Friday Highlights 6.24.22

June is National Safety Month

National Pride Month

Men's Health Month

African-American Music Appreciation Month 

National Caribbean American Month

National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month

Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month

July 4 - Independence Day (Offices Closed)

July 8 - Welcome Reception - Dr. Jermall Wright (See below for more details)

July 11 - Personnel Policy Committee Meeting @ 5:00 PM
July 14 - LRSD Agenda Meeting @5:30 PM

July 16 - ACT Test

Who Said Summer School Was Boring?!

The 3-week 21st Century War Eagle Summer Camp just wrapped up, but not before K-12 students expanded their horizons, exploring music, robotics, mountain biking cooking, math and more.  Special shout out to team leaders at Hall STEAM Magnet High School and Forest Heights STEM Academy for making it happen - Ms. Candy Smith, site coordinator,  and Ms. Tyronza Thames-Walker, program director.  

Welcome to LRSD and Administration!

                             

Xavier Hodo, Sr.                                 Dannisha Stroud

LRSD's Board of Education approved the selection of Xavier Hodo, Sr., as interim principal at Little Rock Southwest High School.  Hodo will succeed  Mr. Marvin Burton who has been tapped to serve as LRSD's Administrator on Special Assignment.  A 14-year educator, Hodo began his administrative career at the age of  24, serving as the youngest 6A principal at Greenville High School, the city's largest, with 1,600 students.  He currently serves as Director of Strategic Initiatives and Alternative Education in the Mississippi Achievement School District.  

A nearly 20-year educator, Ms. Dannisha Stroud has been named principal at Stephens Elementary following the departure of Mr. Phillip Carlock.  Carlock was recently selected as deputy superintendent for Pine Bluff School District.  Stroud is a certified PK-12 Building Level Administrator and has worked in the  District since 2005.  She began her career as an elementary teacher and since that time has served as a math interventionist, college/career readiness coach, K-8 facilitator, assistant principal, and athletic director.

Elsewhere at LRSD:

 Principal Wendy Minor moves from Otter Creek to King Elementary
Former Meadowcliff Principal Cynthia Collins transitions to Otter Creek as Interim Principal

Former Bale Principal Roxie Browning transitions to JA Fair as Assistant Principal 

Bale Principal TBA

Congratulations!

Need a Good Summer Read For
Your Student(s)?

Nyah Anderson Has a Recommendation!

FHSA 1st grader Nyah Anderson strongly recommends reading "Hoops - Digging Deep." Nyah says if you ever need a lesson on what it means to be a team player, pick up this book for your students!  Right now, you can hear more from Nyah on LRSD's Facebook page, but next week, her interview with LRSD Executive Director for Elementary Education, Mr. Darian Smith on our YouTube channel  For easy access:  www.lrsdlive.com

Juneteenth Arkansas Festival Recap

Last Saturday, the Little Rock School District participated in the Juneteenth Arkansas Festival. The holiday commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. Most also take the opportunity to celebrate African American culture and its contributions to society. 

LRSD Professional Development Director Celebrated Following Completion of  Leadership Greater Little Rock Class XXXVII

Please join us in congratulating LRSD professional Development Director Dr. Ericka McCarroll on being selected as a member of Leadership Greater Little Rock's (LGLR) 37th class. LGLR was established in 1985 and is a nine-month community leadership program committed to enhancing and connecting leaders from businesses, nonprofits, and government. We are so proud of Dr. McCarroll for her commitment and for leading by example. 

LRCH Coach Featured in 2022 Arkansas Business 20 In Their 20s Edition

Join us in also sending a huge congratulations to LRCH basketball coach Caleb Surly on being selected as one of this year's Arkansas Business 20 In Their 20s! Each year, a group of young, talented leaders in Arkansas' business and nonprofit community are recognized for making an impact and displaying leadership qualities in their communities. 

Mann Magnet Teacher Receives Project Learning Tree's Leadership in Education Award

Horace Mann Magnet Middle teacher Jackie Scott was recently awarded Project Learning Tree's Leadership in Education Award. We are so proud of Ms. Scott for her latest achievement and ask our LRSD family to join us in sending her a huge congratulations. 

Three 2022 Grads Benefit from Veteran Educator's Longstanding Tradition of
Gifting $2 Bills

A Little Rock School District teacher's kindness, beginning with the simple act of gifting two-dollar bills, has multiplied in ways she never imagined.  Following Nona Whittaker's retirement ceremony -  50-plus years with LRSD - district officials surprised the educator by awarding not one, but three scholarships in her name.  Watch the video to see more on this inspirational story, then read more about how Nona Whittaker started the generous tradition, in her own words.

Be Sure to Mark Your Calendars for a Few Important Upcoming Events 

Welcome Reception for New LRSD Supt. Dr. Jermall Wright

Due to space limitations, this is a ticketed event.  More info, including dates for additional meet-and-greets/community meetings, will be shared via LRSD's website, social media, ParentLink and traditional media partners.

LRSD Back-to-School Convocation

Support LRSD Excel's Chapter of Educators Rising in the 2022 Summer Cereal Drive

LRSD Excel’s chapter of Educators Rising is participating in the 2022 Summer Cereal Drive hosted by KTHV11 and the Arkansas Foodbank. We would like your support in making the efforts of Educators Rising successful. If you would like to donate, you may click the link below, which goes directly to the Foodbank. You may also contribute cereal in boxes, cereal in bags or cereal bars. A drop-off box is located in the lobby of the LRSD administration building, 810 W. Markham. For more information about LRSD’s participation, please contact LaDonna.Oates@lrsd.org. Thanks for your support.

Donation Form: (donorperfect.net)

Deadline Reminder - July 7th

Important Reminder

Do You Have an Event/Information You Would Like Featured in Our Blog?

Fill out this media request form: https://lrsd.jotform.com/201056269402044?  

Remember, the deadline for each week's submissions is Thursday, noon.

CALS Count Up Summer Stem 

June 27 @ 1:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Children’s Library

4800 W 10th St

Little Rock, AR. 72204

501-978-3870

CALS' Count Up tutors will be offering hands-on math themed activities this summer. They are inviting you to join whether you’re a math whiz or not: no proficiency level required.

Grades K-3 from 1-2:30pm, Grades 4-8 from 3-4:30pm

Songs of Freedom: Stories from the Civil Rights Movement

Join the Jazz Ambassadors at LRCH National Historic Site for a FREE jazz concert this Friday, June 24 from 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm. 

CALS Kids Bee club

June 28 @ 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Children’s Library

4800 W 10th St

Little Rock, AR. 72204

501-978-3870

Meet at the observation hive inside Children’s Library to learn about our friends the bees! Activities include going outside to explore the world of the honey bee and other pollinators. Space is limited to 12 participants. Sign up at the desk or call Patrice at 501-978-3878.

48th Annual Farmers Market Offers Tasty Locally Grown Options

Don't forget you can pick up some delicious local favorites from the downtown Farmers Market at the
 River Market