Friday, January 29, 2021

Friday Highlights 1.29.21

Important Dates

Feb. 1-5 - National School Counseling Week

Feb. 8-9 - Parent Conference Day (After School 3hrs)

Feb. 8 - Interim Reports Period (Sent home/online)

Feb 11 - Board Agenda Meeting

LRSD Educator Continues Her Winning Ways!

Arkansas PBS brought home three National Public Media Awards. Our own Stacey McAdoo received one of them. Mrs. McAdoo provided professional development/Arkansas IDEAS courses with AR PBS (Coaching Self-Expression: Go-In, Poet) and was recognized by the National Educational Television Association. Congrats, Mrs. McAdoo!

LRCH Student Takes on American Idol

We couldn’t be prouder of this young lady! Just learned that Tania Kelley, LRCH, is appearing on American Idol on February 14th! Let’s cheer on this talented student and keep our fingers crossed! Congrats, Tania! Your LRSD family will be rooting for you!
#LRSDPowerofUS

LRSD One Rock One Book KickOff

Over twelve-thousand elementary school students will begin simultaneously reading "Billy Sure Kid Entrepreneur" for the next six weeks. This is the eighth such effort in a targeted literacy/reading focus by the Little Rock School District as part of its annual reading campaign. All elementary campuses will host a virtual launch on Thursday, which features an introductory video by Superintendent Mike Poore and TikTok style promotions by LRSD students and sponsors. In addition to encouraging family reading, the campaign also teaches financial literacy.

#BSure2Read and #BSure2Post your fun videos/pics of reading activities.
Special Thanks to Sponsors:

Poore Man on the Roof Campaign Officially Underway

Last Tuesday LRSD kicked off its annual Poore Man on the Roof Campaign. Help us support families in need by donating non-perishable items, one dollar, or personal hygiene items. Don’t forget you can start collecting/donating now!

We are excited to announce that we now have CashApp to make the donation process easier. If you prefer to make a monetary donation, click on https://tinyurl.com/2021 PMOTR or on CashApp: $PooreManontheRoof or use the QR Code below to be redirected to the CashApp link.

Drop off sites for food and hygiene items include your child's school, , or your local Little Rock Kroger store. Thanks again, Kroger and Regional Manger, Luke Cordova!

Please copy and post the flyer and other contest graphics on your social media to help us spread the word and increase donations. Be sure to share your support using hashtags #2021PMOTR #LRSDPowerofUS.

We appreciate your continued support!

p.s. Stay tuned for our TikTock Challenge!

School Counselors Celebrate During National School Counseling Week, Feb. 1–5, 2021

National School Counseling Week 2021, “School Counselors: All in for All Students,” sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), will be celebrated from Feb. 1–5, 2021, to focus public attention on the unique contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems and how students benefit as a result of what school counselors do.

National School Counseling Week highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career.

National School Board Appreciation Month

In honor of National School Board Appreciation Month, LRSD students created/presented portraits

of each of the nine board members. Several of the board members say they were moved by the presentations. Check out the video tribute

Recap of LRSD Schoology Town Hall Panel

Little Rock School District hosted part two of its Schoology Town Hall panel this past Tuesday. Participants were able to tune in to Facebook live for an opportunity to have their questions answered in real time by Schoology ambassadors, teachers, and parents. If you missed out on this informative event, no worries! The sessions were recorded in Spanish and English and are available on demand at LRSDTV.org, Comcast Channel 4, and U-verse Channel 99.

Virtual Fridays

LRSD Family Leads the Way

Each year the Clinton Center selects 15 students and 15 educators to participate in its Student Presidential Leaders Series. This program is designed to inspire the next generation of leaders through curriculum and activities rooted in social engagement while further equipping educators with the skills to support student development.
We are excited to announce that a few of Little Rock School District's very own have been selected to participate in the program. We would like to extend our warmest congratulations to students Andrew Baker, Makayla Washington, and Lauryn Howard and educators Terentia Phillips and Monty Smith on this amazing achievement. We know that you will continue to make us all proud!
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Congratulations to these LRCH Presidential Scholars Candidates

Central High Sophomore Cares for Her Community

Little Rock Central High Sophomore Shankul Lohakare is using her free time to give back to her community with the creation of the Covid-19 Care Kit project. Lohakare's care kits were designed to support families in need of COVID-related emergency items. The kits contains materials like masks, a thermometer, and a pulse oximeter to help battle the coronavirus and detect early symptoms.

She will be giving away 50 kits at Central High school on Saturday January 30th, 2021 from 1:30pm while supplies last. Supplies will be distributed on a first come first serve basis and safety precautions will be followed as strictly as possible. If you come by to pick up a kit please wear a mask! If you don't need a kit, you are welcome to drive by and drop off cash donations. She is also fundraising through GoFundMe: (https://gofund.me/8e1a631b) Also, check out her informational YouTube video where she details the contents of her Covid-19 Care Kits. (https://youtu.be/D7Q4d5_5bAM)

Speaking of Staying Healthy - Check out this Info

Over the past two weeks, more than 1,600 LRSD employees received their COVID-19 vaccination. Special thanks to our community partners listed above who are providing their support. The latest one the vaccine clinic for employees on lrsd.org, as well as information on the vaccine, itself.

CAUGHT DOING GOOD

Literacy department administrative assistant, Shareka Pulliam (center), called out for being #CaughtDoingGood. Executive Director, Hope Worsham (right), says she has been a huge source of support and help with the tracking of the Science of Reading and helping with the R.I.S.E. trainings and that she helped to make that process smooth and easy. Thanks & congrats, Ms. Pulliam!

ABC’s of Skincare
January 31 @ 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm

A series dedicated to simplifying the science behind skincare ingredients and explaining trending techniques in the industry. Posted on the Thompson Library Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/211889102225911/810673159510213

Saturday, January 23, 2021

Friday Highlights 1.22.21

Important Dates

January is National Mentoring Month
Jan. 25 - Superintendent's Citation Program

Jan. 26 - Schoology Town Hall: English 5:30 p.m.; Spanish 6:30 p.m.

Jan. 28. - Board Meeting, 5:30 p.m. - Click here to submit Public Comments

Important Reminder to Parents of Current or Former Pre-K Students

We're looking forward to seeing you next year, but you MUST register by 5PM Monday.

In order to receive notification of your 21/22 Kindergarten school assignment, you will need to log into the Gateway portal and register for Kindergarten. You will NOT automatically roll up to any specialty or magnet schools without requesting. Finally, if you withdrew from LRSD during your Pre-K year, your data was purged. YOU MUST re-register for Kindergarten. Here's the link:

https://registration.lrsd.org/login

Thanks for being a part of the LRSD family! #LRSDPowerofUS

COVID Vaccine Clinics underway at LRSD Schools/Buildings

This week we vaccinated just shy of 1,000 employees on various campuses. It was a very positive experience and everyone was in great spirits! LRSD will continue these weekly clinics until all of our employees and contracted employees have had both rounds of vaccines.

A huge thanks out goes out to LRSD Health Coordinator Margo Bushmiaer and the nursing staff for ensuring that these clinics happened! If you see any of the school nurses while you are out in the buildings be sure and give them a big shout out! They deserve it. Special thanks also to the pharmacy partners from Kroger, Cornerstone, Don's, Arkansas Children's Hospital who helped administer the vaccines. The latest vaccine schedule for LRSD employees may be found here.

Official Kickoff of Poore Man on the Roof Joint Announcement - LRSD & Saint Mark

Click in pic above to see video of kickoff.

Congrats to Forest Heights STEM Academy 5th grader, Emory Thomas, winner of this year's art contest! Don't forget you can start collecting/donating now. If you prefer to make a monetary donation, click on https://tinyurl.com/2021 PMOTR

In the latest PMOTR development, we are proud to announce a new partnership with Kroger. Shoppers may make donations to the campaign by dropping items into the bins in front of LR area stores. Thanks, Kroger and Regional Manger, Luke Cordova!

Please copy and post the flyer and other contest graphics below in your social media to help us spread the word and increase donations. #2021PMOTR #LRSDPowerofUS

We appreciate your continued support!

Congrats to the additional LRSD/Exxon Mobil Grant winners recognized this week.

Principal James Castleberry, Parkview

Principal Michael Anthony, Henderson Principal Stephanie Franklin, Terry

(Upper Left) Principal Dr. Mark Roberts, Hall (Right Center) Principal Connie Green Williams

Principal Theresa Ketcher, Forest Park

CAUGHT DOING GOOD

Nurse Rae Rice, Parkview, was #CaughtDoingGood this week - celebrated by her principal and administrative team for her sun-up to sun-down approach to support not only students but staff, too. Congrats, Nurse Rice!!!

Coming to Facebook Live this Tuesday -

Schoology Town Hall Part II

Watch to learn and win great prizes!

Remember to catch the FB Live Stream this Tuesday for the latest Schoology Town Hall.

English Version - 5:30 p.m.

Spanish Version - 6:30 p.m.

Both programs will be recorded for later broadcast on LRSDTV.org, Comcast Channel 4 and U-verse 99

Recuerde ver la transmisión en vivo de FB este martes para conocer el último Ayuntamiento de Schoology.

Versión en inglés - 5:30 p.m.

Versión en español - 6:30 p.m.

Ambos programas se grabarán para su posterior transmisión en LRSDTV.org, Comcast Channel 4 y U-verse 99

Two LRSD Make the Cut for Gardening Grants

Congrats to Pulaski Heights Elementary and Mann Magnet Middle School, among 52 schools statewide to receive $500 gardening grants. Way to go!

Hall Students Take Writing to the Next Level

Our Stories, Our Voices, Our Visions is an anthology of writings and vision boards from students enrolled in the Read, Lead, Level Up project held at Hall STEAM Magnet High School. Hall library media specialist Edith Callaway-Frazier approached education consultant Patrick Oliver about assisting in the development of the project. Oliver was impressed with the student prose and vision board submissions. He also credits the students relationship with Ms. Sarah Dixon in developing innovative techniques, and as a major reason they were able to get writing great writing effort from participants who were primarily ESL students. Ms. Marilyn Johnson got her SPED students to create vision boards sharing about their personal and career aspirations.

Learn more about LRSD Community Schools

Interested in a Parent Support Program?

No Time Like the Present to Focus on Heart Health

Over the next few weeks, watch here for updates on LRSD's participation in heart-healthy activities/events. If you purchased a t-shirt last year for "Go Red" day, you likely received a text message from the Arkansas chapter of the American Heart Association about this year's t-shirts. If not, contact LRSD communications.

Meantime, here is a link to get you thinking/started about/on the path to better heart health.

How to Get Energy When You’re Too Tired to Workout

We are sharing the above Economic Impact Report graphic on behalf of our partners at the Central Arkansas Library. The report quantifies how CALS has been an economic driver for our city from 2010 to 2019, with $159 million of public funding having generated $1 billion of impact. It's important for the community to understand this information because CALS attributes its success to the people it serves.

Healthy Weight Awareness Month