May 15: LRSD Board Meeting
Mother-Figures Everywhere!
Little Rock School District Names Top Teacher and Employee of the Year During 2025 Crystal Awards
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The Little Rock School District honored its outstanding educators and support staff at the 2025 Crystal Awards Gala, celebrating excellence across the District. Victoria Golden, a teacher at Dr. Marian G. Lacey K-8 Academy, was named LRSD Teacher of the Year and received the Marian G. Lacey Award, along with several prizes. Other top honorees included Krystie Brumfield (Elementary), Carey Shurgar Sellers (Middle), Rex R. DeLoney (High School), and Eddie Hunt, custodian at McDermott Elementary, who was named Classified Employee of the Year. Nearly 700 guests attended the elegant event, made possible by the generous support of community sponsors. Watch the full program below:
This week, schools across the Little Rock School District went above and beyond to celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week. From special breakfasts and lunches to thoughtful gifts, our educators were truly shown how much they are valued. We thank our amazing educators for their dedication and hard work every day!
Little Rock Central High School seniors Yassin Bahgat and Yahya Younus have been named 2025 National Merit $2500 Scholarship recipients. Selected from a nationwide pool of more than 15,000 finalists, they were recognized for their academic excellence, leadership, and potential for success in college. We are proud of their outstanding achievement and excited to see what the future holds for these exceptional students!
Congratulations to Mary M. Fleming, who recently completed the London Marathon, earning the prestigious title of Abbott 6 Star World Major Marathon Finisher. This honor is awarded to runners who complete all six of the world’s major marathons—Boston, New York, Chicago, Berlin, Tokyo, and London. Fewer than 20,000 people worldwide have reached this milestone. This is a huge accomplishment!
LRSD congratulates Board Member Anna Strong on receiving the inaugural Distinguished Alumni Award from the Clinton School of Public Service. She was recognized for her long-standing dedication to public service and powerful impact on children's health and well-being across Arkansas. From advocacy and policy work to her role on the LRSD School Board, Mrs. Strong continues to be a tireless champion for children and families.
The Rotary Club of Little Rock Afterhours partnered with LRSD for a third year to promote daily reading. Students were challenged to read 20 minutes each day—and they delivered! Congratulations to Mabelvale Elementary, Chicot Elementary, and Otter Creek Elementary Schools for logging the most minutes read this school year. Each school received a donation to purchase new books for their libraries. Thank you to Rotary Afterhours for supporting Reading In The Rock and helping foster a love of reading in our schools!
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")
This week, elementary students across LRSD took part in Reading in the Rock book distributions—an exciting event where students personally selected books to take home for the summer! By giving students a voice in their book choices, we're helping make reading more enjoyable and engaging. The goal? To encourage every child to read at least 20 minutes a day over the break, building strong literacy skills and a lifelong love of reading.
Students at Western Hills Elementary enjoyed a day of outdoor fun and learning at Boyle Park during the school’s 4th Annual Fishing Derby. Organized by P.E. teacher Amy “Coach” Kennedy, the event gave 1st through 5th graders a chance to catch catfish in a pond stocked by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. With music, food, volunteers, and even a visit from the ice cream truck, the derby was a big hit — and for many students, it marked their very first fishing experience.
The Little Rock School District is proud to recognize National Nurses Week by celebrating the incredible work of our dedicated school nurses. These compassionate professionals support student health, safety, and success every day. We thank them for their vital role in our schools and their unwavering commitment to our students and families.
Carver STEAM Magnet Elementary lit up the stage during their Spring Showcase, where students shared impressive performances in music, art, and drama. The event celebrated their creativity and growth throughout the school year. A heartfelt thank you goes out to the dedicated staff who made the evening a memorable success for students, families, and the school community.
As we enter the second week of AP Exams, we want to congratulate our students for their hard work and determination so far. You’re doing an incredible job tackling these challenging tests. Remember to arrive on time, follow your teachers' guidance, and stay focused. You've got this!
The Little Rock School District will proudly celebrate the graduating Class of 2025 on May 22 at Barton Coliseum. Ceremonies for all four high schools—LR Southwest, Parkview, Hall-West, and LR Central—will take place throughout the day. Families are encouraged to arrive early, follow clear bag guidelines, and review event details in the official flyer to help make this a smooth and memorable occasion for our students. Congratulations, graduates!
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.
Dunbar Magnet Middle School will host its Career Fair on May 14, 2025, from 5:30 to 7:00 PM at 1100 Wright Ave in Little Rock. This exciting event is open to students and families and will feature local employers, workshops, and opportunities to learn about employment, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship. Attendees can connect with industry experts and gain valuable career-building skills. Dinner will be served.
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/
It's time for another CALS Used Book Sale! There will be $1 paperback and $2 hardback books for sale. All dates are open to the public. The sale takes place at the Port Industrial Hub: 7773 Sloane Dr., Little Rock.
Age Groups:
- Teens Ages 12-19
- Preschoolers Ages 3-5
- Pre-Teens Ages 9-12
- Kids Ages 6-8
- Families
- All Ages
- Adults
Looking for something unforgettable this Mother’s Day weekend? The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra is teaming up with Arkansas Circus Arts for Circus at the Symphony, a dazzling show that blends live orchestral music with high-flying circus acts. Enjoy aerialists, stilt dancers, jugglers, and more performing alongside classical favorites and cinematic scores. The event runs May 10–11, 2025—check the ASO box office for showtimes and tickets!
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!
2nd Friday Art Nights in Full Effect!
You're invited to the Old State House Museum on Friday, May 9, 2025, from 5 - 8 pm and enjoy some fantastic local music from The Gravel Yard. The Gravel Yard brings an eclectic style to the bluegrass world with lively originals and a twist on old school music.
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May 27-June 8, 2025: Me & 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 also happens to be an LRSD alum. Parkview Patriot in the house! |
Join the Little Rock community for one last week of Jazz in the Park, a free concert series for the extended version in May. The concerts are typically held each April and September at the River Market Pavilions, but weather caused the rescheduling. Experience a vibrant mix of jazz and R&B performances on May 14, 2025, by Dee Dee Jones. 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. The concerts run from 6-8 PM at the River Market Pavilions or First Security Amphitheater. In case of rain, they will move to Ottenheimer River Market Hall.
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.
The Rock City Film Festival, formerly the Made in Arkansas Film Festival, is returning to CALS Ron Robinson Theater from May 16-18, 2025. This annual event celebrates independent filmmakers with a diverse lineup of films, including comedies, documentaries, horror, and more. With something for everyone, it's an event you won’t want to miss. The festival offers complimentary parking and a variety of refreshments, making it the perfect destination for film enthusiasts! 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.
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