Friday, February 23, 2024

Friday Highlights 2.23.24

 

February is:

Black History Month
Career Technical Education Month
National Library Lover's Month
National Heart Month
Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
National Children's Dental Health Month
Chinese New Year
National Cancer Prevention Month

Important Dates: 

February 26:  Superintendent's Citation Program
March 2: Little Rockers Kids Marathon
March 4-8: National School Breakfast Week
March 4: Personnel Policy Committee Meeting (5:30 p.m.)
March 7: School Board Work Session (5:30 p.m.)
March 8: International Women's Day
March 28:  New Date for March School Board Meeting (Changed from March 14th)
Save-the-Date:  April 8 (Schools/Offices Closed for Eclipse)

Commemorating Black History Month!

Happy Black History Month! This year, LRSD will spotlight prominent African American District graduates. Today, we are recognizing Hall High School alum Celia Anderson. She's a former Razorback basketball player, author, and Ted Talk presenter. Anderson also delivers presentations to students across the country, sharing how the benefits of education have persevered after her athletic career.

Math is Fun! LRSD's 19th Annual Mathletes Challenge Ends with a Three-Peat Winner!

LRSD's 19th Annual Mathletes Challenge is in the history books with a three-peat winner! Competition was intense. After a couple of sudden death rounds, Don Roberts Team 1 captured the title. So the traveling trophy went home with Roberts again, but all the students received awards. Congrats to all the participating teams! As an FYI, the competition was held in rounds and began with 36 teams from schools across the District. Shoutout to Jason Crader for organizing this amazing event and for the math department's support! Click here to read more

Central Tigers Continue Their Winning Ways

Little Rock Central Debate traveled to the Harvard National Speech and Debate Tournament at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, this past week and claimed multiple top awards at the difficult and prestigious event. Seniors Jack Baker and Jackson Mills are the champions of the 2024 Harvard Round Robin. This is the first time LRCH has been invited to the Harvard Round Robin. Way to go, Top Tiger Debaters! There are several noteworthy accomplishments by this team. Click here to read more

Parkview Senior Wins First Place at 
Indoor State Championship

Big shoutout to James Hunter Jr., a Parkview Arts/Science Magnet High School Senior, for an outstanding victory at the 5A Indoor State Championship! He won first place in the 400m race. Congratulations on your accomplishment, James!

Carver Steam Magnet GT Specialist Honored with AGATE Educator Award

Congratulations to Ms. Melanie Maupin, Carver Steam Magnet GT Specialist. She was honored with the 2024 AGATE Educator Award for her work! This award recognizes educators who have made significant contributions to the education of gifted and talented students. Way to go, Ms. Maupin!

LRSD and Caissa Begin the Second Phase of Recruitment/Retention Partnership

The Little Rock School District is excited to begin phase two of its strategic partnership with Caissa, a leading educational organization focused on student recruitment and retention. Community members may recall LRSD’s pilot project with Caissa last summer that included phone calls, texts, and surveys, seeking feedback to better meet the needs of families. Caissa implements a diverse range of tools to showcase the assets of the districts with which they work to get students back in classrooms and to keep them there. If you get emails or calls/texts from 501-503-3168, 501-512-1656, or 501-260-7244 -they are legitimate communication from LRSD.

Rising Choreographer for the Stars Visits His Alma Mater - Parkview

Current Parkview Arts/Science Magnet High School dance students were surprised when 2003 alum Sean-Christopher Freeman dropped by. A rising choreographer to the stars, Freeman just wrapped up his role as the dance/skate choreographer for Usher's Superbowl halftime performance as well as the R&B singer's Vegas residency. Thanks for visiting with our students! BTW, Freeman is an educator in Atlanta (for his "day job").


LRCH Students Honor Black History With American Cities Tribute
Yesterday, talented LRCH students showcased their brilliance and creativity in a powerful program. From captivating performances to enlightening presentations, they paid homage to the rich history and contributions of the Black community in cities across the country.

Central High School Students
Win Arkansas Science Bowl

Congratulations to these students from Little Rock Central High School for winning the Arkansas Science Bowl! Their hard work has earned them a spot to compete at the National Science Bowl in Washington, D.C., this April!

The Deadline is Next Week!
Help Us #ReimageLRSD by Filling Out this Anonymous Survey

Help #ReimagineLRSD by sharing your input in our anonymous strategic planning survey! Input from our community is essential for an effective strategic plan that improves student success and experiences. The survey will close on February 26th. Thank you for your participation and support!

Link to English Survey: https://www.research.net/r/LRSDStratPlan
Encuesta del Plan Estratégico del Distrito Escolar de Little Rock: https://www.research.net/r/PlanEstrategicoLittleRock

Check Out This Month's Edition of the HR Newsletter

Check out this month's edition of the "Your LRSD HR Connection!"
You can find the full link here: https://5il.co/2fbp0

Public Speaking Contest Deadline Coming Up Soon! Limited Number of Applicants Accepted



It's that time again. Don't sleep on turning in your application for the annual Ralph Vines Public Speaking Contest - a limited number of contestants accepted due to growing popularity! You can find more information in the picture above. The application can also be found at this link:: https://5il.co/2cwa4. Deadline for submissions: March 15th.

Time to Honor Moms and Mother Figures

Calling all Moms and Mother-figures! It's time for LRSD's 2024 Moms Matter Sweepstakes. Snap a photo of you with your current LRSD student(s) and upload the photo to the website, www.LRSD.org/2024MomsMatter until February 29th. The Mom or Mother-figure should be in the photo with the child. Winners will be randomly selected.

Download the New App



Principal Pool Application Process Now Open

Click on this link to read the flyer and get information on applying.


Parkview Students to Perform at the Clinton Presidential Center for Black History Month

On Sunday, February 25, the Clinton Presidential Center will host a special Black History Month performance about the life story of former South African President Nelson Mandela, featuring choral and theatre students from Little Rock's Parkview Arts & Science Magnet High School. The performance will feature a selection of songs and scenes depicting President Mandela's beginning as the son of a chief in a small village, his role as a leader in the fight for racial equality in South Africa, and his election as the first Black president of South Africa. To register for the event, click here.

Runners From Across the Country Expected for 2024 Little Rock Marathon

Named as one of Runner's World "Bucket List: 10 Great Marathons for First-Timers" in 2017, the 22nd Annual Little Rock Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, and Little Rockers Kids Marathon events will soon  fill the streets of the Capital City. It's a race with personality, loads of southern hospitality, tons of caring volunteers, a running or walking tour through the scenic streets of Little Rock, and an impressive finisher's medal. The race starts on March 2, and there is still time to register!
Click here to register

Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission Partners with LRSD for Black History Month

Save the Date!

Soup Sunday Around the Corner


For more information and tickets:  https://www.aradvocates.org/events/central-arkansas-soup-sunday-2024/

Scholarship Opportunity for Students
Interested in Pursuing Music-Related Degrees




Do You Have an Event/Information You Would Like Featured in Our Blog?

Fill out this media request form: https://lrsd.jotform.com/201056269402044?
Remember, the deadline for each week's submissions is Thursday at noon.


Friday, February 16, 2024

 

February is:

Black History Month
Career Technical Education Month
National Library Lover's Month
National Heart Month
Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
National Children's Dental Health Month
Chinese New Year
National Cancer Prevention Month

Important Dates: 

February 19:  PD - Students Out
February 20:  Parent Conferences after school
February 22:
  School Board Meeting (5:30 p.m.)
February 26:  Superintendent's Citation Program
Save-the-Date:  April 8 (Schools/Offices Closed for Eclipse)

Commemorating Black History Month!
❤️💚🖤 Happy Black History Month! This year, #LRSD will spotlight prominent African American District graduates. Today we are recognizing Parkview Arts/Science Magnet High School- LRSD alum Sean-Christopher Freeman, a rising choreographer to the stars. Freeman's dance/skating moves were most recently demonstrated by R&B singer Usher at half-time during the Super Bowl performance. Freeman was also the skate captain and choreographer for Usher's Las Vegas residency. ❤️💚🖤



LRSD Boasts of Top Spellers in the County!

Congrats to the 1st and 2nd Place winners of the Pulaski County Spelling. LRSD is proud of Sara Chen, Roberts Elementary - 1st Place, and Inayah Sidduqui, Terry Elementary - 2nd Place.

Chicot Administrator Earns
Counselor of the Year Distinction



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The District is also proud of Ms. Adrienne Hawkins, Chicot, for her recognition as the 2023-2024 ArSCA - Central Region Elementary School Counselor of the Year. Way to go, Ms. Hawkins!


Back-to-back State Football Titles Earn Coach a Spot in  KATV's Winner’s Circle


Congratulations to Parkview Arts/Science Magnet High School’s Head Football Coach, Brad Bolding, for winning KATV's Coach of the Year for the 2023 football season! Another well-deserved honor. #LRSDproud

Cloverdale & LR Southwest 
Chick-Fil-A Leaders 
Making a Huge Impact!

An awesome week at Otter Creek Elementary! Students from Little Rock Southwest's Chick-fil-A Leader Academy donated books and read them to 1st and 2nd graders. The effort is part of their IMPACT Projects, similar to one conducted by Cloverdale this past fall. #LeadingByExample

Cloverdale Student - Youngest CAP Cadet Ever  to Represent Arkansas in D.C. 


A student from Cloverdale Middle School has been selected to represent Arkansas at National Legislative Day in Washington, D.C.

Eighth-grader Morgan Crawford will be heading to Capitol Hill at the end of February to meet with U.S. senators and representatives. Morgan was one of only 200 cadets in the nation out of nearly 30,000 to be chosen.  BTW, she is also the youngest cadet to ever get this opportunity.  

Help Us #ReimageLRSD by Filling Out this Anonymous Survey

Help #ReimagineLRSD by sharing your input in our anonymous strategic planning survey! Input from our community is essential for an effective strategic plan that improves student success and experiences. The survey will close on February 26th. Thank you for your participation and support!
Encuesta del Plan Estratégico del Distrito Escolar de Little Rock: https://www.research.net/r/PlanEstrategicoLittleRock


Calling All Chess Players!
Central High School Tiger Chess Club Teams Up with the Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission for a Tournament

In honor of Black History Month, the Central High School Tiger Chess Club is partnering with the Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission to host a free chess tournament for youth in the community. The tournament will be held at Little Rock Central High School on Saturday, February 17th, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This community initiative aims to provide an opportunity for students of all skill levels to learn and engage in the strategic game. On-site coaches will be available to teach both students and parents. Check-in time is from 8 to 8:30 a.m. Participants can register their child or children by visiting this registration form. The deadline for registration is Thursday, February 15th, at midnight. However, walk-ins are welcome until 8:30 a.m. on the day of the tournament. Don't miss this opportunity to enrich your child's mind and be part of a historic event.

Public Speaking Contest Deadline
Coming Up Soon!
Limited Number of Applicants Accepted



It's that time again. Don't sleep on turning in your application for the annual Ralph Vines Public Speaking Contest - a limited number of contestants accepted due to growing popularity! You can find more information in the picture above. The application can also be found at this link:: https://5il.co/2cwa4. Deadline for submissions: March 15th.




In Celebration of the Arts!



LRSD joins the Thea foundation in recognizing the 2023-24 Scholarship winners. According to Thea, judges said this year's entries were exceptional. Below are the LRSD winners in multiple categories.
Visual Arts
$10,000 - 1st Place - Shiney You – Little Rock Central High School $6,000 – Erin Elder – Little Rock Central High School
Performing Arts
$8,000 – Marionna Parker- Parkview Arts and Science Magnet High School
$3,000 Scholarship– Jordan Craig – Little Rock Central High School

Creative Writing $10,000 - 1st Place - Ananya Uddanti – Little Rock Central High School $3,000 – Lucy Burks- Little Rock Central High School
$3,000 – Elliott Bond – Little Rock Central High School
Fashion Design $10,000 - 1st Place - Isaac Bristow – Little Rock Central High School

For a complete list of winners visit:

Photos of a few of the winners (Courtesy Thea Foundation):


Time to Honor Moms and Mother Figures


Download the New App




Principal Pool Application Process Now Open

Click on this link to read the flyer and get information on applying.


Ballet Arkansas Presents Swan Lake

Join Ballet Arkansas for an unforgettable evening of ballet that promises to leave you spellbound and inspired. Indulge in an enchanting journey into the world of timeless romance and breathtaking artistry with Swan Lake. Tchaikovsky's score sets the stage for a ballet experience like no other. The ballet features an ensemble of nearly 100 community cast performers alongside the professional Company Artists of Ballet Arkansas. The shows will be performed at the Robinson Center from February 16-18.

Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts to Host 
Family Art Festival

Immerse yourself in a free day of art and fun for guests of all ages inspired by the Arkansas Museum of Fine Art's newest exhibition Action/Abstraction Redefined: Modern Native Art, 1940s to 1970s. Free studio activities, storytelling sessions, live music, and more bring the Museum to life with a celebration of Indigenous artists and performers. The Bizhiki Culture and Dance Company kicks off the experience with energy-packed, interactive dance performances. The dancers will then lead audiences into the Glass Box for a special storytelling performance illustrating the resilience of Indigenous cultures. The free family day is going to be held on February 17th.

Save the Date!

Soup Sunday Around the Corner

For more information and tickents:  https://www.aradvocates.org/events/central-arkansas-soup-sunday-2024/

Do You Have an Event/Information You Would Like Featured in Our Blog?

Fill out this media request form: https://lrsd.jotform.com/201056269402044?
Remember, the deadline for each week's submissions is Thursday at noon.