Friday, May 2, 2025

Friday Highlights 5.2.25

 

May is:
National Physical Fitness and Sports Month
National Mental Health Awareness Month
National Better Speech, Language, and Hearing Month
Lupus Awareness Month
National Returning Youth Month
Jewish American Heritage Month
ALS Awareness Month
Skin Cancer Awareness Month
National Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month
National Foster Care Month
National Dental Care Month
National Stroke Awareness Month
National Military Appreciation Month
National Water Safety Month
Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
National Get Caught Reading Month
National Blood Pressure Education Month

Important Dates: 
May 2: School Lunch Hero Day
May 5-9: Teacher Appreciation Week
May 5: 2025 Crystal Awards
May 5: Personnel Policy Committee Meeting (5:30 p.m.)
May 6: National Teacher Day
May 7: National School Nurse Appreciation Day
May 8: School Board Agenda Meeting (5:30 p.m.)
May 11: Mother's Day
May 13: LR PTA Council Meeting (11 a.m.)
May 19: Academic Signing Day


National Principals Day Observed This Week


We can't let the week go by without giving a shoutout to the amazing principals of the Little Rock School District.  From early mornings to late nights, our principals lead with heart, vision, and a deep commitment to every student’s success.  Thanks for all you do!  To see a short video tribute, click on the link below:

Central Student Among Exceptional Young Scientists Awarded Scholarships and Awards at  63rd Annual National Symposium
Congrats to 
Siddharth Sridharan, Little Rock Central High School
The Neurobiology of Voluntary Exercise: A Novel Approach to Alleviate Chemobrain by Promoting Hippocampal Neurogenesis in the Life and Behavioral Sciences
Recipient of an $8,000 Scholarship
Director of Debate Rosie Valdez Block Inducted to 53rd Tournament of Champions Hall of Fame 


Congrats to LRCH's debate program director Dr. Rosie Valdez for her recent distinction. 
Program directors inducted into the TOC Coach Hall of Fame have dedicated immense time and effort to maintaining the Tournament's high competitive standards, and whose students have distinguished themselves in competition. There  is no specific quota or annual basis for this award; it is given only to outstanding coaches in exceptional circumstances.
Mrs. Valdez Block is the first and only Arkansan to be inducted and joins only 30 other coaches recognized by the Hall of Fame and is the youngest inductee in history.
She was nominated by LRCH Junior and Debater, Amol Kattaria, and was the only coach selected from nominations for induction in 2025. 

Award-Winning Design for Lacey Academy


We're proud to share that Dr. Marian G Lacey K-8 Academy LRSD has been awarded the Summit Award for Best School Design by the Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) – Southern Region! 
This honor recognizes Lacey Academy as the top school design across Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas and is featured in the spring edition of Learning by Design magazine. 
Congratulations to all who brought this vision to life: Clark Construction, Conreal, and Cromwell Architects!
LR Community Unites to Eliminate
School Meal Debt
Superintendent Dr. Jermall Wright and Ms. Stephanie Walker-Hynes, LRSD’s Director of Child Nutrition, joined Mayor Frank Scott, Jr. and the City of Little Rock Food Commission to spotlight an important cause—eliminating school lunch debt and promoting food security for our students. Through the new "Lunch On Us" initiative, YOU can support LRSD’s mission to help eliminate school lunch debt for our students.
If you'd like to donate, you may mail checks to:
LR City Hall City of Little Rock Attention: Amanda Jones 500 W. Markham Little Rock, AR 72201
Memo Line: Little Rock Cares, Lunch On US
*** A QR code will be provided soon to make it even easier to donate.

Shoutout to These Special Employees this Month!



Final Superintendent's Citation Program of the Year
Spotlights Spectacular Students and Staff

On Monday, we wrapped up our final Superintendent's Citation Program of the year, celebrating more incredible students and staff from across the Little Rock School District! 🌟 From academic excellence to outstanding service, these honorees continue to make us proud. Thank you to our amazing students and staff for your hard work, dedication, and the positive impact you make every day!

Milestone Accomplishment
Twenty-two students from Little Rock Southwest High School earned the Arkansas Seal of Biliteracy! They demonstrated proficiency in both English and Spanish. 🌎✨
The Seal of Biliteracy, first adopted in California in 2011, is now recognized nationwide. We are so proud of our students for achieving this important milestone!

Scholarship and Educator Award-Recipients
Congratulations to our amazing Little Rock School District honorees recognized at the Oscar Washington Jr. Educational Fund Gala! We are so proud of Allison Burgess of Parkview Arts/Science Magnet High School- LRSD, and Cohen Hughes and Sydney Arrieta of Little Rock Southwest High School for their incredible achievements and bright futures ahead! 🌟 Special congratulations go to Ms. Felicia Hayes for her outstanding leadership and dedication to education!

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")

Speaking of Reading and Books...
Otter Creek Elementary led the way in literacy over spring break! Join us in celebrating their reading success and commitment to daily reading while they were out of school that week!


Chicot Early Childhood Center students helped restock their Little Free Library with brand new books today—building lifelong reading habits one story at a time! Students are able to visit the Little Free Libraries, even schools aren't open to pick up a favorite FREE book.

Important Appreciation Observances Coming Up Next Week!
Teacher Appreciation Week - May 5-9
Just around the corner: School Nurse Appreciation Day. Be sure to thank them for all they do.

Spring Spruce-Up at Chicot
This past Saturday, Chicot Elementary and Early Childhood Center - LRSD held its annual Spring Service Day! Volunteers came together to help beautify the campus by painting the outdoor learning area, tending to the garden, cleaning up trash, planting flowers, and organizing the food and clothing pantry. 💚 Thank you to the incredible staff, students, families, and our dedicated partners who gave their time and energy to make the day a huge success!

LRSD Offers More Options for Student Success

LRSD is committed to providing students with more choices to help them thrive. From innovative career and technical programs to strong academics and arts, LRSD is opening doors to a brighter future. Watch our new video to see how LRSD is preparing students for success—no matter their path!

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!

LRSD Seeks Community 
Service-Learning Partners

The Little Rock School District invites non-profits to join as Community Service-Learning partners. With community service hours now a graduation requirement for Arkansas high school students, LRSD aims to connect students with meaningful volunteer opportunities. Non-profit organizations can apply to become approved partners, allowing students to support their events and initiatives. Apply today at lrsd.org/community-service-learning or contact Stefanie Vestal at Stefanie.Vestal@lrsd.org for more information.

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.

Save the Date for the Dunbar Career Fair!

Join ESS to Support Student Achievement!

ESS is now hiring substitute teachers to help support student success in the Little Rock School District. With flexible schedules, no nights or weekends, and ongoing training, ESS offers great opportunities for those looking to make a difference. Apply now at ESS.com!

LRSD Offers Support for Families in Transition

If you are a family in transition, whether staying with friends, in a shelter, motel, or other temporary locations, your child may qualify for services under the McKinney-Vento Act. LRSD provides resources like immediate school enrollment, transportation, and educational support to help ensure your child’s uninterrupted learning. For assistance, contact one of our liaisons or complete the Residency Form.

Explore College-Level Learning with LRSD's 
Advanced Placement Program

The Little Rock School District offers a robust Advanced Placement (AP) program, allowing students to take college-level courses in high school. With 38 courses across 20 subjects, students can earn college credit by scoring 3 or higher on the national AP exams. AP classes not only provide academic challenges but also enhance college applications.

LRSD Supports Gifted & Talented 
Students Grades 6-12

LRSD supports gifted and talented students beyond elementary school through advanced class offerings, monthly affective needs meetings, and competitions. For more information, contact your school's Gifted Facilitator or visit the LRSD Advanced Academics webpage.

LRSD Partners with UA Little Rock to 
Simplify College Admissions

The Little Rock School District is excited to announce a new partnership with UA Little Rock to streamline the college admissions process for our students. This collaboration offers waived application fees, direct transcript submissions, and automatic financial aid consideration, making it easier than ever for LRSD seniors to pursue higher education and achieve their academic goals. Learn more about this fantastic opportunity here: https://ualr.edu/admissions.

In Other Partnership News: LRSD/UA-Little Rock Connection Also Means Continuing Ed Opportunities for Employees

LRSD is excited to partner with UA-Little Rock to provide opportunities for our employees to start or finish an undergraduate degree while continuing their careers. Click on the link below to learn more.

https://ualr.edu/admissions/little-rock-school-district/

Unlocking Potential: Little Rock School District
Offers More Opportunities for Kids
 

Jazz in the Park Extended
For Two Weeks in May 
A Soulful Celebration of Local Talent

Join the Little Rock community for Jazz in the Park, a free concert series for the extended version over the next two Wednesdays in May.  The concerts are normally held each April and September at the River Market Pavilions, but weather caused the rescheduling of two performances. 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.

  • May 7 – The Rod P Outfit

  • May 14 - Dee Dee Jones

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.

Join the Fight at the "Be a Part of the Cure Walk"

Head to War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock on Saturday, May 3rd, for the “Be a Part of the Cure Walk,” a community event raising funds and awareness for cancer research in Arkansas. Online registration closes at 6:30 p.m. on May 2nd, and in-person sign-ups begin at 6:30 a.m. on event day. Whether you walk, donate, or form a team, every step helps bring us closer to a cure!

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!


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


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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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