Yesterday was a day to remember as we celebrated the incredible accomplishments of the LRSD Class of 2025! From Southwest to Parkview, Hall-West, and Central, our students crossed the stage with pride and promise. Nearly $29M in scholarships offered/accepted by this amazing class. Congratulations to all of our graduates—we are so proud of you! Missed the ceremonies or want to relive the special moments? Watch all the graduations now at lrsdlive.com.
The Little Rock School District proudly celebrated Academic Signing Day for the Class of 2025 with a special event honoring students for their academic achievements and future plans. These outstanding scholars have demonstrated hard work, dedication, and excellence. We are so proud of their accomplishments and can’t wait to see what the future holds for each of them! Thank you, Arvest Bank, for your continued support in helping us recognize our students.
LRSD celebrated a major construction milestone this week at Pinnacle View High School with a special topping-out ceremony. The event marked the placement of the final beam, complete with a tree and a stuffed Skyhawk on top, symbolizing growth and school spirit. From board members and staff to students, and community partners, as well as the Baldwin & Shell and Lewis Architect teams, the celebration was a reminder that it takes a village... and we are grateful for ours!
National Spanish Exam
Parkview Arts & Science Magnet High School senior Jayden Bledsoe has achieved a rare and outstanding accomplishment—a perfect score on the National Spanish Exam! Out of more than 82,000 students nationwide, Jayden is one of only 201 to earn this distinction. He will attend the Missouri University of Science and Technology this fall. Congratulations, Jayden!
International Science Fair
Ten students from Little Rock Central High School recently competed at the 2025 International Science & Engineering Fair in Columbus, Ohio—joining thousands of top young scientists from over 60 countries. Aakash Bhattacharyya earned 4th place in Computational Biology, winning $600, and Yogi Patel received a $1,500 award and a full scholarship to a science camp at Missouri S&T. All students represented LRSD and the state of Arkansas with pride!
.jpg)
Help us cheer on our amazing Destination Imagination teams from Gibbs as they head to Globals in Kansas City! We’re so proud of their creativity, teamwork, and leadership. Go show the world what Snow Leopards can do—good luck, team!
We’re proud to announce that Gibbs Magnet Elementary also joins Forest Heights STEM Academy in being recognized as PLTW Distinguished Program Recipients! This national honor highlights their outstanding efforts to expand access and achievement in STEM education through Project Lead The Way. Congratulations to our students, staff, and families for helping us lead the way in innovation and learning!
Students at Metropolitan Career and Technical Center put their skills to work in a meaningful way by building and donating an outdoor library and food pantry to Dr. Marian G. Lacy K-8 Academy. Led by instructors Toyoshima Gray and Chad Moore, students from the Construction Technology and Automation programs designed, built, and decorated the structures—complete with the school’s lion mascot and signage. They also donated books and food to help stock both. This project is a great example of students using real-world skills to make a real difference in their community.
Gryphon Athletic Camp Postponed
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:
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")
Congratulations to Otter Creek Elementary School for winning a pizza party in the “Reading in the Rock” challenge! They returned the most reading logs after spring break, earning students fun rewards like Little Rock Zoo passes, new books, and tasty pizza. The reading doesn’t stop there—students are encouraged to keep logging their reading through summer break and turn in their logs at community partner sites or bring them back to school in the fall. Let’s keep the pages turning, Little Rock!
Pettaway Coffee
Summer break is here, and so is our first Reading in the Rock community partner spotlight! We're excited to partner with Pettaway Coffee, where families can enjoy great drinks and swap books all summer long. Stop by to grab a new read or leave one behind for someone else. Let’s keep the love of reading going!
LRSD elementary students brought their A-game to the 2025 Elementary Quiz Bowl Tournament held at Henderson. With 22 teams competing across two divisions, the event was a showcase of teamwork, critical thinking, and academic excellence. Congratulations to Roberts, Jefferson, Mabelvale, and Chicot for placing in the top spots! We’re also proud of all the participating schools for their hard work.
AI and Education on KATV
Dr. Travis Taylor, Instructional Technology Specialist for the Little Rock School District, appeared on KATV’s Daybreak to discuss how AI tools like ChatGPT are impacting student learning. With more students using AI to help with homework and final papers, Dr. Taylor shared insights on the benefits and challenges of this technology in the classroom. Watch the full segment here.
.jpg)
All schools and district offices in the Little Rock School District will be closed on Monday, May 26, in observance of Memorial Day. We encourage everyone to take this time to honor and remember those who have served. Regular schedules will resume on Tuesday, May 27.
LRSD is proud to partner with the City of Little Rock Food Commission on the new "Lunch On Us" initiative, which raises awareness and support to help eliminate school lunch debt across the district. Together, we can ensure all students have access to healthy meals—because no child should have to learn on an empty stomach.
Make a difference by donating today: https://ar.accessgov.com/.../treasury.../lr-cares-donation/0
If your child attended a Head Start or Early Head Start program during the 2024–2025 school year, they may be eligible for Summer EBT benefits to help cover the cost of food during the summer months. This year, families must submit an application to receive benefits. Apply online at www.ar.gov/summerebt or pick up a paper application at your local DHS office.
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!
Show your team spirit with our One Team One Dream short-sleeve shirts! Available in red, green, gray, and pink, these shirts are a great way to represent LRSD. Click the highlighted links to order yours today!
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.
Community Report?
Did you see LRSD's latest Community Report? It features lots of LRSD highlights and the
2023-34 annual report. Read here.
As we finish out the 2024–25 school year, now is the perfect time to schedule your child’s physicals, sports physicals, and immunizations for next year. LRSD’s school-based health clinics reopen the week of July 14, 2025, and appointment slots are already filling up. These services are available to all LRSD students and their siblings. Don’t wait—beat the back-to-school rush and check the flyers for clinic hours and contact info!
Lyon College School of Dental Medicine invites families to the “Give Kids a Smile” event on July 18 from 9 AM to 12 PM at 5 Allied Drive, Little Rock. Children will receive free dental screenings and fluoride applications—no appointment needed! Enjoy storytime with the Tooth Fairy, a DJ dance party, face painting, and more. Don’t miss this fun-filled day promoting healthy smiles!
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!
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.
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 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.
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.
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/
The 5th Annual Pulaski County Fair, presented by Oaklawn Hot Springs, is coming back to North Little Rock Riverfront Park from May 16–26, 2025! The fair will feature carnival rides, live music, food, games, and special guests like Eddie Munster and his famous Dragula car. A portion of the proceeds will support North Little Rock Parks & Recreation. Learn more and plan your visit here.
"Me and the Devil"
Tickets are on sale now for the first production of The Rep's 2025 Summer Stage season, Me and the Devil. The world-premiere play with music is written and directed by The Rep's new Artistic Director, Little Rock-native and Broadway Director, Steve H. Broadnax III, who is also an LRSD alum. Parkview Patriot in the house!
Looking for a fun and inclusive way to spend your Saturday? Head to the SoMa district on June 7 for SoMa Pride 2025! From 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM, enjoy a lively Pride Parade at noon, followed by an all-day street festival packed with music, food, art, and family-friendly activities.
Juneteenth in Da Rock 2025
Join the Little Rock community on June 21, 2025, for Juneteenth in Da Rock, a vibrant celebration of freedom, culture, and unity. Held in the Historic 9th Street District, this family-friendly festival features live music, a 5K run, food, art, and more. Learn more about the event here.
Little Rock is set to turn up the volume this summer as Rock The Country, a two-day music festival, rolls into town June 20–21. This event is part of a 10-city tour featuring a mix of country and rock favorites, with headliners Nickelback and Kid Rock leading the charge. From legends like Hank Williams Jr. and Travis Tritt to crowd-pleasers like Shenandoah, Afroman, and the Ying Yang Twins, there’s something for everyone. Don’t miss this community celebration of music and good times! Get tickets here.
The Little Rock Farmers Market has opened its doors for another season, welcoming visitors to the River Market with its farm-fresh produce, locally crafted foods, and handmade arts and crafts. As it has since 1996, the market invites SNAP beneficiaries, offering tokens purchasable on-site and participating in the Double Up Food Bucks program. Free parking, including spaces for seniors and handicapped individuals, ensures convenient access for all patrons.
No comments:
Post a Comment