitarian Award Presented to Glass!

Mr. Steven Glass has been selected as recipient of the Marquis Who's Who America Humanitarian Award for 2020-2021. He’s been teaching nearly twenty-seven years, with twelve years of those years in the Little Rock School District as a Community-based Instruction teacher. Congrats on this prestige award!

Summer Camp Makes Learning Fun! 

Camp is rocking and rolling at CAVHS/LRSD Day Camp located at Brady Elementary.  Students are having fun while learning.  Participants have a packed daily schedule, including being introduced to CALS, Zumba/dance, Physical Activity (Boot Camp), craft time, lunch, and recess.  LRSD’s Jason Bailey (Parkview) is heading the science portion of S.T.E.A.M time. In the photos above, participants are learning to make homemade ice cream by using salt, freezer bags, ice, and milk. This lesson was both magnificent and yummy!  Though Jason teaches high school Physics, he has modified lessons to fit those being served.

Day Camp Collaboratives!

Thanks for the community love at the LRSD/Hospital Day Camps! At the Pulaski Heights/UAMS site, Pinnacle Pointe, Saint Mark Baptist Church and Pleasant Valley Church of Christ have donated food and water. And, Rotary Club 99 volunteers bring fun to the campus with costume day!

Bale & Carver Make Pennies Count to Beat Cancer

Congrats to the LRSD schools which agreed to participate in Pennies for Patients to help blood cancer patients. A special shout out to two schools in particular: Bale and Carver Elementary.

Both managed to host successful campaigns despite COVID-19-related challenges. Bale was one of the top schools in Arkansas, raising a total of $3315.86! LRSD is grateful for the leadership of Sarah Breedlove, who coordinated the program at Bale, and for the generosity of the Bale students!

A Tip from the CDC...

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…

Some Fun Weekend Recommendations Courtesy Little Rock Family:

Fishing - lots of local ponds stocked.  Remember social distancing!
Plus, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has a free online fishing camp for 5th-8th graders. June 15-19 - 10 -11:30 a.m.
Thanks to the conservation sales tax, event is free, but first-come, first-served -  registration is required.  Click here to register.  

Garvan Gardens
Officially open to the public as of last weekend - noon - 6 p.m.

CALS “Imagine Your Story” Summer Reading Club
Virtual event but real prizes!

Vintage Market Days at the Arkansas State Fair Grounds
In-person event, but social distancing and masks are required - features 100 plus vendors
Friday - Saturday - 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Grab and Go/Local Farmer’s Market
Geens, goat cheese and more — all while social distancing
 *Whitewater Tavern Market, 2500 W. 7th St.
    Saturday - 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
  *Bernice Gardens Farmers Market, 1401 S. Main
    Sunday - 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Do you know a teacher who makes learning fun and inspires students? Well, we want to hear about him or her!

Nominations are now open for the Little Rock Family Amazing Educator Awards, presented by Delta Dental, in which we honor four central Arkansas teachers who have made a difference in the lives of their students.

Whether it’s your child's favorite teacher, your wonderful coworker or a great friend who deserves recognition, we want your nomination! You just have to tell us what makes that teacher an “Amazing Educator” by filling out the entry form here.

In our eighth annual Amazing Educators program, we'll recognize one winning teacher in four categories: Elementary School, Middle/Junior High School, High School and Special Needs.

Winners will be featured in the January 2021 issue of Little Rock Family. Along with the feature, they'll each receive an incredible prize package (including a cash prize!), made possible in part by our sponsor Delta Dental.

Private and public school teachers in Benton, Bryant, Jacksonville, Little Rock, Maumelle, North Little Rock and Sherwood are eligible. The deadline to submit your nomination is Sept. 4, 2020.

Friday Highlights 6.5.2020

Friday Highlights 6.5.2020

Important Dates
June is: 
National Zoo and Aquarium Month

Men’s Health Month

 National Camping Month

PTSD Awareness Month

National Dairy Month

National Safety Month

Highlights/Events

TOY and Classified Employee Award Winners 

Smile Through the Masks!

Congrats to those who won the LRSD Teacher of the Year and Classified Employee of the year honors. Here are a few of the winners who stopped by to pick up their awards.  A hearty “hats off” to all of those who won and to those who were nominated.

City Year 2020 Graduating Class

We are proud to share in celebrating your accomplishments!  Congratulations to the 2020 City-Year LR Graduates! They finished the semester with a grand ending. Take a listen to the zoom call detailing how they finished the year.

https://www.facebook.com/mylrsd/videos/2740397912857048/

Arkansas PTA Announces the 2020 Individual and Unit Awards

Yearly, PTA units nominate candidates for these awards, and the Arkansas Board of Managers honors an individual from those nominees.  This year’s recipients are:

•  Administrator of the Year - Richard Mills, Rockefeller Early Childhood Center PTA
• Teacher of the Year - Crissy Pierce, Cavanaugh Elementary PTA
•  Children’s Champion - Dr. Fransha Anderson, Romine Elementary PTA
•  Heroic Effort - Wendy Sanabria, Cato Elementary PTA

Units also apply for unit and council awards.  This year’s recipients are:

• Communications Award - Valley View PTA, in Jonesboro
• Parent Education Award - Romine Elementary PTA, in Little Rock
• Safety Award - Romine Elementary PTA, in Little Rock
• Board of Distinction:    Cavanaugh Elementary PTA, in Fort Smith
• Valley View PTA, in Jonesboro
•  Little Rock PTA Council
•  Fort Smith PTA Council
•  Outstanding PTA Unit - Rockefeller Early Childhood Center PTA, in Little Rock
•  Outstanding PTA Council - Little Rock PTA Council

 “We have so many deserving nominees for these awards,” said president Melinda Kinnison, “It is always a tough decision to select just one of our units’ honorees.  Thank you to each unit that took the time to share their local successes with us!”

The Arkansas PTA awards program accepts nominations from its local and council units each winter prior to February 1.  Each award has a set of requirements and a scoring rubric that nominees and applications are scored against by a panel of judges from the Arkansas PTA Board of Managers.

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.

Meals for Students Continue This Summer 

To see the actual meal schedule, click here.  

In the Community…

Do you know a teacher who makes learning fun and inspires students? Well, we want to hear about him or her!


Nominations are now open for the Little Rock Family Amazing Educator Awards, presented by Delta Dental, in which we honor four central Arkansas teachers who have made a difference in the lives of their students.


Whether it’s your child's favorite teacher, your wonderful coworker or a great friend who deserves recognition, we want your nomination! You just have to tell us what makes that teacher an “Amazing Educator” by filling out the entry form here. 


In our eighth annual Amazing Educators program, we'll recognize one winning teacher in four categories: Elementary School, Middle/Junior High School, High School and Special Needs.

Winners will be featured in the January 2021 issue of Little Rock Family. Along with the feature, they'll each receive an incredible prize package (including a cash prize!), made possible in part by our sponsor Delta Dental.


Winners will be featured in the January 2021 issue of Little Rock Family. Along with the feature, they'll each receive an incredible prize package (including a cash prize!), made possible in part by our sponsor Delta Dental.


Private and public school teachers in Benton, Bryant, Jacksonville, Little Rock, Maumelle, North Little Rock and Sherwood are eligible. The deadline to submit your nomination is Sept. 4, 2020.

Tips on Choosing a Book to Read Together

Not all books are created equal when it comes to reading aloud. There are many aspects to consider when choosing a great read aloud book.

Read a selection of both picture books and chapter books. When children are younger, be sure and incorporate nursery rhymes; as they get older, incorporate poetry. All children can enjoy the poems of Shel Silverstein and Jack Prelutsky. Also keep in mind there are picture books that teenagers appreciate...such as It’s a Book by Lane Smith.

Choose a book you think your child will enjoy. Make sure the character or story line is something that will be of interest. While many of the classic children’s books are classics for a reason, some amazing books have been written recently.

Let your child be a part of the choice. If your child is very young, you will clearly be the one making the bulk of the decisions on what to read, but narrowing down the choices and letting your child make the final decision on what to read is a smart move. If your child is older, pull up one of the many websites and let them narrow down the choices. Remember it is perfectly acceptable and comforting to read books over and over, to gravitate to a favorite author; however, there is value in trying out something new. 

For younger children starting out with chapter books, try to avoid books with long descriptive paragraphs because these tend to lose younger children’s attention.  Happy Reading!