Friday, April 18, 2025

Friday Highlights - 4.18.25

April is:
National Volunteer Month
National Poetry Month
Sexual Assault Awareness Month
National Autism Awareness Month
Stress Awareness Month
National Financial Literacy Month
National Alcohol Awareness Month
Parkinson's Awareness Month
National Month of Hope
Distracted Driving Awareness Month
Month of the Military Child
National Child Abuse Prevention Month
National Jazz Appreciation Month
Keep America Beautiful Month

Important Dates: 
April 20-26: National Volunteer Week
April 22: Earth Day
April 22: School Bus Driver, Aide, and Monitor Appreciation Day
April 22: VIPS "An Evening for the Stars"
April 23: Administrative Professional Appreciation Day
April 24: School Board Meeting (5:30 p.m.)
April 28-May 2: School Nutrition Employee Week
April 28: Superintendent's Citation Program


LRSD Schools Making Serious Moves in
Right Direction!
We’re proud to recognize seven LRSD schools that improved their letter grade from the previous year! Congratulations to: Baseline, Chicot Elementary and Early Childhood Center - LRSDFulbright ElementaryMcDermott Elementary School, Wakefield, Watson Elementary School LRSD, and Williams Magnet School. Many of these schools serve communities with higher economic needs and English Language Learner students, making their achievements even more inspiring. 💙 #LRSDProud #ReimaginingLRSD #OneTeamOneDreamOneLRSD 


Stellar Students & Staff 
Shine at Stephens Awards Program
Photo Courtesy/Tommy Metthe (Arkansas Democrat Gazette) 

LRSD students and staff among five area high school seniors and five teachers selected to receive the prestigious 2025 Stephens Award, which provides scholarships and honors outstanding
students and educators.  Honorees listed below:

Students -
  • Yassin Bahgat, Little Rock Central High School, son of Rania Elkhateb
  • Mya Dukes, Little Rock Southwest Magnet High School, daughter of Monique Moore
Teachers - 

  •  Renitia Bullard, a marketing teacher at Little Rock Southwest Magnet High School
  • Toyoshima A. Gray, a construction teacher at Metropolitan Career Technical Center
  • Amber McCuien, an English teacher at Little Rock Central High School

Have You Checked Out Our 
Community Report?
Did you see LRSD's latest Community Report? It features lots of LRSD highlights and the
2023-34 annual report.

Read here:  https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/.../2024...


Congrats to Gibbs Leader Who's
Taking Skills to the Next Level
LRSD joins Gibbs Magnet School in celebrating Principal Tina Greenwood, on her incredible accomplishment - completing Phase 3 and graduating from the Master Principal Program through the Arkansas Leadership Academy— a prestigious, three-year journey of leadership growth, reflection, and impact.
The Master Principal Program is designed for the state’s top school leaders, focusing on building strong leadership practices that transform schools and empower students and teachers. Completing all three phases is a major achievement, and we are so proud of Mrs. Greenwood for her hard work, dedication, and vision!

LRSD's Standout Speakers Earn Big $ at 16th Annual Ralph Vines II Public Speaking Contest
Congratulations to the Little Rock School District students who earned top honors in this year’s Ralph D. Vines II Public Speaking Contest, standing out among dozens of participants across the region.
🏆 Congratulations to the following LRSD students:
🥇 Brady Noland – Pulaski Heights Elementary
🥈 Arni Siddamreddy – Roberts Elementary LRSD
🥉 Catherine Romero – Jefferson Elementary
🥈 Riya Sandeep – Roberts Elementary
🥉 Pia Prodhan – Central High School
🥇 🏅 Yassin Bahgat – Central High School (First Place and Grand Prize Winner)
🏅 Jamie Schildknecht – Fulbright Elementary (Grand Prize)
🎖️ Eric Tang – Central High School (Grand Prize Runner-up)
A special thanks to the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Foundation for donating the top prizes each year - $1,500 for a female/male grand prize winner. Founded by Ralph D. Vines II, who overcame a speech impediment to champion strong communication skills, the contest encourages young people to build confidence through public speaking. Even if they do not place, each contestant takes home a cash prize of at least $50. More about the contest: ralphvinesendowment.com.

Local Youth Advocate Uses Platform
 to Fight Poverty
Thank you to Ciara Callicott and her organization, Unite to Fight Poverty, for generously donating $1,000 to help eliminate unpaid student meal debt in the Little Rock School District! 🍽️💛 The check was officially dropped off this week at our Child Nutrition Office. 💙 This gift is making a real difference for students in our community.

College-Bound 
Athletic Signing Day at Central!

Little Rock Central High School celebrated the achievements of student-athletes at its annual Athletic Signing Day. The signees were joined by family, friends and classmates, all gathered to cheer on these remarkable students as they committed to continuing their academic and athletic careers at the collegiate level. Student-athletes from a variety of sports were recognized during the ceremony.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Luke Thomas Moore - University of Central Arkansas

CHEER

Milana Anderson - University of Central Arkansas

Samantha Cox - University of Arkansas Pine Bluff

Kynnadi Finks - University of Central Arkansas

Amya Norfleet -University of Central Arkansas

Jacob Plank - Oklahoma State University

GOLF

Jacqueline Yanez - Edward Walters University

SWIMMING

Carson Gillum - Ouachita Baptist College

VOLLEYBALL

Kelis Battles - Henderson State

WRESTLING

Laila Jordan - Baker University

Aamir Reed - Ouachita Baptist University

Donovan Washington -Lyon College

Congrats to LRSD's Latest Addition to
Our Doctoral Staff!
LRSD proudly celebrates Dr. Lolitia Hayes, of Pinnacle View Middle School - LRSD, for earning her Doctorate with Distinction from Liberty University! Since joining LRSD, Dr. Hayes has earned multiple degrees, always leading by example as a lifelong learner.

Save the Date for the Dunbar Career Fair!


Reading in the Rock: Empowering LRSD Students 
Through The Joy of Books

Every child deserves access to books that spark imagination and inspire a lifelong love of reading. That’s the focus of the Reading in the Rock initiative, combined with improving literacy rates - in partnership with the City of Little Rock. The goal is to provide elementary students with books over spring break and into the summer, helping to build home libraries and prevent the summer slide. The community is encouraged to help us provide more books by making a financial donation. No amount is too small—every contribution helps put books in the hands of our students. Thank you in advance for your support!
here is the kickoff news conference:


Donate today: www.arcf.org/lrsdpromise 
or Mail a check to:
The Arkansas Community Foundation
5 Allied Drive, Suite 51110, Building 5, 11th Floor
Little Rock, AR 72202
(Memo: "LRSD Promise for the Future Fund")

Taking Reading on the Road

Thank you to @UAPB Alumni for presenting the “Reading Den” at Dr. Marion G. Lacey K-8 Academy. We appreciate the great community support from one 🦁family to another.
Rotary Club Afterhours Provides
 School Day Reading Support!

A big thank you to Wes Manus with the Rotary Club of Little Rock Afterhours-Rotary Reading Ladder Program. He surprised Pulaski Heights Elementary Friday with a check to our school so students can have access to MORE BOOKS!

Get Your One Team One Dream Shirts Today!

Show your team spirit with our One Team One Dream short-sleeve shirts! Available in redgreengray, and pink, these shirts are a great way to represent LRSD. Click the highlighted links to order yours today!




Community Outreach Efforts






Central Arkansas Child Care & Family Expo - 
A Day of Fun and Learning!

Mark your calendar for the Central Arkansas Child Care & Family Expo on Saturday, May 10, 2025, from 10 AM to 3 PM at the Arkansas State Fairgrounds in Little Rock. This free, family-friendly event brings together early childhood professionals, families, and community partners for a day full of crafts, activities, educational sessions, and valuable resources. Everyone is welcome to come celebrate the joy of learning and connect with local support services!

An Unforgettable Night - 
That's How Promoters Describe What Your Experience Will Be if You See Hadestown at the Robinson Center

Hadestown, the Tony Award-winning musical, is coming to Little Rock’s Robinson Center from April 25-27, 2025. This stunning production brings to life the ancient Greek myths of Orpheus and Eurydice and Hades and Persephone with an innovative blend of folk, jazz, blues, and gospel music. Known for its powerful storytelling and mesmerizing performances, Hadestown takes audiences on a journey to the underworld that is both timeless and fresh. Don’t miss this chance to experience one of the most celebrated musicals of our time right here in Little Rock. Get your tickets today for a night of unforgettable theater!

Ballet Arkansas Presents:
A Midsummer Night's Dream

Join Ballet Arkansas on April 26th for a magical performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, set to Felix Mendelssohn’s iconic score. Experience Shakespeare’s timeless tale of love, mischief, and enchanted forests brought to life by a community cast of talented dancers. Don’t miss this beautiful display of romance, comedy, and magic. Get tickets here.

Impact the Rock: A Day of Unity & Service

Wrap up National Volunteer Week by giving back to Little Rock at Impact The Rock: A Day of Unity & Service on April 26, 2025, at 9 A.M.! Join neighbors and friends to beautify parks, clean up streets, care for animals, and strengthen our city through meaningful projects across all seven wards. Whether you join a planned project, create your own, or work in your adopted area, your efforts will make a lasting impact. Let’s come together to serve, connect, and celebrate the power of community!

Jazz in the Park: A Soulful Celebration of Local Talent

Join the Little Rock community for Jazz in the Park, a free concert series held every Wednesday in April and September at the River Market Pavilions. Experience a vibrant mix of jazz and R&B performances by local talent, featuring everything from smooth vocals to powerful instrumental solos. Bring your family, friends, and pets for a relaxed evening of great music, food, and drinks. With proceeds benefiting the Art Porter Music Education scholarship fund, it's a perfect way to enjoy soulful sounds while supporting local artists.

  • April 23 – Dino D and the D Train

  • April 30 – DeeDee Jones

  • May 7 – The Rod P Outfit

Concerts run from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the River Market Pavilions or First Security Amphitheater. In case of rain, the concerts will move to Ottenheimer River Market Hall.

501Fest: Celebrating Community, Creativity, and Economic Growth

Join us for 501FEST, a vibrant celebration of the spirit and energy that powers our community! On May 2-3rd in the River Market District, 501FEST brings together families and friends for an exciting weekend of live performances, local vendors, delicious food, and family-friendly activities. This annual festival, recognized as 501 Day by city officials, not only showcases local talent and entrepreneurship but also supports positive change in central Arkansas.

They Help Us During the Year - Now They Need Our Help During the Summer - Intern Opportunities at ARKids Read


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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. 

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