June is:
Congratulations to Little Rock Central High School’s Coach Aaron Butler, who was honored at the All Arkansas Preps Awards as both the Girls Wrestling Coach of the Year and the overall Arkansas Coach of the Year. This well-deserved recognition reflects Coach Butler’s dedication, leadership, and the continued success of Central’s outstanding wrestling program. Your LRSD family is proud of you!
Global Competition Next Week!
Out of over
200,000 students who participated in the 2024-2025 NBA Math Hoops season,
Mackenzie Enoch-Noble has been selected to represent Little
Rock School District
at the 2025
NBA MATH HOOPS GLOBAL CHAMPIONSHIP in New York City!
This is a most-expenses-paid experience in New York City for MacKenzie and her mom! The trip will include flights, hotel accommodations, signature events, and most meals throughout the trip. Good luck, MacKenzie - we're "counting" on you!
LRSD hosted a special Reading in the Rock event at Washington Barber College, where students received free books and discounted haircuts to help them stay sharp this summer—both academically and personally. The event combined literacy support with confidence-boosting haircuts, thanks to the partnership between LRSD and local barbers.
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")
Dozens of Little Free Library sites across Little Rock are ready for summer readers! Thanks to City Year Little Rock, many libraries have been freshly stocked with new books. Visit the Little Free Library website to find a location near you, pick up a great book, and feel free to leave one for others to enjoy. It’s a simple way to keep reading fun all summer long!
LRSD Royalty
National Championship
Two recent Little Rock Central High School graduates, Grayson Smith and Walker Lampley, are preparing to compete in the USA Climbing Youth National Championship later this month in Portland, Oregon. Longtime teammates and friends, the duo has trained together for years and continues to push each other to new heights in the sport they love. As they prepare for the national stage, both climbers are focused on personal growth, friendly competition, and enjoying the journey before starting college this fall. Watch the full story here.
LRSD celebrated the retirement of Ms. Vicky Simpson with a surprise party at the Henderson Media Center. Friends, family, and coworkers from departments including Procurement, Student Support Services, Counseling, and Federal Programs gathered to honor her years of dedicated service. Ms. Simpson’s impact across the district will be remembered and appreciated for years to come.
Several outstanding LRSD educators have been awarded state merit pay bonuses from the Arkansas Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) as part of the LEARNS Act's Merit Teacher Incentive Fund Program. This program recognizes top-performing teachers, school counselors, and library media specialists with annual bonuses of up to $10,000. This year, LRSD educators received a total of $210,000 in Growth Score Bonuses and $698,500 in Shortage Area Bonuses. Congratulations to all the recipients for their hard work, dedication, and impact in the classroom! To see the full list of recipients, click here.
Several students from Little Rock Central High School took part in a special naturalization ceremony at the Clinton Presidential Center. The LRCH Air Force JROTC presented the colors, and Student Council members handed out flags to 38 new U.S. citizens, helping make the event memorable and meaningful.
LRSD Family Connection for Upcoming
Dance Recital
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The
Centre for the DansArts, Inc. presents its 2025 dance recital "Soulful
Steps" featuring the Tidwell Project Dance Ensemble.
Centre for the DansArts was founded by LRSD's own C. Michael Tidwel,l and
performances will include a number of LRSD students, alumni, and even a few
staff members! Admission is free.
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he Little Rock School District is offering free breakfast and lunch this summer to students 18 years old and younger at select school sites across the city. Program dates vary by location. For a full list of sites, dates, and meal times, view the schedule here: https://www.lrsd.org/page/summer-school-meals. Let’s make sure every child has access to healthy meals this summer. Help spread the word!
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.
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The Little Rock community is stepping up in a big way to support the "Lunch On Us" initiative—a campaign dedicated to eliminating school lunch debt and ensuring every LRSD student has access to healthy, nutritious meals. Thanks to the incredible generosity of individuals, organizations, and city leaders, over $25,000 has already been raised! Contributions include major gifts donated to the City of Little Rock designated for this campaign ($18,000), Central supporters ($4,750), and Clinton School volunteers, who collectively donated over $2,000. Other donors, like Unite to Fight and individual community members, also contributed to the growing total. These funds will go directly toward clearing lunch debt for LRSD students and helping remove barriers to learning caused by food insecurity. Want to join the movement? Donate today and help us ensure no child learns hungry: https://ar.accessgov.com/treasury-management-division/Forms/Page/treasury-management-division/lr-cares-donation/0.
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!
Educators have an exciting opportunity to apply for grants of up to $5,000 to support classroom innovation, equity efforts, and professional development. The NEA Foundation offers Student Success Grants, Envision Equity Grants, and Learning and Leadership Grants. Educators are especially encouraged to apply for the Envision Equity category, which receives fewer applications. The deadline to apply is Monday, September 15, 2025. Visit neafoundation.org to learn more and submit your application.
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.
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!
Interested in becoming a substitute teacher? ESS is hiring and will host an informational session and training on Tuesday, June 2nd, to help guide applicants through the process. Whether you're just starting or need assistance with your application, this is a great opportunity to get support. Start your application at ESS.com and be sure to register here to attend the session.
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.
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LRSD high school students can earn college credit through concurrent credit courses offered right on their school campus. With classes available in subjects like Science, English, Math, and History, students have a great opportunity to get ahead academically. Families are encouraged to speak with their school counselor or visit the LRSD Advanced Academics page at lrsd.org to learn more.
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/
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.
After a weather delay, River Market Live! is back with a new date—Sunday, June 29. The evening will feature the incredible Rodney Block and His All-Star Friends performing live at the First Security Amphitheater from 6:00 to 8:30 PM. This free, family-friendly concert is a great way to close out Black Music Month in Little Rock with energy, soul, and community spirit. Bring a lawn chair, invite your friends, and enjoy a night of music under the stars!
Kick off your Fourth of July at the Historic Arkansas Museum with Frontier Fourth from 10 AM to 12 PM! Enjoy old-fashioned fun with a patriotic parade, sack races, printing press demos, and sweet summer treats like watermelon and lemonade. Don’t miss the festive reading of the Declaration of Independence to wrap up the morning!
Mark your calendars for Pops on the River 2025—happening July 4th from 5 to 10 PM in downtown Little Rock! This free, family-friendly event features live music, food trucks, kid zones, and a grand fireworks show over the Main Street Bridge. Enjoy performances by Kemistri, Rodney Block, and the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. Military members can visit the Military Appreciation Tent for special perks. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets for open seating—or reserve a spot in the amphitheater for just $15. Don’t miss this unforgettable Fourth of July tradition!
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.
